What Is Cold Brew Coffee?
Cold brew is made by steeping coffee grounds in cold water for an extended period of time (typically 12–16 hours).
Unlike iced coffee, which is brewed hot and cooled, cold brew is never exposed to heat—resulting in:
A smoother, less acidic taste
Chocolatey, mellow flavor notes
A naturally sweet finish
The Ideal Cold Brew Ratio
The most important factor in cold brew is concentration.
For a rich cold brew concentrate, use a 1:5 coffee-to-water ratio:
1 part coffee
5 parts water
This creates a strong concentrate that you can dilute later when serving.
Step-by-Step: How to Make Cold Brew
1. Grind Your Coffee (Coarse is Key)
Grind your coffee to a coarse consistency, similar to sea salt. This prevents over-extraction of the beans, reduces bitterness and makes filtering your coffee easier.
2. Combine Coffee and Water
Add your ground coffee to a container, french press, or cold brew system. Slowly pour in your measured water, making sure all grounds are fully saturated.
3. Stir and Check for Dry Pockets
Give the mixture a gentle stir to eliminate dry clumps.This step ensures even extraction and consistent flavor.
4. Steep for 12–16 Hours
Cover your container and let it steep 12–14 hours for a balanced coffee taste or 15-17 hours for a stronger, more intense coffee. You can steep at room temperature or in the refrigerator.
5. Filter and Separate the Grounds
After steeping, filter your coffee using a french press, paper filters or a fine mesh strainer. This removes sediment and creates a clean, smooth concentrate.
How to Serve Cold Brew
Cold brew is concentrated, so dilute before drinking. Start with a 50/50 ratio: equal parts cold brew and water. Then customize your drink from there! Add milk or cream, sweeten if you desire or serve over regular ice or coffee ice cubes.
Choosing the Right Coffee for Cold Brew
You don’t need a special cold brew blend to make great cold brew.
Boyer’s Coffee offers a range of roasts that work beautifully depending on your taste:
What to choose:
Medium roasts for smooth, balanced, easy drinking
Dark roasts for bold, rich, chocolatey flavors
Light roasts for brighter, fruit-forward profiles
For the smoothest cold brew, many people prefer medium to dark roasts.
Explore Our Coffee Selection
Pro Tips for Better Cold Brew
Always use a coarse grind (French press grind works best)
Use filtered water for cleaner flavor
Store concentrate in the fridge for up to a week
Experiment with steep time to dial in strength
Cold brew is one of the simplest ways to make café-quality coffee at home. With just coffee, water, and time, you can create a smooth, refreshing drink that’s perfect for any day.
And with Boyer’s Coffee, you already have everything you need—just choose your favorite roast and start brewing.