Cold brew coffee is an easy way to get your coffee fix each day – make it ahead of time and then fix to your liking, no machines required!
Do you know what’s amazing? Having coffee at the ready every morning. Once I learned how to make cold brew coffee, my mornings became a whole lot easier. Instead of scooping grinds, putting them into the pot or Keurig, putting in water, and waiting the long, long minutes it takes for my elixir of the Gods to be let down, I simply go to the fridge, pour the pre-made coffee concentrate, water, and milk into my cup. THAT’S IT. And let me tell you – when I’m exhausted and have a toddler whining, any minutes I can shave off my morning routine are a blessing.
Not only is cold brew quick and easy, but it’s delicious. It’s less bitter and more smooth than traditionally brewed coffee, and you can make it as strong as you’d like since you choose how much to water down the concentrate with each cup.
Here’s what you need:
Coffee (I recommend a medium strength)
Water
Container
Yup, that’s it. In this picture I’m using half decaf – sometimes I make half-caf on weeks I know I’ll be drinking a lot of coffee. Perk #57232459 of making cold brew coffee: you can customize your brew! Also, if you’re like me you have at least 2 half used bags or cans at any one time. With cold brew, you can use up the last of different bags in one batch.
The rule of thumb fo how to make cold brew coffee is 1/3 cup coffee grinds to 1 cup water. I usually end up using 4 cups of water because it’s what fits in my container and it lasts me about a week. Add the coffee to your container. I use this gelato jar because the line is just about 1 1/3 cups of coffee, so I don’t even measure anything anymore. If you start making it weekly, I recommend either finding a jar that has a line of some sort or marking your jar to make life easier. Add your water and stir or shake.
Let it sit on your counter for at least 8 hours but no more than 24. If you think you won’t have time to strain in the next 24 hours, throw it into the fridge for up to 72 hours.
Your last step is to strain. I have used both a colander and a fine mesh for this. Grab your straining device of choice and line it with one of the following: a coffee filter, 2 layers of paper towels, a square of fabric, or cheese cloth. I usually use paper towels because I always forget to get coffee filters at the store. Put the coffee concentrate into a jar and refrigerate. You’re done!
EDIT: You can also put a coffee filter on the mouth of another jar and secure with a rubber band, then pour onto the filter.
You will probably have to play around for a bit to find your strength preference, but I use about 1/3 coffee, 2/3 water and then add milk of choice and sweetener to taste.
I’ve also found that if you boil your water and then add it to the cold concentrate, you’ve just made yourself a nice hot cup of coffee.
Have you ever had cold brew coffee? Have you ever made it? Let me know in the comments!
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Kate says
Thank you for this! It’s the easiest method I’ve seen so far. I love iced coffee, but haven’t gotten around to trying it out myself. I’m excited about this!
Morgan says
It’s the best ever!! I broke down a few months ago and finally made it, and I haven’t looked back since!
Elizabeth (Rock-A-Bye Parents) says
I need a great way to make cold coffee.It’s finally getting warm enough that it’s too hot to drink hot coffee. I have to try this out!
Morgan says
YES! My dad can drink hot coffee year round, but when it’s hot I get SO nauseous just holding it.
Stacie @ SimplySouthernStacie says
As someone who is not a coffee drinker (I know, like the one person in the entire world), I had no clue that you could cold brew coffee!
gigi says
Hi! No, I’ve never made cold brewed coffee, and I don’t think I’ve had it ever either! Cool! Seems like a good thing to bring on a vacation (a vacation you take with a car so you can pack it in the car) and then you don’t have to fumble around trying to figure out how to make coffee the next morning! Thanks!
Morgan says
It’s really delicious! It’s a bit more mellow so the bite you might expect from traditionally brewed coffee isn;t there, but in a good way. It is also a great way to make not so great quality coffee taste great! Thanks for stopping by GiGi
Becky says
I can’t wait to try this! I love iced coffee and this recipe sounds perfect for a morning or mid-day pick-me-up.
Thank you for sharing!
Rosemary @anitalianinmykitchen.com says
This sounds delicious, I will have to try it. Thanks for linking up at the Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop.
Krista says
This looks very interesting. I have never tried cold brew coffee before. But I am up for trying new things so I will be giving it a try. You added some nice tips.
