Cold Brew Coffee: Definition, Taste, and How to Make

Cold brew is a full immersion brewing method using cold or room-temperature water to steep coarse coffee grounds for 12-24 hours. Cold brew coffee is a chilled beverage available homemade or in various commercial forms like ready-to-drink bottles, cans, concentrates, and nitro versions. It tastes smooth, mellow, and sweeter than hot coffee, with floral, nutty, caramel, and chocolatey notes and less bitterness. Cold brew coffee have more total caffeine per cup because uses a higher coffee-to-water ratio, a longer steep time, and produces a more concentrated extraction. To make smooth, balanced cold brew at home, use coarse-ground Arabica beans, purified water, a 1:8 coffee-to-water ratio, steep for 8–24 hours in a glass container, strain thoroughly, and serve chilled or diluted to taste. Cold brew coffee differs from other coffee drinks, which is the reason it has become so popular.

What is Cold Brew?

Cold brew, or cold coffee brewing, is a full immersion brewing method that uses cold or room-temperature water to steep ground coffee for 12 to 24 hours. Cold brewing draws out flavor, caffeine, and sugars to deliver a smooth, naturally sweet flavor without bitterness or added sugar. The result is smooth, low-acid, and subtly sweet coffee. Cold brew uses coarse coffee grounds, similar to coarse sea salt, breadcrumbs, or coarse cornmeal to avoid cloudiness and a gritty taste. These grounds steep in cold water using a container, glass jar, or a cold brew maker. A cold brew coffee maker is a device made specifically for brewing cold brew coffee.

Cold brewing method is popular among health-conscious Millennials and Gen Z who want clean-label, low-acid, ready-to-drink coffee with premium flavor, according to Global Consumer Survey and Technomic Report. Terms like "cold brewing," "cold water extraction," and "cold infusion" all refer to the same process in coffee: steeping grounds in cold water for a long time. In contrast, cold drip, iced coffee, and nitro cold brew are distinct methods. Cold drip (Kyoto-style) drips cold water through grounds for 3–12 hours. Iced coffee brews hot, then cools over ice. Nitro cold brew infuses cold brew coffee with nitrogen to create a creamy texture and frothy head.

What is the Origin of Cold Brew?

The earliest origin records of cold brew point to Kyoto, Japan, in the 1600s. This Kyoto-Style Japanese cold coffee was brewed using a unique method: cold water was dripped over coffee grounds in tall, elegant towers over an extended period of time (8 to 12 hours). One theory suggests that this method was influenced by Dutch traders, possibly due to fire hazards on merchant ships prohibiting brewing with hot water. This necessity led to experimentation with cold brewing methods, cold brew ratios, and steeping time. The result was a smoother, less bitter coffee that gained popularity throughout Asia, known historically as "Dutch coffee" or "cold drip coffee."

What is Cold Brew Coffee?

Cold brew coffee is a chilled beverage brewed by steeping coarse-ground coffee beans in cold or room-temperature water for up to 24 hours. It is the final product of cold brewing. Cold brew coffee looks dark brown to nearly black and is usually clear and served over ice. When mixed with milk or cream, it turns tan or caramel. Cold brew coffee is available as homemade brews, ready-to-drink bottles, concentrates, cans, and nitro cold brew. According to a 2021 study published in Foods by Linda Claassen, 71% of cold brew coffee is made at home and 22% is purchased commercially. Cold brew coffee is seen as less acidic and smoother than hot or iced coffee due to lower acid extraction.

How is Cold Brew Coffee Made?

Cold brew coffee made by steeping 50–100 grams of coarse coffee grounds per liter in cold or room temperature water, typically between 32°F and 77°F (0°C to 25°C) for 12 to 26 hours. It requires filtration to separate grounds from coffee using cheesecloth, paper, or metal filters, depending on your brewer. Cold brew coffee can be made with a Mason jar, French press, or Toddy system. A Mason jar is a low-cost, versatile glass container for DIY cold brew. A French press uses a metal filter and plunger for immersion. The Toddy system uses a felt filter and streamlines the process. Cold brew coffee uses Arabica or Robusta beans. Arabica delivers complex flavor and aroma, grown at high altitudes and favored for specialty cold brew. Robusta has more caffeine and bold, bitter notes, often used in blends.

What Does Cold Brew Coffee Taste Like?

