Cold Brew Coffee

By The New York Times

Updated June 15, 2023

  • Craig Lee for The New York Times
Media 1 of 2
Total Time
5 minutes, plus 12 hours’ resting
Rating
5(4,990)
Comments
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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.

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Ingredients

Yield:Two drinks

  • ⅓ cup/35 grams ground coffee (medium-coarse grind is best)

  • Milk (optional)

Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving

13 grams carbs; 62 calories; 6 milligrams sodium; 2 grams protein

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.

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Preparation

  1. Step 1

    In a jar, stir together coffee and 1 ½ 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.

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Ratings

5 out of 5
4,990 user ratings
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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...

Piper

The blackberries

Corey

This sounds like a great idea – I bought some ground coffee that’s a little strong for me. This would be a perfect use for it - I think it would be easier to dilute it to my taste!

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.

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