Cold Brew Concentrate in a Quart Jar
Coarse coffee and cold water in a jar overnight. Strained, it is a concentrate that makes a week of iced coffee for two.
Recipes and Things · Wes Hadley
Posted Oct. 4, 2026 · about 2 1/2 cups concentrate
Posted Oct. 4, 2026 · about 2 1/2 cups concentrate
Cold brew is less a recipe than a ratio and a wait. One part coarse coffee to four parts water, a night on the counter, and a careful strain.
A quart jar is the right size for two people. It lasts about a week before the flavor starts to flatten.
What you need
| How much | What |
|---|---|
| 3/4 cup | coffee, ground coarse |
| 3 cups | cold filtered water |
| 1 pinch | salt, optional |
How to make it
- Put the coffee in a quart jar, pour in the water and stir so every ground is wet.
- Cover and leave at room temperature for 14 to 16 hours.
- Strain through a fine sieve lined with a paper coffee filter. Take your time and do not press.
- Keep the concentrate in the fridge. To serve, mix 1 part concentrate with 1 part water or milk over ice.
Cook’s notes
- Fine grounds make it muddy and bitter. Ask for a French press grind if the store grinds it.
- Past 18 hours it starts to taste woody.
FAQ
Can I brew it in the fridge?
Yes. Give it 20 to 24 hours instead.