Cold brew is a type of coffee that is brewed with cold water over a long steeping time of up to 24 hours. It belongs to the so-called immersion brewing methods, meaning that the water remains in contact with the coffee grounds for an extended period of time. This differs from percolation brewing methods, where water flows through the coffee grounds. Due to the longer steeping time, coffee beans for cold brew are typically ground coarser than for percolation methods.

How long should cold brew steep?

We recommend a steeping time of 18 to 24 hours. The exact time depends on the coffee beans, grind size, and the coffee-to-water ratio. Tip: Try your cold brew after 18 hours. If it tastes too weak, let it steep longer and taste it again after another hour. You should achieve the best result within 24 hours.

Which coffee beans are best for cold brew?

For cold brew, we recommend high-quality light to medium-light roasted coffee beans. The packaging should provide clear information about quality. Terms such as specialty coffee are a good indicator. You should also look for details about the coffee’s origin and roast date. Ideally, the beans should be between 10 days and 4 weeks after roasting and not older than two months.

What does cold brew mean?

Cold brew is a specific method of preparing cold coffee. It is based on filter coffee rather than espresso. Unlike filter coffee brewed over ice, cold brew is not prepared with hot water but with cold water. As a result, it requires a much longer steeping time of up to 24 hours. Cold brew is known for its full body and low acidity.

Cold Brew Recipe

Name: Cold Brew Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 18 h 5 min
Yield: 720 ml
Cuisine: Coffee
Ingredients: 1 l Water (cold); 66 g Filter coffee beans (Coarsely Ground); Ice cube(s); 25 ml Cold milk (optional); 1 Orange slice (per glass)

Here we present the simplest at-home cold brew recipe for easy replication. All you need are good coffee beans, a grinder and scale, and a practical carafe with a filter. Let's go!

⏱ Prep and preparation time: 18–24 hours

⚡ Caffeine and nutrition: 140 mg , 5 kcal

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Last updated on May 30, 2026

What You'll Need for Cold Brew

Mit der Comandante Handmühle wird gerade Filterkaffee gemahlen

Grinder

Leeres Cold Brew Sieb aus Edelstahl mit rotem Gummiring auf cyanblau lackierter Oberfläche

Metal filter

Coffee Scale

Cold Brew Karaffe mit Metallfilter auf cyanblau lackiertem Tisch (Beanwatch)

Cold Brew Jar

You don't need much equipment to make Cold Brew at home. The most important tool is a good grinder, as you'll want to grind your coffee fresh every time. For filtration, we recommend a fine metal filter, similar to those commonly used for tea. It should be large enough to hold around 100 grams of coffee grounds without any issues. A scale helps you achieve the correct coffee-to-water ratio, while a carafe is perfect for serving the finished Cold Brew.

How to make cold brew

Ingredients

for 4 servings

1 l Water (cold)

66 g Filter coffee beans (Coarsely Ground)

Ice cube(s)

25 ml Cold milk (optional)

1 Orange slice (per glass)

Coffee for Cold Brew should be ground coarser than regular filter coffee.

1 l

Water (cold)

66 g

Filter coffee beans (Coarsely Ground)

We prefer to enjoy our Cold Brew neat, which is why we use a coffee-to-water ratio of 1:15. If you plan to use Cold Brew as an ingredient in signature drinks, such as a Cold Brew Tonic, or in cocktails, you can opt for a stronger ratio of 1:10.

Grind the coffee beans coarsely, aiming for a particle size somewhere between coarse sea salt and brown sugar.

Place the ground coffee into a metal filter and insert it into a compatible carafe. A practical option is the Brewjar by Dripster, which comes with both a filter and a carafe. If you don't have a metal filter of the appropriate size, you can alternatively add the grounds directly to the carafe and filter the coffee later using a paper filter.

Combine the ground coffee with cold water and stir the mixture thoroughly to ensure that all coffee particles are evenly saturated.

If the Cold Brew is not stored in an airtight container, it may absorb aromas from other foods in the refrigerator.

Let the mixture steep in the refrigerator for 18–24 hours in an airtight container.

Tip: If you do not have a metal filter, you can filter the cold brew afterwards using a paper filter, for example with a Chemex.

At the end of the steeping time, remove the mixture from the refrigerator and take out the filter with the coffee grounds. If you steeped the coffee grounds directly in the water without a filter, pour the mixture through a suitable paper filter.

If your cold brew appears slightly cloudy, stir it vigorously.

Ice cube(s)

25 ml

Cold milk (optional)

Orange slice (per glass)

Pour the cold brew into the desired number of glasses filled with ice cubes. Optionally, add milk or a slice of fresh orange. Your delicious cold brew is ready to enjoy!

Consume the cold brew within 3 days and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.