There's something deeply satisfying about making your own cold brew coffee concentrate at home—smooth, rich, and incredibly versatile. This recipe delivers that signature mellow, low-acid flavour that's become a coffee shop staple, but you'll be making it in your own kitchen for pennies on the dollar. Whether you dilute it with water, milk, or pour it over ice in your favourite insulated tumbler, this concentrate is your ticket to endless coffee creativity.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
Incredibly smooth — cold steeping removes bitterness and acidity naturally
Budget-friendly — one batch makes 8-10 servings at a fraction of café prices
Make-ahead magic — prep once, enjoy all week long
Totally customizable — from iced lattes to protein shakes, this concentrate does it all
Ridiculously easy — just stir and wait, no fancy equipment needed
Taste Profile
Cold Brew Coffee Concentrate
Ingredients
Tap to check off as you go:
Equipment Needed
Instructions
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1
Combine coffee and water. Add your coarsely ground coffee to a large jar or pitcher. Pour the cold filtered water over the grounds, making sure all the coffee is saturated. Give it a good stir with a long spoon to ensure all grounds are fully immersed in the water.
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2
Cover and steep. Cover your container with a lid or plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator. Let it steep for 12-24 hours. The longer you steep, the stronger and more concentrated your cold brew will be. For a balanced flavour, 16-18 hours is the sweet spot.
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3
Strain the concentrate. Place a fine mesh strainer lined with cheesecloth (or a coffee filter) over a clean pitcher or bowl. Slowly pour the coffee mixture through the strainer, allowing the liquid to drip through completely. Don't press or squeeze—let gravity do the work for the clearest result. Discard the grounds.
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4
Store and enjoy. Transfer your finished cold brew concentrate to a clean jar or bottle with a tight-fitting lid. Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. To serve, dilute the concentrate with equal parts water, milk, or your preferred liquid. Pour over ice in an insulated tumbler and customize with sweetener or flavourings as desired.
The grind size matters! Coarse grounds (think sea salt texture) prevent over-extraction and keep your concentrate smooth. If your coffee tastes bitter or muddy, your grind is probably too fine. Ask your local coffee shop to grind it on the "French press" setting.
How to Use Your Cold Brew Concentrate
This concentrate is incredibly versatile. Here's how to dilute it for different drinks:
1 part concentrate + 1 part water or ice
1 part concentrate + 2 parts milk (dairy or non-dairy)
1 part concentrate + 1 part hot water (yes, it works heated!)
¼-½ cup concentrate blended with banana, protein powder, and ice
Delicious Variations
Mocha Cold Brew
Add 1-2 tbsp cocoa powder or chocolate syrup to your diluted cold brew for an indulgent chocolatey treat
Coconut Cream Cold Brew
Top your cold brew with whipped coconut cream and a drizzle of vanilla syrup for a tropical twist
Spiced Cold Brew
Add cinnamon, nutmeg, and a splash of maple syrup to create a cozy fall-inspired iced coffee
Affogato Style
Pour cold brew concentrate directly over vanilla ice cream for an instant dessert-meets-coffee moment
Citrus Spark Cold Brew
Add a squeeze of fresh orange or lemon juice with a touch of honey for a bright, refreshing morning pick-me-up
Butter Coffee Cold Brew
Blend concentrate with grass-fed butter and MCT oil for a keto-friendly, energy-boosting beverage
Best Served In
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Storage & Make-Ahead Tips
🗄️ Refrigerator Storage
Your cold brew concentrate will stay fresh in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Glass jars or bottles work best as they won't absorb flavours or odours.
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