Cold brew coffee tastes mellow, smooth, and naturally sweeter than hot coffee, with floral, nutty, caramel, and chocolatey notes and reduced bitterness. It is less acidic because cold water extracts fewer acidic compounds, according to a 2018 study published in Scientific Reports by Rao and Fuller. The study showed cold and hot brew have similar pH (4.85–5.13), but hot brew has more titratable acids like chlorogenic acid, quinic acid, and acetic acid. As a result, cold brew is chemically less acidic.

The flavor of cold brew is shaped by extraction, the process of dissolving flavor compounds from coffee into water. Extraction is affected by time, temperature, and solubility. Cold brew can also be made as a concentrate, a strong form typically diluted with water, milk, or other liquids before drinking. The taste of cold brew is influenced by the water-to-coffee ratio and caffeine content. A lower ratio like 1:4 to 1:8 creates a stronger concentrate that affects flavor and strength. Caffeine is higher in concentrate but diluted in the final drink and varies with brew time.

Is Cold Brew Coffee Stronger?

Yes, cold brew coffee is stronger than hot or iced coffee, with 185–205 mg per 16-ounce serving compared to 165 mg in the same volume of iced coffee. Cold brew coffee have more total caffeine per cup because uses a higher coffee-to-water ratio, a longer steep time, and produces a more concentrated extraction of caffeine and other compounds. According to a 2021 study titled "The Effect of Time, Roasting Temperature, and Grind Size on Caffeine and Chlorogenic Acid Concentrations in Cold Brew Coffee," caffeine in cold brew increases with longer extraction time and finer grind size. However, cold brew contains less caffeine per milliliter than drip, espresso, French press, or moka pot coffee because cold water extracts caffeine less efficiently.

How to Make Cold Brew at Home?

To make cold brew coffee at home, follow the eight steps below.

1. Choose high-quality Arabica beans from Brazil, Colombia, or Indonesia for smooth, balanced cold brew. Arabica offers nuanced flavor and low acidity. Lower-grade beans like Robusta can produce harsh, bitter coffee that reduces drink quality.
2. Use a 64 oz (1.98 liters) glass pitcher, a Mason jar, or a French press coffee maker that will allow for 8 eight-ounce servings. Glass containers are non-reactive and prevent flavors from leaching into coffee during steeping. Plastic or metal may add off-flavors or retain odors.
3. Use a cold brew ratio of 1:8 (125 grams or 25 tablespoons of coffee to 1,000 mL of water) to make ready-to-drink cold brew, or a 1:4 ratio for cold brew concentrate. This ratio balances strength and flavor because cold brewing extracts coffee slowly. Too much water creates a weak brew, while too much coffee produces a bitter concentrate.
4. Choose a coarse grind size, similar to the texture of coarse sea salt, in the 1,000-1,200 μm (microns) range. A coarse grind allows slow, even extraction and prevents over-extraction or a muddy texture. A fine grind can cause gritty, bitter coffee and is harder to filter. You can make cold brew with whole beans, but the extraction is very slow and inefficient.
5. Use purified drinking water from brands like Dasani, Aquafina, Pure Life, Crystal Geyser, or others. Purified water helps cold brew taste better by removing things like chlorine and other impurities. Tap water with minerals or chemicals can give the coffee a flat or metallic taste.
6. Steep cold brew concentrate in the refrigerator overnight for 8 to 24 hours or more. This longer steep time extracts full flavor at a low temperature, resulting in smooth, rich coffee. Too short a steep makes it weak, while steeping too long can cause bitterness or staleness.
7. Use a fine mesh strainer, cheesecloth, or coffee filter to strain the coffee grounds. Proper filtration removes fine particles and sediment for a clean, smooth mouthfeel. Skipping it or using a coarse filter leaves a gritty residue and makes the coffee unpleasant.
8. Serve your cold brew chilled over ice. Enjoy it black, or add water, milk, or cream to taste. Serving cold brew cold preserves its smooth, low-acid flavor. If using concentrate, add water to balance strength. Serving it warm or undiluted can make it taste too strong or less refreshing.

What is the Best Cold Brew Coffee Maker?

The best cold brew coffee maker for home use is the OXO Cold Brew Coffee Maker because it brews a smooth, low-acid concentrate with balanced flavor. Its compact design makes 12–14 servings and fits neatly in your kitchen or fridge. While the OXO is our top pick, the best brewer for you depends on factors like budget, features, and how much coffee you want to make. The following table compares several popular cold brew coffee makers, showing how each one works and its price, to help you find the perfect model for your needs.

What is the Best Cold Brew Ratio?

