Gallon Cold Brew Concentrate (1:8 Ratio)
A practical make-ahead cold brew concentrate brewed by the gallon using a 1:8 coffee-to-water ratio. Smooth, low-acid, and easy to dilute with water or milk.
Equipment
- Long spoon (for stirring)
- Coffee filters (or reusable cold brew filter bag)
- cheesecloth (optional, for faster straining)
Ingredients
Cold Brew (1-Gallon Batch)
- 1 lb freshly roasted coffee beans, whole About 450–500 g. Grind medium-coarse (kosher-salt texture).
- 1 gallon cold, filtered water About 3.8 L.
Instructions
- Weigh & grind. Weigh 450–500 g (about 1 lb) of whole beans. Grind to a medium-coarse texture: finer than French press, coarser than drip (like kosher salt).
- Combine. Add the grounds to a 1-gallon jar or beverage dispenser.
- Add water & stir. Pour in 1 gallon (3.8 L) of cold, filtered water while stirring thoroughly to fully saturate the grounds and eliminate dry pockets.
- Steep cold. Cover and refrigerate for 16–20 hours. Avoid going past 24 hours, which can push the brew toward harshness.
- Strain. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve lined with a rinsed paper coffee filter or cheesecloth into a pitcher. (Rinsing helps remove papery flavors.)
- Filter again (optional) & dilute. For a cleaner cup, filter a second time through a fresh paper filter. Serve by diluting with water or milk: 1:1 for a bold cup, or 1:2 for a lighter cup.
Notes
Ratio options: 1:8 is a versatile concentrate. For stronger concentrate, use 1:4 (designed for dilution). For ready-to-drink, use 1:12.
Storage: Keep sealed and refrigerated. Best within 7 days. Freeze concentrate into ice cubes for quick single servings.
Troubleshooting: Bitter usually means over-extracted or too fine a grind: shorten steep time by 1–2 hours and/or grind coarser.
