Cold brew coffee has taken the world by storm — and for good reason. It's smooth, low-acid, naturally sweet, and incredibly easy to make at home. The secret? A simple 1:8 ratio and a little patience. Here's everything you need to know.
What Is Cold Brew?
Cold brew is coffee steeped in cold or room-temperature water for an extended period (usually 12–24 hours), rather than brewed with hot water. The result is a concentrate that's less bitter, less acidic, and incredibly smooth — perfect for iced drinks or even warming up with a splash of hot water.
The Magic Ratio: 1:8
The golden ratio for cold brew is 1 part coffee to 8 parts water. This produces a concentrate that's strong enough to drink over ice (which dilutes it slightly) or mix with milk.
- For a small batch: 60g coffee + 480ml water
- For a medium batch: 100g coffee + 800ml water
- For a large batch: 150g coffee + 1.2L water
What You'll Need
- Coarsely ground coffee (a burr grinder is ideal)
- Cold or room-temperature filtered water
- A large jar, pitcher, or French press
- A fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth
- 12–24 hours of patience
For best results, grind your beans fresh and coarse. The 1Zpresso K-Ultra Manual Coffee Grinder gives you precise, consistent coarse grinds that are perfect for cold brew.
Step-by-Step Cold Brew Recipe
Step 1: Grind Your Coffee Coarsely
Set your grinder to a coarse setting — similar to raw sugar. Fine grinds will make your cold brew bitter and muddy.
Step 2: Combine Coffee and Water
Add your ground coffee to your jar or pitcher, then pour cold filtered water over it. Stir gently to make sure all the grounds are saturated.
Step 3: Steep
Cover and let it steep at room temperature for 12 hours, or in the fridge for up to 24 hours. The longer it steeps, the stronger and more complex the flavor.
Step 4: Strain
Pour the concentrate through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth into a clean jar. Discard the grounds.
Step 5: Serve and Enjoy
Pour over ice, add milk or cream if desired, and enjoy. Your cold brew will keep in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
Best Beans for Cold Brew
Medium to dark roasts work best for cold brew — they produce a rich, chocolatey concentrate with natural sweetness. Try the Organic Swiss Water Process Decaf Cold Brew Coffee (Coarse Ground, 1 LB) for a smooth, caffeine-free option, or the Door County Coffee Cold Brew Variety Pack for a ready-to-drink shortcut.
Pro Tips
- Always use coarse grounds — fine grinds lead to over-extraction and bitterness.
- Filter twice for an ultra-clean, sediment-free concentrate.
- Make a big batch — cold brew keeps for 2 weeks, so you'll always have it ready.
- Dilute to taste — start with a 1:1 ratio of concentrate to water or milk.
Once you make cold brew at home, you'll never go back to buying it. It's cheaper, fresher, and endlessly customizable. Happy brewing! ☕
