What is cold brew?

Cold brew is made by steeping coarsely ground coffee in cold or room-temperature water for 12–24 hours. Instead of using heat to extract flavour quickly (like French Press or V60), it relies on time to slowly draw out the coffee’s oils, sugars, and acids.

Is cold brew the same as iced coffee?

No. Iced coffee is typically brewed hot and then chilled. Cold brew is never exposed to heat during the brewing process, which gives it:

Lower acidity
A naturally sweeter taste
A smoother, rounder body

We cover the details in our cold brew vs iced coffee blog.

What is cold brew good for?

Warm weather refreshment: served over ice, it’s a cool, smooth alternative to hot coffee.
Low-acid preference: gentler on the stomach than traditional brews.
Batch brewing: stores well in the fridge for several days, ideal for prepping ahead.
Customisation: a versatile base for milk, syrups, or tonic water.

What you’ll need

Cold brew maker, large mason jar, or jug
Any sealable container you can refrigerate; dedicated brewers include a mesh filter.
Coffee beans (whole bean for freshness, or cold brew grind)
Use a coarse grind—similar to raw sugar or sea salt—to avoid over-extraction and sludge.
Coffee grinder (if grinding at home)
Coarse grind is crucial.
Filtered water
Cleaner water = cleaner flavour.
Scales
Helps keep your ratio consistent.
Fine mesh strainer / cheesecloth / coffee filter
If you’re not using a brewer with a built-in filter.

Cold brew ratio

1:8 is a great starting point — 100 g coffee to 800 ml water.
For a stronger concentrate, use 1:4 to 1:6, then dilute to taste with water or milk after brewing.

How to make cold brew (step-by-step)

Grind your coffee
Use 100 g of coarse-ground coffee (adjust to your batch size).
Combine with water
Add 800 ml cold or room-temperature filtered water to your vessel. Stir to saturate all grounds.
Cover and steep
Seal and steep for 12–24 hours in the fridge (room temp steeps a bit faster).
Strain
Filter through cheesecloth, a coffee filter, or a fine mesh sieve. Remove the filter basket if using a cold brew pot.
Store and enjoy
Keep the concentrate sealed in the fridge for up to 5 days.
To serve: dilute ~1:1 with water or milk and pour over ice.

Troubleshooting your cold brew

Brew is too bitter: over-extracted or grind too fine → use a coarser grind or shorten the brew time.
Weak or watery: under-extracted or too short a brew → steep longer or use more coffee.
Cloudy appearance: poor filtering → filter again through paper or cloth.
Sour taste: old beans or under-extracted → use fresh beans and/or steep longer.

Cold brew is one of the easiest and most rewarding ways to brew: slow, mellow, and perfect for prepping ahead. Whether you like it rich and syrupy or crisp and refreshing, great cold brew comes down to quality beans, a coarse grind, and patience. Ready to chill your coffee game?

Cold Brew Guide