Cold Brew Cheat Sheet — Ratios, Steep Times & Flavour Tips
Share
Cold brew is smoother, less acidic, and naturally sweeter than hot coffee — and it’s surprisingly easy to make at home. Master these ratios and steep times and you’ll never go back to iced hot coffee again.
The Basic Cold Brew Ratio
| Strength | Coffee | Cold Water | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular Brew | 1 cup (85g) | 4 cups (1L) | Ready to drink |
| Concentrate | 1 cup (85g) | 2 cups (500ml) | Dilute 1:1 with water or milk |
| Strong Concentrate | 1 cup (85g) | 1 cup (250ml) | Dilute 1:2 or use in recipes |
Tip: Start with concentrate — it’s more versatile and lasts longer in the fridge.
Steep Times
| Method | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Room temperature | 12–14 hours | Faster, slightly more acidic |
| Refrigerator | 18–24 hours | Smoother, preferred method |
| Quick cold brew | 4–6 hours | Use finer grind; less smooth |
Grind Size Matters
- Coarse grind (like sea salt) — best for cold brew. Produces a clean, smooth cup with less bitterness.
- Medium grind — works but may produce a slightly more bitter result. Reduce steep time by 2–3 hours.
- Fine grind — not recommended. Over-extracts quickly and produces a muddy, bitter brew.
Flavour Variations
| Flavour | What to Add | When |
|---|---|---|
| Vanilla Cold Brew | 1 tsp vanilla extract | After straining |
| Cinnamon Cold Brew | 2 cinnamon sticks | During steeping |
| Chocolate Cold Brew | 2 tbsp cacao nibs | During steeping |
| Salted Caramel | Caramel syrup + pinch of salt | When serving |
| Coconut Cold Brew | Replace half water with coconut water | During steeping |
Serving Ideas
- Classic iced cold brew: Concentrate + water over ice (1:1)
- Cold brew latte: Concentrate + oat milk or whole milk over ice (1:1)
- Cold brew tonic: Concentrate + tonic water over ice — surprisingly refreshing
- Cold brew smoothie: Blend concentrate with banana, almond milk, and a scoop of protein powder
- Coffee ice cubes: Freeze leftover cold brew in an ice cube tray — use in lattes so they don’t dilute your drink
Storage
- Store strained cold brew in a sealed jar or bottle in the fridge.
- Regular brew: Keeps for up to 7 days.
- Concentrate: Keeps for up to 2 weeks.
- Never leave cold brew at room temperature after steeping — refrigerate immediately after straining.
Download the Free Cold Brew Cheat Sheet
📥 Download — English | 📥 Télécharger — Français
Shop our cold brew and coffee maker collection. Browse Rise & Brew →