Homemade Cold Brew Coffee

Smooth, refreshing coffee made the easy way.

A Little About This Drink

If you enjoy iced coffee but have never tried making your own cold brew, you might be surprised by how easy it is. There’s no special brewing technique to master, no expensive equipment required, and no standing around waiting for hot coffee to cool. All you really need is coffee, water, a jar, and a little patience.

Cold brew is different from ordinary iced coffee because the grounds steep in cold water rather than being brewed with heat. The result is a smooth, rich coffee that many people find less bitter than traditional brewed coffee. Make a batch ahead of time, keep it in the refrigerator, and you’ll have the foundation for all kinds of delicious iced coffee drinks. Add milk, a little vanilla, or your favorite flavoring, and you’ve got your own coffeehouse right in the kitchen.

Affiliate Disclosure: Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you purchase through them, Quit Drinking Plan may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I recommend products I genuinely enjoy or believe may be useful.

THE RECIPE

Prep: 5 minutes, plus 12-18 hours steeping | Makes: approximately 4 cups of concentrate

Ingredients

1 cup coarsely ground coffee
4 cups cold, filtered water
Ice for serving
Additional water, milk, or sweetener as desired

Instructions

Place the coarsely ground coffee in a large jar or pitcher.
Pour in the cold water and stir gently to make sure all the coffee grounds are saturated.
Cover and refrigerate for 12–18 hours.
Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve lined with a coffee filter to remove the grounds.
Transfer the strained cold brew concentrate to a clean, covered container and refrigerate.
To serve, pour the concentrate over ice and dilute with cold water or milk to your preferred strength. Start with equal parts concentrate and water or milk, then adjust to taste.

Make It Your Own

Cold brew is a wonderful starting point for all kinds of coffee drinks. Add a splash of vanilla syrup, a little caramel, or a sprinkle of cinnamon. For a creamy version, use your favorite milk or half-and-half. You can also experiment with different coffee beans and roast levels to discover the flavor you enjoy most. Decaf coffee beans work beautifully if you’d prefer to skip the caffeine.

Make It Special

Serve your cold brew in a tall glass with large ice cubes and a splash of milk poured slowly over the top. The swirling layers of coffee and cream make a beautiful presentation. Keep a small pitcher of homemade cold brew in the refrigerator so you can enjoy a refreshing glass whenever the mood strikes. For a little coffeehouse flair, add cold foam or a light dusting of cinnamon.

What I Use

Make Cold Brew the Easy Way

You can make cold brew coffee with nothing more than a jar and a strainer, but a dedicated cold brew maker makes the process even easier. It keeps the grounds contained, simplifies straining, and makes it convenient to keep fresh cold brew in your refrigerator for whenever you want a refreshing iced coffee.

More Drinks to Try

Alcohol-Free Drinks

Chocolate Hazelnut Iced Mocha

Rich chocolate, smooth coffee, and sweet hazelnut come together in this creamy iced mocha.

Alcohol-Free Drinks

Cinnamon Maple Latte

Warm cinnamon, sweet maple syrup, and creamy coffee make this cozy latte a comforting treat.