Coffee map

Cold coffee

Cold brew

Coffee steeped cold for hours: smooth, soft and made for ice or milk.

Coarse coffeeCold water

Where it came from

Japan, with older Dutch links

17th century onward

Cold extraction has roots in Dutch sailors and Japanese Kyoto-style coffee. The huge contemporary cold-brew wave is newer, but the basic idea is centuries old.

Make it at home

Starting recipe

You'll need

Coarse coffee
60 g
Cold water
1 L
  1. 01

    Combine

    Mix 60 g coarsely ground coffee with 1 L cold filtered water.

  2. 02

    Steep

    Cover and steep in the fridge for 12 to 16 hours.

  3. 03

    Filter

    Filter through paper or cloth, then serve over ice. Dilute if you made it stronger.

At a café

Ask whether it is ready to drink or a concentrate. Add water for a lighter black cup, or milk for something fuller.