Craving a smooth, refreshing pick-me-up without the bitterness often found in hot brewed coffee? Cold brewed iced coffee is your answer. Not only is it simple to make, but its rich, smooth flavor also makes it a perfect drink for any time of day. Follow this easy recipe to create your own cold brew iced coffee at home.
I have a confession to make. I need a 12 step program for my cold brewed iced coffee obsession. Ever since I learned how to make Cold Brewed Iced Coffee at home I have been drinking it none stop every day.
I love to make coffee shop drinks at home. It saves me so much money and I don't have to leave the house to enjoy ice coffee.
Once you see how ridiculously easy it is to make cold brewed coffee concentrate at home you'll never pay those high prices again.
You only need two ingredients and a few supplies you probably already have in your kitchen.
It does take a little bit of time though. You'll need to brew your iced coffee for at least 8 hours to get the best richest coffee concentrate results.
Cold brewing the iced coffee concentrate for 12 hours will yield the best results.
But if you can't wait you can sneak a glass after about an hour. The coffee will be a little weak but if you are having iced coffee withdrawals it will be satisfying enough until the cold brewed coffee has had time to brew to a proper strength.
Let the rest of the coffee continue to cold brew for the remaining time. You can top with jar off with more water.
What kind of Coffee grounds should I use to make cold brewed iced coffee concentrate at home?
The brand of coffee grounds you use to make cold-brewed coffee concentrate at home is up to you. You can use your favorite coffee brand. You can use a store brand coffee.
You can use your favorite flavored coffee grounds. You can use even use ground espresso beans to make an iced espresso concentrate.
It is really up to you and how strong you like your iced coffee and the flavor iced coffee you like.
During the Fall months, I love to make Pumpkin Spice Iced Coffee concentrate with my homemade pumpkin spice coffee creamer.
Or you might like to make homemade vanilla coffee syrup for your iced coffee instead.
Another favorite iced coffee flavor is Dunkin Donuts Coconut Iced Coffee.
How to make Cold Brewed Iced Coffee at home for pennies
I am always buying new brands and flavors of coffee to try. It all depends on how strong you like your iced coffee and ice espresso.
Experiment with different brands of coffee grounds and different roasts of coffee until you find the one that makes a perfect glass of iced coffee for you.
Ingredients and supplies needed
- 1 quart mason jar
- wide mouth plastic mason jar lids
- 1 cup coffee grounds
- filtered or spring water to fill
- a fine-mesh strainer
- a paper coffee filter
- a large spouted measure cup or bowl.
Prepare the Coffee Concentrate:
- Place one cup of your favorite coffee grounds into a 1-quart mason jar.
- Fill the jar with cold, filtered water. Secure the lid on the jar tightly and give it a good shake to ensure all the coffee grounds are fully saturated.
- Open the jar again and top it off with more cold water until filled to the brim.
- Replace the lid and allow the jar to sit on your counter overnight. Aim for a full 12-hour steep for optimal flavor extraction.
Strain Your Brew:
- After the steeping process, grab a fine-mesh strainer and line it with a paper coffee filter. Position this over a large measuring cup or bowl for easy pouring.
- Give the jar another shake to loosen the coffee grounds from the top.
- Carefully pour the coffee concentrate through the lined strainer. If needed, wait for it to drain before adding the rest.
- Once all the liquid is strained, discard the used coffee filter and grounds.
- Rinse out the mason jar and pour the strained coffee concentrate back in. Fill up any remaining space with cold water.
Chill and Serve:
Allow your freshly made cold brew concentrate to chill in the refrigerator before serving.
Serve your cold brew iced coffee over crushed ice, adding your favorite dairy or coffee creamer and syrup to taste.
- To make a single serving glass of cold-brewed iced coffee fill a pint-size mason jar (my preferred iced coffee glass) or a 16 oz glass with ice.
- Fill the glass ¼ to ½ full of coffee concentrate (depending on how strong you like your iced coffee).
- Add a little water to dilute the coffee concentrate (if needed) and top off the glass with your favorite dairy product (I use milk) and enjoy your homemade cold-brewed iced coffee at home.
