---
slug: how_to_make_cold_brew_coffee
category_path: home_kitchen/kitchen_dining/coffee_tea_espresso/cold_brew_makers
type: informational
title: "How to Make Cold Brew Coffee"
lead: "Stir coarse-ground coffee into cold water at about 1:8 for a concentrate (or 1:15 to drink straight), steep it in the fridge for 12 to 18 hours, then strain out the grounds. Dilute concentrate over ice with water or milk — it keeps for about a week."
recommendation:
  name: "Coarse grind, ~1:8 for concentrate, steep 12-18 hours cold, strain — then dilute over ice"
  reason: "Cold brew is just coffee steeped slowly in cold water, which pulls out flavor without the bitterness and acidity that hot water extracts, so grind and time are everything. Use a coarse grind — finer grounds clog the filter and turn it muddy — and combine it with cold or room-temperature water at about 1 part coffee to 8 for a concentrate you'll dilute, or 1:15 to drink as is. Stir to wet all the grounds, cover, and steep in the fridge (or on the counter) for 12 to 18 hours; longer gets stronger, but past about 24 hours it turns woody. Strain through the maker's filter, a fine mesh, or a paper filter for the cleanest cup, and discard the grounds. Serve concentrate over ice cut with an equal part water or milk. It keeps in the fridge up to a week, and a French press, or just a jar and a strainer, makes it with no special gear."
published: 2026-07-08
updated: 2026-07-08
---


<ComparisonTable
  columns={["Variable", "Set it to", "Why"]}
  rows={[
    ["Grind", "Coarse", "Fine grounds clog and muddy it"],
    ["Ratio", "~1:8 concentrate, ~1:15 to sip", "Concentrate you dilute later"],
    ["Steep", "12-18 h cold (24 h max)", "Slow cold extraction, low bitterness"],
    ["Strain & keep", "Fine/paper filter; up to a week", "Clean cup; dilute over ice"],
  ]}
/>