Cold Brew Coffee Concentrate

Introduction

Cold Brew Coffee Concentrate is the ultimate way to enjoy bold, smooth coffee in seconds. Unlike regular iced coffee, cold brew is steeped slowly in cold water for hours, resulting in a less acidic, highly concentrated coffee base that you can customize to your liking. Whether you sip it over ice, make creamy lattes, or use it as a mixer in innovative coffee cocktails, this recipe empowers you to serve coffeehouse-quality drinks right at home—without expensive runs to the café.

Why Make Cold Brew Coffee Concentrate?

The beauty of homemade cold brew lies in its flavor and versatility. By using coarsely ground beans and a slow extraction process, the concentrate achieves a well-rounded richness—perfect for coffee lovers who crave smoothness without bitterness. Storing a batch in the fridge guarantees you’re just seconds away from energizing refreshment, morning or afternoon. Enjoy it straight, diluted to taste, or as the star ingredient in gourmet drinks.

Choosing and Prepping Your Coffee Beans

For cold brew, a medium or dark roast delivers the best, most robust flavor. Use a grinder or ask your local coffee shop to coarsely grind your beans. Fine coffee grounds can create a muddy texture and bitter notes, so achieving a coarse, even grind is key. To grind beans effortlessly for larger batches, use the Ninja BL610 Professional 72 Oz Countertop Blender for consistently uniform grounds.

How to Make Cold Brew Coffee Concentrate

Making cold brew at home is surprisingly simple. Combine coarsely ground coffee with cold, filtered water at a ratio of about 1:4 or 1:5, depending on your desired strength. Mix thoroughly and steep for 12 to 18 hours in the fridge—ensuring your brewing container is covered to protect the coffee’s pure flavor.

Straining is the crucial last step. To achieve clarity and silkiness without sediment, line a fine-mesh sieve with a double layer of the Reynolds Kitchens Brown Parchment Paper Roll and filter the concentrate into a sealable jar or pitcher.

Serving and Storing Cold Brew Coffee Concentrate

To serve, dilute the concentrate with an equal part of water, milk, or a non-dairy alternative. Pour over ice for a classic cold brew, or create specialty drinks with syrups, spices, or a splash of cream. For portable, on-the-go coffee, fill your Stanley Quencher ProTour Flip Straw Tumbler with the cold brew and ice, and get fresh energy wherever you travel.

To keep your concentrate at peak freshness, store it in airtight containers such as Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Containers in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

Creative Ideas for Using Cold Brew Concentrate

– Craft lattes by blending the concentrate with frothed milk and a touch of vanilla.
– Swirl in chocolate syrup for a homemade iced mocha.
– Use as a base for affogato-style desserts: pour over ice cream for an instant treat.
– Mix into cocktails for a caffeinated twist.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe yields roughly 4 cups of cold brew concentrate—enough for 8 standard servings when diluted. Each serving (before dilution or added milk/sweeteners) is approximately 2 calories, with no fat or sugar. Customizations with sweeteners or cream will alter the nutrition profile.

Cold Brew Coffee Concentrate Recipe Recap

Cold Brew Coffee Concentrate is the foundation for countless invigorating drinks—smooth, low in acidity, and packed with flavor depth. With just a few steps and the right simple kitchen tools, you can start every day with premium café taste on your terms.

Instructions

1. In a large jar or pitcher, combine 1 cup of coarsely ground coffee with 4–5 cups of cold, filtered water. Stir thoroughly to saturate the grounds.
2. Cover the container and refrigerate for 12–18 hours. This slow steeping extracts smooth, rich coffee flavor.
3. After steeping, strain the mixture slowly through a fine-mesh sieve lined with a double layer of Reynolds Kitchens Brown Parchment Paper Roll to catch all grounds and achieve a clear concentrate.
4. Transfer the filtered concentrate into airtight Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Containers for easy storage in the refrigerator.
5. To serve, dilute the concentrate 1:1 with cold water, milk, or a milk alternative. Serve over ice in your Stanley Quencher ProTour Flip Straw Tumbler, or blend with ice in a Ninja BL610 Professional 72 Oz Countertop Blender for a frozen treat.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Brew Time: 12–18 hours

Total Time: 12–18 hours (no cooking required)