What Is Cold Brew Coffee?

Cold brew has become one of the most popular coffee drinks in America — and one of the most misunderstood. It's not iced coffee. It's not cold espresso. It's a completely different brewing method that produces a coffee with its own distinct character: smooth, low-acid, naturally sweet, and deeply satisfying over ice.

What Cold Brew Actually Is

Cold brew is coffee brewed with cold or room-temperature water over an extended period — typically 12–24 hours. There's no heat involved at any point in the process. Coarse coffee grounds are steeped in water, then strained to produce either a ready-to-drink coffee or a concentrate that's diluted before serving.

The absence of heat is what makes cold brew different from every other brewing method. Heat extracts flavor compounds quickly but also extracts acids and bitter compounds. Cold water extracts more slowly and selectively — pulling sweetness and body while leaving behind much of the acidity and bitterness that hot brewing produces.

Cold Brew vs. Iced Coffee: What's the Difference?

This is the most common cold brew question. The difference is significant:

• Iced coffee — hot-brewed coffee poured over ice. Fast to make, but the hot brewing extracts acids and bitter compounds that remain in the cup. Often tastes diluted and harsh as the ice melts.
• Cold brew — brewed cold from the start. Takes 12–24 hours but produces a smoother, less acidic, naturally sweeter cup. Doesn't dilute as ice melts because it's already cold.

Cold brew is not a shortcut — it's a different product. The time investment produces a fundamentally different cup. If low acidity is what draws you to cold brew, also explore our low-acid coffee collection for hot-brew options that are equally gentle.

What Cold Brew Tastes Like

Cold brew is known for:

• Smooth, low acidity — up to 67% less acidic than hot-brewed coffee according to some studies
• Natural sweetness — the cold extraction process highlights sweetness without the bitterness that hot brewing can produce
• Full body — cold brew concentrate is rich and substantial
• Clean finish — no harsh aftertaste
• Chocolate and caramel notes — these flavors come through clearly in cold brew, especially from medium-dark roasts

How to Make Cold Brew at Home

Cold brew is one of the easiest brewing methods to do at home. You need coarse-ground coffee, cold water, a jar, and time.

1. Grind coffee extra coarse — coarser than French press
2. Combine 1 part coffee to 8 parts water by weight (for concentrate, use 1:4)
3. Stir to saturate all grounds
4. Cover and steep at room temperature for 12–16 hours, or in the fridge for 18–24 hours
5. Strain through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth
6. Store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks

To serve: pour over ice, dilute concentrate 1:1 with water or milk. Adjust to taste.

Best Coffees for Cold Brew

Medium to dark roasts with low acidity and good body work best for cold brew. Our top picks:

• Sumatra — heavy body, low acid, earthy and complex. Our top cold brew recommendation. Find it in our single-origin collection.
• Cowboy Blend — bold and full-bodied. Makes a cold brew concentrate with real intensity. Browse our coffee blends.
• Brazil Santos — nutty, smooth, naturally sweet. Exceptional cold-brewed. Explore our single-origin lineup.
• House Blend — balanced and consistent. A reliable everyday cold brew. Find it in our blends collection.

Not sure which to start with? Our sample packs let you find your cold brew favorite before committing to a full bag.

Shop our cold brew-ready coffees — roasted to order, shipped fresh.