Why Cold Brew?
Cold brew is smooth, low-acid, and incredibly refreshing — and it's one of the easiest coffee drinks you can make at home. Unlike iced coffee (which is just hot coffee poured over ice), cold brew is brewed cold from the start, resulting in a naturally sweet, mellow concentrate that's easy on the stomach and packed with flavor.
At Foxhole Coffee Co., cold brew season is every season. Here's how to make it at home with minimal effort and maximum payoff.
What You'll Need
- Coarsely ground coffee
- Cold or room-temperature filtered water
- A large jar, pitcher, or dedicated cold brew maker
- A fine mesh strainer, cheesecloth, or paper coffee filter
- A second container for storing the finished brew
Coffee-to-Water Ratio
Cold brew is typically made as a concentrate, then diluted before drinking. The standard concentrate ratio is 1:4 — 1 gram of coffee per 4 grams of water.
- For a 32oz batch: 115g coffee / 460g (about 2 cups) cold water
- To serve: Mix 1 part cold brew concentrate with 1–2 parts water, milk, or your favorite creamer over ice
Prefer to brew it ready-to-drink (not a concentrate)? Use a 1:8 ratio instead and drink it straight.
Grind Size
Use an extra coarse grind — coarser than French press, similar to raw sugar crystals. A coarser grind prevents over-extraction during the long steep and keeps your cold brew smooth rather than bitter.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Grind your coffee to an extra coarse setting.
- Combine coffee and cold water in your jar or pitcher. Stir gently to make sure all the grounds are saturated.
- Cover and refrigerate (or leave at room temperature) for 12–24 hours. Refrigerator steep = 18–24 hours for a smoother result. Room temperature steep = 12–16 hours for a slightly bolder flavor.
- Strain the coffee. Pour the mixture through a fine mesh strainer lined with cheesecloth or a paper filter into a clean container. This may take a few minutes — don't rush it.
- Store and serve. Keep your cold brew concentrate in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. Serve over ice, diluted to taste.
Serving Ideas
- Classic cold brew: Concentrate + water over ice
- Cold brew latte: Concentrate + oat milk or whole milk over ice
- Sweet cold brew: Add a splash of vanilla simple syrup
- Cold brew tonic: Concentrate + sparkling water + a squeeze of orange — surprisingly great
Tips for the Best Cold Brew
- Use fresh, quality beans. Cold brew is forgiving, but great beans make a great cup. Stale coffee produces flat, dull cold brew.
- Don't rush the steep. Under-steeped cold brew tastes weak and sour. Give it the full time.
- Strain twice if you want an extra-clean cup — once through a strainer, once through a paper filter.
- Label your jar with the brew date so you know when to use it by.
Best Coffees for Cold Brew
Cold brew works beautifully with medium and dark roasts that have chocolatey, nutty, or caramel notes — these flavors come through especially well when brewed cold. Check out our Blends and Single Origin collections to find your perfect cold brew bean, or grab a Sample Pack to experiment with a few at once.
Make a Batch This Weekend
Cold brew is the ultimate set-it-and-forget-it coffee. Mix it before bed, wake up to concentrate, and enjoy smooth, refreshing coffee all week long.