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URLhttps://www.budgetbytes.com/cold-brew-coffee/
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Meta TitleCold Brew Coffee - Budget Bytes
Meta DescriptionThis easy Cold Brew Coffee recipe makes a smooth, rich coffee that's less bitter than drip and perfect over ice!
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It’s no secret here in the Budget Bytes studio that we’re all addicted to coffee! We trade off whose buying on studio days, and then we all collectively let out a sigh of relief when we take that first sip. As a proud team of babes on a budget, I figured we should take a crack at the unthinkable and mess with our morning routine: making our Cold Brew Coffee from scratch. I wasn’t sure homemade cold brew would live up to our usual fix, but it totally does, and now we’re fully caffeinated, and I have our latest budget hack to thank! Pin this recipe for later! All recipes are rigorously tested in our Nashville Test Kitchen to ensure they are easy, affordable, and delicious. Cold brew coffee is different from iced coffee, which is usually made with hot brewed coffee poured over ice and often finished with milk. Cold brew never touches hot water! Instead, you let fresh coarsely ground beans steep in cold water for about 24 hours. I grind my beans in a food processor, but a coffee grinder works too. The slow, cold steep brings out the smooth flavor of the beans without pulling as much acidity as brewing with hot water, so the coffee tastes mellow and smooth. It’s refreshing, caffeinated, and exactly what I want on a hot day! Cold Brew Coffee Cost $3.40 recipe / $0.68 serving 5 from 1 vote This easy Cold Brew Coffee recipe makes a smooth, rich coffee that's less bitter than drip and perfect over ice! Step-by-step photos can be seen below the recipe card. ā–¢ 1 cup whole coffee beans (coarsely ground, $3.40*) ā–¢ 5 cups cold water ($0.00) Gather your ingredients. Using a coffee grinder (if you have one) or a food processor (if you don’t), grind the whole bean coffee until coarsely ground.* 1 cup of whole beans yields 1¼ cups of ground coffee. To a mason jar, add 1 cup of ground coffee and 4 cups of cold water. To a smaller mason jar, add the remaining ¼ cup of ground coffee and the last 1 cup of cold water. (I didn’t have a mason jar big enough, so I split it up into two.) Give the jars a shake and transfer to the refrigerator for 24 hours. Strain the next day, discarding the coffee beans (or use them in your garden or compost!) using a fine mesh strainer lined with a coffee filter. Or strain using a nut milk bag, like I did! Transfer filtered coffee back into the mason jar you used overnight (give it a good rinse or a quick wash) and enjoy your cold brew coffee poured over lots of ice! If you find the coffee is too strong for you, you can dilute it with water and/or any milk you like best. See how we calculate recipe costs here . * ¼-inch pieces being visible in your grind is a good standard for coarse ground coffee. I used dark espresso beans, but freshly ground coffee of any kind will give you the best flavor. Keeping the grind coarse also makes it much easier to strain. Finely ground coffee will be harder to strain and may make your coffee gritty. Serving: 1 cup Calories: 0 kcal Carbohydrates: 0 g Protein: 0 g Fat: 0 g Sodium: 12 mg (1%) Fiber: 0 g Percentages are of daily value. how to make Cold Brew Coffee step-by-step photos Gather all of your ingredients. Grind the coffee: Add 1 cup whole coffee beans to a coffee grinder (if you have one) or a food processor (if you don’t), and grind the beans until coarsely ground. Grind the beans until coarse, with the biggest pieces being roughly ¼ inch across. One cup of whole beans yields 1¼ cups of ground coffee. Combine the beans and water: Depending on the size of your mason jar(s), you may need to work in batches. I used two different-sized mason jars as I didn’t have one big enough for all the coffee beans and water. In the larger mason jar, I added 1 cup of ground coffee and 4 cups of cold water. Then, to the smaller mason jar, 1 added the remaining ¼ cup of ground coffee and the last 1 cup of cold water. Give your mason jar(s) a good shake and place them in the fridge for 24 hours. Strain the coffee: After 24 hours, strain the coffee and discard the coffee grounds (or use them in your garden or compost!) You can either set a fine mesh strainer over a bowl and line it with a coffee filter (as shown here) or… …strain it using a nut milk bag, as I did! Store or serve: Now your homemade cold brew is ready to serve over lots of ice! Clean your mason jars and use them to store any leftovers in the fridge. If the coffee is too strong for you, you can dilute it with more water and/or any milk you like best when serving. I use a 1:5 ratio of coffee beans to water. One cup of whole beans yields about 1¼ cups of coarsely ground coffee, which I then mix with 5 cups of water. This ratio makes a smooth concentrate that you can pour over ice and dilute with a little water or milk to taste. You can play around with the ratio to find your sweet spot. A ratio of 1:4 to 1:8 coffee-to-water is the average range. Brewing for a shorter amount of time (minimum 12 hours) will give you a lighter, less concentrated brew, while letting it steep up to 24 hours makes it stronger and bolder. How to Serve Cold Brew Coffee Pour a cup of this homemade cold brew