Cold Brew Concentrate: Definition, Caffeine, Brewing, and Best Brands

Cold brew concentrate is a strong, low-acid coffee extract made by steeping coarse grounds in cold water for 12–24 hours, then filtered and diluted before drinking. Cold brew concentrate contains 24.5 to 66.7 mg of caffeine per ounce, or 135–400 mg per 8 oz cup. Caffeine strength depends on bean type, brew ratio, and steep time. To make cold brew concentrate at home, combine 75–100 g of coarse coffee grounds with 375–500 ml of cold filtered water at a 1:4 ratio and steep for 12–18 hours in the fridge or 8–12 hours at room temperature. The best coffee for DIY cold brew concentrate is coarse ground, medium to dark roast Arabica from Colombia, Brazil, or Ethiopia. Cold brew concentrate is easy to find at major grocery stores like Starbucks, Trader Joe’s, Costco, and Whole Foods.

What is a Cold Brew Concentrate?

Cold brew concentrate is a strong liquid extract that’s easily diluted for hot or cold drinks. It enables quick prep, consistent flavor, and long storage without brewing a new batch. Cold brew concentrate works by steeping coarse coffee grounds in cold water for 12–24 hours to create a strong, low-acid coffee extract. It requires a large jar, strainer, cheesecloth, or cold brew maker to filter the concentrate after steeping. This concentrate is then diluted with water, milk, or a milk alternative before drinking.

Cold brew concentrate has no set definition, recipe, or strength because methods, timing, and ratios vary by brand, purpose, and preference. Not all cold brew concentrates are the same in strength, acidity, or flavor. Cold brew concentrate can be made at home using a Mason jar, French press, or cold brew pitcher, or purchased in cans, bottles, boxes, or single-serve packs. It comes in various roast levels, caffeine strengths, and decaf, organic, flavored, or single-origin options to match different preferences.

How to Use Cold Brew Concentrate?

Use cold brew concentrate by diluting it with water, milk, or other liquids depending on your recipe. The following list shows how to use cold brew coffee concentrate across drinks, desserts, and cooking recipes.

• Dilute it with equal parts water or milk to make smooth, balanced iced coffee or latte.
• Heat it gently and combine with hot water or milk to create a mellow hot coffee.
• Blend it into smoothies to add caffeine and deep coffee flavor.
• Bake it into brownies, muffins, or cakes to intensify chocolate or spice profiles.
• Stir it into desserts like tiramisu, coffee jelly, or granitas for rich coffee notes.
• Mix it into cocktails like espresso martinis or white Russians for a bold kick.
• Use it to marinate meats or enrich sauces in savory recipes with a subtle coffee undertone.

You can substitute cold brew concentrate for espresso to get smoother acidity, though it lacks crema. You can heat it in a saucepan or microwave until hot. You can drink it straight, but it has strong flavor and high caffeine.

How Much Caffeine is in Cold Brew Concentrate?

Cold brew concentrate contains 24.5 to 66.7 mg of caffeine per ounce and 135 to 400 mg per 8 oz cup, depending on brand and strength. Caffeine levels vary due to brewing time, bean type, and coffee-to-water ratio. Cold brew concentrate is more concentrated than regular cold brew and stronger per ounce than espresso, though espresso delivers more caffeine per shot. Caffeine is measured in cold brew concentrate by laboratory methods like high-performance liquid chromatography. The following table compares popular cold brew concentrate brands by listing their caffeine content per serving and per fluid ounce.

What is the Strongest Cold Brew Concentrate?

The strongest cold-brew concentrates use a high coffee-to-water ratio, Robusta beans, and medium roast. Robusta beans contain 1.2% to 2.5% caffeine by weight, while Arabica beans range from 1.2% to 1.5%, according to a 2017 study by Iolanda De Marco. Medium roast coffee extracts more caffeine than dark roasts and reaches equilibrium in 6–7 hours. Steeping for at least 7 hours maximizes strength without over-extraction, as shown in a 2017 study published in Scientific Reports by Megan Fuller. To brew your strongest concentrate, combine medium-roast Robusta at a 1:3 ratio, steep 7 hours at room temperature, then filter and dilute to taste. Brands that deliver comparable punch include Black Rifle Cold Brew (1:4 Robusta-forward blend), Jot Ultra Cold Brew (Robusta-heavy roast, 1:5 ratio), and Grady’s Cold Brew (Robusta blend at 1:3 ratio).

How to Make Cold Brew Concentrate at Home?

To make cold brew concentrate at home, follow the seven-step recipe below.

