Cold brew recipe: how to make smooth iced coffee at home

You brew a jug of cold brew, patiently wait hours… and then it tastes weak or just bitter. Such a waste of your coffee and patience.

Many people think cold brew is just “coffee with cold water”. But without the right ratio, grind and steeping time, you miss exactly that smooth, fresh flavour cold brew is known for.

The good news: if you know what to watch out for, you can make a surprisingly full and smooth cold brew at home. With a few simple steps and the right coffee, you brew an ice-cold favourite you can pour straight from the fridge.

What is cold brew coffee?

Cold brew is coffee brewed with cold water instead of hot water. Instead of quick extraction (like with filter coffee or espresso), you let the coffee steep slowly, usually between 12 and 24 hours.

The result? A completely different taste experience.

Cold brew is:

• smoother
• less acidic
• often a bit sweeter in flavour

This is because cold extraction pulls different compounds from the coffee than hot water. Bitter and acidic notes stay more in the background, while the round and smooth flavours come forward.

Difference with iced coffee
Iced coffee is usually made with hot coffee that is then cooled down or poured over ice. Cold brew is made completely cold, giving you a much milder and less sharp flavour.

That’s why cold brew is ideal if you like fresh, easy-to-drink coffee, especially on warm days.

Recipe info & Ingredients

Making cold brew yourself is mostly a matter of patience. The preparation is simple, the time does the rest.

Recipe info

• Preparation time: 5 minutes
• Steeping time: 12–24 hours
• Yield: approx. 3–4 glasses
• Category: Coffee recipe

Ingredients

• 100 grams coarsely ground coffee
• 1 litre cold water

Equipment

• Large pot or jug
• Spoon
• Sieve or coffee filter

Preparation instructions

1. Put the coarsely ground coffee in a pot or jug.
2. Add the cold water and stir briefly so all the coffee is wet.
3. Cover the pot and let it steep for 12 to 24 hours in the fridge or at room temperature.
4. Strain the coffee with a fine sieve or coffee filter so you get a clear drink.
5. Pour into a glass with ice or store in the fridge for later.

You now have a cold brew concentrate that you can dilute with water or milk, depending on how strong you want it.

What is the right ratio for cold brew coffee?

The right ratio is the basis of a good cold brew. If you get this wrong, your coffee quickly becomes too weak or too strong and bitter.

The standard ratio
A common ratio is 1:10
That means:

• 1 part coffee
• 10 parts water

For example:
100 grams coffee to 1 litre water (as in the recipe)

Stronger version (concentrate)
If you want a stronger cold brew to dilute later, go for 1:8.
You get a more intense flavour that works well with milk or ice.

Lighter version
Find cold brew too strong quickly? Use a ratio of 1:12.
This makes your coffee smoother and easier to drink.

Tip:
Start with 1:10 and then adjust to your taste. This way you quickly discover what you like best.

With the right ratio you avoid your cold brew tasting flat or too intense — and that really makes the difference.

Cold brew making: how long to steep?

The steeping time of cold brew is just as important as the ratio. If you steep too short, your coffee will be weak. If you steep too long, the flavour can become too strong.

Ideal steeping time
Most cold brews taste best between 12 and 24 hours.

• 12 hours → lighter and fresher
• 16–18 hours → nicely balanced
• 24 hours → fuller and stronger

What happens if you steep too short?
The coffee hasn’t released enough flavour yet. You get a thin, flat cold brew without depth.

What happens if you steep too long?
The flavour becomes heavier and can get a slight bitter aftertaste. This happens faster with finer grind.

Tip:
Start around 16 hours and taste what you think. From there you can easily adjust to your ideal flavour.

Tips for the best cold brew

With a few smart choices you can take your cold brew from “okay” to really delicious.

Use a coarse grind
This is probably the most important tip. Too finely ground coffee causes a bitter and cloudy cold brew. Go for a coarse grind, similar to coarse sea salt.

Choose the right coffee beans
Preferably go for coffee with chocolate- or nutty flavours. These come out nicely in cold brew. Fruity or acidic coffees can taste a bit flat or strange in cold extraction.

Stir well at the start
Make sure all the coffee comes in contact with water. This prevents dry spots and uneven extraction.

Filter carefully
Take your time to strain your cold brew well. Optionally use a paper filter for a clearer result without coffee particles.

Taste and adjust
Cold brew isn’t an exact science. Play with ratio and steeping time until you find your ideal flavour.

With these tips you get more out of your coffee and make a better batch every time.

Serving and variations

Cold brew is already delicious on its own, but you can also easily vary it. This way you make something different each time.

With ice (classic)
Pour your cold brew over ice cubes for an extra fresh kick. You can dilute it a bit with water if you made a concentrate.

With milk
Add a splash of milk or oat milk for a smoother flavour. This makes your cold brew creamier and more accessible, especially if you find it a bit strong.

Cold brew tonic
For something surprising: mix your cold brew with tonic. This gives a fresh, slightly bitter and sparkling coffee drink perfect for warm days.

Sweet variations
Add a little syrup like vanilla, caramel or hazelnut. Also a bit of honey or sugar can nicely balance the flavours.

By varying you discover how much you can experiment with cold brew.