Cold Brew Coffee
Posted Jun 13, 2025
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Learn how to make cold brew coffee with this easy recipe! Save time and money on trips to the coffee shop with this delicious homemade cold brew!
If you’re trying to make less trips to the coffee shop but aren’t ready to give up your cold brew obsession – then this cold brew coffee recipe is for you.
In this recipe, coarsely ground coffee is steeped overnight in cold water. The result is a rich, bold and smooth cold brew that is flavorful and delicious.
Mixed with a homemade simple syrup and cream, once you master how to make the perfect cup of cold brew coffee at home you won’t go back to daily coffee shop runs!
Cold Brew Coffee Recipe: Ingredients & Equipment
- Coarsely ground coffee. It’s important to choose a high-quality coffee. And it needs to be ground coarsely so that it can be filtered out with the cheesecloth. You can use decaf if you would like to make decaf cold brew! I suggest a using a coffee grinder to get the perfect grind.
- Water. I suggest using filtered water.
- Cheesecloth. This is by far the best way to filter the grounds out of the cold brew (Unless you have a large french press).
- 1 gallon container. For easy mixing, use a container that is larger enough to hold half gallon water plus the coffee with plenty of extra space. I love this 1 gallon glass jar with a lid.
- Simple syrup. You can use flavored syrups or honey in place of homemade simple syrup.
- Heavy cream. whole milk, coffee creamer, etc. are good substitutes for heavy cream. Or you can use a dairy-free milk like coconut milk, oat milk, etc.
How to Make Cold Brew Coffee
Let’s walk through how to make cold brew together. Don’t forget to watch the video, and if you have additional questions leave them in the comment section and I will do my best to help!
Begin by coarsely grinding the coffee either in a coffee grinder or in a Vitamix blender (be careful not to grind it too much if using a blender).
Then, fill a 1 gallon pitcher or 1 gallon glass jar half-full with 8 cups of filtered water.
I prefer using filtered water to eliminate any mineral taste from tap water. If you have a water dispenser in your fridge, that is a great place to get water for this recipe.
Next, add the ground coffee and stir. I suggest using a long-handled wooden spoon that is taller than the glass jar.
Then, secure the lid or cover the jar and steep in the refrigerator for 12 to 24 hours, stirring it every few hours as you remember. I suggest 24 hours because for the best flavor.
After 24 hours, line a fine metal strainer with a cheesecloth (preferred) or large coffee filter and place it over a large container (at least 10 cups).
Slowly pour the cold brew coffee over the cheesecloth to strain out the coffee grounds. You may need to pause and wait for the coffee to drain before pouring more through the cheesecloth.
Then, store the cold brew in a large pitcher or glass jar with a lid.
How to Make Cold Brew Coffee (Adding Cream & Sweetener)
Now, let’s discuss how to make a delicious cup of cold brew! This recipe makes a slightly sweet and creamy cup of coffee. You can adjust the amount of sweetener and cream to your liking.
Begin by putting 1 cup of ice (or coffee ice cubes) in a large glass. Then add 1 ½ cups cold brew to the glass.
Next, add 2 Tablespoons simple syrup and 2 Tablespoons heavy cream.
Serve
Stir with a straw, serve and sip! I suggest serving right after mixing for the best flavor. You can also use homemade coffee creamer, or pumpkin coffee creamer, instead of simple syrup and cream.
I love enjoying this recipe with our favorite breakfast recipes, or after I fuel my body with a delicious healthy smoothie.
Store
Store in a glass jar with a lid for up to 1 week. Then, use the cold brew as needed to make your coffee every morning.
Freeze
Or, freeze in ice cube trays to make coffee ice cubes! Then use the ice cubes to make iced coffee, cold brew coffee, or a delicious coffee smoothie.
Cold Brew Coffee Recipe FAQS
Yes, you can easily scale this recipe. I usually make a full 1 gallon of cold brew coffee at a time. You just need to use a large container (at least 1.5 gallons) or make it in two separate containers so you can stir the coffee.
I suggest using organic, whole bean, medium to dark roast coffee for the best results.
Iced coffee is made with traditionally brewed coffee or instant coffee mixed with water and served over ice. While cold brew is coffee that has been steeped for 24 hours in cold water.
Yes. However, I suggest buying whole bean coffee so you can be sure to ground it coarsely. Most pre-ground coffee is to fine to use for cold brew.
No, I do not recommend doing this. Never re-use coffee grounds to make coffee.
If you make and love my recipes, it would mean so much to me if you would leave a comment and rating! And don’t forget to follow along on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, TikTok and Youtube – be sure to tag @joyfoodsunshine and use the hashtag #joyfoodsunshine so I can see your creations!
Cold Brew Coffee Recipe
Ingredients
- 5 ounces coffee (coarsely ground)
- ½ gallon cold water (8 cups, filtered)
For Serving
- 1 cup ice (or coffee ice cubes)
- 1 ½ cups cold brew coffee
- 2 Tablespoons simple syrup
- 2 Tablespoons heavy cream
Instructions
- Coarsely grind the coffee either in a coffee grinder or in a Vitamix blender (be careful not to grind it too much if using a blender).
- Fill a 1 gallon pitcher or 1 gallon glass jar half-full with 8 cups of water.
- Add the coarsely ground coffee and stir.
- Cover and steep in the refrigerator for 12-24 hours, stirring it every few hours as you remember.
- Line a fine metal strainer with a coffee filter (large) or cheesecloth (preferred) and place it over a large container (at least 10 cups).
- Slowly pour coffee over to strain.
- Store the coffee in a large pitcher or glass jar.
To Serve Cold Brew Coffee
- Put 1 cup of ice (or coffee ice cubes) in a large glass.
- Add 1 ½ cups cold brew coffee, 2 Tablespoons simple syrup and 2 Tablespoons heavy cream.
- Stir with a straw, sip and enjoy!
Video
Notes
- Coarsely ground coffee. It’s important to choose a high-quality coffee. And it needs to be ground coarsely so that it can be filtered out with the cheesecloth. You can use decaf if you would like to make decaf cold brew! I suggest a using a coffee grinder to get the perfect grind.
- Water. I suggest using filtered water.
- Cheesecloth. This is by far the best way to filter the grounds out of the cold brew (Unless you have a large french press).
- 1 gallon container. For easy mixing, use a container that is larger enough to hold half gallon water plus the coffee with plenty of extra space. I love this 1 gallon glass jar with a lid.
- Simple syrup. You can use flavored syrups or honey in place of homemade simple syrup.
- Heavy cream. whole milk, coffee creamer, etc. are good substitutes for heavy cream. Or you can use a dairy-free milk like coconut milk, oat milk, etc.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
