Cold Brew Coffee

By The New York Times

Updated June 16, 2023

Cold Brew Coffee
Craig Lee for The New York Times
Total Time
5 minutes, plus 12 hours’ resting
Rating
5(4,885)
Comments
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Cold-brewed coffee is actually dirt simple to make at home using a Mason jar and a sieve. You just add water to coffee, stir, cover it and leave it out on the counter overnight. A quick two-step filtering the next day (strain the grounds through a sieve, and use a coffee filter to pick up silt), a dilution of the brew one-to-one with water, and you’re done. Except for the time it sits on the kitchen counter, the whole process takes about five minutes. If you really like cold brew coffee, you can buy one of the best cold brew coffee makers recommended by Wirecutter.

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Ingredients

Yield:Two drinks
  • ⅓cup/35 grams ground coffee (medium-coarse grind is best)
  • Milk (optional)
Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (2 servings)

62 calories; 0 grams fat; 0 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 0 grams monounsaturated fat; 0 grams polyunsaturated fat; 13 grams carbohydrates; 0 grams dietary fiber; 0 grams sugars; 2 grams protein; 6 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Preparation

  1. Step 1

    In a jar, stir together coffee and 1½ cups cold water. Cover and let rest at room temperature overnight or 12 hours.

  2. Step 2

    Strain twice through a coffee filter, a fine-mesh sieve or a sieve lined with cheesecloth. In a tall glass filled with ice, mix equal parts coffee concentrate and water, or to taste. If desired, add milk.

Tip
  • To make hot coffee, dilute concentrate one-to-one with water and heat in the microwave.

Ratings

5 out of 5
4,885 user ratings
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Comments

Catherine

I make this coffee in a French press with a slightly higher concentration of ground coffee to water (1 3/4 c. coffee to 2 1/2 cups water). Just press after leaving overnight. I only filter it again if I want to be picky. Dilution with water need not be equal to the concentrate. Microwave on medium for about 3 minutes. Rich coffee with no bitterness. Heaven!

Hector Lahera

This is an excellent way to make smoooothhh coffee. In areas of Colombia and Ecuador, it is the way they make coffee---and they ought to know. Throw in 1/2" stick of cinnamon, and 1 clove, and you'll have a very special coffee. Or use that as syrup and vodka to make a fine after dinner drink.

Casey Jones

I usually make up a tray of coffee ice cubes as well...

Yoda

This is my new go-to cold brew recipe, including Hector’s tip of adding a half stick of cinnamon and one clove. Perfection!

Barbara Simon

Bought a Toddy Maker in 1977 and have made cold brew ever since. No smoother coffee than this.

Jo Henderson

I've made this concoction using dark roast Brazilian ground coffee beans. I use it to make my Vietnamese coffee and I also use it as one of the ingredients in my Espresso Martini. It has never let me down as a robust ingredient no matter how it is used.

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