Easy 3-Ingredient Cold Brew Coffee Concentrate Recipe
Make a strong, smooth cold brew coffee concentrate at home using just coffee grounds and water. This simple immersion method requires no special equipment.
- Prep Time: 5 min
- Cook Time: 0 min
- Total Time: 12 hour
- Yield: Approximately 3 cups concentrate
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Immersion Brewing
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup Coarse Ground Coffee (dark or medium roast recommended)
- 4 cups Cold Filtered Water
- Pinch of Salt (optional, to reduce bitterness)
Instructions
- Combine the coarse ground coffee and cold water in a large jar or pitcher. Add the pinch of salt if you are using it.
- Stir the mixture gently to ensure all grounds are saturated.
- Cover the container and let it steep at room temperature or in the refrigerator for 12 to 18 hours. Do not stir during this time.
- After steeping, strain the mixture. You can use a fine-mesh sieve lined with cheesecloth or a large paper coffee filter placed over a second container.
- Strain slowly to avoid disturbing the sediment at the bottom. You may need to strain twice for a clearer concentrate.
- Discard the used coffee grounds. Transfer the finished concentrate to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator.
Notes
- This recipe uses a 1:4 coffee-to-water ratio by volume, resulting in a strong concentrate. Adjust this ratio for future batches based on your strength preference.
- Store the finished concentrate in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
- To serve, mix the concentrate with water, milk, or your preferred liquid at a 1:1 ratio, or to your taste. Start with equal parts concentrate and mixer.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 cup concentrate (before dilution)
- Calories: 5
- Sugar: 0
- Sodium: 1
- Fat: 0
- Saturated Fat: 0
- Unsaturated Fat: 0
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 1
- Fiber: 0
- Protein: 0
- Cholesterol: 0