coffee over ice for a coffee-shop worthy drink (without the takeout price tag!) You can add more water to dilute the flavor, or top it off with any milk, cream, or creamer you want. Add a little sweetener (sugar, honey, maple syrup, Swerve, or coffee syrup etc) if you prefer a sweeter sip. Or try it with our sweet cream cold foam or homemade gingerbread creamer for a special treat! You can even heat up your cold coffee if you like! Pop it in the microwave and enjoy the mellow flavor…just heated up! Storage Instructions Keep your cold brewed coffee in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1-2 weeks. I’d aim to enjoy it within a week for the best flavor. Posted in: Dairy Free Recipes , Drink Recipes , Gluten free Recipes , No-Cook Recipes , Recipes , Recipes under $5 , Soy Free Recipes , Summer Recipes , Under $1 per serving , Vegan Recipes , Vegetarian Recipes Jess Rice Jess Rice finds joy and purpose in instructing aspiring chefs and home cooks alike. Chef Jess was recently working as a Chef Professor at Niagara College in Canadian wine country, teaching international students from all over the world food theory and classic culinary techniques before moving back to Nashville. Her diverse experience also includes working (literally) every position in a restaurant to traveling all over the world as a private chef to celebrities and rock ā€˜n roll legends. As a successful restaurateur, she helped shape the local food scene in Nashville with the debut of her raw vegan restaurant AVO and its innovative and flavorful offerings. Jess’ passion for culinary excellence is evident in her diverse roles within the dynamic world of food. She’s excited to share her love for food with our readers at BudgetBytes! More About Jess
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[Sign up](https://www.budgetbytes.com/join/) for access to our weekly meal plans [Skip to content](https://www.budgetbytes.com/cold-brew-coffee/#main-content) [![Budget Bytes Logo](https://www.budgetbytes.com/wp-content/themes/budgetbytes-2022/assets/images/budgetbytes-logo.svg)![Budget Bytes Logo](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%20240%2036'%3E%3C/svg%3E)![Budget Bytes Logo](https://www.budgetbytes.com/wp-content/themes/budgetbytes-2022/assets/images/budgetbytes-logo-reverse.svg)](https://www.budgetbytes.com/) [Sign up](https://www.budgetbytes.com/join/) for access to our weekly meal plans [Sign Up](https://www.budgetbytes.com/join/) [Login](https://www.budgetbytes.com/?memberful_endpoint=auth) - [Recipes](https://www.budgetbytes.com/category/recipes/) - [Recipe Search](https://www.budgetbytes.com/category/recipes/#recent) - [Categories](https://www.budgetbytes.com/index/) - [Ingredient Index](https://www.budgetbytes.com/index/#recipes-by-ingredient) - [Surprise Me](https://www.budgetbytes.com/random/) - [Recipe Roundups](https://www.budgetbytes.com/category/extra-bytes/recipe-roundups/) - [Popular](https://www.budgetbytes.com/category/recipes/) - [Meal Prep](https://www.budgetbytes.com/category/extra-bytes/budget-friendly-meal-prep/) - [Dinner Ideas](https://www.budgetbytes.com/19-quick-and-easy-weeknight-dinners/) - [One Pot Meals](https://www.budgetbytes.com/category/recipes/one-pot/) - [Chicken Recipes](https://www.budgetbytes.com/category/recipes/meat/chicken/) - [Pasta Recipes](https://www.budgetbytes.com/category/recipes/pasta/) - [Vegetarian Recipes](https://www.budgetbytes.com/category/recipes/vegetarian/) - [Salad Recipes](https://www.budgetbytes.com/category/recipes/salads/) - [Breakfast Recipes](https://www.budgetbytes.com/category/recipes/breakfast/) - [Recipes under \$10](https://www.budgetbytes.com/category/recipes/cost-per-recipe/recipes-under-10/) - [Sandwich Recipes](https://www.budgetbytes.com/category/recipes/sandwich/) - [Soup Recipes](https://www.budgetbytes.com/category/recipes/soup/) - [Air Fryer Recipes](https://www.budgetbytes.com/category/recipes/air-fryer/) - [Meal Plans](https://www.budgetbytes.com/join/) - [About](https://www.budgetbytes.com/about/) - [About Budget Bytes](https://www.budgetbytes.com/about/) - [New? Start Here](https://www.budgetbytes.com/welcome-to-budget-bytes/) - [FAQ](https://www.budgetbytes.com/faq/) - [Contact](https://www.budgetbytes.com/contact/) [Recipes](https://www.budgetbytes.com/category/recipes/) Ā» [Drink Recipes](https://www.budgetbytes.com/category/recipes/drinks/) # Cold Brew Coffee [![](https://www.budgetbytes.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/jess-rice-400x400.jpg)](https://www.budgetbytes.com/author/jessr/) By [Jess Rice](https://www.budgetbytes.com/author/jessr/) Published Aug 26, 2025 5 from 1 [Read reviews](https://www.budgetbytes.com/cold-brew-coffee/#comments) Prep 10 minutes mins Servings 5 cups \$3.40 recipe / \$0.68 serving [![](https://www.budgetbytes.com/wp-content/themes/budgetbytes-2022/assets/icons/brand/Jump-arrow.svg) Jump to recipe](https://www.budgetbytes.com/cold-brew-coffee/#wprm-recipe-container-134030)[![](https://www.budgetbytes.com/wp-content/themes/budgetbytes-2022/assets/icons/brand/Save.svg) Save](https://www.budgetbytes.com/cold-brew-coffee/) [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%2012%2012'%3E%3C/svg%3E) ![](https://www.budgetbytes.com/wp-content/themes/budgetbytes-2022/assets/icons/brand/share-icon.svg) Share](https://www.budgetbytes.com/cold-brew-coffee/) ![cold brew coffee pin image](https://www.budgetbytes.