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By: Becky Hardin
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Cold Brew Coffee is so easy to make, and even more delicious than what you can buy at Starbucks! If you’ve ever wondered how to make iced coffee at home, you’ve come to the right place. Having a glass of homemade iced coffee is the best way to start your day.
Table of Contents
What’s in Cold Brew?
This Cold Brew Coffee Recipe is as simple as letting your favorite coffee grounds soak in water overnight, straining in the morning, and then mixing with our favorite perfect homemade creamer.
- Water: Filtered water will give you the best taste, but tap water works just fine.
- Coffee Grounds: I like dark roast, but it’s your coffee, so use your favorite grounds.
- Heavy Cream: Adds richness and creaminess to this iced coffee.
- Sweetened Condensed Milk: Adds even more richness and sweetness to this iced coffee.
Pro Tip: Freeze some coffee in an ice cube tray to make coffee ice cubes. You’ll never drink watered-down iced coffee again!
Variations on Cold Brew Coffee
It’s so easy to make this iced coffee recipe your own by changing up the flavoring. You could use different flavored coffees and/or syrups, or try:
- French Vanilla Iced Coffee: Use this delicious cold brew in place of the strongly-brewed coffee, and follow the recipe!
- Chocolate Coffee: Again, swap out strongly-brewed coffee for this cold brew.
- Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew: The perfect seasonal drink!
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What is cold brew coffee?
Cold brew coffee, also called cold water extraction or cold pressing, is the process of steeping coffee grounds in water at cool temperatures for an extended period.
Does cold brew have more caffeine?
I’ve designed this recipe to be pretty close to the same caffeine levels as traditional coffee, so no need to worry about overdoing it!
Is cold brew less acidic?
Yes! Cold-brewing coffee makes it mellower, smoother, and more flavorful. It’ll also stay fresh tasting for much longer!
What’s the best kind of coffee for cold brew?
The best kind of coffee is your favorite coffee! Use a brand you already love, or experiment with something new.
How to Store
Store leftover cold brew in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Serving Suggestions
A great cup of coffee is the perfect way to start any and every day. Some mornings I just simply don’t want hot coffee… I want it cold! If you want to love mornings even more, be sure to check out some of our favorite breakfast recipes, like Ham and Cheese Breakfast Casserole or Baked Breakfast Sliders. If a smoothie is more your speed, take a stab at our Glowing Skin Smoothie or Simple Mango Smoothie!
Recipe
How To Make Cold Brew Coffee (Iced Coffee)
4.65 from 34 votes
Author: Becky Hardin | The Cookie Rookie
Prep: 30 minutes minutes
Cook: 8 hours hours
Total: 8 hours hours 30 minutes minutes
Serves4
Print Rate
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It's easier than ever to make the perfect iced coffee at home with this cold brew coffee recipe. All you need is a little bit of time!
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Ingredients
For the Iced Coffee
- 4 quarts filtered water or tap water
- 8 ounces dark roast coffee grounds
For the Sweetened Homemade Creamer
- ½ cup heavy cream or half-and-half
- ½ cup sweetened condensed milk
Optional Add-ins
- Coffee syrups
- Sugar
- Caramel sauce
- Chocolate syrup
- Ground cinnamon
Instructions
For the Coffee
Pour half the water in two half-gallon pitchers. Sprinkle 4 ounces ground coffee over the water in both pitchers. Cover and let sit 30 minutes; after 30 minutes, stir.
4 quarts filtered water, 8 ounces dark roast coffee grounds
Cover again and let sit at room temperature overnight.
Line a fine mesh strainer with a double layer of fine cheesecloth or a coffee filter set over a large bowl or pitcher. Pour the coffee mixture through the strainer and allow the liquid to run through. The coffee mixture will take several minutes to strain, and will need to be done about 2 cups at a time. When finished, discard the coffee grounds.
Pour the strained coffee in a covered container in the fridge until cooled.
For the Homemade Sweetened Creamer
In a pitcher or bowl whisk together the heavy cream and sweetened condensed milk. Store in the fridge in an airtight container until ready for use.
½ cup heavy cream, ½ cup sweetened condensed milk
For Assembly
Fill a glass with ice (or better yet, coffee ice!). Pour ¾ full with coffee. Fill the remaining ¼ with the creamer mixture. If you prefer a sweeter and creamier iced coffee you can do equal parts instead.
Add in optional add-ins if desired.
Coffee syrups, Sugar, Caramel sauce, Chocolate syrup, Ground cinnamon
Last step! Don’t forget to show me a pic of what you made! Upload an image or tag me @thecookierookie on Instagram!
