Classic Cold Brew Coffee (Concentrate)

INFO

Servings: 6-8 drinks
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 12–18 hours

Ingredients

• 1 cup (about 85–100g) coffee beans, coarsely ground (like raw sugar / French press)
• 4 cups (32 oz) cold water, filtered if you can
• Jar/pitcher + strainer (or cheesecloth / paper filter)

Instructions

1. Grind coarse. (Too fine = bitter + muddy.)
2. Combine grounds + water in a jar/pitcher. Stir well so everything’s wet.
3. Cover and steep in the fridge or on the counter for 12–18 hours. (12–14 hrs = brighter/lighter; 16–18 hrs = stronger/deeper)
4. Strain through a fine mesh strainer first, then through a paper filter or cheesecloth for clarity.
5. Store concentrate in the fridge up to 7–10 days.

Additional Information

• How to serve: For an iced “coffeehouse” cup, use 1/2 cup concentrate + 1/2 cup water or milk over ice. For a strong cup, use 2/3 concentrate + 1/3 water/milk.
• Ready-to-drink version (not concentrate): Use 1 cup coffee to 6 cups water, steep 12–16 hrs, strain, drink straight.
• Flavor Upgrade - Salt: Add a pinch of salt in the finished cup (kills bitterness, makes it taste “sweeter”).
• Flavor Upgrade - Vanilla Sweet Cream: Mix 2 tbsp half-and-half + 1 tbsp heavy cream + 1–2 tsp vanilla syrup (or sugar + splash vanilla).
• Flavor Upgrade - Brown Sugar Simple Syrup: Dissolve equal parts brown sugar + hot water, cool, add to taste.