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Cold-Brew-Coffee-PIN2.jpg) ![](https://www.budgetbytes.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Cold-Brew-Coffee-PIN1.jpg) It’s no secret here in the Budget Bytes studio that we’re all addicted to coffee! We trade off whose buying on studio days, and then we all collectively let out a sigh of relief when we take that first sip. As a proud team of babes on a budget, I figured we should take a crack at the unthinkable and mess with our morning routine: making our Cold Brew Coffee from scratch. I wasn’t sure homemade cold brew would live up to our usual fix, but it totally does, and now we’re fully caffeinated, and I have our latest budget hack to thank\! ![Side view of two glassed of cold brew coffee with ice.](https://www.budgetbytes.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Cold-Brew-Vertical-2.jpg) ![Pinterest](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%2023%2023'%3E%3C/svg%3E) ![Pinterest](https://www.budgetbytes.com/wp-content/themes/budgetbytes-2022/assets/icons/utility/socials/pintrest-logo.svg) Pin this recipe for later\! [Pin It](https://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/bookmarklet/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.budgetbytes.com%2Fcold-brew-coffee%2F&media=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.budgetbytes.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2025%2F08%2FCold-Brew-Coffee-PIN1.jpg&description=This+easy+Cold+Brew+Coffee+recipe+makes+a+smooth%2C+rich+coffee+that%27s+less+bitter+than+drip+and+perfect+over+ice%21&is_video=false) ![cold brew coffee pin image](https://www.budgetbytes.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Cold-Brew-Coffee-PIN2.jpg) ![](https://www.budgetbytes.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Cold-Brew-Coffee-PIN1.jpg) *All recipes are rigorously tested in our [Nashville Test Kitchen](https://www.budgetbytes.com/about/#h-how-we-test-recipes) to ensure they are easy, affordable, and delicious.* ## Easy Homemade Cold Brew Coffee Cold brew coffee is different from iced coffee, which is usually made with hot brewed coffee poured over ice and often finished with milk. Cold brew *never* touches hot water! Instead, you let fresh coarsely ground beans steep in cold water for about 24 hours. I grind my beans in a food processor, but a coffee grinder works too. The slow, cold steep brings out the smooth flavor of the beans without pulling as much acidity as brewing with hot water, so the coffee tastes mellow and smooth. It’s refreshing, caffeinated, and exactly what I want on a hot day\! Share this recipe [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://www.budgetbytes.com/cold-brew-coffee/&display=popup&ref=plugin&src=share_buttondescription=Better%20Brew%20for%20Less%3A%20Our%20Studio-Approved%20Homemade%20Cold%20Brew%20Coffee "Share on Facebook") [WhatsApp](https://wa.me/?text=https://www.budgetbytes.com/cold-brew-coffee/description=Better%20Brew%20for%20Less%3A%20Our%20Studio-Approved%20Homemade%20Cold%20Brew%20Coffee "Share with WhatsApp") [Email](mailto:?subject=Your%20friend%20has%20shared%20an%20article%20with%20you.&body=Cold%20Brew%20Coffee%0D%0Ahttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.budgetbytes.com%2Fcold-brew-coffee%2F%0D%0Adescription=Better%20Brew%20for%20Less%3A%20Our%20Studio-Approved%20Homemade%20Cold%20Brew%20Coffee "Share via Email") [Pin](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://www.budgetbytes.com/cold-brew-coffee/&media=https://www.budgetbytes.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Cold-Brew-Coffee-PIN1.jpg&description=Better%20Brew%20for%20Less%3A%20Our%20Studio-Approved%20Homemade%20Cold%20Brew%20Coffee "Share on Pinterest") ![cold brew coffee pin image](https://www.budgetbytes.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Cold-Brew-Coffee-PIN2.jpg) ![](https://www.budgetbytes.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Cold-Brew-Coffee-PIN1.jpg) ## Cold Brew Coffee Cost \$3.40 recipe / \$0.68 serving 5 from 1 vote This easy Cold Brew Coffee recipe makes a smooth, rich coffee that's less bitter than drip and perfect over ice\! [Step-by-step photos](https://www.budgetbytes.com/cold-brew-coffee/#h-how-to-make-cold-brew-coffee-step-by-step-photos) can be seen below the recipe card. Author: [Jess Rice](https://www.budgetbytes.com/author/jessr/) ![Side view of two glassed of cold brew coffee with ice, one with cream added.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%20268%20268'%3E%3C/svg%3E) ![Side view of two glassed of cold brew coffee with ice, one with cream added.](https://www.budgetbytes.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Cold-Brew-With-Cream-500x500.jpg) Servings 5 cups Prep 10 minutes mins Chill Time 1 day d Total 1 day d 10 minutes mins [Save Recipe](https://www.budgetbytes.com/cold-brew-coffee/) [Print Recipe](https://www.budgetbytes.com/wprm_print/cold-brew-coffee) [Read the reviews](https://www.budgetbytes.com/cold-brew-coffee/#wpd-threads) ### Ingredients - ā–¢ 1 cup whole coffee beans (coarsely ground, \$3.40\*) - ā–¢ 5 cups cold water (\$0.00) ### Instructions - Gather your ingredients. - Using a coffee grinder (if you have one) or a food processor (if you don’t), grind the whole bean coffee until coarsely ground.