Cold Brew Coffee

A simple base recipe for smooth, low-acid cold brew. The 1:10 ratio makes a ready-to-drink concentrate — dilute with water or milk if you prefer it lighter.

#Steps

1. Add coarse-ground coffee and cold water to a glass jar
2. Stir gently to wet all the grounds, then cover
3. Steep in the fridge for 12–18 hours
4. Strain through a coffee filter or fine mesh sieve
5. Serve over ice, straight or with a splash of milk

#Variations

Change the coffee Light roasts stay bright and fruity; dark roasts lean chocolatey and bold. Single-origin beans are worth trying when you want to taste something specific.

Change the ratio For a stronger concentrate, go down to 1:8. For something milder, stretch it to 1:12 or 1:15 and adjust to taste after steeping.

Change the steep time 12 hours is a good starting point. Push to 18–24 hours for more body, but much longer can turn bitter.

Add some flavor Orange peel, cinnamon stick, cardamom pods, or a split vanilla bean all work well added to the jar before steeping. A little goes a long way.

#Personal Favorites

Orange peel

A strip or two of zest (no white pith) in the jar adds a subtle citrus note without making it taste like perfume.

Cinnamon cardamom

One cinnamon stick and two crushed cardamom pods steeped with the coffee — especially good with a darker roast.

Vanilla oat milk

Serve over ice with oat milk and a drop of vanilla. No extra sugar needed if the coffee is already smooth.