US-first instructions with metric in parentheses, plus an optional shortcut using our seasonal cold brew pods.
Beginner-friendly No special gearTL;DR
- Regular method (beans/ground): Make concentrate at 1:4 coffee:water. That’s 7 oz coffee (200 g) to 27 fl oz water (800 mL), coarse grind, 12–18 hr in the fridge; cut 1:2–3 with water/milk to serve.
- Pods (50 g ≈ 1.8 oz, seasonal): Ready-to-drink: 1 pod : 16–17 fl oz water (475–500 mL). Concentrate: 2 pods : 13½ fl oz water (400 mL), then cut 1:2–3 in the cup.
- Fixes: Sour → slightly finer or longer. Bitter/muddy → coarser or shorter + paper filter polish.
Pods are a seasonal convenience. The regular method works year-round with any of our coffees.
2-Minute “Do This Now” Recipe (Concentrate, ~1 Qt)
- Measure 7 oz coarsely ground coffee (200 g; texture = breadcrumbs).
- Add 27 fl oz cold, filtered water (800 mL) to a large jar or brewer.
- Optional bloom: pour ⅓ cup hot water (~3 fl oz / 100 mL) over grounds for 30 sec, then add the rest of the cold water.
- Stir, cover, and refrigerate 14–16 hr.
- Strain (fine mesh; for extra clarity, pass once through a rinsed paper filter).
- Serve concentrate 1:2–3 with water or milk (e.g., ⅓ cup concentrate + ⅔–1 cup water/milk over ice).
- Store concentrate 7–10 days chilled (brightest days 1–4).
Quick Ratio & Yield Table
| Use | Coffee : Water | Example (US) | Steep (Fridge) | Yields |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Concentrate (strong) | 1 : 4 | 7 oz coffee → 27 fl oz water (200 g → 800 mL) | 12–18 hr | ~24 fl oz after filtration |
| Ready-to-Drink (direct brew) | 1 : 8–10 | 3.5 oz coffee → 28–35 fl oz water (100 g → 0.9–1.0 L) | 12–18 hr | ~27–30 fl oz |
| Cutting Concentrate | 1 : 2–3 (conc : water/milk) | 1 cup conc → 2–3 cups cut | — | café-strength iced coffee |
No scale? Cheats: 1 cup whole beans ≈ 3 oz (85 g); 1 heaping Tbsp ground ≈ ¼ oz (7–8 g). For ~1 qt concentrate use 3¼–3½ cups water and ~28 heaping Tbsp ground coffee.
Decision Tree: Fix It Fast
Sour / Lemony
- Grind one notch finer or steep +2–4 hr.
- Check dose; move toward 1:4 if under-dosed.
Bitter / Harsh
- Grind coarser or shorten to ~12 hr.
- Cut stronger concentrate more (try 1:3).
Muddy / Flat
- Polish once through a paper/cloth filter.
- Let concentrate rest 12–24 hr, then decant.
Too Weak / Too Strong
- Weak: cut less (1:2) or dose +10% next batch.
- Strong: cut more (1:3–4) or brew at 1:5 next time.
Flavor Targeting
- Chocolatey/sweet: medium to medium-dark roasts; dessert flavors like caramel, mocha, hazelnut.
- Bright/juicy: light/medium single origins; brew ready-to-drink 1:8–10.
- Low-acid: darker roasts; make concentrate 1:4 and cut 1:3 with milk.
- Decaf: Swiss Water or EA decaf; 1:4, 14–16 hr.
Workflows that Save You Time
- Batch once, sip all week: Brew 1.5–2 qt concentrate (e.g., 14 oz coffee → 54 fl oz water / 400 g → 1.6 L). Label date/ratio. Morning: ⅓ cup conc + ⅔–1 cup water/milk over ice.
- Zero-dilution iced latte: Freeze coffee ice cubes from concentrate; pour conc + milk over cubes.
- Creamy without gear: Mason jar dry-shake milk 20–30 sec; spoon foam on top.
