Sherry prefers a hot pour-over, while I usually reach for an iced coffee — most often cold brew that I make at home. For the past two years I’ve used a compact cold brew maker to keep a delicious pitcher ready in the fridge. Below I’ll describe the simple method I use to make consistent, tasty homemade cold brew and explain why this approach works well for everyday coffee drinkers.
We’re not professional baristas, but we care about fresh, good-tasting coffee that’s easy to make at home. This guide is aimed at anyone who wants reliable cold brew without treating brewing like an exacting science. If you enjoy dialing in every variable, great — but this method is designed for straightforward, repeatable results.
Our Cold Brew Coffee Supplies
Making cold brew requires only a few items. Besides coffee and water, the essentials are shown here. The cold brew pitcher I use is inexpensive and includes a reusable filter, making it an economical and low-waste option.
- Cold brew coffee maker (compact pitcher with reusable mesh filter)
- Medium to coarse ground coffee
- Glasses with lids and straws for serving
- Flavored creamer or milk of choice
- Optional milk frother for cold foam
The included reusable filter makes cleanup simple and reduces single-use waste: just remove and compost the spent grounds after brewing.
Cold Brew Coffee – Video Guide
We made a short video showing how we prepare both pour-over and cold brew. The cold brew segment begins about 2:30 if you want to skip ahead and watch the pitcher method in action.
What Is Cold Brew Coffee?
Cold brew is a brewing method often called cold water extraction. Instead of passing hot water quickly through grounds, you steep coarsely ground coffee in cold or room-temperature water for an extended period, typically 12 to 24 hours. The result is a coffee concentrate served cold or over ice, with a smoother, less acidic flavor than hot-brewed coffee.
Cold Brew vs. Iced Coffee
Cold brew and iced coffee are often confused but are made differently. Iced coffee is brewed with hot water and then chilled, which is faster but can become diluted by melting ice. Cold brew, by contrast, is steeped cold and typically yields a sweeter, less acidic flavor and a stronger concentrate. Because cold brew uses a higher coffee-to-water proportion, many people dilute it before drinking to suit their taste.
Why I choose cold brew for daily iced coffee:
- I prefer cold drinks
- It’s simple and hard to mess up
- It can be made in batches and stored
- The flavor is smoother and often sweeter than iced coffee
Steps To Make Cold Brew At Home
This pitcher makes up to a 52-ounce batch, so start the brew 12–24 hours before you plan to drink it — typically the night before. The basic steps are quick and repeatable:
- Assemble the cold brew maker
- Add coffee grounds to the filter
- Pour water over the grounds
- Steep for 12–24 hours
- Serve over ice
- Add creamer or milk to taste
Below are brief details for each step to help you get consistent results.
1. Assemble the Cold Brew Maker
A typical pitcher-style cold brew maker has four parts: a handled glass pitcher, a reusable mesh filter, a lid, and a twist-on cap. Fit the mesh filter into the lid, snap it into place, and set it on the pitcher. All parts are usually dishwasher safe, making cleaning straightforward.
2. Add coffee grounds
Pour ground coffee into the mesh filter. Coarse grounds are ideal because they reduce over-extraction and are less likely to pass through the mesh. If you use pre-ground coffee from the store (often medium grind), that will work fine too — just avoid fine grounds. I usually fill the filter about 75% full, but you can adjust based on desired strength.
3. Pour water over the grounds
Slowly pour cold or room-temperature filtered water over the grounds until they are fully saturated and the carafe is filled. Pour gently to avoid splashing and allow the water to filter through before continuing. The idea is even saturation so extraction is uniform.
Best coffee-to-water ratio
Cold brew commonly uses ratios from 1:4 to 1:8 (coffee to water by weight). A good starting point is about 1:6. For this pitcher, filling the filter and carafe as designed yields roughly that ratio. If you prefer a stronger concentrate, use more grounds or reduce the water; for a milder result, do the opposite. Adjust over time to find your preferred strength.
4. Steep for 12 – 24 Hours
Steep the coffee in the fridge or at room temperature for 12–24 hours. Refrigeration keeps the pitcher out of the way and delivers a chilled concentrate ready to drink; room temperature may extract a bit faster. Don’t leave the grounds in longer than 24 hours to avoid increased bitterness. After steeping, lift out the mesh filter, discard or compost the grounds, and store the concentrate in the fridge.
A batch typically stays good in the refrigerator for about five days.
5. Serve Over Ice
Cold brew is often a concentrate and many people dilute it with water, milk, or ice. Typical dilutions range up to 1:1 (equal parts concentrate and water), but it’s a matter of personal taste. Pour the concentrate over a glass of ice, leaving room for cream or milk if desired, and stir gently so the flavors mix evenly.
6. Add creamer to taste
Because syrups and sugar don’t dissolve well in cold liquids, flavored creamer or sweetened milk can be the easiest way to add sweetness and flavor. I often add a couple of splashes of flavored creamer and sometimes top with cold foam made from frothed milk or cream for a creamy finish.
More Cold Brew FAQs
How many glasses does one batch make?
A full pitcher makes about 52 fluid ounces of concentrate, which typically yields roughly five servings depending on glass size and how much you dilute the concentrate.
How do you clean the cold brew maker?
Most pitcher sets are dishwasher safe, including the mesh filter. I usually rinse and hand wash the pieces immediately after finishing a batch so I can start a new brew without delay.
What is nitro cold brew?
Nitro cold brew is cold brew infused with nitrogen gas, creating a creamy, frothy texture similar to draft beer. It usually requires a special dispenser and nitrogen canisters, which adds complexity and cost if you want to make it at home.
What is cold foam?
Cold foam is aerated milk or cream whipped into a light, fluffy topping for cold beverages. It adds texture and sweetness and can be made at home with a small frother by blending creamer, milk, or cream until frothy.
Prefer Hot Coffee?
If you enjoy hot coffee, consider trying pour-over. It produces a bright, less bitter cup and is also straightforward once you learn the basic steps. Pour-over highlights the coffee’s flavor and can be a great alternative to cold brew for mornings when you want a hot cup.
*This post contains affiliate links, so we may earn a small commission when you make a purchase through links on our site at no additional cost to you.