How to Make Cold Brew Coffee: The Complete Guide

How to Make Cold Brew Coffee at Home: The Complete Guide

Cold brew coffee is one of the easiest and most rewarding things you can make at home. Unlike hot brew methods, cold brew uses time rather than heat to extract flavour - the result is a smooth, naturally sweet, low-acid coffee concentrate that keeps in the fridge for up to two weeks.

This guide covers everything you need: the step-by-step method, grind size, ratios, steep time, how to make a concentrate, and the best beans to use.

What Is Cold Brew Coffee?

Cold brew is made by steeping coarsely ground coffee in cold or room-temperature water for an extended period - typically 12 to 24 hours. The slow, cold extraction produces a coffee that is naturally sweeter, smoother, and significantly lower in acidity than hot-brewed coffee. It is not simply iced coffee - it is a fundamentally different brewing process that produces a different flavour profile.

The result is a concentrate or ready-to-drink coffee that can be served over ice, diluted with water or milk, or used as a base for coffee cocktails and recipes.

Cold Brew vs Iced Coffee

Feature	Cold Brew	Iced Coffee
Brew method	Cold water, long steep (12-24 hrs)	Hot brewed, poured over ice
Acidity	Low - naturally smooth	Higher - same as hot coffee
Flavour	Sweet, smooth, chocolatey	Bright, acidic, can taste diluted
Caffeine	Higher (especially concentrate)	Standard
Shelf life	Up to 2 weeks refrigerated	Best consumed immediately
Prep time	12-24 hours (mostly hands-off)	Minutes

What You Need

Coarsely ground coffee
Cold or room-temperature filtered water
Large jar, jug, or dedicated cold brew maker
Fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth (for filtering)
Burr grinder
Digital scale (recommended)
Refrigerator

Cold Brew Recipe

Parameter	Regular Strength	Concentrate
Coffee dose	60g	100g
Water	1000g (1 litre)	500g (500ml)
Ratio	1:16	1:5
Grind size	Extra coarse	Extra coarse
Steep time	12-16 hours	16-24 hours
Steep temperature	Fridge (4°C) or room temp	Fridge (4°C) recommended

Step-by-Step Method

Step 1: Grind your coffee

Grind 60g of coffee to an extra coarse consistency - coarser than French Press. The large particle size slows extraction during the long steep, preventing over-extraction and bitterness. A burr grinder set to its coarsest setting is ideal.

Step 2: Combine coffee and water

Add the ground coffee to your jar or container. Pour 1000g of cold, filtered water over the grounds. Stir gently to ensure all the coffee is saturated - dry pockets of grounds will not extract properly.

Step 3: Cover and steep

Cover the container with a lid, plastic wrap, or a plate. Place in the refrigerator and steep for 12-16 hours. You can also steep at room temperature for 8-12 hours if you prefer a faster brew, but refrigerator steeping produces a cleaner, smoother result.

Step 4: Filter the coffee

Once steeping is complete, strain the coffee through a fine mesh strainer lined with cheesecloth, a paper coffee filter, or a dedicated cold brew filter. Pour slowly and let gravity do the work - do not press or squeeze the grounds, as this introduces bitterness and cloudiness.

Step 5: Store and serve

Transfer the filtered cold brew to a clean jar or bottle. Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Serve over ice, dilute with water or milk to taste, or use as a base for coffee drinks and recipes.

Making Cold Brew Concentrate

Cold brew concentrate is a stronger version made with a higher coffee-to-water ratio (1:5 instead of 1:16). It is designed to be diluted before drinking - typically 1 part concentrate to 1-2 parts water or milk.

Concentrate is ideal if you want to:

Store a larger quantity in a smaller container
Control the strength of each serving precisely
Use cold brew as a base for lattes, cocktails, or recipes
Brew less frequently

To make concentrate, use 100g of coffee to 500g of water and steep for 16-24 hours in the refrigerator. Dilute 1:1 with water for a standard-strength cold brew, or 1:2 for a lighter result.

