Learn how to make cold brew coffee at home using regular ground coffee and a large mason jar. Simply combine ground coffee and water, let it steep overnight, then strain it for an easy homemade cold brew concentrate—no special equipment or coffee required.
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The cold brewing process results in a less acidic and smoother beverage than regular drip coffee because the cold water extracts fewer bitter compounds and acids from the coffee grounds. It can be served cold or hot and be flavored just like you would your normal hot or iced coffee.
We drink it with milk, sugar, and other flavorings like maple syrup or chocolate sauce. We also use it in our Copycat Chick-fil-A Frosted Coffee, Iced Caramel Coffee, and many other flavored coffee drinks.
Ingredient Notes
See recipe card for exact amounts.
- Ground Coffee: Use whatever coffee you normally buy. If you grind whole coffee beans yourself, use a coarse grind. I usually buy pre-ground coffee, and regular ground coffee works just fine for this recipe.
- Water: I use filtered water from my refrigerator dispenser, but regular tap water works too.
How to Make Cold Brew Coffee at Home
- Place ¾ cup of ground coffee and 3 cups of room temperature water in a 1 quart mason jar, place the lid on tightly and shake to distribute the grounds. Let the coffee steep at room temperature for 12-18 hours. For me, the perfect cold brew takes about 18 hours.
- Place 4 layers of cheese cloth in a mesh strainer and pour the coffee through it. Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
- To serve: it can be served as is, if you like a stronger brew. We mix it with water 1:1, so a ½ cup of cold brew with ½ cup of water for 1 cup of coffee.
Tips
- I use a regular fine mesh strainer lined with four layers of cheesecloth. A paper coffee filter may also work, but I haven’t tested that method.
- The best brew time is somewhere between 12 and 24 hours, depending on how strong you want it to be. It’s not recommended to let it brew longer than 24 hours because it could become bitter.
- Steeping in the refrigerator will slow down the extraction process. If you aren’t able to tend to it within 24 hours it can steep in the fridge for a bit longer. It shouldn’t steep for more than 48 hours.
Storage
Store cold brew concentrate in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. You can make cold brew with regular pre-ground coffee; you don’t need to buy special coarse-ground coffee. Because regular ground coffee is finer, I strain mine through a fine mesh strainer lined with cheesecloth to remove the grounds.
For this recipe, I use a 1:4 ratio of ground coffee to water—¾ cup ground coffee to 3 cups water. This makes a cold brew concentrate that can be diluted with water or milk to taste.
Yes. Although cold brew is usually served cold, you can heat it in the microwave or on the stovetop. If you’re using cold brew concentrate, dilute it with water or milk first, then heat it to your preferred temperature.
Ways to Use Cold Brew
- Iced Coffee with Sweet Condensed Milk – Rich, creamy iced coffee sweetened with condensed milk.
- Iced Mocha Coffee – An easy chocolate coffee drink made with cold brew.
- Iced Vanilla Coffee – A simple vanilla-flavored iced coffee you can make at home.
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How to Make Cold Brew
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Equipment
- 1 jar with a lid
- cheesecloth
- strainer
Ingredients
- 3 cups water
- ¾ cup ground coffee
Instructions
- Place ¾ cup ground coffee and 3 cups water in a 1 quart mason jar, place the lid on tightly and shake to distribute the grounds.
- Let coffee steep at room temperature for 12-18 hours.
- Place 4 layers of cheese cloth in a mesh strainer and strain coffee.
- To serve mix with water 1:1.
About Mindy
Mindy has been cooking for over 30 years, starting as a young mother who learned how to create delicious meals on a budget. Today, she shares approachable recipes made with everyday ingredients that are easy, affordable, and family-friendly. Her goal is to show that great food doesn’t need to be complicated or expensive.