\* 1 cup of whole beans yields 1¼ cups of ground coffee. - To a mason jar, add 1 cup of ground coffee and 4 cups of cold water. To a smaller mason jar, add the remaining ¼ cup of ground coffee and the last 1 cup of cold water. (I didn’t have a mason jar big enough, so I split it up into two.) - Give the jars a shake and transfer to the refrigerator for 24 hours. - Strain the next day, discarding the coffee beans (or use them in your garden or compost!) using a fine mesh strainer lined with a coffee filter. Or strain using a nut milk bag, like I did\! - Transfer filtered coffee back into the mason jar you used overnight (give it a good rinse or a quick wash) and enjoy your cold brew coffee poured over lots of ice! If you find the coffee is too strong for you, you can dilute it with water and/or any milk you like best. See how we [calculate recipe costs here](https://www.budgetbytes.com/how-to-calculate-recipe-costs/). *** ### Notes \***¼-inch pieces being visible in your grind is a good standard for coarse ground coffee.** I used dark espresso beans, but freshly ground coffee of any kind will give you the best flavor. **Keeping the grind coarse also makes it much easier to strain.** Finely ground coffee will be harder to strain and may make your coffee gritty. ### Nutrition Information Serving: 1cupCalories: 0kcalCarbohydrates: 0gProtein: 0gFat: 0gSodium: 12mg (1%)Fiber: 0g *Read our full [nutrition disclaimer here.](https://www.budgetbytes.com/nutrition-information-disclaimer/)* *Percentages are of daily value.* ![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%2028%2028'%3E%3C/svg%3E) ![](https://www.budgetbytes.com/wp-content/themes/budgetbytes-2022/assets/icons/blocks/instagram.svg) Have you tried this recipe?Mention [@budgetbytes](https://www.instagram.com/budgetbytes) or tag [\#budgetbytes](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/budgetbytes) on Instagram\! ## how to make Cold Brew Coffee step-by-step photos ![The ingredients to make cold brew coffee.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%201200%20900'%3E%3C/svg%3E) ![The ingredients to make cold brew coffee.](https://www.budgetbytes.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/1-Ingredients-Cold-Brew.jpg) Gather all of your ingredients. ![Coffee beans added to a food processor.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%201200%20900'%3E%3C/svg%3E) ![Coffee beans added to a food processor.](https://www.budgetbytes.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2-Course-grind-coffee-beans-Cold-Brew.jpg) **Grind the coffee:** Add 1 cup whole coffee beans to a coffee grinder (if you have one) or a food processor (if you don’t), and grind the beans until coarsely ground. ![Ground coffee beans in a food processor.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%201200%20900'%3E%3C/svg%3E) ![Ground coffee beans in a food processor.](https://www.budgetbytes.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/3-Ground-coffee-Cold-Brew.jpg) Grind the beans until coarse, with the biggest pieces being roughly ¼ inch across. One cup of whole beans yields 1¼ cups of ground coffee. ![Cold water being poured into ground coffee beans.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%201200%20900'%3E%3C/svg%3E) ![Cold water being poured into ground coffee beans.](https://www.budgetbytes.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/4-Add-water-Cold-Brew.jpg) **Combine the beans and water:** Depending on the size of your mason jar(s), you may need to work in batches. I used two different-sized mason jars as I didn’t have one big enough for all the coffee beans and water. In the larger mason jar, I added 1 cup of ground coffee and 4 cups of cold water. Then, to the smaller mason jar, 1 added the remaining ¼ cup of ground coffee and the last 1 cup of cold water. ![Ground coffee beans and water being shaken in a mason jar.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%201200%20900'%3E%3C/svg%3E) ![Ground coffee beans and water being shaken in a mason jar.](https://www.budgetbytes.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/5-Shake-Cold-Brew.jpg) Give your mason jar(s) a good shake and place them in the fridge for 24 hours. ![A coffee strainer in a metal strainer over a bowl.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%201200%20900'%3E%3C/svg%3E) ![A coffee strainer in a metal strainer over a bowl.](https://www.budgetbytes.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/9-Alternative-way-to-strain-Cold-Brew.jpg) **Strain the coffee:** After 24 hours, strain the coffee and discard the coffee grounds (or use them in your garden or compost!) You can either set a fine mesh strainer over a bowl and line it with a coffee filter (as shown here) or… ![Cold brew coffee being poured into a nut milk bag into a bowl.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%201200%20900'%3E%3C/svg%3E) ![Cold brew coffee being poured into a nut milk bag into a bowl.](https://www.budgetbytes.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/7-Pour-through-strainer-Cold-Brew.jpg) …strain it using a nut milk bag, as I did\! ![Homemade cold brew coffee in a bowl.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%201200%20900'%3E%3C/svg%3E) ![Homemade cold brew coffee in a bowl.](https://www.budgetbytes.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/10-Final-Cold-Brew.jpg) **Store or serve:** Now your homemade cold brew is ready to serve over lots of ice! Clean your mason jars and use them to store any leftovers in the fridge. If the coffee is too strong for you, you can dilute it with more water and/or any milk you like best when serving. ![Side view of two glassed of cold brew coffee with ice, with the coffee being poured into one of the glasses.