Cold brew uses a much stronger ratio than hot coffee because it is brewed as a concentrate and then diluted. This formula sizes the water for your grounds.
Water (g) = Coffee (g) × Ratio
What the terms mean
| Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Water | Brewing water, in grams |
| Coffee | Coarse coffee, in grams |
| Ratio | Concentrate ratio, 1:4 to 1:8 |
Worked example
A 100 g dose at a 1:5 concentrate ratio uses 100 × 5 = 500 g of water. Dilute the finished concentrate about 1:1 with water or milk.
Steep then dilute. Steep 12 to 24 hours in the fridge. The concentrate keeps for up to two weeks, and you dilute each glass to taste.
FAQ
Why does cold brew need so much more coffee than hot brewing? Cold water extracts far more slowly than hot water, so cold brew relies on a much longer steep time, typically 12 to 24 hours, and a higher coffee-to-water ratio to reach a similar strength.
See the Cold Brew Calculator and the How to Make Cold Brew.