Cold Brew Concentrate Recipe

By
Morgan Baker
Morgan Walker
Morgan Baker
Morgan is a recipe developer and photographer. She is also a gardener and exceptional hugger.
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Updated on 12/22/21
Cold Brew Coffee Concentrate

The Spruce Eats / Morgan Baker
Prep: 5 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Brew and Strain: 13 hrs
Total: 13 hrs 5 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Yield: 2 cups concentrate
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
0 Calories
0g Fat
0g Carbs
0g Protein
Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories 0
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g 0%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 9mg 0%
Total Carbohydrate 0g 0%
Dietary Fiber 0g 0%
Total Sugars 0g
Protein 0g
Vitamin C 0mg 0%
Calcium 7mg 1%
Iron 0mg 0%
Potassium 22mg 0%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Cold brew is the refreshing, invigorating, easy summer coffee you need. The process includes overnight standing time, so the hardest part will be waiting to sip your new favorite drink. While you can purchase cold brew concentrate in most grocery stores, making it at home ensures its freshness and taste. It also tends to be more economical.

Try making a weekly batch of concentrate, so you have it on hand for whenever you need a pick-me-up. Store in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator and prepare as you like. Try adding milk or milk alternatives, simple syrup of any desired flavor, and even a dash of cinnamon. This concentrate is also great for adding to desserts. Try it in chocolate cakes, over ice cream, or mixed with sweetened condensed milk and frozen into popsicle molds.

Ingredients

  • 6 ounces coarsely ground coffee beans

  • 3 1/2 cups cold water

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Cold brew ingredients

    The Spruce Eats / Morgan Baker

  2. Place ground coffee in a large container like a pitcher or a large jar. Add the water.

    Coffee grounds and water in a jar

    The Spruce Eats / Morgan Baker

  3. Stir gently, making sure all the coffee grounds are saturated.  Cover with a clean kitchen towel or cheesecloth and let stand at room temperature for 12 hours or up to overnight.

    Cold brew in a jar covered with tea towel

    The Spruce Eats / Morgan Baker

  4. Line a fine-mesh sieve with cheesecloth, and set over a large pitcher. Pour the coffee through the sieve into the pitcher. Do not stir the mixture, this will keep the concentrate from going cloudy. Once the mixture is done straining, discard the cheesecloth with coffee grounds.

    Coffee grounds in cheesecloth in a strainer over a bowl

    The Spruce Eats / Morgan Baker

  5. Wash the sieve and line with a large coffee filter. Place it over a large measuring cup or jar. Pour the coffee through the filter-lined sieve and allow it to naturally drip into the jar, do not stir. This may take up to an hour.

    Coffee straining through a filter

    The Spruce Eats / Morgan Baker

  6. Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to three weeks. To make a cup of coffee, mix 1 part cold brew concentrate with 1 part water or milk of choice.

    Cold brew coffee concentrate mixed in a glass

    The Spruce Eats / Morgan Baker

How to Store

Store cold brew concentrate in an airtight container in the fridge. It will last for three weeks but is consume within 10 days for optimal taste.

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