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%201200%20900'%3E%3C/svg%3E) ![Side view of two glassed of cold brew coffee with ice, with the coffee being poured into one of the glasses.](https://www.budgetbytes.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Cold-Brew-Pour.jpg) ## Cold Brew Coffee Ratio I use a 1:5 ratio of coffee beans to water. One cup of whole beans yields about 1¼ cups of coarsely ground coffee, which I then mix with 5 cups of water. This ratio makes a smooth concentrate that you can pour over ice and dilute with a little water or milk to taste. You can play around with the ratio to find your sweet spot. A ratio of 1:4 to 1:8 coffee-to-water is the average range. Brewing for a shorter amount of time (minimum 12 hours) will give you a lighter, less concentrated brew, while letting it steep up to 24 hours makes it stronger and bolder. ## How to Serve Cold Brew Coffee Pour a cup of this homemade cold brew coffee over ice for a coffee-shop worthy drink (without the takeout price tag!) You can add more water to dilute the flavor, or top it off with any milk, cream, or creamer you want. Add a little sweetener (sugar, honey, maple syrup, Swerve, or coffee syrup etc) if you prefer a sweeter sip. Or try it with our [sweet cream cold foam](https://www.budgetbytes.com/sweet-cream-cold-foam/) or [homemade gingerbread creamer](https://www.budgetbytes.com/gingerbread-coffee-creamer/) for a special treat\! You can even heat up your cold coffee if you like! Pop it in the microwave and enjoy the mellow flavor…just heated up\! ## Storage Instructions Keep your cold brewed coffee in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1-2 weeks. I’d aim to enjoy it within a week for the best flavor. ## More Easy Drink Recipes [![Side view of two glasses of homemade Brazilian lemonade.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%20268%20200'%3E%3C/svg%3E) ![Side view of two glasses of homemade Brazilian lemonade.](https://www.budgetbytes.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Brazilian-Lemonade-Front-268x200.jpg)Brazilian Lemonade \$3.46 recipe / \$0.58 serving](https://www.budgetbytes.com/brazilian-lemonade/) [![A drink dispenser with homemade lemonade and two glasses of lemonade in front.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%20268%20200'%3E%3C/svg%3E) ![A drink dispenser with homemade lemonade and two glasses of lemonade in front.](https://www.budgetbytes.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Lemonade-Wide-Shot-268x200.jpg)Homemade Lemonade \$6.31 recipe / \$0.70 serving](https://www.budgetbytes.com/homemade-lemonade/) [![Two frostys side by side in a glass.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%20268%20200'%3E%3C/svg%3E) ![Two frostys side by side in a glass.](https://www.budgetbytes.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Homemade-Frosty-Side-268x200.jpg)Homemade Frosty \$2.76 recipe / \$0.69 serving](https://www.budgetbytes.com/homemade-frosty/) [![close up overhead view of a single mug of hot chocolate with marshmallows and chocolate syrup](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%20268%20200'%3E%3C/svg%3E) ![close up overhead view of a single mug of hot chocolate with marshmallows and chocolate syrup](https://www.budgetbytes.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Homemade-Hot-Chocolate-one-268x200.jpg)Homemade Hot Chocolate \$3.96 recipe / \$0.99 serving](https://www.budgetbytes.com/homemade-hot-chocolate/) Share this recipe [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://www.budgetbytes.com/cold-brew-coffee/&display=popup&ref=plugin&src=share_buttondescription=Better%20Brew%20for%20Less%3A%20Our%20Studio-Approved%20Homemade%20Cold%20Brew%20Coffee "Share on Facebook") [WhatsApp](https://wa.me/?text=https://www.budgetbytes.com/cold-brew-coffee/description=Better%20Brew%20for%20Less%3A%20Our%20Studio-Approved%20Homemade%20Cold%20Brew%20Coffee "Share with WhatsApp") [Email](mailto:?subject=Your%20friend%20has%20shared%20an%20article%20with%20you.&body=Cold%20Brew%20Coffee%0D%0Ahttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.budgetbytes.com%2Fcold-brew-coffee%2F%0D%0Adescription=Better%20Brew%20for%20Less%3A%20Our%20Studio-Approved%20Homemade%20Cold%20Brew%20Coffee "Share via Email") [Pin](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://www.budgetbytes.com/cold-brew-coffee/&media=https://www.budgetbytes.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Cold-Brew-Coffee-PIN1.jpg&description=Better%20Brew%20for%20Less%3A%20Our%20Studio-Approved%20Homemade%20Cold%20Brew%20Coffee "Share on Pinterest") Posted in: [Dairy Free Recipes](https://www.budgetbytes.com/category/recipes/dairy-free/), [Drink Recipes](https://www.budgetbytes.com/category/recipes/drinks/), [Gluten free Recipes](https://www.budgetbytes.com/category/recipes/gluten-free/), [No-Cook Recipes](https://www.budgetbytes.com/category/recipes/no-cook/), [Recipes](https://www.budgetbytes.com/category/recipes/), [Recipes under \$5](https://www.budgetbytes.com/category/recipes/cost-per-recipe/recipes-under-5/), [Soy Free Recipes](https://www.budgetbytes.com/category/recipes/soy-free/), [Summer Recipes](https://www.budgetbytes.com/category/recipes/seasonal/summer-recipes/), [Under \$1 per serving](https://www.budgetbytes.com/category/recipes/cost-per-serving/under-1-per-serving/), [Vegan Recipes](https://www.budgetbytes.com/category/recipes/vegetarian/vegan/), [Vegetarian Recipes](https://www.budgetbytes.com/category/recipes/vegetarian/) [![](https://www.budgetbytes.