Serving Suggestions:
Enjoy your homemade iced coffee as a refreshing start to your morning or a delightful afternoon treat.
It's customizable so you can make any of your favorite iced coffee drinks, whether you enjoy it black, with a splash of milk, or enjoy making an Easy Caramel Iced Coffee drink for an afternoon treat.
Creating cold brew iced coffee at home is not only cost-effective but also allows you to experiment with different coffee beans and flavorings.
The cold brew method produces an iced coffee that is less acidic and smoother in taste, making it a favorite among coffee lovers.
Remember, the key to a great cold brew is patience. The longer you allow the coffee to steep, the more flavorful and robust your brew will be. Enjoy the process and your deliciously chilled beverage!
Cold Brewed Iced Coffee Product Recommendations
Found this handy little (affiliate links ahead) Iced Coffee Brewing Kit on Amazon. If you don't want to mess with straining your cold-brewed coffee concentrate through a coffee filter this Iced Coffee Brewing Kit is perfect.
I use whatever brand of coffee ground I have on hand. I also like to occasionally make cold-brewed iced expresso and will use expresso instead of coffee grounds.
Make It
Nothing beats the taste of a homemade cold brew coffee. The process may seem tedious, but the effort is well worth the reward at the end - that perfect cup of iced coffee.
If you have never made cold brew before, give this recipe a try and see what all of the hype is about.
With just a few ingredients and steps to follow, you can easily craft your own cold-brewed creation in no time.
So why not take control and brew up something special in your own kitchen today? Try the recipe-you won't be disappointed! Cheers!
More coffee recipes
Email questions or recipe requests to flouronmyface@gmail.com. Follow me on Pinterest, YouTube, Instagram and Facebook.
Cold Brewed Iced Coffee
Equipment
- Quart Mason Jar
- Fine Mesh Strainer
- Paper Coffee Filter
- Large Spouted Measuring Bowl
Ingredients
- 1 cup coffee grounds
- 2 cups water to fill ((use enough water to cover the coffee))
Instructions
- Place one cup of your favorite coffee grounds into a 1 quart mason jar.
- Fill the jar with cold water. Place a tight fitting lid on the jar and shake so all the coffee ground get saturated. Open the jar and top off the jar with more cold water until it is filled to the brim.
- Replace the lid and set the jar on the counter overnight. A full 12 hours will give the best results.
- Line a fine mesh strainer with a paper coffee filter and place over a large spouted measuring cup or bowl.
- With the lid on tightly shake the jar to loosen the coffee grounds that have floated to the top of the jar. This prevents them from plopping out (and making a huge mess!) when you pour to strain the coffee concentrate.
- Unscrew the lid and carefully pour the coffee concentrate into the lined strainer until there is no more room in the strainer. Allow the coffee concentrate to drain then pour the remaining grounds and coffee concentrate into the strainer. Add about ¼ cup of cold water to the jar and swish it around. Pour that through the strainer.
- Discard the coffee filter and spent coffee grounds.
- Wash out the quart mason jar and pour the now strained coffee concentrate back into the jar. If there is room in the jar top it off with cold water.
- Chill before serving.
How to make a serving of Cold Brewed Iced Coffee
- To make a glass of cold brewed iced coffee fill a pint size mason jar (my preferred iced coffee glass) or a 16 oz. glass with ice.
- Fill the glass ¼ to ½ full of coffee concentrate (depending on how strong you like your iced coffee). Add a little water to dilute the coffee concentrate if you want.
- Top off the glass with your favorite coffee creamer or dairy product and enjoyed your homemade cold brewed iced coffee at home.
Recipe Expert Tips
- Use flavored coffee for a treat.
- Make flavored coffee creamer at home.
- Make homemade Vanilla Coffee Syrup to sweetened and flavor cold brewed coffee.
Winn
Love your easy to follow instruction to make Cold Brewed Iced Coffee !
Lorri Maus
My favorite beans for cold brewed iced coffee is Chocolate Caramel Brownie by Cameron's. I use a similar process but will incorporate a couple of your tips. Great Post.
Arlene Mobley
Lorri
I will have to see if I can find some of Cameron’s Chocolate Caramel Brownie. It sounds delish!