If you have coffee, water, and a big jar, you can have smooth and delicious Cold Brew Coffee at Home. No gadgets, no fancy brewers, no French press or trendy expensive setups. Just you, your favorite coffee, and a little time.
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All of the advertisements from the big box coffee shops, and fancy cold brew makers, make Cold Brew Coffee sound complicated, but it really is just steeping coarse ground coffee in cold water overnight. The result is a bold, low-acid concentrate that you can mix with water, milk, or flavorings to make your perfect iced coffee at home (Bonus: I'm going to show you how to make that too!)
Here's the thing. I'm cheap. Frugal. And I don't want to pay a lot of money for a cold brew set up. Also, my kitchen is small. For goodness sake, I can't even fit a toaster on my counter. Where am I gonna put a cold brew machine? So I fixed it. Let's make the easiest, smoothest, most delicious cold brew at home with a big jar and a long spoon.
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Why you’ll love this recipe
- Save money compared to coffee shop cold brew.
- No equipment needed – just a jar or pitcher.
- Naturally smoother and less acidic than hot brewed coffee.
- Make a big batch and enjoy all week.
- Easy to customize with flavors, syrups, or milk.
In short: This is the easiest way to make cold brew at home without buying any gadgets or gizmos. Perfect to pair with any of my breakfast and brunch recipes.
Ingredients & Substitutions
The photo below shows everything you need to make your own cold brew at home. Just two ingredients and a container.
- Coarse ground coffee – Use your favorite beans. Pre-ground will work in a pinch, but coarse ground is best.
- Water – Cold, filtered water gives the best flavor, but tap water is just fine.
- Big jar - I mean, it's a jar. We can talk about that more later.
If you prefer decaf, go for it. If you like flavored coffee beans, try them here. This recipe is endlessly flexible.
See recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
Variations
Once you've made your cold brew, the world is your cup of coffee. It makes a bold, smooth coffee concentrate that I use in a dilution of an equal amount of water or milk, adding flavorings to make an infinite number of coffees, without ever leaving the house! Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Make it sweet: Add a splash of vanilla syrup, caramel syrup, or simple syrup.
- Make it creamy: Use half-and-half, oat milk, or coconut milk.
- Spice it up: Stir in a pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg, or pumpkin pie spice before steeping.
- Cold brew affogato: Make a cool play on the classic Italian dessert. Pour cold brew over vanilla ice cream for a summer treat.
- Cold brew latte: Mix concentrate with frothy milk (see recipe below).
Cynthia's Recipe Review
I used to think Cold Brew was one of those coffee shop secrets that required expensive gadgets. Turns out, all I needed was a mason jar and a long spoon. Now I always have a jar of concentrate in my fridge, ready for iced coffee whenever I want it. It is hands down the easiest and most rewarding kitchen hack I know.
Equipment
Here is the cool part – you do not need any special equipment. You can use:
- A large pitcher (like the kind you used to make Kool-Aid or orange juice)
- A big mason jar
- Even a sturdy Ziploc bag set inside a bowl
When it is time to strain, you can use a fine mesh sieve, a regular coffee filter, or cheesecloth. If you want a super clear, grit-free brew, tie your coffee grounds up in a double layer of cheesecloth before steeping, or use a nut milk bag. It is all very forgiving.
Quick Recipe Video
Step-by-Step Instructions
This couldn't be any easier unless I came to your house and did it for you, but we always have so much fun together so let's make some cold brew.
Making the cold brew
Step 1: Use your home grinder or have your store grind your coffee coarsely. It should have the texture of raw sugar or flaky sea salt.
Step 2: Add 1 cup coarse grind coffee to a large glass jar or pitcher.
Step 3: Pour in 4 cups of water (preferably filtered).
Step 4: Stir well with a long spoon until all the coffee is wet. Cover. Let sit at room temperature for 12 hours to 24 hours.
Straining the grounds
Step 5: Pour the mixture through a wire mesh strainer into a large measuring pitcher or bowl (one with a spout is best)
Step 6: For extra smooth cold brew, pour again through a smaller strainer, or a paper filter into a jar with a lid. Store refrigerated for up to seven days.
Finish: To serve, fill a tall glass with ice and combine equal parts cold brew concentrate and water, or adjust to your liking. Add milk or flavorings if desired, or use cold brew in place of espresso to make an iced latte!
Making a Cold Brew Iced latte
- 1 to 2 tablespoons vanilla simple syrup or your favorite coffee flavoring (optional)
- ¾ cup milk (6 ounces or 175 ml)
- 2 ounces undiluted cold brew concentrate (¼ cup or 60 ml)
Step 1: In a tall glass filled with ice, stir together all but 2 tablespoons of your milk with syrup or flavoring.
Step 2: Pour your cold brew concentrate over the ice.
Step 3: Froth the remaining milk with a frother or shake in a mason jar with a lid. Pour the foam over the top.
Step 4: Enjoy!
Cynthia's Helpful Tips
- Use coarse ground coffee – fine grounds will make your brew muddy.
- Always strain twice – once gets out the big bits, the second gets rid of any fine grit.
- Store your cold brew concentrate in the fridge for up to 1 week.
- Dilute to taste – some people like half water, some prefer it stronger.
- Try making a double batch if you run on caffeine - like I do.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, but it will be harder to strain and may taste more bitter.
No, but it will taste better if you do.
Yes! Just dilute it to your preferred strength and warm it gently for a smooth hot coffee.
Steep longer (no more than 24 hours) or use more coffee grounds. Experiment with your cold brew until you get it exactly the way you like.
Yes! Just pour into ice cube trays and freeze. I like to use them to chill my iced coffee without watering it down.
Did you try this recipe?
Please consider leaving a comment with a ⭐️ rating below and tell me all about it! It helps me to continue to improve my content and lets others know what you think!
I appreciate it so much!
-Cynthia
📖 Recipe
Simple Cold Brew (No Fancy Equipment Required)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup coarse ground coffee
- 4 cups cold water
Instructions
- In a large glass jar or pitcher, combine coffee and cold water. Stir until all the grounds are wet.
- Cover and let sit at room temperature for 12 hours or overnight.
- Strain the coffee twice: first through a fine mesh sieve, then again through a coffee filter or cheesecloth.
- To serve, fill a glass with ice and combine equal parts cold brew concentrate and water (or to taste). Add milk or flavorings if desired.
Save This Recipe! 💌
I'll email this recipe to you, so you can come back to it later, plus you'll get great new recipes from me every week!
Cynthia Christensen says
Am I on my third batch this week? Maybe, but it's so easy who cares!