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/jess-rice-400x400.jpg)](https://www.budgetbytes.com/author/jessr/) Jess RiceJess Rice finds joy and purpose in instructing aspiring chefs and home cooks alike. Chef Jess was recently working as a Chef Professor at Niagara College in Canadian wine country, teaching international students from all over the world food theory and classic culinary techniques before moving back to Nashville. Her diverse experience also includes working (literally) every position in a restaurant to traveling all over the world as a private chef to celebrities and rock ā€˜n roll legends. As a successful restaurateur, she helped shape the local food scene in Nashville with the debut of her raw vegan restaurant AVO and its innovative and flavorful offerings. Jess’ passion for culinary excellence is evident in her diverse roles within the dynamic world of food. She’s excited to share her love for food with our readers at BudgetBytes\![More About Jess](https://www.budgetbytes.com/author/jessr/) ![cold brew coffee pin image](https://www.budgetbytes.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Cold-Brew-Coffee-PIN2.jpg) ![](https://www.budgetbytes.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Cold-Brew-Coffee-PIN1.jpg) ### Eat More. Spend Less. Sign up for our newsletter and new recipes sent to your inbox every week\! 5 from 1 vote This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. [Learn how your comment data is processed.](https://akismet.com/privacy/) 10 Comments Newest Oldest Most Voted Inline Feedbacks View all comments Stephanie 11\.24.25 9:43 am Could a french press work for the straining process? 0 Reply Jess Rice 11\.25.25 10:51 am Reply to [Stephanie](https://www.budgetbytes.com/cold-brew-coffee/#comment-699530) It should! There might be some sediment (like there always is with french press, imo) but I don’t mind it\! 1 Reply Rosa 08\.29.25 12:07 am Barista here- I’d recommend making a concentrate ratio of 1:1. If you don’t have a grinder, some grocery stores have a grinder you can use. If you get a bag at starbucks, you can also have it ground for free. I’d recommend this as it offers a more consistent grind, and there for extraction. You wont have a mix of almost whole beans in there. Need iced coffee now? If you have a regular coffee pot brew hot coffee on half of the normal amount of water that you normally do. Pour over ice, just enough to where a little ice is left over. It will taste more acidic, than cold brew but I kinda like that. Sweet cream? 2/3 heavy cream, 1/3 2%, and some vanilla flavoring. 5 Reply Megan Lunnam 08\.27.25 1:15 pm This recipe is a life changer!! As a SAHM of a toddler, I don’t have much time to make coffee. Let alone drink it hot. We all know moms don’t get hot coffee šŸ˜‚ Having this ready in the morning makes it so quick and easy to get a cup of coffee in! Plus I can make this eco friendly\! 0 Reply Jess Rice 08\.29.25 10:17 am Reply to [Megan Lunnam](https://www.budgetbytes.com/cold-brew-coffee/#comment-697339) You’re totally right about the mom’s not getting hot coffee (for me at least!) lolll. 1 Reply Lee 08\.27.25 12:58 pm Guys, I have been a fan of BudgetBytes since the beginning. I have bought Beth’s cookbook TWICE (one for myself, one as a gift). This site basically taught me how to cook back in 2014. I love this site, so I mean for this to be constructive, not critical. Posts like this make me feel like it’s lost the plot. The first paragraph here feels so out of touch. Buying cold brew coffee every day? Doing ā€œthe unthinkableā€ of making coffee yourself instead of buying it? Going to ā€œthe studioā€ yet being ā€œbabes on a budgetā€? The tone is out of touch here. I don’t know, I can’t imagine Beth buying coffee every day before going to work when she started this blog. 17 Reply Jess Rice 08\.29.25 10:23 am Reply to [Lee](https://www.budgetbytes.com/cold-brew-coffee/#comment-697338) Hey, Lee. I’m Jess, Beth hired me before she left Budget Bytes. We try to help solve problems for everyday people by addressing things in a fun, upbeat, but practical way. Of course, we inject our own personalities into our own blog posts. As a mom, sometimes I only have time to get coffee on the road (after I rush out of the house trying to accomplish kiddo drop off and taking care of all of our animals before work). This is a great way for me to make sure I have coffee waiting for me every day at work (or in the fridge at home ready to go in the morning!) We work out of a kitchen studio, which is the equivalent of saying ā€œoffice.ā€ I actually interviewed with Beth in this kitchen studio! I hope you find our other budget-friendly recipes helpful if you can’t relate to making cold brew coffee at home. We appreciate your continued engagement and support\! 2 Reply Monika 08\.27.25 4:10 am Are you sure you mean 1/4 inch pieces being visible? That’s the size of the whole grain. 