The best cold brew coffee ratio is around 1:8 (125 grams or 25 tablespoons of coffee to 1,000 ml of water), according to a 2020 study published in Food Research International by Denis Richard Seninde from Kansas State University. Cold brew ratio refers to the weight-based proportion of coffee to water, such as 1:8 or 1:12, where the first number is the amount of coffee and the second is the amount of water.

A cold brew ratio of 1:8 (125 g/L) gives a smooth, ready-to-drink brew with moderate caffeine, while a 1:4 ratio (200 g/L) creates a bold concentrate meant to be diluted. To make cold brew less bitter, a 2023 study by Xiuju Wang from the Department of Food Science at the University of Guelph suggests the optimal cold brew ratio as 1:9 (100 grams of coffee to 900 mL of water). This cold brew ratio, according to study, offers a good balance between flavor and extraction. It produces less bitter coffee with optimal caffeine and chlorogenic acid levels.

What is the Best Grind Size to Make Cold Brew?

The best grind size for cold brew is coarse, around 1,000–1,200 micron (μm), similar to raw sugar or sea salt. Coarse ground coffee enables optimal extraction of sweetness, fruitiness, and body while reducing over-extraction, bitterness, and off-flavors, according to peer-reviewed studies. A 2019 study published in Scientific Reports by Nancy Córdoba found that cold brew made with a coarse grind and 14-hour steep time had the best sensory results—stronger sweetness, fruity and floral notes, medium bitterness and acidity, and a creamy body.

What is the Best Water To Make Cold Brew?

Purified water is the best choice for cold brew coffee because it removes impurities like chemicals and bacteria through filtration or processing, according to experts at Fresh Water Systems, a company specializing in water filtration and purification. John Woodard, a technical training manager and master water specialist at Fresh Water Systems, recommends making cold brew using purified soft drinking water (bottled, reverse osmosis, or distilled) that lacks chlorine, has a moderate total dissolved solids (TDS) of 150 ppm, and a pH of 7.0 to enhance the its flavor.

The concentration of total dissolved solids and minerals in water significantly affects its taste, and consequently, the taste of cold brew coffee. Tap, ground, or surface water often contain chlorine, chloramines, or fluoride, which can create bitterness and suppress cold brew flavor. However, a 2021 study titled “Research on drinking water purification technologies for household use by reducing total dissolved solids (TDS)”, published in PLOS ONE by Bill B. Wang on water treatment methods in San Bernardino County suggests that tap water treated with electrolysis to reduce TDS can be a viable and economical alternative to bottled water for cold brew. The following diagram showing the purification process of water for clean, smooth-tasting cold brew.

What is the Ideal Steeping Time for Cold Brew?

The ideal steeping time for cold brew is 12 to 18 hours at fridge temperature (4–8 °C). This range balances flavor, caffeine extraction, and smoothness. A 2021 study from Hochschule Albstadt-Sigmaringen found that home cold brew coffee steeping times vary widely, with many people steeping for around 24 hours on average, although the study suggests that most flavor compounds are extracted within just a few hours. While cold brew can steep for 8 to 24 hours, steeping beyond 18 hours may cause over-extraction and bitterness. Adjust time based on strength preference and brewing method.

How To Filter Cold Brew Coffee After Steeping?

To filter cold brew coffee after steeping, start by pouring it through a fine mesh strainer, cheesecloth, or paper filter to remove grounds. Use slow, steady pouring to avoid clogging. For best clarity, strain twice. Store the filtered concentrate in a sealed container in the refrigerator.

What is the Best Way to Drink Cold Brew Coffee?

The best way to drink cold brew coffee depends on your personal preference, as there are many ways to enjoy it. One of the best ways, suggested by 2024 World Barista Champion Jack Simpson, is to serve it over ice in a tall glass to appreciate its smooth, rich flavor. You can enhance this experience by garnishing it with an orange slice or a mint sprig for extra freshness. Another excellent method, recommended by experts at Toddy Cold Brew System, involves mixing one part cold brew concentrate with two parts water or milk and pouring it over ice. If you prefer a hot drink, you can stir the same concentrate ratio with steaming hot water. For those who enjoy café-style drinks, a great way is to combine your cold brew with heavy cream, pumpkin puree, or vanilla syrup to recreate popular recipes at home.

What is the Best Coffee to Make Cold Brew?

The best coffee for cold brew ultimately depends on your personal taste, but a great starting point is coarsely ground, 100% Arabica beans that are specialty grade and freshly roasted to order. A 2021 observational study by Linda Claassen published in the Foods surveyed individuals who regularly make cold brew and found that single-origin medium roast Arabica coffee beans were preferred by over 53% of consumers compared to 1.7% of participants who choose Robusta coffee blends. Beans from Ethiopia, Colombia, Guatemala, or Brazil are excellent choices. However, since coffee beans have big differences in flavor, origin, and roast, the best coffee for cold brew will also depend on your budget and how you plan to drink it.

