Once you've made your first batch of cold brew, it's hard to go back. The long, slow extraction produces a smooth, mellow cup with very low acidity and a natural sweetness. This guide covers our go-to cold brew recipe, plus everything you need to know to make a great batch at home.
What Is Cold Brew Coffee?
Cold brew is made by steeping coarsely ground coffee in cold or room temperature water for an extended period, typically 12–18 hours, rather than using heat to extract flavour quickly. The result is a smooth, concentrated coffee with low acidity, gentle sweetness, and a clean finish. It can be served straight over ice, diluted with water or milk, or used as a base for iced coffee drinks.
The History of Cold Brew Coffee
Cold brewing dates back to 17th-century Japan, influenced by Dutch traders and often associated with Kyoto-style coffee; modern brewers such as the Hario Mizudashi helped popularise accessible cold brew preparation worldwide during the specialty coffee boom of the 2010s.
Fun fact: Cold brew can contain more caffeine than hot coffee, depending on how it's diluted. The long steep time extracts a high concentration of caffeine from the grounds.
Why We Love It
- Low acidity and bitterness
- Smooth, sweet flavour profile
- Excellent for batch preparation
- Versatile served black, with milk, or over ice
What You'll Need
Essentials
- Cold brew maker or large jar with a filter
- Filter or mesh strainer
- Fresh coarse ground coffee
- Stirrer
- Scales
- Water
Bonus
- Coffee grinder
- Filtered water
- Ice for serving
Water quality makes a particularly noticeable difference with cold brew. Because there's no heat involved, the process has fewer ways to mask mineral-heavy or heavily chlorinated tap water. Filtered water will produce a noticeably cleaner, sweeter result.
Our Go-To Cold Brew Recipe
- Coffee: 50g
- Water: 750ml (~1:15 ratio)
- Grind: Coarse
- Water Temp: Cold or room temperature
- Brew Time: 12–18 hours refrigerated
Steps
- Add 50g of coarsely ground coffee into the filter basket
- Place the filter basket into the brewer
- Slowly pour a small amount of water over the coffee to fully saturate the grounds
- Continue pouring gradually until 750ml total water is reached
- Gently stir or swirl to ensure all coffee is evenly saturated
- Place the lid onto the brewer and refrigerate for 12–18 hours
- Once brewing is complete, remove the filter basket and allow any excess coffee to drain fully
- Serve over ice or enjoy straight from the refrigerator
- Store any remaining cold brew in the refrigerator and consume within 5–7 days
Dial-In Tips
Cold brew is one of the most forgiving methods to adjust, as the long brew time means small changes have a gradual effect.
- Too strong or bitter: try brewing for less time (aim for the lower end of 12 hours) or dilute slightly before serving
- Too weak or watery: try brewing for longer, or increase your coffee dose slightly
- Too much sediment: make sure your grind is coarse enough, and allow the filter basket to drain fully before removing
- Lacking sweetness or clarity: try filtered water, or experiment with a lighter roast coffee
Troubleshooting Your Cold Brew
Cold brew tastes bitter or harsh
Over-extraction is usually the cause. Try reducing your brew time. 12 hours is often enough, particularly in warmer weather or if your fridge runs slightly above average temperature. Grinding coarser can also help, as finer particles extract more quickly and can introduce bitterness over a long steep.
Cold brew tastes weak or watery
Try extending the brew time closer to 18 hours, or increase your coffee dose slightly. You can also try brewing at room temperature rather than in the fridge, which speeds up extraction, though keep an eye on it and taste periodically.
There's a lot of sediment in the finished brew
This is usually a sign that the grind is too fine, or that the filter basket wasn't given enough time to drain before being removed. Make sure you're using a coarse grind, and allow the basket to drain fully. This can take a few minutes.
Cold brew tastes sour or sharp
Sourness in cold brew is less common than with hot methods but can occur if the brew time is too short or the water is very cold. Try extending the steep slightly, or allow it to begin at room temperature for the first hour before transferring to the fridge.
My cold brew has gone off before 5–7 days
Make sure the brewer is sealed properly and stored at a consistently cold temperature. Avoid leaving it out at room temperature for extended periods after brewing. If the coffee smells or tastes off before the 5–7 day window, discard it and check that your equipment is thoroughly clean before the next batch.
What You're Aiming For
Smooth, mellow, and refreshing, with low acidity, gentle sweetness, and a clean finish.
Cold Brew Coffee: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best coffee for cold brew?
Medium to dark roasts tend to work particularly well, as their chocolatey, caramel, and nutty notes translate beautifully into a cold brew concentrate. That said, lighter roasts with bright fruit notes can produce a wonderfully refreshing cold brew. It's worth experimenting. Look for coffees with a naturally sweet, smooth character rather than sharp acidity.
Can I make cold brew without a cold brew maker?
Yes! A large jar or jug with a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth works perfectly well. Add your coffee and water, stir, cover, and refrigerate. When ready, strain the coffee through the mesh or cloth into a clean vessel. The result is the same; a dedicated cold brew maker just makes the process a little more convenient.
How strong is cold brew compared to regular coffee?
Cold brew made at a 1:15 ratio is roughly similar in strength to a regular filter coffee when served straight. However, many people brew cold brew as a concentrate at a higher ratio (such as 1:8) and dilute it before serving, in which case the undiluted concentrate can be significantly stronger than a standard cup.
Can I brew cold brew at room temperature instead of in the fridge?
Yes, though the brew time will be shorter: typically 8–12 hours at room temperature rather than 12–18 hours in the fridge. The warmer temperature speeds up extraction. Keep an eye on it and taste periodically, as it can over-extract more easily at room temperature.
How long does cold brew keep in the fridge?
Up to 5–7 days when stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator. After that, the flavour begins to deteriorate. Cold brew concentrate, if you've brewed at a higher ratio, tends to keep slightly longer due to its lower water content.
