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Cold Brew Coffee Brewing Guide

Learn how to make smooth, naturally sweet cold brew coffee with the ideal coffee-to-water ratio, extra-coarse grind, steep time, and serving method.

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Quick brew recipeSmooth • Bold • Low Acidity
Coffee100 g
Water600 g
Ratio1:6
GrindExtra Coarse
WaterCold, Filtered
Steep time16–24 hr
Yield≈475 ml

What Is Cold Brew Coffee?

Cold brew coffee is made by steeping coarse coffee grounds in cold water over an extended period instead of brewing with hot water. Because heat is never introduced, cold brew extracts fewer bitter compounds and acids, creating a naturally smooth, rich, and slightly sweet cup.

Unlike iced coffee—which is brewed hot and cooled afterward—cold brew develops its flavor slowly, producing a bold concentrate that can be diluted with water or milk to your preferred strength.

What You’ll Need

01Large mason jar or cold brew brewer
02Burr grinder
03Digital scale
04Filtered water
05Fine-mesh or paper cold brew filter
06Large spoon
07Airtight bottle or pitcher
08Fresh coffee beans

Choosing Your Cold Brew Brewer

Cold brew can be made with equipment you may already own or with a dedicated brewer. Choose based on batch size, filtration, cleanup, and how often you plan to brew.

BrewerBest forWhy choose it
Mason JarBeginnersInexpensive, simple, and easy to scale for different batch sizes.
Cold Brew PitcherEveryday brewingA built-in filter makes brewing, storage, and cleanup straightforward.
Toddy BrewerLarger batchesDesigned for consistent concentrate and efficient filtration.
French PressSmall batchesWidely available and convenient when you already own one.

The Best Coffee for Cold Brew

Cold brewing softens perceived acidity and emphasizes sweetness, body, and chocolate or nutty characteristics. Sunrise Summit is our top pick for a smooth, refreshing batch, while Midnight Eclipse creates a deeper and heavier concentrate.

  • Sunrise Summit
    BEST FOR POUR OVER!

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    Specialty Light Roast – SOLD AS GROUND COFFEE

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Cold Brew Ratio Guide

Batch sizeCoffeeWaterRatio
Small Batch66 g400 g1:6
Medium Batch100 g600 g1:6
Standard Batch133 g800 g1:6
Large Batch200 g1,200 g1:6

These measurements produce concentrate. Start by diluting one part concentrate with one part water or milk, then adjust to taste.

How to Make Cold Brew Coffee

Grind the coffee

Use an extra-coarse grind so the concentrate filters cleanly and avoids excessive bitterness.

Measure coffee and water

Add 100 grams of coffee and 600 grams of cold, filtered water for the standard recipe.

Combine thoroughly

Mix the coffee and water, making sure every ground is fully saturated.

Steep

Cover the brewer and steep for 16–24 hours.

Filter the concentrate

Filter through paper, fine mesh, cheesecloth, or the brewer’s filter. Filter a second time if needed.

Dilute and serve

Mix concentrate 1:1 with water or milk and serve over ice. Adjust the dilution to your preferred strength.

Dial In Your Cold Brew

ProblemLikely causeWhat to change
Too strongThe concentrate has not been diluted enoughAdd more water or milk until the strength is balanced.
Too weakLow coffee dose or insufficient extractionIncrease the coffee dose or steep longer.
Too bitterGrind is too fine or steep time is too longUse an extra-coarse grind and shorten the steep.
Too cloudyFine particles remain in the concentrateFilter again through a paper filter.

Cold Brew Storage

Store the concentrate in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It is best within seven days. Dilute only the amount you plan to drink.

Cold Brew Pro Tips

  • Use filtered water for a cleaner cup.
  • Grind immediately before brewing.
  • Use an extra-coarse grind.
  • Experiment with dilution to find your preferred strength.
  • Use the concentrate for iced lattes and coffee cocktails.

Frequently Asked Questions

Start with a 1:6 ratio. For example, combine 100 grams of coffee with 600 grams of cold, filtered water. Dilute the finished concentrate before serving.
Steep cold brew for 16–24 hours. A longer steep generally creates a stronger extraction, while a shorter steep can taste lighter.
Use an extra-coarse grind. A fine grind can over-extract, taste bitter, and make the concentrate difficult to filter.
Begin with one part concentrate and one part water or milk. Add more or less liquid until the strength matches your preference.
Store the concentrate in an airtight container in the refrigerator and use it within seven days for the best flavor.
Cold brew is extracted slowly with cold water. Iced coffee is brewed hot and then cooled, so the two methods produce different acidity, body, and flavor.

Build Your Next Cold Brew Recipe

Use the Montana Coffee Company Coffee Ratio Calculator to scale the coffee and water measurements for your next cold brew batch.

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