Cold Brew Coffee: Ratio, Steeping Time and Easy Recipe
Quick answer: To make cold brew, mix 100 g of coarse ground coffee with 800 ml of cold water (a 1:8 ratio), steep it in the fridge for 12 to 18 hours, then strain. Serve it over ice, diluted about 1:1 with water or milk. The strained cold brew keeps in the fridge for up to a week.
Cold brew is coffee that never touches hot water. Instead of brewing in minutes, the grounds steep slowly in cold water for many hours. The result is a smooth, rounded coffee that many people find less bitter than hot coffee poured over ice. It is easy to make at home with a jar and a filter, and perfect for hot Gulf afternoons. This guide gives you the ratio, steeping time, the best coffee to use and ideas for cold brew drinks.
What is cold brew coffee?
Cold brew is made by steeping coarse ground coffee in cold or room-temperature water for 12 to 24 hours.[1][2] Because the water is cold, extraction is slow and gentle, so the coffee tastes smooth and sweet, with chocolate and caramel notes and less sharpness. Iced coffee, on the other hand, is hot coffee that is cooled down or poured over ice.
Cold brew ratio: how much coffee and water?
| Style | Coffee : water | Example | How to serve |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concentrate | 1:4 | 250 g coffee + 1 litre water | Dilute 1:2 to 1:4 with water or milk[1] |
| Strong (our pick) | 1:8 | 100 g coffee + 800 ml water | Dilute about 1:1 |
| Ready to drink | 1:12 to 1:15 | 70 g coffee + 1 litre water | Pour straight over ice |
Start with 1:8 if you are new to cold brew: it is strong enough to mix with milk and easy to adjust. Want different amounts? Our coffee to water ratio calculator does the maths for you.
How to make cold brew at home
- Grind: grind 100 g of coffee coarse, like sea salt. Fine grounds make cold brew muddy and bitter, and harder to strain.[2]
- Mix: put the coffee in a large jar, add 800 ml of cold filtered water and stir gently so all the grounds are wet.
- Steep: cover and leave it in the fridge for 12 to 18 hours.
- Strain: pour through a paper filter, a fine cloth or a French press.
- Serve: fill a glass with ice, add cold brew and dilute about 1:1 with water or milk.
How long should cold brew steep?
| Where | Steeping time | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Room temperature | About 12 hours[1] | Faster, slightly stronger |
| Fridge | 14 to 24 hours[1][2] | Slower, cleaner and sweeter |
In the Gulf, kitchens can be very warm, so we recommend steeping cold brew in the fridge. The longer it steeps, the stronger it gets; after about 24 hours it can start to taste woody and bitter.
Which coffee is best for cold brew?
A medium roast with chocolate or caramel notes is the easiest place to start, because cold brew brings out sweetness and body.
| Coffee | Cold brew taste | Try it |
|---|---|---|
| Brazilian | Smooth chocolate and nuts, great with milk | Brazil Coffee Beans |
| Colombian | Sweet caramel and red fruit, great black | Colombia Coffee Beans |
| Ethiopian | Fruity and floral, like iced tea | Ethiopia Coffee Beans |
All three are 100% Arabica whole beans, roasted at our own roastery in Sohar. Grind them coarse just before brewing for the best flavour.[3] Not sure which you like? Take our coffee quiz or read Colombian vs Brazilian coffee.
Cold brew drink ideas
- Cold brew latte: half cold brew, half cold milk, over ice.
- Cardamom cold brew: add 2 or 3 lightly crushed cardamom pods to the jar while it steeps, for a Gulf-style twist.
- Cold brew with no added sugar: sweeten with a little stevia instead of sugar; our stevia to sugar calculator shows how much.
- Sparkling cold brew: top cold brew with sparkling water and a slice of orange.
Cold brew vs iced coffee vs iced latte
| Cold brew | Iced coffee | Iced latte | |
|---|---|---|---|
| How it is made | Steeped in cold water for 12 to 24 hours | Hot coffee cooled or poured over ice | Espresso or strong coffee with cold milk and ice |
| Time | Overnight | A few minutes | A few minutes |
| Taste | Smooth, sweet, rounded | Brighter, sharper | Creamy and milky |
| Recipe | This page | Brew strong and pour over ice | Iced latte recipe |
How long does cold brew last?
Keep strained cold brew in a closed glass jar or bottle in the fridge and drink it within about 7 days.[1][2] Concentrate keeps its flavour better than cold brew that is already mixed with water or milk, so dilute it just before drinking.
Run a café, restaurant or shop?
Lucarise makes café drinks in business packs in our own factory in Oman: 1 kg café bags, 100-sachet hotel boxes and distributor cartons. Prices on request.
Cold brew: frequently asked questions
What is the best ratio for cold brew?
A 1:8 ratio, such as 100 g of coffee to 800 ml of water, is a good start. Use 1:4 for a strong concentrate, or 1:12 to 1:15 for cold brew you can drink without diluting.
How long should I steep cold brew?
About 12 hours at room temperature or 14 to 24 hours in the fridge. In warm kitchens, steep it in the fridge.
Can I use regular ground coffee for cold brew?
You can, but coarse ground coffee works best. Fine grounds make the coffee cloudy, bitter and hard to strain.
Is cold brew stronger than regular coffee?
Cold brew concentrate is strong, but once you dilute it, a glass is usually similar to a cup of regular coffee. It depends on your ratio and how much you dilute it.
How long does cold brew last in the fridge?
Up to about 7 days in a closed jar or bottle.
Can I make cold brew with instant coffee?
Not real cold brew, which needs time to steep. For a quick cold coffee, dissolve instant coffee in a little water and pour it over ice and milk.
Sources
- Equator Coffees. Cold brew brew guide.
- Love and Lemons. How to make cold brew coffee.
- National Coffee Association USA. Coffee storage and shelf life.
- What we will read in this article
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