Cold Brew Coffee: How to Make It at Home in 24 Hours
What Is Cold Brew?
Cold brew is coffee steeped in cold or room-temperature water for 12–24 hours, then filtered. Unlike iced coffee (hot-brewed coffee poured over ice), cold brew never meets heat — which means the acidic and bitter compounds that hot water extracts simply never develop. The result is a naturally smooth, low-acid, slightly sweet concentrate that holds up perfectly over ice and in milk drinks.
What You Need
- 100g coarsely ground specialty coffee — we recommend dark roast or medium-dark roast for the richest cold brew profile
- 700ml cold filtered water (for concentrate) or 1L for a ready-to-drink ratio
- Large jar or pitcher (32oz minimum)
- Fine mesh strainer plus paper filter, cheesecloth, or a dedicated cold brew filter bag
- 24 hours and a refrigerator
The Recipe
Step 1: Grind
Use a coarse grind — similar to raw sugar or slightly coarser than French press. A quality burr grinder is important here: fine particles in cold brew create a muddy, bitter concentrate. Grind fresh immediately before brewing.
Step 2: Combine
Add 100g ground coffee to your jar. Pour 700ml of cold filtered water over the grounds. Stir gently to ensure all grounds are saturated. Do not stir again.
Step 3: Steep
Cover loosely and steep at room temperature for 12–16 hours, or in the refrigerator for 18–24 hours. Room temperature produces a slightly stronger, bolder concentrate. Refrigerator produces a cleaner, more delicate profile.
Step 4: Filter
Pour the mixture through a fine mesh strainer lined with a paper filter or cheesecloth into a clean jar. Do not press or squeeze — let gravity do the work. This takes 3–5 minutes but produces a clean, sediment-free concentrate.
Step 5: Store and Serve
Cold brew concentrate keeps in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Serve over ice with equal parts water or milk, or use straight as the base for cold brew cocktails and signature cafe drinks.
The best cold brew starts with the best coffee. PURE EARTH COFFEE specialty beans produce a cold brew with real depth — chocolate, caramel, and a naturally sweet finish.
Cold Brew Ratios Quick Reference
- Concentrate (recommended): 1:7 (100g coffee : 700ml water) — dilute 1:1 before serving
- Ready to drink: 1:10 (100g coffee : 1000ml water) — serve straight over ice
- Extra strong (for lattes): 1:5 (100g : 500ml) — designed to cut through milk
Use our Compare Our Coffees tool to find the perfect roast for cold brew. Serve in quality glassware for the full experience.
Key Takeaways
- Cold brew is steeped cold, producing a naturally smooth, low-acid concentrate.
- Use a coarse grind and a 1:7 ratio for concentrate (dilute 1:1 before serving).
- Steep 12–16 hours at room temp or 18–24 hours in the fridge.
- Filter slowly through paper — do not press or squeeze the grounds.
- Dark or medium-dark roast specialty coffee produces the richest, most complex cold brew.
Everything You Need From PURE EARTH COFFEE
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MAKE IT WITH THE BEST BEANS
Cold brew is only as good as the coffee behind it. Shop PURE EARTH COFFEE specialty coffee.
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