Guide
Cold Brew Ratio Guide
Choose the best cold brew coffee ratio for concentrate, ready-to-drink cold brew, iced milk drinks and smoother flavor.
On This Page5 Sections
Quick Answer
Use a 1:4 ratio for cold brew concentrate and a 1:8 to 1:10 ratio for ready-to-drink cold brew. For example, 100g coffee with 400g water makes concentrate, while 100g coffee with 800-1,000g water makes a finished drink. Dilute concentrate with water, milk or ice before serving.
Key Takeaways
- 11:4 is best for concentrate.
- 21:8-1:10 is better for ready-to-drink cold brew.
- 3Steep time, grind size and filtration matter as much as ratio.
Cold brew ratios can be confusing because people use "cold brew" to mean both concentrate and finished coffee. A concentrate is intentionally strong and needs dilution. Ready-to-drink cold brew should taste balanced straight from the fridge.
Ratio Table
Dilution Guide
Taste after dilution. Judging concentrate without dilution usually makes it seem harsh.
How To Fix The Ratio
What To Read Next
Use this with How to Make Cold Brew Coffee, Coffee to Water Ratio Guide, Iced Coffee Guide, and Coffee Storage Guide. For method details, continue with Cold Brew.