Homemade Cold Brew Coffee Dos and Don’ts: The Essential Guide  

In recent years, cold brew coffee has grown exponentially in popularity, with many people preferring it for its less acidic, smoother taste compared to traditional hot brews. According to research, the cold brew craze has especially taken off among Millennials and Gen Z. So much so that, by 2032, the cold brew market is projected to grow from $3.16 billion to $16.2 billion.

While popular coffee shops like Starbucks and Peet’s charge more than $3 to $4 for a small cold brew, plus additional for flavored syrup, cold foam, or non-dairy milk, making your own at home is an easy, fun, and economical way to enjoy a cold cup o’ Joe. With a few tips, you’ll be sipping a perfectly brewed cup in no time.

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How to make the best cold brew at home

The key to great cold brew starts with choosing the right coffee beans. Opt for coarsely ground, freshly roasted beans for the best flavor. Cold brew requires a longer extraction time compared to hot coffee, which means using a coarser grind will prevent over-extraction and a bitter taste. You can grind the beans yourself if you have a grinder, or ask your local coffee shop to do it for you. It’s important to avoid finely ground coffee, as it will make the brew muddy and much too strong.

Once you have your beans, steep them in cold water for an extended period—usually around 12 to 24 hours. The ideal ratio is one cup of coarsely ground coffee to four cups of water. Combine the coffee and water in a large jar or cold brew maker, give it a stir, and let it steep in the refrigerator or at room temperature. After steeping, strain the grounds using a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth to ensure a smooth, clean brew.

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Cold brew dos and don’ts

• Do use fresh, high-quality coffee beans for the best results. Stale beans will give you a dull, flat-tasting cold brew, while fresh beans will bring out the rich, complex flavors that cold brew is known for.
• Do store your cold brew in the refrigerator. Once strained, it can last up to a week, but the freshest flavor is enjoyed within the first 2 to 3 days.
• Don’t rush the steeping process. Cold brew is all about patience. Steeping for less than 12 hours won’t extract enough flavor, while over-steeping can lead to bitterness.
• Don’t use hot water. Cold brew is made by steeping coffee grounds in cold or room-temperature water to avoid the acidity and bitterness associated with heat extraction.

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How to flavor your cold brew

Once you’ve strained your cold brew, it’s time to enjoy it! Cold brew is typically served diluted, as the initial concentrate is strong. Add ice and dilute with water, milk, or your preferred non-dairy alternative. For a bit of sweetness, stir in a simple syrup or flavored syrup of your choice. Vanilla, caramel, and hazelnut syrups are popular go-to options, but feel free to get creative with flavors like cinnamon or mocha.

You can also experiment with making flavored cold brew by adding spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, or even citrus peels during the steeping process. This infuses subtle flavors into the coffee, giving it a unique spin.

For an added twist, try a variety of flavored cold foam toppers which add just the perfect ratio of milk and sweetness to your cold foam. Check out the below recipes for our favorites.

3 cold brew recipes to try at home

Cold brew is the perfect blank canvas for experimenting with different flavors and ingredients. Below are some delicious cold brew recipes that are easy to whip up at home.

Liv B.

1Chocolate Cream Cold Brew

Don’t be intimidated by the homemade vanilla simple syrup—it really is very simple to make! Liv B.’s silky, chocolaty cream cold foam will be your new favorite morning treat.
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Good Food Baddie

2 Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew

Not a fan of hot drinks but love fall flavors? This five-minute, pumpkin foam-topped cold brew from Good Food Baddie is your autumnal go-to! 
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Floured Frame

3Ube Cream Cold Brew

There’s nothing better than an aesthetically pleasing cup ‘o Joe! Thanks to Floured Frame, this ube recipe utilizes dairy-free heavy whipping cream to create a cold foam layer on top. 
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