Last Updated on January 13, 2025 by Karen

Learn how to make the best overnight cold brew coffee at home – easy, inexpensive, and no special equipment needed! The end result is delicious smooth coffee with less acidity than regular coffee.

I don’t know about you, but my mornings often start off a bit hectic while trying to get ready for work. So I like to plan ahead and am always brainstorming for ways to have simplify my morning routine. But first…coffee! Am I right?

Most of the time, I just want a cup of smooth, strong coffee in the morning without much fuss. Did you know that it’s easy to make cold brew coffee just like your favorite coffee shop without any fancy equipment?

Just two ingredients and two kitchen tools needed: coffee beans and water + strainer and a pitcher are all you need!

Once you make this cold brew, you can use it to make all kinds of Starbucks copycat cold brew specialty drinks, including the new Chocolate Cream Cold Brew. See my copycat recipe here.

What is cold brew coffee?

Cold brew coffee is a coffee concentrate made with coffee grounds steeped in cold or room temperature water. Cold brew coffees have become popular in recent years for good reason. Using cold or room temperature water to “brew” coffee eliminates the bitter taste that can accompany coffee brewed with hot water. As a result, cold brew coffee tastes smoother, less acidic, and less bitter than a regular cup of brewed coffee,

Is cold brew coffee healthy?

Many people believe that drinking cold brew coffee with less acidity makes it easier on the stomach and aggravates the lining of the gut much less, which is better for those with acid reflux.

How many carbs are in cold brew coffee?

Cold brew coffee typically contains 0–1 gram of carbs per 8-ounce serving when consumed plain without any added sweeteners, creamers, or flavors. The carbohydrate content is derived from the natural oils and small amounts of soluble fibers in coffee beans, but it is negligible. If you add milk, sugar, or flavored syrups, the carb count will increase depending on the quantity and type of additions.

To make Cold Brew Coffee, let’s break this down into few simple steps!

Step 1: Pour 1 cup of ground coffee into a pitcher. You can use French roast, breakfast blend, decaf, or whatever your favorite blend is. A coarse coffee grind (as coarse as raw sugar) is best for this. You can buy coarsely ground beans or grind your own on the coarse setting using your own grinder.

Step 2: Pour 4 cups of cold or room temperature water over the grounds. I prefer room temperature water, but you can experiment with different water temperature to see what you like.

Step 3: Give it a good stir and cover with plastic wrap. Let it steep at room temperature for at least 12 hours, up to 18 hours.

Step 4: Pour the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer into another pitcher or container (such as a large mason jar or OXO cold brew maker), and keep in the fridge until you’re ready to use. If your strainer is not fine enough, you can line it with a coffee filter before pouring the mixture through.

How do you serve this cold brew coffee?

Here are some ways to serve cold brew coffee:

– Serve hot or cold with milk of choice, creamer, or half and half as desired.

– Use it to make Starbucks Copycat Chocolate Cream Cold Brew or Best Starbucks Copycat Irish Cream Cold Brew Recipe!

– Add spices, such as cinnamon, nutmeg, or pumpkin pie spice to make your own flavored cold brew.

– Black over ice.

– Mix with a few pumps of flavored syrups like vanilla or caramel.

How do you use this cold brew coffee for iced coffee?

If using this overnight cold brew coffee for iced coffee, I recommend making the cold brew using a darker roast of coffee beans (like the Starbucks Sumatra Dark Roast), and between 1.5 to 2 cups of coffee ground. That way, the cold brew will have a more concentrated flavor, which won’t get watered down when you add ice. The ratio of concentrate to water depends on how strong you like your coffee. I usually like 1:1 so 1/2 cup cold brew concentrate with 1/2 cup water.

How long does cold brew concentrate last?

This cold brew concentrate typically lasts about 1 to 2 weeks when stored properly in the refrigerator. To maintain its best flavor, keep it in an airtight container, and make sure it is sealed tightly to prevent air and moisture from affecting the concentrate. After the two-week mark, the concentrate may begin to lose its potency and flavor, but it is still safe to consume if it hasn’t shown signs of spoilage, such as an off smell or taste.

