Cold Brew Concentrate Recipe - The Spruce Eats

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Cold Brew Concentrate Recipe By Morgan Baker Morgan Baker Morgan is a recipe developer and photographer. She is also a gardener and exceptional hugger. Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process Updated on 10/29/25 Tested by Kayla Hoang Tested by Kayla Hoang Kayla Hoang is a freelance recipe developer, writer, and baker whose Bangladeshi and Vietnamese roots influence all she does. Her life revolves around food and she can almost always be found waiting by the oven for a fresh batch of cookies. Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process (18) Save Write a Review Print Close

Prep: 5 mins Cook: 0 mins Brew and Strain: 13 hrs Total: 13 hrs 5 mins Servings: 4 servings Yield: 2 cups concentrate 18 ratings Write a Review Add a comment SaveRecipe

• You only need coarsely ground coffee and cold water for a smooth, bold concentrate.
• The concentrate is versatile for coffee drinks, desserts, or even frozen treats.
• Straining twice gives a clean, clear concentrate that lasts up to three weeks chilled.

Cold brew is the refreshing, invigorating, easy summer coffee you need. The process includes overnight standing time, so the hardest part will be waiting to sip your new favorite drink. While you can purchase cold brew concentrate in most grocery stores, making it at home ensures its freshness and taste. It also tends to be more economical.

Try making a weekly batch of concentrate, so you have it on hand for whenever you need a pick-me-up. Store in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator and prepare as you like. Try adding milk or milk alternatives, simple syrup of any desired flavor, and even a dash of cinnamon. This concentrate is also great for adding to desserts. Try it in chocolate cakes, over ice cream, or mixed with sweetened condensed milk and frozen into popsicle molds.

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"I love having cold brew concentrate available when I need an extra pick-me-up. This recipe yields a strong, smooth concentrate that couldn’t be easier to make. My favorite way to make a cup is to mix one-part cold brew with one part water, pour it over ice, and then top it with cold milk foam." —Kayla Hoang

A Note From Our Recipe Tester Keep Screen Awake

• 6 ounces coarsely ground coffee beans

• 3 1/2 cups cold water

1. Gather the ingredients.

2. Place ground coffee in a large pitcher or jar. Add the water.

3. Stir gently, making sure all the coffee grounds are saturated.  Cover with a clean kitchen towel or cheesecloth and let stand at room temperature for 12 hours or up to overnight.

4. Line a fine-mesh sieve with cheesecloth, and set over a large pitcher or jar. Pour the coffee through the sieve into the pitcher. Do not stir the mixture, this will keep the concentrate from going cloudy. Once the mixture is done straining, discard the cheesecloth with coffee grounds.

5. Wash the sieve and line with a large coffee filter. Place it over a large measuring cup or jar. Pour the coffee through the filter-lined sieve and allow it to naturally drip into the jar, do not stir. This may take up to an hour.

6. Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to three weeks. To make a cup of coffee, mix 1 part cold brew concentrate with 1 part water or milk of choice.

How to Store

Store cold brew concentrate in an airtight container in the fridge. It will last for three weeks but is consume within 10 days for optimal taste.

Around the World in 18 Cups of Coffee

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Nutrition Facts (per serving)
0	Calories
0g	Fat
0g	Carbs
0g	Protein

Show Full Nutrition Label ×

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories	0
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g	0%
Saturated Fat 0g	0%
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 9mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 0g	0%
Total Sugars 0g
Protein 0g
Vitamin C 0mg	0%
Calcium 7mg	1%
Iron 0mg	0%
Potassium 22mg	0%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Recipe Tags:

• coffee
• brunch
• american
• summer

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