Learning how to make cold brew concentrate was the best thing we ever did for our fridge. One jar on a Sunday, and we had coffee sorted for almost two weeks. Concentrated cold brew coffee is simply cold brew made extra strong, so you water it down one glass at a time.
If cold brew itself is new to you, read our cold brew coffee guide first, then come back here.
Key Takeaways
- How to make cold brew concentrate? Use coarse grounds, cold water, 1:4 ratio, 12-18 hours
- You can dilute it 1:1 with water/milk, based on your choice
- Strain twice to avoid gritty sediment
- It keeps up to 2 weeks in the fridge, or freeze it as ice cubes
- Undiluted it’s strong, so pour small
What Is Cold Brew Concentrate?
Cold brew concentrate is cold brew made with much less water:
- 1 part coffee
- 4 parts water
How to make cold brew concentrate? Start by steeping it for 12-18 hours and then strain it. You can dilute it later with water/milk before drinking.
Concentrate is thick and a little syrupy, a lot closer to a cordial than a drink. Not sure how it differs from iced coffee? Our cold brew vs iced coffee post covers that.
How to Make Cold Brew Concentrate
The steep time is 12 to 18 hours, making a big jar of concentrate, enough for about 8 glasses at a 1:1 dilution:
Ingredients
- 250 g whole coffee beans, ground coarse (about the texture of raw sugar)
- 1 liter cold filtered water
Steps
- Weigh 250 g of coarse grounds, about the texture of raw sugar
- Then add 1 liter of cold filtered water and stir until no dry clumps are left
- Cover and steep for 12-18 hours
- Strain through a mesh sieve, then again through a paper filter or cheesecloth
- Pour into a clean jar and refrigerate
We start ours before bed on the counter and strain it at breakfast. Around 16 hours is our sweet spot. If you steep in the fridge, give it a few extra hours.
One thing nobody mentions when asked how to make cold brew concentrate is that you get back less liquid than the water you poured in, because the grounds soak some up.
Cold Brew Concentrate Ratio
Go by weight, not cups, as scoops change with grind and roast, and that’s how most weak batches happen:
| Strength | Ratio | Coffee per 1 L water | Concentrate : water to serve |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strong | 1:3 | 330g | 1 : 2 |
| Standard | 1:4 | 250g | 1 : 1 |
| Lighter | 1:5 | 200 g | 3 : 2 |
| Ready to drink | 1:8 | 125 g | No dilution |
We always make 1:4. It stands up to milk and ice without knocking you sideways.
Cold Brew vs Cold Brew Concentrate
Same method but with different amounts of coffee in the jar:
| Cold brew | Cold brew concentrate | |
|---|---|---|
| Ratio | 1:8 | 1:4 |
| Serving | Straight over ice | Diluted first |
| Best for | Quick pours | Lattes, batches, flexibility |
How Does Starbucks Make Cold Brew Concentrate?
Starbucks says it steeps coarse ground coffee in cool water for 20 hours, then serves it over ice with water. The beans are a custom blend, while their exact ratio isn’t public.
Their at-home guide is lighter than ours, as it’s 20g of coffee per 6 fl oz of water, then mixed 1:1 with water. That’s roughly 1:9, so to get close, use a medium-dark roast and steep 18 to 20 hours.
How to Use Cold Brew Concentrate
Dilute it with water, milk, ice, normally 1 part concentrate to 1 part liquid, then serve it cold/hot. Here’s how we mix ours:
| Drink | Concentrate | Add |
|---|---|---|
| Iced coffee | 1 part | 1 part cold water, ice |
| Latte | 1 part | 2 parts cold milk, ice |
| Hot coffee | 1 part | 1 to 2 parts hot water |
| Cold brew tonic | 1 part | 2 parts tonic or sparkling water |
Other ideas:
- Use it in place of espresso, our cold brew espresso guide shows how
- Freeze it into ice cubes so iced coffee never goes watery
Our everyday glass is concentrate with water and a splash of oat milk.
Caffeine and Nutrition in Cold Brew Concentrate
Store-bought concentrates are roughly 25-65 mg caffeine per ounce. Homemade batches depend on beans and ratio:
- A 1:1 glass usually comes to about 150-200 mg
- FDA’s general guide for healthy adults is up to 400mg a day, so keep count of your pours
| 8 oz glass | Calories | Sugar |
|---|---|---|
| Black | ~5 | 0 g |
| With 2 tbsp whole milk | ~25 | ~1 g |
| With 1 tsp sugar | ~20 | 4 g |
Common Cold Brew Mistakes
- Grinding too fine, which turns it muddy and bitter (we did this on batch one)
- Steeping past 24 hours, which makes it flat, not stronger
- Measuring by scoops instead of weight
- Skipping the second strain
- Drinking it undiluted by accident
How Long Does It Last, and Can You Freeze It?
A sealed jar keeps up to 2 weeks in the fridge, though the first 10 days taste best to us:
- Keep it away from the door
- For longer, freeze it in an ice cube tray
- If it smells sour or you spot anything fuzzy, bin it
Final Sip
Now you know how to make cold brew concentrate. Honestly, it’s a lot easier than it looks. Weigh 250 g of coarse grounds, add 1 liter of cold water, wait overnight, strain twice. That’s the whole thing.
Start with a small jar this week and dilute it 1:1. Too strong? Add water. Too thin? Up the coffee next time. Once your concentrated cold brew coffee is dialed in, cafe prices stop mattering.
FAQs
What is the ratio for cold brew concentrate?
1:4 by weight, so 250 g of coffee to 1 liter of water, you can dilute it 1:1 to drink.
Is cold brew stronger than regular coffee?
The concentrate is, ounce for ounce. Once diluted, it lands close to a strong drip coffee.
Can you drink cold brew concentrate straight?
You can, but it’s intense. Take small sips or use it in recipes.
Can you heat cold brew concentrate?
Yes. Mix it with hot water, 1:1 to 1:2.
Can I use pre-ground coffee?
Only if it’s coarse. Regular drip grind gets muddy over a long steep.
Can I make decaf concentrate?
Yes, same method with decaf beans, grind them coarse, and steep for the same 12 to 18 hours.
