Cold Brew Coffee Guide
Strong concentrate for iced coffee. 100g coffee, 500g water, 12 hours.
Coffee100g
Water500g
Ratio1:5
TempRoom temp
Total Time12 hours
Concentrate — dilute 1:1 with water or milk before serving.
Step-by-Step
Durations here span minutes and hours — Step 2's steep is 12 hours, not 12 minutes.
| Step | Name | Add Water | Duration | Instruction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mix | 500g | 2 min | Add coffee and room temperature water. Stir well. |
| 2 | Steep | — | 12 hours | Cover and refrigerate for 12 hours — not 12 minutes. |
| 3 | Filter | — | 5 min | Strain through a filter or cheesecloth. Repeat. |
| 4 | Dilute & Serve | — | 1 min | Dilute 1:1 with water or milk. Serve over ice. |
FAQ
Common questions about cold brew.
What is the cold brew coffee ratio?
100g of coffee to 500g of water — a 1:5 ratio. This produces a concentrate, not a drinking-strength cup. Before serving, dilute 1:1 with cold water or milk. The final drinking-strength ratio works out to approximately 1:10, which is stronger than most hot brew methods by design — cold brew extracts less bitterness at room temperature, so a stronger concentrate compensates.
How long does cold brew take?
12 hours in the refrigerator. Start it the night before. The steep time is not flexible in the same way as hot brew timing — going significantly under 12 hours gives weak, under-extracted concentrate. Going over (up to 18-20 hours) is fine and produces a stronger result. Beyond 24 hours you risk over-extraction and bitterness.
Do I need special equipment?
No. Any large jar or container with a lid works for steeping. For filtering, a fine mesh strainer lined with cheesecloth or a paper coffee filter works well — strain it twice for the cleanest result. The finished concentrate keeps refrigerated for up to 7 days, so making a larger batch is worth the minimal extra effort.
Time your Cold Brew with Gramage
Step-by-step guided timer for V60, Chemex, AeroPress and more.
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