How to Make Cold Brew Coffee at Home

First, the TL;DR Version

Before you assume cold brew is one of those complicated coffee projects, here’s the TL;DR (Too Long; Didn’t Read) version:

1. Mix 100g of coarsely ground coffee with 800ml of cold water.
2. Place it in the fridge for 14–18 hours.
3. Strain out the coffee grounds.
4. Pour it over ice and add water or milk to taste.

That’s genuinely all there is to it. Want to get the flavour just right? Keep reading—we’ll walk you through everything.

Cold brew is one of the easiest ways to make café-style coffee at home. You don’t need an espresso machine or expensive equipment—just good coffee, cold water, a container and a little patience.

Unlike iced coffee, which is usually hot coffee poured over ice, cold brew is made by steeping ground coffee in cold water for several hours. The result is naturally smooth, refreshing and usually less bitter than traditionally brewed coffee.

Here’s the simple method we recommend.

What You’ll Need

• 100g coarsely ground coffee
• 800ml cold, filtered water
• A large jar or container with a lid
• A fine-mesh strainer
• Muslin cloth, a clean tea towel or paper coffee filters
• Ice for serving

This ratio produces a fairly strong cold brew. You can drink it as it is, serve it over ice or add water or milk to suit your taste.

Choosing the Right Coffee

Cold brew tends to bring out smooth chocolate, caramel and nutty flavours particularly well. A balanced medium roast is a great place to start.

Our Premium Espresso Blend works beautifully for a rich, traditional cold brew, while our Smooth Velvet Blend is a good choice if you enjoy your coffee with milk.

Whichever coffee you choose, use a coarse grind. It should look similar to rough breadcrumbs. Coffee that is ground too finely can make the finished drink cloudy, bitter and difficult to strain.

Step 1: Combine the Coffee and Water

Place the coarsely ground coffee into your jar or container.

Slowly pour in the cold water, making sure all the coffee grounds are wet. Give the mixture a gentle stir, but there’s no need to whisk or shake it aggressively.

Cover the container with its lid.

Step 2: Let It Steep

Place the container in the refrigerator and leave it to steep for around 14 to 18 hours.

If you prefer a lighter cold brew, start checking it after 12 hours. For a deeper and stronger flavour, leave it closer to 18 hours.

Try not to leave it much longer than 24 hours. More time doesn’t always mean better coffee, and an excessively long steep can introduce bitter or woody flavours.

Step 3: Strain It Carefully

Pour the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer to remove most of the coffee grounds.

For a cleaner result, strain it a second time through muslin cloth, a clean tea towel or a paper coffee filter. Don’t press or squeeze the grounds too firmly, as this can force fine particles and bitterness into the finished coffee.

It may take a few minutes to filter completely, but the smoother result is worth it.

Step 4: Serve and Adjust

Fill a glass with ice and pour over your cold brew.

You can enjoy it black or add:

• Cold water for a lighter coffee
• Regular or plant-based milk
• A small amount of simple syrup
• Vanilla syrup
• A splash of cream for something more indulgent

There isn’t one “correct” way to drink cold brew. Start with equal parts cold brew and milk or water if the flavour is stronger than you expected, then adjust it from there.

How Long Does Cold Brew Last?

Store your cold brew in a clean, sealed container in the refrigerator. It is best enjoyed within seven days, although we find the flavour is usually at its best during the first few days.

Keep it refrigerated and avoid adding milk directly to the storage container. Add milk only when you’re ready to serve it.

Common Cold Brew Problems

It tastes too bitter

The coffee may have been ground too finely or steeped for too long. Try a coarser grind and reduce the brewing time.

It tastes weak or watery

Use a little more coffee, slightly less water or extend the steeping time. Also remember that melting ice will gradually dilute the drink.

It looks cloudy

A small amount of cloudiness is normal, but excessive cloudiness usually comes from finely ground coffee. Double-straining can help.

It tastes flat

Freshly roasted coffee and filtered water make a noticeable difference. Coffee that has been sitting open for a long time won’t produce the same depth or sweetness.

A Simple Coffee Worth Keeping in the Fridge

The best thing about cold brew is how convenient it becomes once it’s made. Prepare a batch in the evening, let it steep overnight and you’ll have smooth, refreshing coffee ready for the next few mornings.

The 100g coffee to 800ml water ratio is a dependable starting point, but feel free to adjust it. Making coffee at home should suit the way you genuinely enjoy drinking it—not somebody else’s rules.

Once you’ve made it a couple of times, you’ll quickly find your preferred strength, steeping time and way to serve it.