What's the difference between cold brew and iced coffee?

Iced coffee is hot-brewed coffee cooled with ice. Cold brew is brewed entirely cold over many hours — much smoother, lower acid, sweeter naturally.

Can I make cold brew without a special maker?

Yes — a mason jar and a cheesecloth is all you need. The fancy makers are nice but optional.

How long does cold brew keep?

Concentrate keeps 7-10 days in the fridge. Diluted, drink within 2-3 days for best flavor.

Smooth · sweet · low-acid

Cold Brew brew guide.

Difficulty: Beginner
Time: 12–24 hr
Ratio: 1:5 (concentrate)
Grind: Coarse
Water: Cold filtered water

Overview

Cold brew is the easiest brew method to nail — you can't rush it, you can't burn it, and the result is impossibly smooth, low-acid, and ready to pour for days. Make a batch on Sunday, drink it all week.

Best beans for Cold Brew

Medium to dark roasts. The cold extraction strips harsh acidity, so chocolatey, nutty, smoky beans shine. Avoid expensive light single-origins for cold brew — the cold mutes the brightness you'd be paying for.

Shop beans for Cold Brew

Gear up

Equipment you'll need.

Large mason jar OR dedicated cold-brew maker (Toddy, Hario, OXO)
Fine mesh strainer + cheesecloth, OR coffee filter
Coarse grinder
Fridge space

The method

Step by step.

1
Coarsely grind 200g coffee for a 1L batch (1:5 ratio for concentrate). Coarse like kosher salt.
2
Pour grounds into the jar. Add 1L cold filtered water. Stir gently to wet all the grounds.
3
Cover and refrigerate for 12-24 hours. 16 hours is the sweet spot for most people.
4
Strain through a fine mesh strainer first to catch the big stuff, then through cheesecloth or a paper filter for clarity.
5
You now have cold brew CONCENTRATE. Dilute 1:1 with water or milk to drink — or use straight if you like it strong.

Troubleshooting

Common mistakes & fixes.

Cold brew is bitter
Fix: Steeped too long. Cap it at 24 hours; some beans peak at 12-16 hours.
Cold brew is weak
Fix: More coffee. 1:5 is concentrate strength — if you want ready-to-drink straight, brew at 1:8.
Cup is muddy / sludgy
Fix: Strain twice. First through mesh, then through paper or cheesecloth.
Tastes flat
Fix: Use medium to dark roast, not light. Cold brew silences brightness.

From our roasters

Pro tips.

Concentrate keeps in the fridge for 7-10 days. Make a big batch on Sunday.
Try our pre-made concentrates if you don't want to brew — Original, Whiskey Barrel, Happy Mushroom, Thai Chai.
Shake the jar once or twice during the steep — improves even extraction.

Brew it with these