1. Collect Ingredients: To make cold brew concentrate, use 75–100 g (¾–1 cup) of coarsely ground coffee, 375–500 ml (1½–2 cups) of cold, filtered water in a 1 L sealed, graduated glass or other non-reactive container.
2. Grind your Beans: Grind coffee beans coarsely (1,000–1,200 µm) just before brewing to avoid bitterness. Use setting 32–34 on Baratza Encore, 58–60 on Breville Smart Grinder Pro, or 15–16 on Capresso Infinity. For pre-ground coffee, choose a fresh, coarse grind labeled “French press” or “cold brew.”
3. Dial in Ratio: Use a 1:4 ratio of coffee grounds to water for cold brew concentrate. For example, 100 g of coffee grounds (20 tablespoons) require 400 g of water (13.5 fl oz) to produce a strong concentrate that should be diluted before drinking.
4. Steep and Cover: Pour the water over the grounds, stir vigorously for 15–20 s to ensure full saturation, then cover tightly and refrigerate at 4 °C for 12–18 hours. If you prefer room-temperature steeping (20–22 °C), shorten the time to 8–12 hours. Adjust in 1 h increments to suit your taste.
5. Strain the Coffee: Pour the cold brew concentrate through a 0.5 mm mesh sieve lined with a 20–25 µm paper filter or four-layer cheesecloth. Work in 100–150 ml batches, letting each batch drain for 4–5 minutes. For extra clarity, repeat once.
6. Store for Later: Store cold brew concentrate in a sealed, airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 7 days. Use glass jars or bottles to preserve flavor and prevent contamination. Avoid storing at room temperature for more than 2 hours to reduce the risk of spoilage.
7. Serve and Enjoy: Dilute the concentrate with water, milk, or creamer before serving, typically at a 1:1 ratio (e.g., 120 ml concentrate + 120 ml water) or a 1:2 ratio (e.g., 120 ml concentrate + 240 ml milk or water), depending on your taste preference.

You can make cold brew concentrate with medium or fine ground coffee, but a coarse grind is best. Whole beans extract very slowly and unevenly, resulting in weak flavor and low caffeine. To make cold brew concentrate without a machine or mason jar, use a French press to separate grounds easily. An AeroPress is less common but makes clear cold brew under pressure. A Keurig isn’t suitable due to major limitations.

How to Make Cold Brew Concentrate in a French Press?

The following list shows how to make cold brew coffee concentrate using a French press.

1. Measure coarsely ground coffee in a 1:4 ratio of coffee to water (e.g., 1 cup coffee to 4 cups water).
2. Add coffee grounds directly into the bottom of your French press.
3. Pour cold or room-temperature water slowly over the grounds, making sure they're evenly saturated.
4. Stir gently with a wooden or plastic spoon to mix the grounds thoroughly with the water.
5. Place the lid on the French press without pressing the plunger down, and let it steep in the fridge or at room temperature for 12–18 hours.
6. Press the plunger down slowly after the brewing time to separate the grounds from the liquid.
7. Transfer the concentrate into a sealed container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 10 days.

What is the Best Cold Brew Concentrate Ratio?

The best cold brew concentrate ratio is 1:4 coffee to water by weight to yield a balanced concentrate. The term cold brew concentrate ratio is the measurement of how much coffee is steeped per part of water. You should add three to four parts water per one part of cold brew concentrate. The ideal ratio is 100 grams of coffee to 400 grams of water. That ratio is equal to about 3.5 ounces of coffee to 14 ounces of water by weight. For a stronger concentrate, you may use a 1:3 ratio of coffee to water by weight to deliver a bolder flavor.

How Long to Steep Cold Brew Concentrate?

It is best to steep cold brew concentrate for 16 to 24 hours, but studies show 8 hours may be optimal. A 2024 study published in Scientific Reports by Jiexin Liang from University of California found that TDS and flavor attributes in cold brew concentrate plateau by 8 hours, so longer steeps offer little benefit. After 8 hours at 4 °C or 22 °C, TDS reach equilibrium and taste traits like bitterness, cocoa, or citrus change very little. Steeping cold brew concentrate beyond 24 hours can cause bitterness and harshness from over-extraction.

What is the Best Cold Brew Concentrate Maker?

The best cold brew concentrate maker depends on your needs—capacity, ease of use, and flavor—but several models rank highest in expert reviews. The Toddy Cold Brew System is best overall for rich flavor and reliability. The Takeya Deluxe is ideal for beginners, while the OXO Compact suits small-batch users. For durability and sleek design, KitchenAid and Ovalware both stand out. The following table compares top cold brew concentrate makers based on key features and expert recommendations.

How Long Does Cold Brew Concentrate Last?

