How to Use Cold Brew
Learn how to use cold brew with Brewed Within to create smooth, refreshing coffee drinks at home. This simple guide shows you how to mix, dilute, and serve cold brew with milk, ice, or your favorite flavors for a perfectly balanced cup every time
Equipment
- Large container or pitcher with lid (for steeping)
- Fine mesh strainer or cloth filter (to remove grounds)
- Digital scale (for accurate measurements)
- Coffee grinder (burr grinder is best)
- Spoon or stir-stick
- Serving pitcher or bottles to store concentrate
- Glass for serving
Ingredients
- Freshly roasted whole-bean coffee
- Clean, filtered water (room temperature or cold)
- Ice (optional, for serving)
- Milk or milk alternative, simple syrup or sweetener (optional)
Instructions
- Step 1: Measure & Grind - Decide how much cold brew concentrate you want to make, such as using around 60 to 70 grams of coffee with about 900 grams of water for roughly 1 litre, adjusting the ratio to suit your taste. Weigh your beans for accuracy and grind them to a coarse consistency, using freshly roasted beans for the best flavor and aroma.
- Step 2: Combine Coffee & Water - Place the coarsely ground coffee into a large container or pitcher, then pour room temperature or cold filtered water over the grounds, ensuring they are fully submerged. Stir gently so all the coffee is evenly saturated and no dry grounds remain floating on top, helping promote even extraction.
- Step 3: Steep - Cover the container with a lid or plastic wrap and allow the mixture to steep for 12 to 24 hours, depending on your preference for strength, with shorter times producing a smoother taste and longer times creating a richer concentrate. You can steep at room temperature or in the refrigerator, especially in warmer climates to maintain stability.
- Step 4: Strain the Grounds - After steeping, strain the mixture by pouring it through a mesh strainer lined with a cloth or fine filter into a clean bowl or pitcher to separate the liquid from the grounds. If you notice excess sediment, strain it a second time to achieve a cleaner, smoother concentrate.
- Step 5: Store & Serve - Transfer the finished cold brew concentrate into an airtight bottle or pitcher and store it in the refrigerator, where it can stay fresh for about one week. When ready to serve, pour the concentrate over ice and dilute with water, milk, or a milk alternative, commonly using a 1 to 1 or 1 to 2 ratio, and add sweetener or flavored syrup if desired.
Notes
Recommended Ratio & Settings
- A good ratio to start: 1 g coffee : ~15-17 g water (for a regular brew) or, if making concentrate, use more coffee relative to water.
- Grind size: coarse — similar to coarse sea salt or breadcrumbs.