Cold Brew Ratio Calculator

Cold Brew Ratio Basics

Cold brew uses room-temperature water and a long steep, usually 12 to 24 hours. The recommended coffee-to-water ratio is about 1:5 by mass, much stronger than hot drip coffee. Use the Coffee Brew Ratio Calculator for hot methods or the Coffee Calculator for caffeine planning.

Formula

$$\text{Water (mL)} = \frac{\text{Desired concentrate (mL)}}{0.8}$$

$$\text{Coffee (g)} = \frac{\text{Water (mL)}}{\text{ratio}}$$

Grounds absorb water, so you need more water than the concentrate volume you want. The 0.8 factor estimates roughly 80% liquid recovery after steeping.

Example

For 2 cups (about 473 mL) of concentrate at a 1:5 ratio, use about 591 mL of water and 118 g of coarse coffee grounds. Steep 16 hours, then dilute to taste when serving.