Homemade cold brew concentrate stays fresh for seven days when sealed and refrigerated at 35–40°F. Cold brew concentrate must be refrigerated to avoid spoilage and bacteria. Leaving it at room temperature for over 2 hours is unsafe. Food safety guidelines warn that coffee enters the 40–140°F “danger zone,” where bacteria can grow. The USDA 2-hour rule applies to brewed coffee due to its organic content. Refrigeration prevents spoilage and aligns with safety standards.

It is possible to freeze cold brew concentrate for up to two months with little flavor loss. Freeze it in airtight containers or ice cube trays for easy use. Plain concentrate lasts longer than versions with milk or creamer. Store-bought cold brew concentrate in a box, bottle, or can has a shelf life of up to twelve months before opening. After you open the container, you should refrigerate store-bought cold brew concentrate and use it within seven days.

Does Cold Brew Concentrate Go Bad?

Yes, cold brew concentrate can go bad depending on storage. You should not drink cold brew concentrate after the expiration date. Once expired, it may develop spoilage signs like sour smell, discoloration, or mold. Even if refrigerated, expired concentrate can pose health risks due to bacterial growth or contamination.

What is the Best Coffee for DIY Cold Brew Concentrate?

The best coffee for making DIY cold brew concentrate depends on your taste, but using coarse ground, medium to dark roast coffee that’s high quality is a good place to start. Use 100% Arabica beans from Colombia, Brazil, or Ethiopia with balanced profiles. Wet-processed Colombian beans offer smooth flavor with chocolate, caramel, and mild fruit notes. Dry-processed Brazilian beans give a nutty, full-bodied base ideal for low-acid cold brew. Ethiopian beans like Sidamo or Yirgacheffe add fruity, floral brightness that enhances blend complexity.

Use fresh roasted beans and grind at home with a burr or blade grinder, or order pre-ground coffee from trusted brands like Colipse. Our coffee is coarse ground, freshly roasted, and optimized to make strong, smooth DIY cold brew concentrate. Our coffee beans come in multiple roasts and origins like Colombia and Brazil. They’re grind-uniform, available in bulk, and ship free in the U.S. This ensures consistency, strong flavor, and convenience for every batch.

Where to Buy Coarse Coffee Grounds for Cold Brew Concentrate?

You can buy coarse coffee grounds for best tasting cold brew concentrate from Colipse, which offers coarse ground options in multiple roasts and origins. Choose from 12 oz to 5 lb bags based on brew size and strength. Colipse ships fresh, affordable coffee with free U.S. shipping. Shop by roast level, bean type, or brewing method.

Where to Purchase Cold Brew Concentrate in Stores?

You can buy cold brew concentrate from major grocery stores nationwide. Chains like Starbucks, Trader Joe’s, Dunkin, Costco, Sprouts, Whole Foods, and Safeway offer branded cold brew options. Flavored choices include Starbucks vanilla, pumpkin spice, and caramel dolce concentrates. Bulk and wholesale formats are also widely available in-store.

What is the Best Store Bought Cold Brew Concentrate?

The best store-bought cold brew concentrate brands are listed below.

• Chameleon Organic Cold-Brew has a light to medium body, mild bitterness, low acidity, and complex floral and berry notes.
• Califia Farms Cold Brew Concentrate delivers bold, smooth flavor with low bitterness, making it ideal for daily use. It is vegan, gluten-free, and comes in convenient sizes.
• Starbucks Cold Brew Concentrate offers a smooth, light-bodied taste with chocolaty notes, ideal for fans of Starbucks coffee.
• Stumptown Cold Brew Concentrate is known for its smooth texture and bold coffee flavor. It has the most intense profile among concentrates tested. Some may find it too bitter depending on taste preference.
• Trader Joe’s Cold Brew Concentrate offers mild vanilla flavor at an affordable price. It’s smooth and pleasant but less strong or complex than premium options.
• La Colombe Cold Brew offers solid quality at a budget-friendly price. It has a medium body and a chocolaty flavor, making it a balanced, affordable option.

How Does Cold Brew Concentrate Compare to Other Coffee Concentrates?

Cold brew concentrate is smoother, less acidic, and higher in caffeine than most other coffee concentrates. Compared to espresso or instant coffee concentrate, it has a mellow flavor and is brewed without heat. It’s ideal for iced drinks and can be diluted to taste.

What is the Difference between Espresso and Cold Brew Concentrate?

The main difference between espresso and cold brew concentrate is brewing method and flavor profile. Espresso is made with pressure and heat, producing a bold, rich shot with crema. Cold brew concentrate is steeped in cold water for hours, resulting in a smoother, less acidic coffee.