Maybe I’m crazy, but even in the dead of winter in the midwest, I prefer cold brew over hot coffee. Yum! It’s different than iced coffee, btw! Instead of just pouring hot coffee over ice, you let the coffee grounds sit in water at room temperature for 12-18 hours. You don’t need any fancy equipment or espresso machines, either! Plus it’s about 60% less acidic than regular coffee (your teeth and stomach will thank you) ☕
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Here’s the concoction I’ve been perfecting for years:
Ingredients
- 1 cup coarsely ground coffee, freshly ground (organic of course)
- 4 cups filtered water
Instructions
- Pour the grounds into a mesh bag or coffeesock and place the bag into a large glass jar. A big mason jar will work.
- Add the water. Stir to activate.
- Cover with a cheesecloth or lid. Let sit for 12-18 hours at room temperature.
- If using a coffeesock, there's no need to filter or strain the mixture. But you can also use something like a french press if there is still some sediment. Do whatever works for what you have, just make sure all the grounds are out of the mixture.
- Transfer the mixture back into a clean glass jar or pitcher, however you want to store it. This is now a concentrate, so it will be really strong if you try it. Usually for cold brews, they need to be diluted with water. I usually pour about another cup in and stir.
- Refrigerate, and enjoy!

But wait…there’s more!
To learn more about ALL things cold brew, grab a copy of my Brew It Like Becca ebook!
It’s a 31-page PDF that covers everything you need to know about making the healthiest and tastiest coffee at home:
- Clean Coffee 101: Why it matters
- What to look for when buying coffee
- Healthy home brewing tips
- Best clean & organic coffee brands (free of mold and mycotoxins)
- How-to brewing guides (cold brew, pour over, French press) and suggested plastic-free equipment
- Printable quick reference brewing guide cutouts (to put on your fridge, for example)
- 15+ tasty cold brew recipes (such as Thin Mint Cookie and Salted Sweet Cream Cold Foam!)
- Homemade plant milk recipes
- Pantry staples and shopping list
It’s seriously a MUST-HAVE if you’re a health-conscious coffee lover!
Cheers!
How much of the concentrate do you use for one cup?
So I dilute the whole thing with about 3/4 cup water or so, then pop it in the fridge, so then when I’m ready to drink it I just pour how much I want if that makes sense!