0 Reply Paige Rhodes 08\.28.25 10:48 am Reply to [Monika](https://www.budgetbytes.com/cold-brew-coffee/#comment-697308) Yes! If you look at the step by step photos you can see a little bit better what we mean, but with a course grind, some pieces will be fine and some will still be the length of the whole bean, roughly ¼ inch across for the biggest ones. 0 Reply Jess Rice 08\.29.25 10:30 am Reply to [Monika](https://www.budgetbytes.com/cold-brew-coffee/#comment-697308) Coarse grind, even larger chunks are ok. Definitely need to break the beans down though\! 0 Reply ![cold brew coffee pin image](https://www.budgetbytes.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Cold-Brew-Coffee-PIN2.jpg) ![](https://www.budgetbytes.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Cold-Brew-Coffee-PIN1.jpg) #### About Budget Bytes As food lovers and number crunchers, we’ve decided that cooking on a budget shouldn’t mean canned beans and ramen noodles night after night. Join us for delicious recipes designed for small budgets. 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It’s no secret here in the Budget Bytes studio that we’re all addicted to coffee! We trade off whose buying on studio days, and then we all collectively let out a sigh of relief when we take that first sip. As a proud team of babes on a budget, I figured we should take a crack at the unthinkable and mess with our morning routine: making our Cold Brew Coffee from scratch. I wasn’t sure homemade cold brew would live up to our usual fix, but it totally does, and now we’re fully caffeinated, and I have our latest budget hack to thank\! ![Side view of two glassed of cold brew coffee with ice.](https://www.budgetbytes.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Cold-Brew-Vertical-2.jpg) ![Pinterest](https://www.budgetbytes.com/wp-content/themes/budgetbytes-2022/assets/icons/utility/socials/pintrest-logo.svg) Pin this recipe for later\! *All recipes are rigorously tested in our [Nashville Test Kitchen](https://www.budgetbytes.com/about/#h-how-we-test-recipes) to ensure they are easy, affordable, and delicious.* Cold brew coffee is different from iced coffee, which is usually made with hot brewed coffee poured over ice and often finished with milk. Cold brew *never* touches hot water! Instead, you let fresh coarsely ground beans steep in cold water for about 24 hours. I grind my beans in a food processor, but a coffee grinder works too. The slow, cold steep brings out the smooth flavor of the beans without pulling as much acidity as brewing with hot water, so the coffee tastes mellow and smooth. It’s refreshing, caffeinated, and exactly what I want on a hot day\! Cold Brew Coffee Cost \$3.40 recipe / \$0.68 serving 5 from 1 vote This easy Cold Brew Coffee recipe makes a smooth, rich coffee that's less bitter than drip and perfect over ice\! [Step-by-step photos](https://www.budgetbytes.com/cold-brew-coffee/#h-how-to-make-cold-brew-coffee-step-by-step-photos) can be seen below the recipe card. ![Side view of two glassed of cold brew coffee with ice, one with cream added.](https://www.budgetbytes.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Cold-Brew-With-Cream-500x500.jpg) - ā–¢ 1 cup whole coffee beans (coarsely ground, \$3.40\*) - ā–¢ 5 cups cold water (\$0.00) - Gather your ingredients. - Using a coffee grinder (if you have one) or a food processor (if you don’t), grind the whole bean coffee until coarsely ground.\* 1 cup of whole beans yields 1¼ cups of ground coffee. - To a mason jar, add 1 cup of ground coffee and 4 cups of cold water. To a smaller mason jar, add the remaining ¼ cup of ground coffee and the last 1 cup of cold water. (I didn’t have a mason jar big enough, so I split it up into two.) - Give the jars a shake and transfer to the refrigerator for 24 hours. - Strain the next day, discarding the coffee beans (or use them in your garden or compost!) using a fine mesh strainer lined with a coffee filter. Or strain using a nut milk bag, like I did\! - Transfer filtered coffee back into the mason jar you used overnight (give it a good rinse or a quick wash) and enjoy your cold brew coffee poured over lots of ice! If you find the coffee is too strong for you, you can dilute it with water and/or any milk you like best. See how we [calculate recipe costs here](https://www.budgetbytes.com/how-to-calculate-recipe-costs/). *** \***¼-inch pieces being visible in your grind is a good standard for coarse ground coffee.** I used dark espresso beans, but freshly ground coffee of any kind will give you the best flavor. **Keeping the grind coarse also makes it much easier to strain.** Finely ground coffee will be harder to strain and may make your coffee gritty. Serving: 1cupCalories: 0kcalCarbohydrates: 0gProtein: 0gFat: 0gSodium: 12mg (1%)Fiber: 0g *Percentages are of daily value.* ## how to make Cold Brew Coffee step-by-step photos ![The ingredients to make cold brew coffee.](https://www.budgetbytes.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/1-Ingredients-Cold-Brew.jpg) Gather all of your ingredients. ![Coffee beans added to a food processor.](https://www.budgetbytes.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2-Course-grind-coffee-beans-Cold-Brew.jpg) **Grind the coffee:** Add 1 cup whole coffee beans to a coffee grinder (if you have one) or a food processor (if you don’t), and grind the beans until coarsely ground. ![Ground coffee beans in a food processor.](https://www.budgetbytes.