When the Durham heat hits, hot coffee just doesn't cut it. Cold brew is the answer — and the good news is it's incredibly easy to make at home with the right beans.
What Makes Cold Brew Different?
Cold brew is made by steeping coarsely ground coffee in cold or room-temperature water for 12–24 hours, rather than using heat to extract flavor. The result is:
- Lower acidity — much gentler on your stomach
- Natural sweetness — no bitterness, even without sugar
- Higher caffeine concentration — it's a concentrate, so a little goes a long way
- Incredibly smooth — silky texture that's refreshing even on the hottest days
What You'll Need
- Coarsely ground coffee (a dark or medium-dark roast works best for cold brew)
- Cold or room-temperature filtered water
- A large jar or pitcher
- A fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth
The Method
- Ratio: Use 1 cup of coarsely ground coffee to 4 cups of cold water for a concentrate (dilute 1:1 with water or milk when serving)
- Steep: Combine in a jar, stir, cover, and refrigerate for 18–24 hours
- Strain: Pour through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth into a clean container
- Serve: Over ice, with a splash of milk, oat milk, or straight — it's delicious every way
Your cold brew concentrate keeps in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
Our Recommendation
For cold brew, you want a coffee with bold, chocolatey, or nutty notes that hold up beautifully when diluted over ice. We love Teagan's House Blend and Teagan's Columbia Coffee for cold brew — both have the body and depth that make an exceptional concentrate.
For something a little fun, try Teagan's Southern Pecan — the buttery pecan notes are incredible cold.
Stay cool this summer ☀️ — Shop Teagan's coffees →