Steep Time Guide

Steep Time	Temperature	Result
8-12 hours	Room temperature	Faster brew, slightly brighter, less smooth
12-16 hours	Refrigerator	Balanced, smooth, clean - the standard sweet spot
16-24 hours	Refrigerator	Richer, more concentrated, deeper flavour
Over 24 hours	Refrigerator	Risk of over-extraction - can become bitter and harsh

Grind Size

Grind Size	Result	Notes
Too fine	Bitter, over-extracted, cloudy	Fine grounds over-extract during the long steep and are hard to filter
Coarse (French Press)	Good but slightly more bitter	Works well for shorter steeps (8-12 hours)
Extra coarse (ideal)	Smooth, clean, low acid	Best for 12-24 hour steeps - the recommended grind for cold brew

Troubleshooting Common Problems

Problem	Likely Cause	Fix
Bitter or harsh taste	Over-extraction: grind too fine or steeped too long	Grind coarser, reduce steep time, or move to fridge if steeping at room temp
Weak or watery	Under-extraction: too little coffee, too short a steep, or grind too coarse	Increase coffee dose, extend steep time, or grind slightly finer
Cloudy or gritty	Grind too fine or filter not fine enough	Grind coarser, use a paper filter or double-strain through cheesecloth
Sour or acidic taste	Under-extraction or beans too light a roast	Extend steep time or switch to a medium-dark roast
Flat or lifeless flavour	Stale beans	Use freshly roasted beans - cold brew amplifies staleness

Best Beans for Cold Brew

Cold brew suits medium to dark roasts particularly well. The long, cold extraction highlights body, sweetness, and chocolatey notes - characteristics that shine in darker roasts. Light roasts can produce a pleasant cold brew but may taste thin or sour if under-extracted.

Kickstart Medium-Dark Blend: Our top recommendation for cold brew. The bold, chocolatey, caramel character of this blend is perfectly suited to cold extraction - it produces a rich, smooth cold brew with a naturally sweet finish that needs no sugar.
Smooth Operator Medium Roast: A cleaner, more nuanced cold brew option. The medium roast produces a lighter-bodied cold brew with more sweetness and clarity - excellent for those who prefer a less intense result or want to taste more of the bean's origin character.

Both are roasted to order and dispatched within 24-48 hours. See our coffee beans Australia guide for more options.

Shop Fresh Coffee Beans for Cold Brew

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should I steep cold brew coffee?

12-16 hours in the refrigerator is the standard sweet spot for a balanced, smooth cold brew. Shorter steeps (8-12 hours at room temperature) work but produce a slightly less smooth result. Do not steep for more than 24 hours as the coffee can become bitter and harsh.

What is the best ratio for cold brew coffee?

1:16 (60g coffee to 1000g water) for a ready-to-drink cold brew. For concentrate, use 1:5 (100g coffee to 500g water) and dilute 1:1 with water or milk before serving. Always weigh both coffee and water for consistency.

What grind size should I use for cold brew?

Extra coarse - coarser than French Press. The large particle size prevents over-extraction during the long steep and makes filtering easier. Fine or medium grinds will over-extract and produce a bitter, cloudy result.

Can I make cold brew at room temperature?

Yes. Room temperature cold brew steeps faster (8-12 hours) but can be slightly less smooth than refrigerator cold brew. If steeping at room temperature, keep it covered and out of direct sunlight, and move to the fridge once steeping is complete.

How long does cold brew last in the fridge?

Up to 2 weeks when stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator. Concentrate lasts slightly longer than ready-to-drink cold brew. Always use clean equipment and filtered water for the longest shelf life.

Is cold brew stronger than regular coffee?

Cold brew concentrate is significantly stronger than regular coffee - it is designed to be diluted. Ready-to-drink cold brew (1:16 ratio) is similar in strength to a standard filter coffee. The key difference is not strength but flavour profile: cold brew is smoother, sweeter, and lower in acidity regardless of concentration.

Brewing Guides

Beans and Freshness

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