Kate says
I’ve heard a lot about cold brewed coffee but never tried it, your method makes it look doable!
Debbie E says
Such a cool idea. I use the keurig to do mine. This is such an awesome idea. thanks for posting it 😀
Jennifer Dodrill @ All-In-One-Mom says
My sister loves all the ways to make coffees, can’t wait to share this with her! Pinning!
Janet Vinyard says
Thanks for sharing this technique – I’ve never tried making coffee the cold way but I look forward to trying it as I love iced coffee drinks! Blessings, Janet
Stefani @ Crafty Christian says
YUM! I love iced coffee, but haven’t been able to master it with hot coffee. Now I’m excited to give this a try for summer 🙂 My kids will thank you for their happy, caffed up mama 😉
Elise Welch says
Looks so good! Thanks for sharing!
Nikki Frank-Hamilton says
Morgan, I love coffee and drink a few cups each morning. but I’ve always just iced it down to have iced coffee. But never been happy with the results, it gets too diluted. This is the perfect solution, I never heard of doing it this way! My daughter loves iced coffee and with the summer right around the corner she will love this! You just made me the “best mom ever!”
Jaclyn says
Thank you for sharing this!! This is a great method that is sure to save me lots of money!! I am addicted to iced coffee and haven’t been finding good ones lately …
PS – showing some fellow Jersey Mom Love <3
Lindsey says
Yep, I definitely needed this. It’s getting warm and I look forward to my coffee so much, but I end up SWEATING the entire time I try to get ready in the morning. Definitely going to try this method!
Pat Fenner says
Love cold-brewed coffee – it’s a great summer-time drink! I put my grinds into a coffee filter, tie it closed and then steep them. It saves the mess and extra step of having to filter it all when it’s done. And then I can get to enjoying my cool drink that much faster! 😉
Thanks for sharing this on Coffee and Conversation last week – how so very relevant!!
Have a great week!!
Lori says
I’ve heard of this, but didn’t know it was this easy to make! Would you be willing to share this at my link party? You have a bunch of cute ideas that my readers would love to check out!
http://www.thestonybrookhouse.com/2016/05/dishing-it-digging-it-link-party-97.html
Echo says
You know you had me at coffee with this post! I love cold brew, so I am definitely going to try to make some!!!! I can’t wait to try it!
Anya says
I love coffee but never made cold brew before. Thanks for this easy tutorial.
Hannah | Eat, Drink, and Save Money says
Beautiful! I love cold brew coffee so much and don’t make it enough.
I’ve blogged about cold brew before but my pictures are awful compared to this. You inspire me to step up my game!
Thanks for linking this up on Share the Wealth Sunday. I’m going to feature you this week!
Melissa @ My Darla Clementine says
Wow, I can’t believe how easy this is! I always thought you needed special equipment to make cold brew. I have a friend who makes cold brew and then just mixes some in her mug with hot water every day for an “instant” hot coffee. I’ve been drinking tea lately, but maybe I should try this method for my husband! Thanks for sharing your tutorial on Simply Natural Saturdays with us.
Jen @Practical, By Default says
As a coffee drinker, I was so excited to see this post! I added it to my food board, and can not wait for warmer weather to try this out! Thank you! Going to save me some money $$
Jenn @ Loveland Lodge says
So excited to try this! I love iced coffee and have been trying to figure out the best way to make it at home. I also just bought some ice cube trays to make coffee cubes so the iced coffee doesn’t get watered down.
Sarah C says
I just tried this and really loved it! Have a great weekend!
Courtney says
Oh, this is super helpful! I’ve gotten into a coffee rut, so I’m going to try to make it this way. 🙂
Morgan says
It’s my favorite ever! And since it’s concentrated, it’s super versatile!
Gloria @ Homemade & Yummy says
Hey just letting you know your great recipe is featured in this week’s linky party!!
http://homemadeandyummy.com/friday-favorites-week-326/
I will also be pinning it to the Friday Favorties board. Share the news with your social media, and thanks for linking up.
Melissa Coleman says
So my husband actually gave this a try a couple of times since you shared it with us last time, and i am happy to report that it turned out to his satisfaction! 🙂 Thanks again for linking up on Simply Natural Saturdays.