☕ Cold Brew Coffee Calculator
Calculate the perfect coffee-to-water ratio, steep time, and yield for any batch size
| Batch Size (Water) | Coffee Needed | Coffee in Grams | Yield (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 cup (8 fl oz) | 2 tbsp (1/8 cup) | 14g | ~1 cup |
| 2 cups (16 fl oz) | 4 tbsp (1/4 cup) | 28g | ~2 cups |
| 4 cups (32 fl oz) | 1/2 cup | 56g | ~4 cups |
| 8 cups (64 fl oz) | 1 cup | 113g | ~8 cups |
| 16 cups (128 fl oz) | 2 cups | 226g | ~16 cups |
| Strength | Ratio | Fridge (35-40°F) | Room Temp (68-72°F) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mild | 1:12 | 10-14 hours | 6-10 hours |
| Regular | 1:8 | 12-18 hours | 8-12 hours |
| Strong | 1:6 | 16-20 hours | 10-14 hours |
| Concentrate | 1:4 | 18-24 hours | 12-16 hours |
| Method | Caffeine | Brew Time | Acidity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cold Brew | ~155mg | 12-24 hrs | Very Low |
| Drip Coffee | ~95mg | 5-10 min | Medium |
| Espresso (2oz) | ~130mg | 25-30 sec | Medium-High |
| French Press | ~107mg | 4 min | Low |
| Pour Over | ~80mg | 3-4 min | Medium-High |
| Instant Coffee | ~63mg | 1 min | Low |
| Measurement | Cups | Fl Oz | Milliliters |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 tablespoon | 1/16 cup | 0.5 fl oz | 15 ml |
| Quarter cup | 0.25 cup | 2 fl oz | 59 ml |
| Half cup | 0.5 cup | 4 fl oz | 118 ml |
| 1 cup | 1 cup | 8 fl oz | 237 ml |
| 1 quart | 4 cups | 32 fl oz | 946 ml |
| Half gallon | 8 cups | 64 fl oz | 1893 ml |
| 1 gallon | 16 cups | 128 fl oz | 3785 ml |
Cold brew coffee is a type of coffee that you make by steeping coffee grounds in cold water for a long time. You soak the coarse ground beans in water for 12 to 24 hours. Room temperature or even colder water is usually used.
During that period the coffee slowly puts its taste in the water which gives a strong and focused drink. That slow process pulls all rich aromas from the beans including the caffeine. It however leaves most of the compounds that make coffee bitter.
How to Make Cold Brew Coffee
Because of that the result is smooth and almost sweet
Cold brew coffee never meets warm water. Fresh roughly ground beans soak in cold water for around 24 hours. Use a food processor or coffee grinder to grind the beans.
The secret is to grind them as coarse as possible. The final drink results smooth, strong and stays good in the refrigerator for around a week.
Home made cold brew is genuinely simple. A Mason jar and a screen are enough. Simply pour water on the coffee, mix, cover and leave it on the counter overnight.
In the morning strain it and it is ready. A French press also works well for that. There are special brewers for cold brew, for instance that of OXO, that is easy to clean and always gives a smooth result.
The cold extraction process removes the bitter elements of coffee, which gives a sweeter and smooth taste. Cold brew is known for its smooth, fruity or chocolate notes without too much bitterness. It works well for those who are not shore if they like coffee.
Good proportion is 3:16, so around three fourths cup of coffee to four cups of water. The steeping time also matters. Around 18 hours is usually ideal, while 12 hours can leave it a bit soft.
Some leave it 24 hours or even more, but too long reduces the output. Cold brew after 12 to 18 hours lasts until 10 days.
Iced coffee is prepared hot normally, later cooled to serve. Cold brew is different, because you make it with room temperature or colder water, and you can serve it hot or on ice. A 16-ounce cup of cold brew has a bit more than 200 milligrams of caffeine, while the same amount of iced coffee has only around 165.
Do not drink it directly focused, because it is very caffeinated.
After straining you can put the coffee in easy to clean, airtight glass jars and keep in the refrigerator until two weeks. To serve, fill a glass with ice cubes, pour half a cup of cold brew above them, add half a cup of cold water and mix. Or pour warm water for a warm drink.
Better quality beans make a clear difference in the taste, although cold brew is forgiving and tastes good even with cheaperbeans.
