Homemade Cold Brew Coffee Concentrate Recipe

The first time I tasted properly made cold brew coffee, I was shocked at how different it was from my sad attempts at iced coffee (you know, hot coffee poured over ice that gets all watery and bitter). That smooth, rich flavor completely changed my coffee game! After countless experiments in my kitchen—and plenty of caffeine jitters—I’ve finally perfected this cold brew coffee concentrate recipe that rivals anything you’d pay $5 for at your local coffee shop.

This cold brew concentrate is incredibly versatile – perfect for busy mornings when you need a quick caffeine boost or warm summer afternoons when you’re craving something refreshing. The best part? It’s ridiculously simple to make and stores beautifully in your refrigerator for up to a week. My family loves having this concentrate on hand, and it always disappears fast!

Perfectly Smooth Homemade Cold Brew Coffee Concentrate

This easy, no-heat method delivers a smooth, rich coffee concentrate that’s less acidic than traditional brewing methods. Simply dilute with water, ice, or your favorite milk for a perfect cup every time!

Ingredients

• 75 grams medium-coarse ground coffee beans (about 1 cup whole beans before grinding or slightly less than 1 cup ground)
• 3 cups (710 ml/710 grams) filtered water

Instructions

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1. Combine: Add the coffee grounds and filtered water to a large jar or container. Use a whisk to mix them thoroughly together, making sure all grounds are fully saturated. (The whisking step is crucial for even extraction!)

2. Brew: Seal the jar with a lid and place it in the refrigerator for 18 hours. (You can also brew at room temperature, but I find the refrigerator method produces a cleaner taste.)

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3. Filter: Place a nut milk bag or cheesecloth in a sieve over a bowl. Slowly pour the cold brew mixture into the lined sieve to filter out all grounds. For an extra-smooth concentrate, filter a second time. (Patience is key here – don’t rush this step!)

4. Serve: To serve, dilute with 1 part cold brew concentrate to 2 parts water, ice, or milk/creamer of choice. Adjust the ratio to your taste preference.

Yield: Approximately 2½ cups of concentrate (makes about 7-9 servings when diluted)
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Resting Time: 18 hours
Total Time: 18 hours 5 minutes

Nutritional Information

Calories: 1 kcal | Sodium: 4mg | Calcium: 2mg (per serving of undiluted concentrate)

What brewing ratio should I use for cold brew?

The perfect cold brew concentrate depends on getting the ratio right. This recipe uses a ratio of 25 grams of coffee to 1 cup of water, which creates a balanced concentrate that’s strong enough to stand up to dilution but not overwhelmingly bitter.

If you’re using a kitchen scale (which I highly recommend for consistent results!), the 75 grams of coffee to 3 cups of water creates the perfect strength. Don’t worry if you don’t have a scale, though – about 1 cup of whole beans before grinding will get you close to the right amount.

Can I make cold brew in a French press?

Absolutely! A French press is one of my favorite ways to make cold brew because it simplifies the filtering process. Simply follow the same instructions, but make the cold brew directly in your French press.

If your French press is on the smaller side (as many are), you might need to scale down the recipe. Try using 50 grams of coffee to 2 cups of water (470 ml/470 grams). After brewing, just press down the plunger slowly to separate the grounds from your liquid gold!

How can I customize my cold brew flavor?

The wonderful thing about making your cold brew concentrate is how easily you can customize it to your taste preferences. Here are some of my favorite ways to make this recipe your own:

• Brewing time: While 18 hours is my sweet spot for a perfectly balanced concentrate, you can adjust the brewing time to your preference. I recommend keeping it between 12 and 24 hours – less for a milder flavor, more for a stronger brew. (Just remember that longer isn’t always better – over-extraction can lead to bitterness!)
• Hot bloom method: For a more complex flavor profile with increased acidity and caffeine content, try the hot bloom method. First, add just enough hot water to cover the coffee grounds and stir. Wait 30 seconds before adding the remaining amount of cold water and proceeding with the normal brewing process. I particularly love this method when I plan to add milk or cream to my finished drink, as the dairy balances the increased acidity beautifully.
• Coffee bean selection: While this recipe works with any coffee beans, experimenting with different roasts and origins can dramatically change your final product. Medium roasts often provide a balanced flavor profile with chocolate and caramel notes, while lighter roasts can highlight fruitier, more acidic notes.

Tips for Cold Brew Success

After making countless batches of cold brew concentrate, I’ve picked up some tricks that make a huge difference in the final product:

• Use filtered water: Coffee is mostly water, so the quality of your water matters! Using filtered water improves the flavor significantly.
• Grind size matters: A medium-coarse grind (similar to coarse sea salt) works best for cold brew. Too fine, and you’ll end up with a bitter, muddy concentrate. Too coarse, and your brew will be under-extracted and weak.
• Don’t use paper coffee filters: While it might seem tempting to use the filters you already have on hand, coffee filters take far too long for cold brew and increase the chance of spillage. Stick with a nut milk bag or cheesecloth for best results.
• Store properly: Keep your cold brew concentrate in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This helps preserve freshness and prevents it from absorbing other flavors from your fridge.

How to Store Cold Brew Coffee Concentrate

This cold brew coffee concentrate stores beautifully in the refrigerator for up to one week in an airtight container. I like to make a batch every Sunday so I have delicious coffee ready to go all week long!

If you notice your concentrate starting to taste slightly off after several days, it’s past its prime. While it won’t make you sick, coffee does start to oxidize and lose its best flavor after about a week.

FAQ

The Perfect Way to Start Your Day

There you have it – a simple yet incredible cold brew coffee concentrate that will transform your morning routine! This recipe has become a staple in our house, especially during the warmer months when hot coffee just doesn’t hit the spot.

What I love most about cold brew is how it creates a smoother, less acidic coffee experience that’s gentler on your stomach while still delivering that caffeine kick we all need to get going. Plus, having a batch ready in the fridge saves precious morning time when every minute counts!

Have you tried making cold brew concentrate before? Leave a comment below and let me know how your homemade cold brew coffee concentrate turned out! If you have any favorite mix-ins or serving suggestions, I’d love to hear those too – I’m always looking for new ways to enjoy my morning coffee!

Looking for more coffee inspiration? Check out my tutorials on making the perfect pour-over coffee or my decadent mocha protein smoothie that uses cold brew as the base!

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