Easy 2-Ingredient Cold Brew Coffee Concentrate

I used to think good coffee meant spending five bucks at the local coffee shop every morning. That’s how everyone I knew got their caffeine fix. When I tried making cold brew at home, it was a watery mess that tasted nothing like the smooth drinks I was used to.

Turns out I was doing it all wrong—I wasn’t using nearly enough coffee grounds, and I was too impatient with the steeping time. Making cold brew concentrate at home is actually pretty simple once you know the right ratio and have a little patience. And the best part? It costs way less than those daily coffee shop runs.

What Kind of Coffee Beans Should I Use?

For cold brew, medium to dark roasted coffee beans typically work best since they bring out those rich, chocolatey notes that cold brew is famous for. You’ll want to stick with arabica beans rather than robusta, as they tend to be less bitter and have a smoother flavor profile that works really well in cold brewing. When you’re grinding the beans, aim for a consistency that’s a bit coarser than what you’d use for regular drip coffee – about the size of coarse sea salt. Fresh beans make a big difference here, so try to use coffee that’s been roasted within the last month and grind just before brewing.

Options for Substitutions

When making cold brew coffee, there’s some wiggle room with ingredients, but keeping a few key points in mind will help you get the best results:

• Coffee beans: While any coffee beans will work, medium to dark roasts typically give the best flavor. You can use pre-ground coffee in a pinch, but the grind size is crucial – if you can’t get medium-coarse, use regular coarse ground coffee instead. Avoid fine grounds as they’ll make your cold brew muddy and bitter.
• Filtered water: Filtered water is best, but if you don’t have it, tap water will work – just make sure it’s cold or room temperature, never hot. If your tap water has a strong taste, consider using bottled spring water instead.
• Measurements: Don’t have a scale? You can use roughly ¾ cup of ground coffee instead of 75 grams. Just remember that being precise with the coffee-to-water ratio is pretty important for getting the right strength.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Brewing

The biggest mistake when making cold brew coffee is using a grind that’s too fine, which can result in bitter, over-extracted coffee – stick to a medium-coarse grind that feels similar to rough sand. A common error is rushing the brewing process; cold brew needs at least 12 hours (and up to 24 hours) to properly extract the smooth, low-acid flavors you’re looking for. Another crucial mistake is not filtering the concentrate thoroughly enough – use a fine-mesh strainer lined with cheesecloth or a paper coffee filter to remove all the grounds, and filter it twice if needed for the cleanest result. For the best flavor, store your cold brew concentrate in an airtight container in the fridge and use it within 7-10 days.

What to Serve With Cold Brew Coffee?

Cold brew coffee is super flexible and can be dressed up in so many tasty ways! For a classic iced coffee, mix your cold brew concentrate with equal parts water or milk (dairy or plant-based both work great), then add ice and maybe a splash of your favorite flavored syrup. If you’re feeling fancy, try blending it with vanilla ice cream for an amazing coffee milkshake, or pour it over ice with a splash of cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce. For breakfast, pair your cold brew with pastries like muffins or croissants – the smooth, less acidic taste of cold brew goes perfectly with sweet breakfast treats.

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: Your cold brew concentrate will stay fresh in an airtight container or mason jar in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. The flavor stays consistent throughout this time, making it perfect for your daily coffee fix. Just give it a quick shake before using since some natural separation might occur.

Prepare Ahead: Cold brew is perfect for making ahead! I like to make a big batch on Sunday night so I’m set for the next couple of weeks. You can even portion it into smaller containers if you want to grab and go in the mornings.

Serve: When you’re ready for your coffee, simply dilute the concentrate with water, milk, or your favorite coffee add-ins. I usually do a 1:1 ratio with water, but you can adjust this to match your preferred strength. Add ice cubes for an extra-cold drink!

Preparation Time	10-15 minutes
Cooking Time	1080 minutes
Total Time	1090-1095 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 0-5
• Protein: 0 g
• Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 0 g

Ingredients

• 2.6 oz coffee beans (medium-coarse ground for optimal extraction)
• 3 cups filtered water (cold filtered water is best for smooth flavor)

Step 1: Combine Ingredients

Add the coffee grounds and filtered water to a large jar or container.

Using a whisk, mix them thoroughly together to ensure all the coffee grounds are fully saturated with water.

This step is crucial for extracting maximum flavor during the brewing process.

Step 2: Brew the Coffee

Seal the jar with a lid to prevent any odors from affecting the brew, then place the jar in the refrigerator or leave it at room temperature for 18 hours.

This slow brewing process will result in a smooth, rich cold brew coffee concentrate.

Step 3: Filter the Mixture

After the brewing time is complete, place a nut milk bag or cheese cloth in a sieve over a bowl.

Slowly pour the cold brew mixture into the lined sieve to filter out the coffee grounds.

For an even smoother texture, you can filter the mixture a second time.

Once filtered, store the cold brew concentrate in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Step 4: Serve the Cold Brew

When ready to enjoy your cold brew, dilute the concentrate according to your preference.

A general recommendation is to mix 1 part cold brew concentrate with 2 parts water, ice, or milk/creamer of your choice.

Serve chilled for a refreshing caffeine boost.