Homemade cold brew: recipe, coffee-to-water ratio, and tips for success

TL;DR: Cold brew is coffee steeped in cold water for 12 to 24 hours. Basic ratio: 1 part coffee to 8 parts water (ready-to-drink) or 1 part coffee to 4 parts water (concentrate). The result: a smooth, low-acid coffee, rich in flavor. Ideal with a fruity coffee like an Ethiopian natural or a Colombian washed.

What is cold brew?

Cold brew (or cold-steeped coffee) is a preparation method that involves steeping coarsely ground coffee in cold water for 12 to 24 hours, then filtering it. Unlike flash brew — which extracts hot and cools on ice — cold brew never uses heat.

The result is radically different: a smoother, less acidic coffee, with a silky body and sweeter aromas. Caffeine content is also higher due to the long contact time.

Basic recipe: concentrated cold brew

The concentrate is the most practical version: you dilute it to your taste when serving.

Ingredients:

• 100g coffee beans (coarse grind)
• 400ml cold or room temperature water
• An airtight jar + filter (cheesecloth, coffee filter, Chemex)

Steps:

1. Grind coffee coarsely (French press grind)
2. Mix ground coffee and cold water in the jar
3. Close and place in the refrigerator
4. Steep for 12 to 20 hours
5. Filter through a fine filter to remove grounds
6. Store in the refrigerator for up to 14 days

To serve: Dilute 1 part concentrate with 1 to 2 parts water (or milk, or plant-based milk). Serve over ice.

What coffee to use for cold brew?

This is where the choice of bean truly makes a difference. Cold water extracts differently from hot water: it draws out sweet, chocolatey, and fruity notes better, and less of the acidic or bitter aromas.

Natural coffees — Excellent choice. Our Ethiopia Guji Rubí (fruity natural) makes a cold brew with notes of cherry, blueberry, and cocoa. Very aromatic and naturally sweet.

Washed Colombian coffees — Fresher and more tart. Our Colombia La Esperanza Rojo brings notes of red fruits and a beautiful freshness. Ideal if you prefer a less sweet cold brew.

Espresso blends — Also work as cold brew, with a more chocolatey and full-bodied result. Our Cosy Blend makes a balanced cold brew with caramel notes.

Mistakes to avoid

• Grind too fine: cold brew will be bitter and difficult to filter
• Steeping too long: beyond 24 hours, tannins extract and the result becomes harsh
• Hard tap water: use filtered water to avoid masking the aromas
• Stale coffee: stale coffee will produce a flat and uninteresting cold brew

Cold brew vs flash brew: which to choose?

Cold brew is smoother, sweeter, less acidic — perfect if you like a comforting iced coffee. Flash brew better preserves delicate and floral aromas, with more vibrancy. For very distinctive specialty coffees (Yirgacheffe, fruity naturals), flash brew might be more interesting. For daily, easy use, cold brew wins.

Discover our specialty coffee beans roasted to order for your next cold brews.