How to Make Cold Brew Coffee at Home (Easy Guide + Best Coffee for Cold Brew)

What Is Cold Brew Coffee?

Cold brew coffee is made by steeping coffee grounds in cold or room-temperature water for 12–18 hours. Unlike iced coffee, it is never brewed with heat, resulting in a smoother, naturally sweet flavor with lower acidity and a rich coffee concentrate.

It’s one of the most popular ways to make iced coffee at home because it’s simple, consistent, and easy to customize.

Best Equipment for Making Cold Brew at Home

You don’t need fancy gear to make great cold brew coffee at home.

A mason jar or DIY container with a strainer is one of the simplest and most accessible methods. You can use a mason jar, pitcher, or any large container along with a fine mesh strainer, cheesecloth, coffee filter, or brew bag. This method is ideal for everyday cold brew and beginners.

A French press is another easy all-in-one option. The built-in filter makes steeping and straining simple, and it’s great for small batches with easy cleanup.

For those who make cold brew regularly, an at-home Toddy system is a great investment. It’s specifically designed for cold brew extraction and creates a smooth, consistent concentrate with larger batch capability.

How to Make Cold Brew Coffee

For step-by-step instructions, including ratios, steep times, and filtering methods, follow our full recipe here: Jim's Organic Coffee Cold Brew Recipe

Best Coffee for Cold Brew (Jim’s Organic Favorites)

For the smoothest cold brew coffee at home, we recommend medium to dark roasts, which create a rich, chocolate-forward flavor that holds up beautifully over ice.

Some of our favorite Jim’s Organic coffees for cold brew include Colombian, which is berry forward and sweet with chocolate notes, Sweet Love Blend, which is smooth and balanced, Blend X, which is bold, rich, and full-bodied, and Sumatra French Roast, which delivers a dark and earthy classic cold brew profile.

These coffees are especially well-suited for cold brew coffee at home and create a consistently smooth concentrate.

Cold Brew On the Go

No time to brew? Jim’s Organic Cold Brew Cans are the easiest way to enjoy cold brew coffee anytime. They’re smooth, balanced, low-acid, and perfect for busy mornings, travel, or afternoons on the go.

It’s the simplest way to enjoy cold brew coffee without brewing at home.

Cold Brew Tips for Best Results

Use freshly ground coffee whenever possible, stick to a coarse grind size, avoid over-steeping, and use filtered water for the cleanest flavor. Cold brew concentrate can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5–7 days.

Shop Jim’s Organic Cold Brew Coffee for better cold brew at home.