How the cold brew dilution calculator works
Cold brew is usually made as a strong concentrate, then cut with water or milk before drinking. This tool takes the amount of concentrate you have and the dilution strength you want, then tells you how much liquid to add, how big the finished batch will be, and how many glasses it pours. A 1:2 dilution means one part concentrate to two parts water.
Choosing your dilution ratio
A 1:1 cut keeps things strong and is good over plenty of ice. A 1:2 cut is the most common, ready to drink and smooth. A 1:3 cut is light and easy sipping. Start at 1:2, taste, and add a splash more water if it is too intense. Remember that ice melts and dilutes further, so brew a touch stronger if you serve over lots of ice.
Water, milk, or both
Water keeps the coffee flavor clean and bright. Milk or a milk alternative makes it rounder and richer, like an iced latte. Many people split the difference with half water and half milk. The math for how much to add is the same whichever liquid you choose, so pick by taste.
Scaling a batch for guests
To work backward from a target, decide how many glasses you need and their size, then divide by your dilution total to find the concentrate required. For example, ten 300 ml glasses at a 1:2 dilution need about one liter of concentrate and two liters of water. Make the concentrate a day ahead so it is cold and ready.
Frequently asked questions
What dilution is cold brew concentrate? Most concentrate is diluted between 1:1 and 1:3 with water or milk. A 1:2 ratio is the usual ready to drink strength.
How long does cold brew concentrate last? Stored sealed in the fridge, concentrate keeps its flavor for about seven to ten days, longer than diluted cold brew, which is best within a few days.
Should I account for ice? Yes. Ice melt waters the drink down, so if you serve over a full glass of ice, dilute a little less or brew the concentrate a little stronger.
Related coffee calculators: Cold Brew, Coffee to Water Ratio, Coffee Batch, Coffee Yield.