How long do you need to brew cold brew concentrate?

For optimal flavor, brew your cold brew concentrate for 18 hours. This timeframe extracts the perfect balance of flavors without introducing too much bitterness. You can experiment with brewing times between 12 and 24 hours, depending on your taste preferences, but I've found 18 hours to be the sweet spot that works consistently well.

How can I prevent my cold brew from becoming too watery?

The key is maintaining the correct coffee-to-water ratio (25 grams of coffee per cup of water) and using the proper filtering technique. When filtering, avoid pressing or squeezing the grounds too forcefully, as this can release bitter compounds. Remember that cold brew is a concentrate meant to be diluted. If it tastes too strong initially, that's perfect!

How long does cold brew coffee concentrate last?

When stored properly in an airtight container in the refrigerator, your cold brew concentrate will remain at its peak freshness for up to a week. After that, while the water is still safe to drink , the flavor may begin to degrade. I recommend making just enough to last you about a week for the best taste experience.

Delicious Homemade Cold Brew Coffee Concentrate Recipe

Description

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

Scale

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

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

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!)
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.)
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!)
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.

Notes

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.

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Resting Time: 18 hours
Category: Coffee, Drinks
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 9
Calories: 1 kcal
Sodium: 4mg