How to Make Smooth Cold Brew Coffee at Home

Learn how to make smooth, flavorful cold brew coffee at home with this simple recipe. Brewing your own cold brew saves money and time while delivering a rich, low-acid cup you’ll love.

If you’re trying to cut back on coffee shop visits but still crave cold brew, this easy method is perfect. Coarsely ground coffee steeps in cold, filtered water for 12–24 hours to produce a bold, smooth concentrate that’s naturally less acidic than hot-brewed coffee.

Finish your drink with a splash of simple syrup and cream, and use coffee ice cubes to keep it chilled without diluting the flavor. One batch of this cold brew will make multiple servings, so you’ll have great coffee ready whenever you want it.

This was the best cold brew recipe I’ve tried! So yummy 😋

– Marcy

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Cold Brew Coffee: Ingredients & Equipment

overhead photo of the ingredients and equipment in this Cold Brew Coffee recipe

Coarsely ground coffee. Use a high-quality coffee, whole beans ground to a coarse texture. Decaf works if you prefer. Grinding your own ensures the correct consistency for easy filtering.
Filtered water. Clean, filtered water produces the best-tasting cold brew.
Cheesecloth or large coffee filter. Cheesecloth is ideal for straining out grounds; a fine mesh strainer and filter also work.
1-gallon container or pitcher. Choose a jar or pitcher large enough to hold the coffee and water with extra space for stirring.
Simple syrup (optional). Use homemade or store-bought simple syrup, honey, or a flavored syrup to sweeten to taste.
Heavy cream or milk. Use heavy cream, whole milk, non-dairy milk, or creamer depending on preference.
Coffee ice cubes (optional). Freeze leftover cold brew in ice trays to keep drinks cold without watering them down.

How to Make Cold Brew Coffee

Follow these straightforward steps to make a smooth cold brew concentrate. Plan ahead — most of the time is hands-off steeping.

1. Coarsely grind 5 ounces (about 140 g) of whole bean coffee. Use a grinder or pulse briefly in a blender, taking care not to create a fine grind.

coffee beans in a grinder before grinding

coarsely ground coffee in a grinder with a spoon to make cold brew coffee

2. Pour 8 cups (½ gallon) of cold, filtered water into a 1-gallon jar or pitcher.

3. Add the coarsely ground coffee to the water and stir to make sure all grounds are wet. Use a long-handled spoon for easy mixing.

coffee grounds being poured into the glass jar with water

a wooden spoon stirring the coffee grounds into the water in the glass jar.

4. Cover the jar and refrigerate. Steep 12–24 hours; 24 hours yields deeper flavor. Stir occasionally if you remember, but it’s not required.

cold brew coffee steeping in a glass jar with a white lid

5. After steeping, strain the mixture. Line a fine-mesh strainer with cheesecloth or a large coffee filter and set it over a large container. Slowly pour the cold brew through the strainer, pausing as needed to allow liquid to pass through without overflowing.

straining coffee grounds through a cheesecloth and fine mesh strainer

6. Transfer the strained cold brew to a clean jar or pitcher and refrigerate. It will keep for up to one week.

Cold Brew Coffee Recipe in two glass jars, one with a cork lid.

Serving: Add Cream & Sweetener

This recipe makes a slightly sweet, creamy cup. Adjust syrup and dairy to your taste.

1. Fill a large glass with 1 cup ice (or coffee ice cubes).

2. Add 1½ cups cold brew, 2 tablespoons simple syrup (or to taste), and 2 tablespoons heavy cream (or your preferred milk or creamer).

Cold Brew Coffee being poured into a glass with ice

3. Stir, taste, and enjoy. You can substitute flavored creamers or swap sweeteners as desired.

simple syrup being poured into a glass of Cold Brew Coffee

cream being poured into a glass of Cold Brew Coffee

Serve

Stir with a straw and serve immediately for the best flavor. Pair this cold brew with breakfast or a smoothie for a refreshing start to your day.

More Coffee Recipes

Make coffeehouse favorites at home and save time and money.

Try a homemade latte to skip the coffee shop.
Make a batch of simple syrup to sweeten drinks easily.
Try homemade iced coffee for a quick, refreshing drink.
Enjoy seasonal favorites like pumpkin spice lattes when in season.
Blend a coffee smoothie for a filling, caffeinated treat.
Freeze coffee ice cubes to chill drinks without watering them down.

a hand stirring a glass of Cold Brew Coffee with a straw

Store

Keep cold brew in a sealed glass jar in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Use as needed to make daily drinks.

Freeze

Freeze leftover cold brew in ice cube trays to use in iced drinks or smoothies without diluting flavor.

Cold Brew Coffee FAQs

Can I double this recipe?

Yes. You can scale this recipe to make a full gallon or more. Use a larger container or split the batch into two containers so you can stir the mixture evenly.

What kind of coffee is best for cold brew?

Medium- to dark-roast whole beans work well; grind them coarsely for proper extraction and easy straining.

What is the difference between iced coffee and cold brew?

Iced coffee is typically brewed hot and cooled over ice, while cold brew is made by steeping coffee in cold water for an extended period (usually 12–24 hours).

Can you use regular ground coffee for cold brew?

You can, but pre-ground coffee is often too fine. Whole beans ground coarsely give better results and filter more cleanly.

Can you reuse coffee grounds to make cold brew?

No. Reusing grounds will produce weak, under-extracted coffee. Fresh grounds yield the best flavor.

Cold Brew Coffee in a glass with coffee ice cubes

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Cold Brew Coffee Recipe

Laura

Learn how to make cold brew coffee with this easy recipe! Save time and money on trips to the coffee shop with this delicious homemade cold brew coffee!

5 from 1 vote

Course Breakfast, Drinks

Cuisine American

Servings 6 servings

Calories 213

Prep Time5 minutes

Steeping1 day

Total Time1 day 5 minutes

Equipment

1 gallon glass jar
Cheesecloth (or large coffee filter)
Coffee grinder
Long wooden spoon

Ingredients

5 ounces coffee (coarsely ground)
½ gallon cold water (8 cups, filtered)

For Serving

1 cup ice (or coffee ice cubes)
1 ½ cups cold brew coffee
2 Tablespoons simple syrup
2 Tablespoons heavy cream

Instructions

Coarsely grind the coffee.
Fill a 1-gallon jar or pitcher half-full with 8 cups of cold water.
Add the ground coffee and stir to combine.
Cover and refrigerate to steep for 12–24 hours.
Line a strainer with cheesecloth or a large coffee filter and strain the cold brew into a large container.
Store the strained cold brew in a sealed jar in the refrigerator.

To Serve Cold Brew Coffee

Put 1 cup ice (or coffee ice cubes) in a large glass.
Add 1½ cups cold brew, 2 tablespoons simple syrup, and 2 tablespoons heavy cream.
Stir and enjoy.

Notes

*Nutrition Information is calculated for a serving that includes 1½ cups cold brew, 2 tablespoons simple syrup, and 2 tablespoons heavy cream and should be considered an estimate.

Ingredient & Equipment Notes

Coarsely ground coffee. Whole beans ground coarsely work best for extraction and straining.
Filtered water. Improves clarity and flavor.
Cheesecloth. A preferred method for filtering grounds cleanly.
1-gallon container. Choose a jar or pitcher with a lid for easy mixing and storage.
Simple syrup. Substitute honey or flavored syrups if you prefer.
Heavy cream or milk. Use dairy or non-dairy alternatives to suit your taste.

Store

Keep refrigerated in a sealed glass jar for up to 1 week.

Freeze

Freeze in trays to make coffee ice cubes for future drinks.