Cold Brew Concentrate You Can Keep in the Fridge All Week
Cold brew concentrate is the most efficient coffee project in your kitchen: five minutes of work buys you a week of iced lattes, and it costs a fraction of the bottled stuff.
The 1:5 ratio
200g of coarsely ground coffee to 1000g of cold filtered water. Stir until every ground is wet, cover, and leave it on the counter for 16 hours or in the fridge for 24.
Dilute one part concentrate to two or three parts water or milk when serving.
Filtering without the sludge
Strain first through a fine mesh sieve to remove the bulk, then a second time through a paper filter or a clean cloth. The second pass is what makes it taste clean rather than dusty.
Store in a sealed bottle in the fridge. It holds up well for seven to ten days; flavor peaks around day three.
Three variations worth trying
Salted maple: 1 tablespoon maple syrup and a pinch of flaky salt per glass, topped with cold milk.
Orange espresso tonic style: concentrate over ice with tonic water and a wide strip of orange peel.
Vietnamese-style: two tablespoons of sweetened condensed milk stirred through, poured over crushed ice.
Frequently asked questions
Maya Okonkwo
Head of Brewing
Former specialty café lead barista who now spends her mornings testing recipes on a very crowded kitchen counter.
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