Description
Enjoy a refreshingly smooth and bold Cold Brew Coffee made from simple ingredients, featuring a slow steeping process that delivers a mellow, rich flavor with low acidity. This easy-to-make recipe is perfect for any time of day, customizable to suit your taste with various optional additions, and ideal for busy lifestyles with make-ahead convenience.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup coarsely ground medium to dark roast coffee beans
- 4 cups cold filtered water
Optional Additions
- Maple syrup (natural) or agave syrup (natural), to taste
- Plant-based milk, to taste
- Natural vanilla extract (natural), 1 teaspoon
Variation Add-Ins
- Pinch of cinnamon (natural) or cardamom
- Splash of fresh orange juice or twist of lemon zest
- Plant-based chocolate syrup (natural)
- Fresh mint sprig
- Plant-based whipped cream (natural) with natural vanilla extract
Instructions
- Measure and Grind Your Coffee: Start with coarsely ground coffee beans, measuring about 1 cup for every 4 cups of cold filtered water. Ensure the grind is coarse to allow proper extraction and minimize sediment.
- Combine Coffee and Water: Place the coffee grounds in a large jar or pitcher. Pour cold filtered water over the grounds and gently stir to fully wet and evenly saturate all the coffee.
- Steep for 12 to 24 Hours: Cover the jar or pitcher and let the coffee steep in the refrigerator or at room temperature for at least 12 hours, or up to 24 hours for a bolder flavor.
- Strain the Coffee Concentrate: Use a fine mesh sieve lined with a natural gelling agent cloth or a coffee filter to strain the mixture, removing all grounds and resulting in a smooth cold brew concentrate.
- Dilute and Serve: Mix the cold brew concentrate with cold filtered water or plant-based milk to your preferred strength. Add optional sweeteners or flavorings such as maple syrup, vanilla extract, or any desired variation. Serve over ice and enjoy.
Notes
- Use fresh coffee beans for the best aroma and flavor.
- Coarse grind prevents over-extraction and bitterness.
- Always use cold filtered water; avoid hot water to maintain smoothness.
- Adjust steeping time for desired strength and flavor intensity.
- Store cold brew coffee in airtight containers in the refrigerator to keep it fresh.
- Freeze leftover cold brew in ice cube trays to create chilled coffee cubes.
- Reheat gently on stove or microwave without boiling to preserve smooth flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 to 24 hours (steeping)
- Category: Beverages
- Method: Cold steeping
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240 ml) prepared coffee
- Calories: 5
- Sugar: 0 (without sweetener)
- Sodium: 5 mg
- Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 1 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 0 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Keywords: cold brew coffee, cold coffee, coffee concentrate, plant-based coffee, iced coffee, smooth coffee, low acidity coffee
