Over the past decade, cold brew coffee has soared in popularity within the coffee world, and its rise cannot be solely attributed to millennials’ affinity for trendy beverages. This delightful concoction captivates coffee enthusiasts with its remarkably smooth, sweet, and refreshing qualities, offering a delightful way to savor your morning cup of joe.

The Best Cold Brew Coffee Recipe

Creating cold brew coffee at home doesn’t require any fancy pouring techniques or specialized equipment, making it one of the easiest ways to enjoy coffee in the comfort of your own home. The best part? You don’t even need to boil water!

In this fantastic recipe, we’ll guide you through making cold brew concentrate using a cold brew coffee maker, which can be as simple as a Mason jar and some cheesecloth.

Here’s what you’ll need for your cold brew coffee adventure:

– 3 oz of whole bean coffee (approximately 1 cup of coffee beans)

– 4 cups of cold filtered water

– A cold brew coffee maker (at least 1.5 qt in size)

– A burr coffee grinder

– Cheesecloth

– A strainer or sieve

At a glance, here are the key details:

– Brew Time: 12 – 24 hours

– Yield: 3 cups of coffee concentrate

Step 1: Weigh and Grind the Coffee Beans

To begin, measure out 3 ounces of coffee beans and grind them to a coarse consistency. If you don’t have access to a scale, you can use approximately 1 cup of beans as a substitute. Personally, I prefer a slightly coarser grind compared to what I use for my French press. This should yield around 1 cup of ground coffee.

Step 2: Combine Coffee and Water

Add the freshly ground coffee to your preferred brewing vessel. Next, pour 4 cups of water over the coffee grounds, ensuring they are fully saturated. Give the mixture a quick stir to ensure even distribution.

Pro tip: Since cold brew requires a longer steeping time, the quality of water used is crucial. For the best results, opt for filtered water, either cold or at room temperature.

Step 3: Steep the Cold Brew

The steeping time for cold brew can vary between 12 and 24 hours, depending on factors such as grind size, coffee roast, and steeping temperature.

You have the option to steep your cold brew on the countertop or in the refrigerator. If you choose the refrigerator method, keep in mind that the cold environment slows down the extraction process, so aim for a steeping time of 16 to 24 hours. On the other hand, if you prefer to steep at room temperature, 12 to 16 hours should be sufficient. As a starting point, I recommend steeping for 16 hours.

Pro tip: If your cold brew concentrate tastes weak or watery, it requires additional steeping time. Conversely, if it tastes bitter or astringent, it has steeped for too long.

Step 4: Strain the Coffee Grounds

There are various methods to remove the coffee grounds from the concentrate, depending on the equipment you have available.

If you don’t have specialized coffee gear, you can simply line a strainer or sieve with a few layers of cheesecloth and pour the coffee concentrate through it. Another option is to use a pour-over dripper lined with a coffee filter. Some brewing devices, such as French presses or cold-brew makers, come equipped with built-in filtration systems.

Store the strained concentrate in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

How long does cold brew coffee last?

When stored in the refrigerator, your cold brew concentrate can last up to two weeks. This makes it practical to prepare a larger batch. However, once the concentrate is diluted, it is best to consume it within a day or two.

Step 5: Dilute the Coffee, Serve, and Enjoy

After preparing your concentrate, there are countless delightful ways to enjoy a glass of cold brew coffee. One of the most common methods is to add cold milk or water at a ratio of 1:2 and pour it over ice cubes for a refreshing cup of coffee.

Feel free to experiment with different variations and flavors to customize your cold brew experience.

Pro tip: Granulated sugar doesn’t dissolve well in cold brew. If you prefer to sweeten your cold brew, consider using liquid sweeteners such as simple syrup, honey, or maple syrup.