Cold brew coffee in glass bottle with iced glass showing smooth low-acid brewing method

How to Make Cold Brew Coffee | Simple Home Guide

Elizabeth Keller

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Cold Brew Coffee

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Cold brew coffee is one of the smoothest, most approachable ways to enjoy coffee — naturally low in acidity, rich in flavor, and incredibly easy to make at home.

Unlike hot brewing methods, cold brew steeps coffee grounds in cold water for an extended period, producing a concentrate that's smooth, sweet, and never bitter.


Why It Tastes Different

Slow Extraction, Smoother Flavor

Cold water extracts coffee more slowly than hot water, which means less of the acidic and bitter compounds are released. The result is a naturally sweeter, mellower cup.

→ How Acidity Shapes Coffee Flavor

→ Cold Brew vs Iced Coffee — What's the Difference?


Ratio & Grind Guide

Cold Brew at a Glance

Step What to Do
Grind Size Coarse (like sea salt)
Ratio 1:8 (coffee to water) for concentrate
Steep Time 12–24 hours in the fridge
Serve Dilute 1:1 with water or milk

Instructions

Step-by-Step Cold Brew

1. Grind Your Coffee — Use a coarse grind, similar to sea salt. Fine grinds will over-extract and turn bitter.

2. Combine Coffee and Cold Water — Add coffee to a large jar or pitcher. Pour cold, filtered water over the grounds.

3. Stir and Cover — Stir gently to ensure all grounds are saturated. Cover and refrigerate.

4. Steep 12–24 Hours — Longer steeping = stronger concentrate. 16–18 hours is a reliable sweet spot.

5. Strain and Serve — Strain through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth. Dilute with water or milk before serving.


Best Coffees for Cold Brew

Smooth, Bold & Built for Long Extraction

Sumatra — Earthy, bold, and intensely full-bodied

Bali Blue — Rich and smooth with deep cocoa complexity

Brazil Santos — Nutty, chocolatey, and low in acidity

House Blend — Balanced richness for everyday cold brew

Try a Sample Pack →


Find Your Cold Brew Coffee

Start with the Single Origin Sample Pack

Cold brew rewards bold, full-bodied beans. Our Single Origin Sample Pack gives you six distinct origins to experiment with — all roasted to order and shipped fresh.

Six Origins · Roasted to Order · Free US Shipping

Shop the Single Origin Sample Pack
Browse all single-origin coffees →

Method Comparison

Cold Brew vs Other Brewing Methods

Cold brew — Lowest acidity, smooth, sweet, concentrate-based

Pour over — Bright, clean, origin-forward

French press — Full body, rich, immersion-brewed

→ Pour Over Guide

→ French Press Guide

→ Best Brewing Method for Beginners


From the Journal

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Continue Exploring

More from the Journal

→ Grind Size Guide

→ Why Does My Iced Coffee Taste Watery?

→ Pour Over Guide

→ French Press Guide

→ Espresso at Home

→ Visit Brew & Steep Journal

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