Where to Buy Coarse Ground Coffee for Cold Brew?

You can buy coarse ground coffee for cold brew directly from Colipse, available in 12 oz, 16 oz, 2 lb, or 5 lb bags with up to 40% discounts on larger sizes and free shipping on all orders. Colipse's cold brew coffee grounds are a medium roast, 100% Arabica, coarsely ground, designed for smooth, low-acidity cold brew with flavor notes of chocolate, toffee, and floral hints. Customer reviews describe Colipse cold brew grounds as fresh, smooth, sweet, and low in bitterness, making them a top-rated choice for cold brew fans.

How Long Can You Store Cold Brew Coffee?

You can store cold brew coffee up to 7 days in the refrigerator. After that, taste and quality decline. With milk or dairy added, consume within 2–3 days due to higher risk of bacterial growth. Storing cold brew coffee means transferring your cold brew concentrate after brewing to a glass airtight container and storing it, ideally in the refrigerator, or in any cool, dark place. A 2021 study in Foods found most people consumed cold brew within 36 hours. Researchers recommend drinking it the same day it's made for the best taste and quality.

How Does Cold Brewing Compare to Other Ways to Make Coffee?

The main difference between cold brewing and other ways to make coffee is the extraction temperature and time, which impacts flavor, acidity, and caffeine. Cold brew uses cold water and steeps for 12–24 hours, resulting in a smooth, low-acid coffee. Pour over and drip use hot water (92–96°C), producing cleaner, more acidic profiles. Vietnamese and Turkish coffee use high heat and fine grounds for bold, strong flavors, but they contain more oils and sediment due to lack of filtering.

What is the Difference between Cold Brew and Espresso?

The main difference between cold brew and espresso is the brewing method and flavor profile. Cold brew is steeped in cold water for 12–24 hours, resulting in a smooth, low-acid drink. Espresso is made by forcing hot water through finely ground coffee in 25–30 seconds, producing a bold, concentrated shot.

What Makes Cold Brew Coffee Different from Other Coffee Drinks?

The difference between cold brew and other types of coffees such as iced coffee, espresso, or latte lies in the brewing process and resulting flavor profile. Cold brew is made by long-contact cold water extraction while hot coffee is brewed quickly with hot water, extracting more of the beans' oils and acids, which can lead to a more bitter and complex taste.

Is Cold Brew the Same as Iced Coffee?

No, cold brew is not the same as iced coffee. Cold brew involves steeping coarsely ground coffee beans in room temperature water for 8 to 24 hours, while iced coffee is simply hot-brewed coffee served over ice, which is done in minutes using any brewing process like hario, AeroPress, or French press. When deciding between cold brew versus iced coffee, consider that cold brew offers a smoother, less acidic flavor due to its longer extraction process, whereas iced coffee provides a quicker, more traditional coffee taste with higher acidity.

What is the Difference between Cold Brew and Nitro Cold Brew?

The primary difference between cold brew and nitro cold brew is texture and presentation. Cold brew is smooth and served still, while nitro cold brew is infused with nitrogen gas, giving it a creamy texture and foamy head. Nitro cold brew is often served from a tap, like draft beer.

What is the Difference between Cold Brew and Cold Brew Concentrate?

The main difference between cold brew and cold brew concentrate is strength. Cold brew coffee is ready to drink, while cold brew concentrate is much stronger and meant to be diluted with water or milk. Concentrate uses a higher coffee-to-water ratio and has more caffeine per ounce.

Why is Cold Brew So Popular?

Cold brew is popular for its smooth flavor, low acidity, and refreshing taste. It’s easier on the stomach than hot coffee and contains high caffeine. Fortune Business Insights reports cold brew coffee in convenient grab-and-go formats like ready-to-drink (RTD) bottles, cans, and cartons is the fastest-growing new trend, projected to grow 413.29% from $3.16 billion in 2024 to $16.22 billion by 2032. The recent surge in cold brew coffee's popularity is, in many ways, a rediscovery of an age-old Asian coffee tradition. Chloë Callow, an editor of Caffeine magazine, notes in her book "Cold Brew Coffee: Techniques, Recipes and Cocktails for Coffee's Hottest Trend" that cold brew has been part of Japan's vibrant café society for centuries.