The Easiest Cold Brew Coffee You’ll Ever Make

Smooth, rich coffee with almost no effort—and no fancy equipment required.

There’s nothing quite like opening the refrigerator on a warm day and pouring yourself a glass of perfectly smooth cold brew coffee.

Cold brew is naturally mellow, rich, and so refreshing. Best of all, it’s incredibly easy to make at home. Once you try it, you’ll wonder why you ever spent money at the coffee shop!

Why You’ll Love Cold Brew

One of the biggest surprises about cold brew is how smooth it tastes.

Because the coffee is brewed slowly in cold water instead of hot water, it develops a naturally sweeter flavor with much less bitterness. Many people—even those who normally sweeten their coffee—find they don’t need any sugar at all.

It’s also perfect for making ahead. Brew one batch and enjoy delicious iced coffee throughout the week.

Choosing Your Coffee

The better the coffee beans, the better the flavor. However, one thing we’ve noticed is that the difference between premium and budget coffee grinds is much less noticeable in cold brew than it is in hot coffee.

So if you’re looking to save a little money, cold brew is a great place to do it without sacrificing much flavor.

Serve It Your Way

Cold brew is highly concentrated, so you can customize it to your taste.

Serve over plenty of ice.
Add milk or your favorite dairy-free alternative.
Dilute with a little water if you prefer a lighter coffee.
Enjoy it black for a bold, smooth flavor.
Add flavors.

Tips:

We find that once the ice and milk are added, the flavor is just right without needing any additional water.

Give it a try before adding sugar—you may be pleasantly surprised!

For an even fresher flavor (optional), you can grind your own whole coffee beans just before brewing. While it’s not necessary, freshly ground beans can add a little extra freshness and aroma to your cold brew.

Choosing a Cold Brew Pitcher

We linked some cold brew pitchers below—one glass and plastic, in different sizes.

The glass version brews just a bit better, but glass is…well…glass. If durability is important or you’re worried about breakage, the plastic option is an excellent choice.

A Coffee Shop Favorite at Home

With just coffee, water, and a little patience, you can enjoy smooth, refreshing cold brew.

How to Make Cold Brew Coffee

Making cold brew couldn’t be simpler.

Step 1: Fill the Filter Basket

Fill your cold brew filter basket with coffee grinds.

Step 2: Add Water

Fill the pitcher with cold water.

One small tip that makes a big difference: instead of simply lowering a full filter basket into a full pitcher of water, allow some of the water to flow directly through the coffee grinds as you’re filling the pitcher. This helps fully saturate the grounds and creates a more even extraction.

Step 3: Let It Steep

Seal the pitcher tightly and let it steep for 18–24 hours at room temperature.

Don’t refrigerate it during this brewing stage.

Step 4: Remove the Basket

After steeping, remove the filter basket and allow the remaining coffee to drip back into the pitcher for a few minutes. Discard coffee granules and wash out the filter. You can leave the coffee in the pitcher or transfer it to another pitcher.

Step 5: Refrigerate

Once the brewing process is complete, refrigerate any coffee that isn’t being served right away.

Brewed coffee will stay fresh for atleast two weeks, refrigerated.