Cold brew is smooth, mellow and less bitter than hot coffee poured over ice, and it’s surprisingly easy to make at home. All you really need is coarse coffee, cold water, time and a way to strain it. This guide explains the different types of cold brew makers, how to choose a blend, and how to brew, store and serve cold brew so every glass tastes great.
What makes cold brew different
Cold brew isn’t just chilled coffee. Instead of brewing with hot water for a few minutes, you steep coarse grounds in cold or room-temperature water for many hours. The slow, cool extraction pulls out fewer of the bitter, acidic compounds, giving a naturally smooth and slightly sweet coffee.
Cold brew vs iced coffee
- Iced coffee is hot-brewed coffee cooled down or poured over ice. It’s quick but can taste diluted or sharp.
- Cold brew is steeped cold for 12 to 24 hours. It takes planning, but keeps for days in the fridge.
Types of cold brew makers
Pitcher-style makers with a built-in filter
These are the most common. You add coffee to a mesh filter inside the pitcher, fill it with water and leave it in the fridge overnight. In the morning, you remove the filter and pour. A cold brew maker like this works in three steps: fill, brew overnight, serve. No electricity is needed.
Filter packs
Pre-measured pouches of coffee you drop into a pitcher of water, a bit like oversized tea bags. They’re the easiest option and make clean-up simple.
Jar and sieve
The DIY method: a large jar, coarse coffee, water, then a strainer and a paper filter or cloth. It works fine, but straining is messier.
Electric and fast cold brew machines
Some machines speed up the process. They’re convenient but cost more and take up counter space.
Choosing a cold brew blend
Most coffees can be cold-brewed, but some blends are roasted and ground specifically for it.
Roast
Medium and dark roasts are classic choices for cold brew, bringing chocolate, nutty and caramel notes. Light roasts give a brighter, fruitier cold brew.
Grind
Always use a coarse grind, about the texture of raw sugar. Fine grounds over-extract and make the coffee muddy and bitter. Blends sold for cold brew are usually already ground coarse.
Flavored blends
Flavored beans add sweetness and aroma without syrup. The Vanilla Hazelnut cold brew blend brings creamy vanilla and gentle nutty notes, which taste great with a splash of milk.
Decaf
Cold brew is a lovely afternoon drink, and decaf lets you enjoy it later in the day. The Cold Brew Swiss Water Decaf is made with arabica beans decaffeinated by the Swiss Water method, which uses water rather than chemical solvents.
How to make cold brew at home
- Measure. Start with roughly 1 part coffee to 8 parts water for a ready-to-drink cold brew, or 1 to 4 for a concentrate you’ll dilute.
- Combine. Add coarse coffee to the filter or jar and pour in cold, filtered water. Stir gently so all the grounds are wet.
- Steep. Leave it in the fridge (or at cool room temperature) for 12 to 24 hours. Longer gives a stronger brew.
- Strain. Remove the filter or strain through a fine sieve and paper filter.
- Serve. Pour over ice, dilute concentrate with water or milk to taste, and enjoy.
For more on ratios, see our coffee-to-water ratio guide.
Storing cold brew
- Keep it in the fridge in a sealed container.
- Drink it within about a week for the best flavor; concentrate may keep a little longer.
- Don’t leave the grounds in once it’s done steeping, or it can turn bitter.
Serving ideas
- Classic: cold brew over ice with a splash of milk.
- Sweet cream: top with lightly whipped sweetened cream.
- Cold brew tonic: pour over tonic water and ice with a twist of orange.
- Mocha: stir in a spoonful of chocolate syrup.
- Coffee ice cubes: freeze cold brew in ice trays so your drink doesn’t get watered down.
- Warm it up: cold brew concentrate can be heated with hot water for a smooth hot coffee in winter.
Troubleshooting
It tastes weak
Use more coffee or steep longer.
It tastes bitter
The grind may be too fine, or it steeped too long. Try coarser coffee and a shorter steep.
It’s cloudy or gritty
Strain through a paper filter after the mesh filter.
Cold brew as a gift
A cold brew maker plus a bag of cold brew coffee is a great gift for iced coffee lovers. See our coffee gift guide and our coffee gift basket ideas.
How to choose the right maker for you
Ask yourself a few questions before you buy:
- How much do you drink? A one-liter pitcher suits one or two people; larger households may want a bigger batch.
- Does it fit in your fridge? Measure the shelf or door before buying a tall pitcher.
- How easy is it to clean? Removable filters and wide openings make washing up much easier.
- Do you want reusable or disposable filters? Mesh filters cut waste; filter packs are quicker.
- Do you also want hot coffee? Concentrate can be diluted with hot water, so one batch can cover both.
Cold brew through the seasons
Cold brew isn’t only a summer drink. In winter, try it with steamed milk, a pinch of cinnamon or a splash of peppermint syrup. Because concentrate keeps in the fridge, you can make a quick hot or iced coffee any time without brewing a full pot.
FAQ
Is cold brew stronger than regular coffee?
Concentrate is strong, but once diluted, cold brew is similar to regular coffee. It depends on your ratio.
Can I use regular ground coffee?
You can, but it’s usually ground too fine. Coarse-ground coffee gives cleaner results.
Do I need a special maker?
No, a jar and a strainer work. A dedicated maker just makes it neater and easier.
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