Cold brew

Caffeine estimate

Approximately 150-200mg (240ml diluted serving).

Well established — Cold brew is often higher in caffeine per serving than hot filter coffee mainly because it is typically brewed at a higher coffee-to-water ratio, not because cold water extracts caffeine more effectively.

Brewing method

Made using Cold brew steeping. Grind: Coarse.

Descriptive grind labels like this are illustrative starting points, not precise measurements — the same label can mean different particle sizes on different grinders. See the grind size guide for how to dial this in on your own equipment.

Taste, variation and common mistakes

Naturally lower in acidity and less bitter than hot-brewed coffee at a similar strength, since cold water extracts fewer of the compounds responsible for sharp acidity and bitterness. The trade-off is a less aromatic cup — heat also drives off much of the volatile aroma that makes hot coffee smell strong.

Common mistakes

• Drinking the concentrate undiluted — most cold brew is brewed as a concentrate and needs roughly equal-parts dilution with water, milk or ice before drinking.
• Using a fine grind, which over-extracts during the long steep and can taste muddy or bitter; a coarse grind is standard for cold brew.
• Steeping for much longer than the typical 12-24 hour range on the assumption that more time is always better — very long steeps don't reliably improve the result and can taste flat.

Steep time, grind and dilution ratio vary significantly by brewer and café — there is no single fixed recipe, and the figures here are a practical starting point rather than a formal standard.

Steps

1. Combine coarse coffee grounds with cold or room-temperature water.
2. Steep at room temperature or in the refrigerator for 12-24 hours.
3. Filter thoroughly and dilute the concentrate to taste before serving over ice.

Equipment

• Cold brew maker
• Burr grinder

Troubleshooting

• Coffee tastes weak or watery

Compare

• Cold brew vs. iced coffee

Build this drink

Tools for working out the quantities this drink needs.

• Cold-brew dilution calculatorWork out how much water or milk to add to concentrate, or how much concentrate a target serving needs.