Cold Brew Pods (50 g ≈ 1.8 oz) — Easy Mode
Pre-measured mesh bags for mess-free brewing. We offer these seasonally.
Ready-to-Drink (simplest)
- 1 pod into a bottle/jar.
- Add 16–17 fl oz cold water (475–500 mL).
- Stir to wet, cap, and refrigerate 14–16 hr.
- Remove pod (don’t squeeze), pour over ice. Keeps 3–5 days.
Concentrate (then cut to serve)
- 2 pods in a jar.
- Add 13½ fl oz cold water (400 mL).
- Chill 14–16 hr.
- Remove pods (optional paper-filter polish). Cut 1:2–3 in the cup.
| Goal | Pods | Coffee | Water In | Brew | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small bottle RTD | 1 | 1.8 oz | 16–17 fl oz | RTD | 1–2 iced servings |
| Mason jar RTD | 2 | 3.5 oz | 32–34 fl oz | RTD | Smooth daily strength |
| Pitcher RTD | 4 | 7 oz | 64–68 fl oz | RTD | Parties & weekly prep |
| Compact concentrate | 2 | 3.5 oz | 13½ fl oz | Conc (1:4) | Cut 1:2–3 |
| Larger concentrate | 3 | 5.3 oz | 20 fl oz | Conc (~1:4) | Cut 1:2–3 |
| Family concentrate | 4 | 7 oz | 27 fl oz | Conc (1:4) | Cut 1:2–3 |
Pods in the decision tree: Sour → steep +2–4 hr or use 16 fl oz per pod. Muddy → don’t squeeze; filter once through paper. Weak → use 16 fl oz end or add pod to larger container. Strong → cut in cup like concentrate.
Add-Ons & Variations
Vanilla Sweet Cream (keeps 5 days)
1 cup milk of choice, ½ cup cream (or full-fat oat), 2 Tbsp sugar (or 1–2 Tbsp maple), 1 tsp vanilla. Shake, chill. Add 2–4 Tbsp per cup; top with cold brew.
10-Second Mocha
1 tsp cocoa + 1–2 tsp sugar (or syrup). Splash hot water to dissolve. Add ice, milk, and cold brew.
No-Cook Pumpkin Spice
1 Tbsp pumpkin purée + 1–2 tsp maple + ¼ tsp pumpkin spice. Whisk with milk; pour cold brew over ice.
Storage & Freshness
- Grind fresh for cleaner flavor. If pre-ground, freeze in weekly portions; thaw sealed.
- Concentrate stays tasty 7–10 days (brightest days 1–4).
- Keep away from pungent foods—coffee absorbs aromas.
Health & Caffeine Notes
Cold brew often feels gentler than hot drip. Caffeine depends on dose/ratio; a 10–12 oz serving cut from concentrate is similar to a strong drip coffee. If sensitive, enjoy earlier in the day and cut more toward 1:3–4.
FAQ
Do I need a scale?
No. Use the No-Scale cheats above. A scale is most consistent, but cups/Tbsp get you close.
Fridge or countertop?
Fridge = cleaner flavor and food safety.
How long to steep?
Start 14–16 hr in the fridge; adjust within 12–18 hr based on taste.
How long does concentrate keep?
7–10 days chilled; best in the first 4 days.
Can I cold-brew flavored coffee?
Yes. For bigger aroma, brew concentrate (1:4) and cut to taste.
Use This With
- Low-acid comfort: Smooth Operator Medium-Dark
- Dessert-leaning: Caramel Hazelnut Cupcake, Crème Brûlée
- Late-night: Mountain Water Decaf
Tiny US Conversion Key
- 1 cup water = 8 fl oz ≈ 240 mL
- 1 Tbsp ≈ 0.5 fl oz (volume)
- 1 oz coffee (weight) ≈ 28 g
- 1 cup whole beans ≈ 3 oz (85 g)
- 1 heaping Tbsp ground ≈ ¼ oz (7–8 g)
