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(4,936)
Comments
Read comments

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.

Featured in: Iced Coffee? No Sweat

  • or to save this recipe.

  • Subscriber benefit: Give recipes to anyone

    As a subscriber, you have 10 gift recipes to give each month. Anyone can view them - even nonsubscribers. Learn more.

    Subscribe

  • Share this recipe

  • Print this recipe

Advertisement

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.

Powered by

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.

Private Notes

Leave a Private Comment on this recipe and see it here.

Ratings

5 out of 5
4,936 user ratings
Your rating

or to rate this recipe.

Have you cooked this?

or to mark this recipe as cooked.

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...

ES

This recipe changed my life. I make a gallon jar of it, leave it in the counter, and drink it over a week once cup of iced coffee at a time. The smooth flavor and lack of bitterness are eye-opening after a lifetime of drinking brewed coffee.

BJ

I bought a cold brew coffee carafe. It makes the job even easier because the grounds go in a fine mesh tube that needs only to be lifted out of the carafe. I put it in the fridge to brew and keep the remaining coffee for several days as I use it. So easy and much less acidic.

hafkiwi

@BJ what brand cold brew machine did u buy? Ty.

Stack

Please let me know how fine to grind the coffee beans for this coffee.

Private comments are only visible to you.

Recipe Tags

or to save this recipe.