How to Make the Perfect Cold Brew Coffee + Recipes

crazy by Editorial Staff | Updated on February 1st, 2023

Can’t get enough of cold brew coffee? Neither can we! We’ve rounded up some of the best recipes to make your delicious cold brew from the comfort of your home. From creamy concoctions to classic cold brews, we’ve got it all here. So grab your favorite coffee beans, and let’s get brewing!


What is Cold Brew Coffee

Cold brew coffee is a coffee made by steeping coarsely ground coffee beans in room-temperature water for 12-24 hours, creating a smooth and less acidic flavor. Unlike regular iced coffee, cold brew is not made by cooling down hot coffee but by steeping the grounds in cold water for an extended period.

round white ceramic mug near clear glass cup filled with black liquid on table

This method results in a stronger, more flavorful cup of coffee that can be served either iced or hot. Cold brew is sometimes referred to as Kyoto-style coffee in Japan, where it originated. It’s becoming increasingly popular due to its unique taste and the convenience of having it ready to enjoy anytime.

Why Cold Brew Your Coffee?

Cold brew coffee is quickly becoming the go-to choice for many coffee lovers. By brewing coffee in cold water instead of hot, the drink’s flavor is much smoother and milder, with less acidity than traditional coffee.

Plus, it contains beneficial compounds like caffeine, phenolic compounds, magnesium, and trigonelline that may reduce the risk of heart disease. Cold brew coffee also has up to 65% less acidity than regular coffee, making it easier on the stomach and tastier.

Another benefit is that it takes longer to make, but you have a much richer and more flavorful beverage. On top of all these benefits, cold brew may even be healthier than regular coffee. So why not try cold-brewing your next cup of joe?

There Are Many Ways to Make Cold Brew Coffee

Making cold brew coffee is an easy and delicious way to enjoy your favorite blend of beans. There are many different methods to make cold brew coffee, but the most popular is steeping coarsely ground coffee beans in cold or room-temperature water. This method requires a bit of patience, as it often has a much longer brew time than other coffee-making methods.

One of the easiest and cleanest ways to cold brew coffee is to use a coffee maker like the  Toddy Cold Brew Coffee System we review here or use French Press for a cold brew and how to use Aeropress.

If you have a large french press, you can use that, too. To use this method, put the water and grinds in the Press and let it sit for 12-18 hours. After that time has passed, press down on the plunger and drain it into a carafe for later use. The only issue with this method is finding a

The process is so uncomplicated you could use a regular bucket. You mix the appropriate amount of coffee with the right amount of water, let it sit for the specified amount of time, and then strain the cold brew coffee concentrate through a filter and store it for future use.

Cold Brew Coffee Recipe

There is no one recipe for cold brew coffee. Every coffee is different, and every coffee lover has different tastes.  

The search for the perfect cup of coffee has to start somewhere. Therefore, below is the gold standard cold brew coffee recipe. This does not mean it is the best or will be your favorite cold brew coffee recipe. It is a starting point that will make a good cup of coffee, and from there, you can tweak and adjust it to suit your tastes.

The Standard Cold Brew Coffee Recipe

To make a good batch of cold brew coffee in the container of your choice or a  Toddy Cold Brew Coffee System, use the following ratios:

12 ounces of coarse grind coffee and 7 cups of filtered water

Or

16 ounces of coarse ground coffee and 9 cups of filtered water.

Mix the coffee and water and let sit at room temperature for at least 12 hours.

At the end of the steeping time, filter the cold brew coffee concentrate through a filter to remove the grinds. Store the cold brew coffee concentrate in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

To make the cup of coffee, add one part syrup to three parts filtered water.  

For example, 2 ounces of concentrate and six ounces of water for an 8-ounce cup of coffee.

You can use hot water or heat the resulting mix in the microwave.

How to make cold brew coffee: Using a Mason Jar

Using the metric system, 1 ounce is equivalent to 28 grams. You will need 1 ounce of coarsely ground coffee for every cup of water. That amounts to around 1/4 cup of whole coffee beans, which makes about 1/2 cup of ground coffee.

The ratio mentioned can be changed. It will be useful if you have a kitchen scale, but it is not required. When the cold brew concentrate is ready, you can re-dilute it to your preferred strength.

  • Since some of the water will be absorbed by the coffee grounds, the amount of concentrate you produce will be slightly less than the amount of water you use. Your ultimate yield will double because you will mix it with the same amount of water.
  • For example, in a 1-quart wide-mouth mason jar, use  3 ounces of coarsely ground coffee and 3 cups of water. You will have enough cold brew concentrate after steeping and filtering the mixture to make 5 cups of cold brew. Simply double the following amounts if you have a 2-quart jar.
  • Use 5 ounces of coffee (about 1 1/4 cups of whole coffee beans processed into about 2 1/2 cups of coarsely ground coffee) and 5 cups of water if you have an extra-large French press. You’ll have enough concentration left enough to make 8 1/2 cups of cold brew, or around 4 1/4 cups total.

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make cold-brew coffee at home. It will take you roughly 15 minutes for prep time, with a total needed time of 20 minutes.

This recipe calls for 1 ounce* (28 grams) of coffee per 1 cup of water and is meant to be made in a 1-quart wide-mouth Mason jar. The amounts will yield approximately 2 12 cups of concentrate, which is plenty for 5 cups of cold brew. Although the first week is when the flavor is at its peak, cold brew concentrate keeps nicely in the fridge for up to two weeks.

Ingredients needed

  • 3 ounces or 85 grams of coffee (coarsely-ground
  • 3.0 glasses of water (preferably filtered)

Steps

  1. Mix the coffee and water in a 1-quart wide-mouth mason jar.
  2. Stir to mix. Allow 5 minutes to rest, and then stir again for better water exposure.
  3. Cover the container with a lid and place it in the fridge for 12 to 18 hours.
  4. When it’s time to strain your cold brew, set a tiny fine-mesh sieve over a paper coffee filter, a tiny, thin cotton napkin, a towel, or a handkerchief.
  5. Pour the concentrate into a pitcher or liquid measuring cup through the sieve you’ve created.
  6. Allow it to lie for a while so that the last bit of cold brew can seep in.
  7. To serve, put ice in a glass and pour water into it halfway.
  8. Pour the cold brew concentrate into the remaining space in the glass and mix to blend.

Additional tips

Make sure that beans are coarsely crushed

Your beans should resemble coarse cornmeal or maybe be a bit tougher. Hence, ensure your beans are coarsely crushed. It is because finely ground beans, such as those used for drip coffee, might over-infuse the coffee and cause the strained coffee to be murky and gritty.

Use filtered water, if possible.

If you use filtered water to prepare your coffee, it will taste fresher and sweeter.

Steep for a minimum of 12 hours

You can adjust this time, so don’t be too strict. This must be done continuously for the coffee to infuse the water fully. Before straining can result in a weaker cup of coffee, watch out for over-steeping since this can begin to extract some of the bitter flavors we’re trying to avoid. However, it is not recommended to steep for longer than around 15 hours.

Chill your coffee

Add coffee ice cubes to your cold brew to chill it.

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Editorial Staff

The editorial staff at Crazy Coffee Crave is a team of coffee enthusiasts & Baristas who enjoy the one thing we all think about as soon as we get up in the morning. Trusted by thousands of readers worldwide.