What happens if you steep cold brew too long?

If you steep cold brew coffee for too long, it can result in over-extraction, which can make the coffee taste bitter and harsh. Cold brew is typically steeped for 12-18 hours, and while it’s a slow process, extending the steeping time beyond 24 hours can pull out undesirable compounds from the coffee grounds. This can lead to:

Bitter Flavor: Over-extraction causes the coffee to become excessively bitter, overshadowing its natural sweetness and smoother flavors.
Astringency: The prolonged extraction can lead to an astringent taste, making the cold brew feel dry and puckering on your palate.
Loss of Smoothness: One of the main characteristics of cold brew is its smooth, mellow flavor. Steeping too long can eliminate that smoothness, making the brew feel more intense and less pleasant.
Reduced Sweetness: The longer you steep, the more likely it is that any natural sweetness in the coffee will be overpowered by the bitterness and undesirable flavors.

To avoid these issues, it’s best to stick to the recommended 12–18 hours of steeping and adjust based on your personal taste preferences.

Why is my cold brew bitter?

Cold brew coffee is typically known for its smooth and mellow flavor, but if your cold brew is bitter, it could be due to a few common issues:

1. Over-Extraction

Letting the coffee steep for too long (over 24 hours) can extract bitter compounds. Aim for a steeping time of 12–18 hours for optimal flavor.

2. Coffee-to-Water Ratio

Using too much coffee for the amount of water can result in an overly strong and bitter brew. A good starting ratio is 1:4 (1 cup of coffee grounds to 4 cups of water).

3. Grind Size

If the coffee is ground too fine, it can lead to over-extraction, making the brew bitter. Use a coarse grind, similar to sea salt, for cold brew.

4. Low-Quality Coffee Beans

Bitter flavors can result from low-quality or overly roasted beans. Opt for high-quality, freshly roasted beans with flavor profiles suited for cold brew, such as medium or light roasts.

5. Water Quality

Poor water quality can impact the taste. Use filtered or fresh water to avoid adding unpleasant flavors to your cold brew.

6. Improper Dilution

Cold brew concentrate is very strong and can taste bitter if not diluted properly. Mix the concentrate with water or milk in a 1:1 ratio before serving.

7. Storage Issues

Storing cold brew for too long or exposing it to air can lead to bitterness. Keep your cold brew in an airtight container and consume it within a week for the best flavor.

By adjusting these factors, you can achieve a smoother, more balanced cold brew that highlights the natural sweetness and richness of the coffee.

Is cold brew stronger than espresso?

Cold brew coffee can be stronger than espresso in terms of caffeine content, as it is brewed over a longer period with a higher coffee-to-water ratio, typically resulting in a more concentrated drink. An 8 oz serving of cold brew can contain 100-200 mg of caffeine, whereas a single 1 oz shot of espresso contains about 63 mg.

However, espresso is more concentrated and typically served in smaller quantities, giving it a bolder, more intense flavor. Cold brew, on the other hand, has a smoother, less acidic taste due to the cold brewing process. So while cold brew may have more caffeine, espresso is stronger in terms of flavor concentration.

Can you freeze cold brew coffee?

Yes, you can freeze cold brew coffee! Freezing cold brew coffee is a great way to preserve it for later use, especially if you have leftover cold brew that you want to keep fresh. To freeze it, you can pour the cold brew into an ice cube tray and freeze it into cubes. These cold brew ice cubes can then be used later to chill future cups of coffee without diluting the flavor, or you can blend them into iced coffee drinks or smoothies.

Keep in mind that freezing the coffee won’t alter its flavor significantly, but it’s best to consume it within a few months for the freshest taste. If you freeze a large batch, you can also store it in an airtight container for longer preservation.

If you love cold brew coffee, you should definitely give this a try. No need to wait on long lines at a fancy coffee shop for a cup of coffee!\

Can you drink cold brew coffee hot?

Yes! Check out my post on how to heat up cold brew coffee.

Learn how to make the best overnight cold brew coffee at home - easy, inexpensive, and no special equipment needed! The end result is delicious smooth coffee with less acidity than regular coffee.

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