Guide · As of October 2026
For Cold Brew, steep 100 g coarsely ground coffee for 12 to 18 hours in 1 liter of cold water and then filter it. The result is a mild, sweet coffee with low acidity and little bitterness. You don’t need a machine for this, just a container, a filter and time.
The recipe at a glance
| Ready to drink | Concentrate | |
|---|---|---|
| Coffee | 100 g | 200 g |
| Water | 1 Liter | 1 Liter |
| Ratio | 1 to 10 | 1 to 5 |
| Grind | coarse, like for French press | coarse, like for French press |
| Steeping time | 12 to 18 hours | 12 to 18 hours |
| Where | refrigerator | refrigerator |
| Serve | neat over ice | dilute 1 to 1 with water or milk |
The concentrate is worth it if you want to save space or mix Cold Brew with milk.
Step by step
- Grind coarsely. About the same as for French press. Too fine a grind makes the Cold Brew cloudy and bitter and clogs the filter.
- Mix coffee and water. Use cold, filtered water. Stir once until all the grounds are wet.
- Cover and chill. 12 to 18 hours in the refrigerator.
- Filter. First through a fine sieve, then through a paper filter. If you use a French press, press slowly and then pour once more through paper.
- Transfer and chill. Into a clean, closed bottle.
How long should Cold Brew steep?
12 to 18 hours in the refrigerator is a good range. Under 10 hours it tastes thin, over 24 hours it becomes woody and bitter. At room temperature it works faster — then 8 to 12 hours are enough. The result is cleaner and more hygienic when steeped in the refrigerator.
How long does Cold Brew keep?
Well sealed in the refrigerator for several days. It tastes best in the first three to five days; after that the aroma fades. If mixed with milk, drink it the same day.
Why does Cold Brew taste so mild?
Cold water extracts coffee more slowly and differently than hot water. Acids and bitter compounds dissolve less at cold temperatures, while sweetness still comes through. That’s why Cold Brew tastes rounded and chocolaty, even with beans that show much more acidity when brewed hot.
Caffeine is not affected by this. Because of the long steeping time and the high dosage, Cold Brew usually has more caffeine than a cup of filter coffee, and the concentrate even more so.
Which bean suits Cold Brew?
Because cold mutes acidity, you can choose the direction by the bean.
Chocolatey and nutty: Hausblend N°1 with dark chocolate and nougat or Sonnental from Peru with almond and caramel. Both make a Cold Brew that resembles cold cocoa and work well with milk.
Fruity: Hochlandjuwel, a natural from Ethiopia with blueberry and cherry. When cold steeped the fruit remains and the acidity retreats. Best neat over ice.
Floral and clean: Hochlandsonne from Colombia with jasmine, citrus and panela. For those who drink Cold Brew like a cold tea.
Decaffeinated: Mondgold Decaf or Nachtgold Decaf. Practical, because Cold Brew otherwise brings a lot of caffeine.
Very dark roasts like Ätna and Vesuv are made for espresso. As Cold Brew they quickly become smoky and bitter.
We grind to order for French press. This grind size is also suitable for Cold Brew.
Cold Brew, iced coffee, iced latte: the difference
- Cold Brew: cold steeped, never heated.
- Iced coffee: hot-brewed coffee, cooled, in Germany usually served with vanilla ice cream.
- Iced Latte: espresso over ice, topped up with cold milk.
- Japanese Iced Coffee: filter coffee brewed directly onto ice. It retains more acidity and aroma than Cold Brew.
Frequently asked questions
What ratio for Cold Brew?
100 g coffee to 1 liter of water for ready-to-drink Cold Brew, 200 g to 1 liter for a concentrate to dilute.
How long must Cold Brew steep?
12 to 18 hours in the refrigerator.
What grind for Cold Brew?
Coarse, like for French press.
Can I use espresso beans for Cold Brew?
Medium roasts, yes. Very dark espresso roasts become slightly smoky when cold steeped.
Does Cold Brew have to be in the refrigerator?
Not necessarily while steeping, but yes for storage. When steeped in the refrigerator it tastes cleaner.
Does Cold Brew have more caffeine?
Usually yes, because more coffee is used per liter and it steeps a long time. If you don’t want that, dilute more strongly or use decaffeinated coffee.
Read more: How to store organic coffee beans properly · Acidity in coffee — quality trait or flaw · All coffees
