Tastefully Grace July 18, 2022

How to Make Cold Brew Coffee (With Ground Coffee)

5 from 12 votes

This recipe is the easiest way to make cold brew coffee at home with your favorite ground coffee and no special equipment!

Anytime the weather is over 70 degrees, my craving for cold brew coffee comes out! Instead of breaking the bank buying cold brew every morning, I make a big pitcher of this cold brew with my favorite coffee grounds and keep it in the fridge all week! Not only is it more affordable, but it’s more delicious and customizable!

Just give me a glass of cold brew, follow it up with a Strawberry Banana Smoothie, and summer is complete.

What is Cold Brew Coffee?

Cold brew coffee is made from steeping ground coffee beans in cold water for several hours, before straining out the grounds and serving it over ice, or diluted with water or a splash of your favorite milk.

Iced coffee, on the other hand, is made by brewing hot coffee and serving it over ice.

Cold brew typically has a richer, smoother flavor, without the acidity or bitterness that iced coffee can have.

Steps for Making Cold Brew Coffee

Learning how to make cold brew coffee at home is life-changing! The full recipe with step-by-step instructions is in the recipe card (this is just an outline!).

Prepare & chill cold brew.
In a pitcher or other large container, add water. Add in your favorite coffee grounds. Stir.
Cover your container and place in the fridge for 12-24 hours.
Filter it.
Place a paper coffee filter inside a pour-over coffee maker, a sieve, or a funnel. Pour unfiltered cold brew through the paper filter into another pitcher or large container.
Serve it.
Serve as-is, with ice, or diluted with a splash of water or milk.

No Special Equipment Needed

All you need to make this cold brew coffee is:

Water
Your favorite ground coffee
A few paper coffee filters
A pour-over coffee maker, sieve, OR funnel
2 pitchers or other large containers (that can hold just over 8 cups)

How to Serve Cold Brew Coffee

Serve your cold brew coffee as-is, over ice, or with one or more of the following serving ideas!

Splash of water: if you like your coffee less intense, add a splash of water.
Splash of milk: add dairy milk, coconut milk, almond milk, soy milk, rice milk, or Vanilla Whipped Cream.
With a sweetener: add some maple syrup, sugar, brown sugar, Stevia, or simple syrup.
With a flavor: add a dash of cinnamon, pumpkin spice, cocoa powder, chocolate sauce, caramel sauce, butterscotch, or flavored syrup.
Spike it: turn your cold brew into a cocktail with vanilla vodka, coffee liquor, orange liquor or bourbon!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is cold brew less acidic than hot coffee?

Yes, cold brew is less acidic than hot coffee because the grounds are never exposed to heat which releases these acids. Therefore, cold brew may be a friendlier option for anyone whose stomach is sensitive to coffee!

Can you use decaf coffee for cold brew?

Yes, you can absolutely use decaffeinated coffee grounds!

Can you grind your own coffee?

Of course! Feel free to grind your own coffee.

Can you use flavored coffee for cold brew?

Yes! If your favorite coffee grounds are flavored, use them!

Can you double the recipe?

If you have two containers that can hold a double batch, you can absolutely double the recipe.

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