When the sun is shining, we drink cold brew coffee!
As someone with 20 years in the coffee industry, I’m excited to share the best cold brew concentrate recipe. No more tossing leftover coffee in the fridge or dealing with messy jars and grounds in the mornings—just make your cold brew concentrate, add water, and enjoy smooth, delicious cold brew coffee for weeks. Here in the Virgin Islands, Cold Brew is my go-to.
Cold brew is a method of making coffee by steeping coarsely ground coffee beans in cold water for an extended period, usually 12 to 16 hours. Unlike traditional hot brewing methods, cold brew coffee is never exposed to heat, which results in a smoother, less acidic, and often sweeter taste. The process extracts flavors slowly, giving the coffee a rich, mellow profile. Iced coffee is a term that refers to hot-brewed coffee and making it cold by either ice or refrigeration.
To make cold brew concentrate, the only brewer you will need is the Toddy Cold Brew system. This brewer is a favorite of coffee shops for its consistent brew. The Toddy is a simple, user friendly system that lets you make smooth cold brew without needing any fancy equipment. It comes with a plastic brewer and a glass decanter for storage, along with a filter and stopper.
Cold Brew Coffee Concentrate Recipe:
Your equipment:
12oz whole bean coffee
7 cups cold water
Optional: Paper filters for easier cleanup
1. Grind the coffee:
Grind whole coffee beans to a coarse texture, like sea salt. This allows for slower brewing and helps avoid bitterness. You will need 12 ounces of ground coffee.
2. Prepare the Toddy:
Insert the rubber stopper into the bottom of the plastic brewing container.
Dampen the included circle filter and place it at the bottom of the container. If you’re using a paper filter, place it inside now.
3. Add coffee grounds:
Add the coarsely ground coffee into the filter (or directly into the container if not using a paper filter).
4. Add cold water:
Slowly pour cold water over the coffee grounds. You’ll need 7 cups of cold water. Make sure all grounds are evenly soaked. Stir gently to release any air pockets.
5. Cover and let sit:
Place the silicone lid on the brewing container and let it sit at room temperature for 12 hours.
6. Drain:
After 12 hours, place the brewing container on top of the glass decanter.
Remove the rubber stopper to begin draining.
Remove the silicone lid from the top of the brewing container to introduce air and allow the concentrate to flow more smoothly. Let the concentrate fully drain into the decanter (this may take up to an hour).
7. Store the concentrate:
The glass container you drain your concentrate into comes with a lid for easy storage. Place in refrigerator.
For cold brew coffee:
To serve, dilute the cold brew concentrate with water.
For a smooth, mellow brew: Use 1 cup of concentrate to 4 cups of water.
For a stronger flavor: Use a 1:3 ratio (1 cup concentrate to 3 cups water).
If you prefer cream in your cold brew, the 1:3 ratio works best.
For mixing your cold brew, a container like this one is convenient for having your cold brew ready to go
Serve over ice and enjoy! Your cold brew and concentrate can be stored in the fridge for up to two weeks (if it makes it that long). Enjoy!
Tips:
- For best flavor, use coffee freshly roasted within 2 to 4 weeks of brewing.
- For 16oz (1 pound) of coffee, use 10 cups of cool water. It will fit in the toddy!
- After draining, dump the used grounds in your compost. Used grounds are great for plants!
Have you made cold brew at home? I’d love to hear your tips and experience below!
