Cold Brew

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COFFEE BREW GUIDE

How to Brew Cold Brew Coffee at Home

Learn how to make smooth, refreshing cold brew coffee at home. Follow our simple guide to the right coffee-to-water ratio, coarse grind, steeping time, and filtering for a naturally sweet, low-acidity cup.

You'll need:

🫙 Cold brew maker, pitcher, or large jar

☕ Coarse-ground coffee

⚙️ Coffee grinder (if using whole beans)

⚖️ Digital scale or measuring cup

🧺 Filter or fine-mesh strainer

💧 Filtered water

🧊 Ice

STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE

Brewing Steps

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1. Use 1 cup coarse ground coffee to 4 cups cold water

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2. Steep for 12–18 hours

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3. Strain the coffee grounds.

Coffee being brewed and strained, with dark liquid pouring from a glass jar into a metal mesh strainer set over a glass bowl on a wooden table. A person's hands are visible holding the jar and guiding the pour.

4. Dilute to taste with water or milk.

A clear glass tumbler filled with iced dark coffee and ice, with a hand pouring water from a small clear pitcher into it, on a wooden table with a blurred glass jar of coffee beans in the background.

5. Add ice to your cold brew.

A clear glass tumbler filled with iced dark coffee or iced tea, placed on a round wooden coaster on a wooden table. A blurred jar of coffee beans and a small plant appear in the background.

6. Serve and enjoy!

Package of Sound Coffee Beat Drop Signature Blends

Beat Drop - Cold Brew Coffee

$15.20 ~~$19.00~~

Package of Sound Coffee Honduran Single Origins Medium Roast Coffee

Honduran - Medium Roast Coffee

$16.00 ~~$20.00~~

Package of Sound Coffee Power Chord Signature Blends Dark Roast

Power Chord – Dark Roast Coffee

$14.40 ~~$18.00~~

Flavor Profile

Cold Brew is naturally smooth, low in acidity, and slightly sweet. It's perfect over ice or mixed with milk and can be stored in the refrigerator for several days.

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Recommended Grind

Ground French Press – Ready to brew.
Whole Bean – Grind fresh before brewing for the best flavor.

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Recommended Recipe

Coffee: 100g
Water: 800g
Ratio: 1:4
Grind: Coarse / Ground French Press
Brew Time: 12–16 hours

Not sure what flavor to pick?

Take a Coffee Quiz

Or if you want to explore most of our flavors first, you can try our Sample Packs and discover your favorites before committing to a full-size bag.

Your Guide to a Better Coffee

The Best Way to Brew Coffee at Home

There's no single "best" brewing method, only the one that's right for your taste. No matter which brewer you choose, these five principles will help you make consistently great coffee.

1. Start with Freshly Roasted Coffee

Coffee tastes best within a few weeks of roasting. Store your beans in an airtight container away from heat, light, and moisture, and grind them just before brewing for maximum flavor.

2. Use the Right Grind Size for Your Brewing Method

Using the correct grind size is one of the biggest factors in making great coffee. Every brewing method requires a different grind size to extract the best flavor.

Recommended Grind for every Brewing method

Espresso → Fine
AeroPress → Medium-Fine
Pour Over → Medium
Drip Coffee → Medium
French Press → Coarse
Cold Brew → Extra Coarse

3. Measure Your Coffee

A consistent coffee-to-water ratio helps you brew balanced coffee every time.

A good starting point is:

1 gram of coffee for every 16 grams of water (1:16 ratio)

Example:
20g coffee → 320g water
25g coffee → 400g water
30g coffee → 480g water

This ratio is a common baseline before adjusting to taste. Adjust slightly depending on your taste preferences.

4. Use Filtered Water

Coffee is made up of almost entirely water, so clean, filtered water helps highlight the natural sweetness and complexity of your beans.

5. Brew Fresh Every Time

Grind only what you'll use and brew just before drinking. Freshly brewed coffee delivers the best aroma, sweetness, and complexity.

Troubleshooting Your Brew

Even the best beans can taste off if your brewing variables aren't dialed in. If your coffee tastes too sour, it's often a sign of under-extraction. If it tastes too bitter, it may be over-extracted. Small adjustments to your grind size, water temperature, brew time, or coffee-to-water ratio can make a dramatic difference in the final cup.

Want to learn how to identify and fix these common brewing problems?

👉 Read our guide: Bitter vs. Sour Coffee: What Your Brew Is Trying to Tell You

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