Description
Cold brew coffee is a smooth, rich, and refreshing coffee concentrate brewed slowly with cold filtered water to bring out mellow flavors without bitterness. This easy-to-make recipe features coarsely ground medium to dark roast coffee beans steeped overnight, then strained and diluted with water. Customize with natural maple syrup, vanilla extract, and plant-based milk for a creamy, balanced cup perfect for busy mornings and gentle on your stomach.
Ingredients
Scale
Essentials
- 1 cup coarsely ground coffee beans (medium to dark roast)
- 4 cups cold filtered water
For Sweetening and Flavor
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup (natural)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (natural)
To Serve
- Plant-based milk, to taste
- Ice cubes, as needed
Optional Variations
- A pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg (spices)
- Rich coconut cream (plant-based) for tropical version
- 1 teaspoon cocoa powder for iced mocha style
- Splash of freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Fresh mint leaves or lavender (herbal infusion)
Instructions
- Measure and grind your coffee: Start with coarsely ground coffee beans, using about one cup of grounds for every four cups of water to ensure slow and balanced extraction.
- Combine coffee and cold water: In a large jar or pitcher, add the coffee grounds and pour in cold filtered water, stirring gently to saturate all grounds evenly.
- Steep overnight: Cover the container and refrigerate for 12 to 18 hours, allowing the coffee to infuse slowly, extracting smooth and rich flavors without bitterness.
- Filter the concentrate: Strain the coffee through a fine mesh sieve lined with a coffee filter or natural gelling agent cloth to remove grounds, yielding a silky smooth concentrate.
- Dilute and sweeten: Mix the concentrate with equal parts water to lighten the strength, then stir in maple syrup (natural) and vanilla extract (natural) for balanced flavor.
- Serve chilled: Fill a glass with ice cubes, pour the prepared cold brew coffee over them, and add plant-based milk to your preference for a creamy finish.
Notes
- Use freshly roasted, good-quality coffee beans for best flavor.
- Always use cold filtered water for cleaner taste and smooth extraction.
- Adjust steeping time between 12 to 18 hours depending on desired strength.
- Coarse grind avoids gritty or muddy texture in the final brew.
- Be patient when filtering to achieve a silky consistency.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 to 18 hours (steeping)
- Category: Beverages
- Method: Cold Steeping
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240 ml)
- Calories: 30
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 5 mg
- Fat: 0.5 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 7 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 0.5 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Keywords: cold brew coffee, cold brew concentrate, iced coffee, smooth coffee, plant-based coffee, natural sweetener, homemade cold brew
