Description
A simple, smooth, and naturally sweet homemade cold brew coffee concentrate finished with heavy cream and vanilla extract. This recipe requires no special equipment, just a jar and patience, resulting in a refreshing drink that costs pennies per cup.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (100g) coarsely ground coffee (medium-dark roast preferred)
- 4 cups (950ml) cold filtered water
- 2–3 tablespoons heavy cream or half-and-half per serving
- 1–2 teaspoons real vanilla extract per serving
- Ice cubes (large cubes or coffee ice cubes recommended)
- Optional: Simple syrup, maple syrup, or brown sugar for sweetness
Instructions
- Add the coarsely ground coffee to a large glass jar or pitcher.
- Pour the cold filtered water over the grounds. Use a 1:4 ratio (1 cup coffee to 4 cups water).
- Stir gently with a spoon to ensure all grounds are saturated and no dry clumps remain.
- Cover the jar with a lid or plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator.
- Steep for 18-24 hours (20-22 hours is recommended for a balanced flavor).
- Place a fine-mesh strainer lined with cheesecloth or a paper filter over a clean bowl or pitcher.
- Slowly pour the coffee mixture through the strainer to remove the grounds. Discard the grounds.
- Dilute the concentrate by mixing one part concentrate with one part cold water or milk in a glass.
- Add vanilla extract and optional sweetener to taste, stirring well.
- Fill a glass with ice cubes, pour the diluted coffee mixture over the ice, and top with heavy cream.
- Stir gently to create layers and serve immediately.
Notes
Use coarse ground coffee similar to sea salt to prevent bitterness and muddy texture. The concentrate can be stored in the fridge for up to two weeks. For best results, use filtered water. You can freeze leftover cold brew in ice cube trays to prevent dilution as the ice melts. A pinch of salt added to the grounds before steeping can reduce bitterness.
- Prep Time: 2 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Beverage
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 glass (approx. 12
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 1
- Sodium: 10
- Fat: 7
- Saturated Fat: 4
- Carbohydrates: 2
- Protein: 1
Keywords: cold brew, iced coffee, vanilla coffee, homemade coffee, summer drinks, coffee concentrate, easy recipe, caffeine