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/3-Ground-coffee-Cold-Brew.jpg) Grind the beans until coarse, with the biggest pieces being roughly ¼ inch across. One cup of whole beans yields 1¼ cups of ground coffee. ![Cold water being poured into ground coffee beans.](https://www.budgetbytes.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/4-Add-water-Cold-Brew.jpg) **Combine the beans and water:** Depending on the size of your mason jar(s), you may need to work in batches. I used two different-sized mason jars as I didn’t have one big enough for all the coffee beans and water. In the larger mason jar, I added 1 cup of ground coffee and 4 cups of cold water. Then, to the smaller mason jar, 1 added the remaining ¼ cup of ground coffee and the last 1 cup of cold water. ![Ground coffee beans and water being shaken in a mason jar.](https://www.budgetbytes.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/5-Shake-Cold-Brew.jpg) Give your mason jar(s) a good shake and place them in the fridge for 24 hours. ![A coffee strainer in a metal strainer over a bowl.](https://www.budgetbytes.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/9-Alternative-way-to-strain-Cold-Brew.jpg) **Strain the coffee:** After 24 hours, strain the coffee and discard the coffee grounds (or use them in your garden or compost!) You can either set a fine mesh strainer over a bowl and line it with a coffee filter (as shown here) or… ![Cold brew coffee being poured into a nut milk bag into a bowl.](https://www.budgetbytes.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/7-Pour-through-strainer-Cold-Brew.jpg) …strain it using a nut milk bag, as I did\! ![Homemade cold brew coffee in a bowl.](https://www.budgetbytes.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/10-Final-Cold-Brew.jpg) **Store or serve:** Now your homemade cold brew is ready to serve over lots of ice! Clean your mason jars and use them to store any leftovers in the fridge. If the coffee is too strong for you, you can dilute it with more water and/or any milk you like best when serving. ![Side view of two glassed of cold brew coffee with ice, with the coffee being poured into one of the glasses.](https://www.budgetbytes.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Cold-Brew-Pour.jpg) I use a 1:5 ratio of coffee beans to water. One cup of whole beans yields about 1¼ cups of coarsely ground coffee, which I then mix with 5 cups of water. This ratio makes a smooth concentrate that you can pour over ice and dilute with a little water or milk to taste. You can play around with the ratio to find your sweet spot. A ratio of 1:4 to 1:8 coffee-to-water is the average range. Brewing for a shorter amount of time (minimum 12 hours) will give you a lighter, less concentrated brew, while letting it steep up to 24 hours makes it stronger and bolder. ## How to Serve Cold Brew Coffee Pour a cup of this homemade cold brew coffee over ice for a coffee-shop worthy drink (without the takeout price tag!) You can add more water to dilute the flavor, or top it off with any milk, cream, or creamer you want. Add a little sweetener (sugar, honey, maple syrup, Swerve, or coffee syrup etc) if you prefer a sweeter sip. Or try it with our [sweet cream cold foam](https://www.budgetbytes.com/sweet-cream-cold-foam/) or [homemade gingerbread creamer](https://www.budgetbytes.com/gingerbread-coffee-creamer/) for a special treat\! You can even heat up your cold coffee if you like! Pop it in the microwave and enjoy the mellow flavor…just heated up\! ## Storage Instructions Keep your cold brewed coffee in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1-2 weeks. I’d aim to enjoy it within a week for the best flavor. Posted in: [Dairy Free Recipes](https://www.budgetbytes.com/category/recipes/dairy-free/), [Drink Recipes](https://www.budgetbytes.com/category/recipes/drinks/), [Gluten free Recipes](https://www.budgetbytes.com/category/recipes/gluten-free/), [No-Cook Recipes](https://www.budgetbytes.com/category/recipes/no-cook/), [Recipes](https://www.budgetbytes.com/category/recipes/), [Recipes under \$5](https://www.budgetbytes.com/category/recipes/cost-per-recipe/recipes-under-5/), [Soy Free Recipes](https://www.budgetbytes.com/category/recipes/soy-free/), [Summer Recipes](https://www.budgetbytes.com/category/recipes/seasonal/summer-recipes/), [Under \$1 per serving](https://www.budgetbytes.com/category/recipes/cost-per-serving/under-1-per-serving/), [Vegan Recipes](https://www.budgetbytes.com/category/recipes/vegetarian/vegan/), [Vegetarian Recipes](https://www.budgetbytes.com/category/recipes/vegetarian/) Jess RiceJess Rice finds joy and purpose in instructing aspiring chefs and home cooks alike. Chef Jess was recently working as a Chef Professor at Niagara College in Canadian wine country, teaching international students from all over the world food theory and classic culinary techniques before moving back to Nashville. Her diverse experience also includes working (literally) every position in a restaurant to traveling all over the world as a private chef to celebrities and rock ā€˜n roll legends. As a successful restaurateur, she helped shape the local food scene in Nashville with the debut of her raw vegan restaurant AVO and its innovative and flavorful offerings. Jess’ passion for culinary excellence is evident in her diverse roles within the dynamic world of food. She’s excited to share her love for food with our readers at BudgetBytes\![More About Jess](https://www.budgetbytes.com/author/jessr/)
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