Becky’s tips
- Pour some cold brew into an ice cube tray and freeze it to make coffee ice cubes. You’ll never have to drink watered-down iced coffee again!
Storage:Store cold brew in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Nutrition Information
Calories: 224kcal (11%) Carbohydrates: 22g (7%) Protein: 4g (8%) Fat: 14g (22%) Saturated Fat: 9g (56%) Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g Monounsaturated Fat: 4g Cholesterol: 47mg (16%) Sodium: 104mg (5%) Potassium: 170mg (5%) Sugar: 22g (24%) Vitamin A: 539IU (11%) Vitamin C: 1mg (1%) Calcium: 157mg (16%) Iron: 0.1mg (1%)
Did You Make This?I want to see! Be sure to upload an image below & tag @thecookierookie on social media!
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More Iced Coffee Recipes We Love
- Iced Espresso
- Iced Mocha
- Iced Honey Almond Milk Flat White
- Iced Caramel Macchiato
- Iced Honey Cinnamon Latte
- Starbuck’s Pink Drink (coffee adjacent :)
- See all of our Coffee Recipes!
Meet Becky Hardin
Becky Hardin is a wife and mother living in Saint Louis Missouri. She founded The Cookie Rookie in 2012 as a creative way to share recipes. Now, she is a trusted resource for easy cooking around the world, being featured in Taste of Home, The Kitchn, ABC’s Home and Family, and more. Here at The Cookie Rookie she is the editor in chief of all recipes and continues to enjoy sharing her passion for cooking for busy families. She has since founded two additional food blogs, Easy Chicken Recipes and Easy Dessert Recipes.
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22 Comments
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Nicole
Posted on 5/16/2023
I make my iced coffee with instant coffee, but this might be a game changer…
Reply
Samantha Marceau
Posted on 5/17/2023
Reply to Nicole
It’s so good!!
Reply
Susan R Hill
Posted on 5/16/2022
Love the ice coffee from the Recipe
Reply
Becky Hardin
Posted on 5/25/2022
Reply to Susan R Hill
Looks amazing!
Reply
Jayne
Posted on 4/2/2020
How long does the black coffee keep in the fridge?
Reply
Becky Hardin
Posted on 7/11/2020
Reply to Jayne
I would say about 3-4 days!
Reply
Lloyd
Posted on 12/3/2019
During the winter when I make a full pot of coffee, and it doesn’t all get used, I pour it into ice cube trays, freeze it and store the cubes in ziploc bags till summer. Then use those coffee cubes instead of plain water, so as they melt you keep drinking coffee instead of watered down coffee. I do the same with tea.
3
Reply
Becky Hardin
Posted on 12/5/2019
Reply to Lloyd
That’s such a great tip!!
Reply
Frank
Posted on 9/15/2019
Is the 8 oz of coffee grounds in weight? Or dry volume (8 oz = 1 cup)?
Reply
Lloyd
Posted on 8/29/2019
Why make iced coffee and then add regular ice cubes? I make a full pot of chocolate flavoured coffee and allow it to go cold. I then pour it into ice cube trays and freeze it. It makes 5 full trays of ice cubes. Then when you have your iced coffee it never dilutes into watery dregs at the end. I do the same thing when I make iced tea.
2
Reply
Hannah B
Posted on 7/25/2019
What is the best brand of coffee that you would recommend for this?
1
Reply
Bridget
Posted on 3/3/2019
Wouldn’t it be easier to put the grounds in a filter and swaddle them in cheesecloth and leave that in the water overnight?
Reply
Nicole
Posted on 5/16/2023
Reply to Bridget
putting them in a filter, the filter is paper and will fall apart. But I don’t think the grounds will release enough coffee if swaddled in cheese cloth.
Reply
Lexy
Posted on 7/1/2018
Want to try this recipe but am confused. Your directions call for coffee grounds but the video looks like you are using coffee beans. Is it grounds or beans? Thanks for the directions….can’t wait to try.
Reply
Becky Hardin
Posted on 7/1/2018
Reply to Lexy
Hey! I’m so sorry…that’s an error in the video that I’m actually having redone. You use GROUNDS, not beans. SO sorry for the confusion! Thanks for saying something :)
2
Reply
LK
Posted on 8/15/2018
Reply to Becky Hardin
Also, dark roast has WAY less caffeine than light roast. FYI! =)
Reply
James Baker
Posted on 6/16/2018
Where is the video to this besides on YouTube? I need some videos on cold brew and ice coffee alone with the recipes to post on FB. Other recipes I see on FB doesn’t come from YT and it gives a link to this site.
Reply
Becky Hardin
Posted on 6/17/2018
Reply to James Baker
I haven’t posted this video except on youtube and the blog :) Have a great night!
Reply