Free Cold Brew Ratio calculator with clear step-by-step results.
Cold brew is usually made as a concentrate and cut before serving, so there are two ratios to keep straight: the steeping ratio that sets the dose, and the dilution that determines what ends up in the glass. Grounds retain slightly more water in a long cold steep, which is why recovered concentrate is well below the water added.
Steeping dose
Coffee grams = steeping water / concentrate ratio denominator
Served volume
Served = recovered concentrate x (1 + dilution parts)
Twelve to eighteen hours at room temperature, or up to 24 in the fridge. Past that, extraction of bitter compounds catches up with the gentler profile cold brew is made for.
A long steep with fine grounds over-extracts and makes filtration slow and muddy. Coarse grounds keep the cup clean and drain quickly.