By Becky Hardin
Updated Jun 12, 2025
Cold Brew Coffee is so easy to make, and even more delicious than what you can buy at Starbucks! If you’ve ever wondered how to make iced coffee at home, you’ve come to the right place. Having a glass of homemade iced coffee is the best way to start your day.
Pin this recipe for later!
Cold Brew
This Cold Brew Coffee Recipe is as simple as letting your favorite coffee grounds soak in water overnight, straining in the morning, and then mixing with your favorite perfect homemade creamer. This Cold Brew is my favorite way to start the day, and I’m sure it will be yours too!
Depending on my mood, I’ll change up the flavoring and make French vanilla iced coffee , this decadent chocolate coffee , and when the leaves begin to fall, I’ll whip up some pumpkin cream cold brew . The perfect seasonal drink!
Ingredients1x2x3x
For the Iced Coffee
- ▢ 4 quarts filtered water or tap water
- ▢ 8 ounces dark roast coffee grounds
For the Sweetened Homemade Creamer
- ▢ ½ cup heavy cream or half-and-half
- ▢ ½ cup sweetened condensed milk
Optional Add-ins
- ▢ coffee syrups
- ▢ sugar
- ▢ caramel sauce
- ▢ chocolate syrup
- ▢ ground cinnamon
Video
Instructions
For the Coffee
- Pour half the water in two half-gallon pitchers. Sprinkle 4 ounces ground coffee over the water in both pitchers. Cover and let sit 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, stir. 4 quarts filtered water, 8 ounces dark roast coffee grounds
- Cover again and let sit at room temperature overnight.
- Line a fine mesh strainer with a double layer of fine cheesecloth or a coffee filter set over a large bowl or pitcher. Pour the coffee mixture through the strainer and allow the liquid to run through. The coffee mixture will take several minutes to strain, and will need to be done about 2 cups at a time. When finished, discard the coffee grounds.
- Pour the strained coffee in a covered container in the fridge until cooled.
For the Homemade Sweetened Creamer
- In a pitcher or bowl whisk together the heavy cream and sweetened condensed milk. Store in the fridge in an airtight container until ready for use. ½ cup heavy cream, ½ cup sweetened condensed milk
For Assembly
- Fill a glass with ice (or better yet, coffee ice!). Pour ¾ full with coffee. Fill the remaining ¼ with the creamer mixture. If you prefer a sweeter and creamier iced coffee you can do equal parts instead.
- Add in optional add-ins if desired. coffee syrups, sugar, caramel sauce, chocolate syrup, ground cinnamon
Becky’s Tips
- Pour some cold brew into an ice cube tray and freeze it to make coffee ice cubes. You’ll never have to drink watered-down iced coffee again.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Make Cold Brew Coffee Step by Step
Pour the water into pitchers: Pour half of the 4 quarts of water into two half-gallon pitchers. Sprinkle 4 ounces of ground coffee over the water in each pitcher. Cover and let sit 30 minutes; after 30 minutes, stir.
Cover and let sit: Cover again and let sit at room temperature overnight.
Strain: Line a fine mesh strainer with a double layer of fine cheesecloth or a coffee filter set over a large bowl or pitcher. Pour the coffee mixture through the strainer and allow the liquid to run through. The coffee mixture will take several minutes to strain, and will need to be done about 2 cups at a time. When finished, discard the coffee grounds.
Cool: Pour the strained coffee in a covered container in the fridge until cooled.
For the homemade sweetened creamer : In a pitcher or bowl, whisk together the1/2 cup of heavy cream and 1/2 cup of sweetened condensed milk. Store in the fridge in an airtight container until ready for use.
Make a cup: Fill a glass with ice (or better yet, coffee ice!). Pour ¾ full with coffee. Fill the remaining ¼ with the creamer mixture. If you prefer a sweeter and creamier iced coffee, you can do equal parts instead.
Stir in add-ins : Add in optional add-ins if desired, coffee syrup, sugar, caramel sauce, chocolate syrup, or ground cinnamon.
How to Store
Store leftover cold brew in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Serving Suggestions
A great cup of coffee is the perfect way to start any and every day. Some mornings I just simply don’t want hot coffee…I want it cold! Try this hearty ham and cheese breakfast casserole or whip up a batch of baked breakfast sliders . If a smoothie is more your speed, take a stab at this flowing skin smoothie or this refreshing simple mango smoothie !
more iced coffee recipes we love
Iced Espresso
Iced Mocha
Iced Honey Almondmilk Flat White
Iced Caramel Macchiato Recipe
How To Make Cold Brew Coffee (Iced Coffee)
Ingredients
For the Iced Coffee
- 4 quarts filtered water or tap water
- 8 ounces dark roast coffee grounds
For the Sweetened Homemade Creamer
- ½ cup heavy cream or half-and-half
- ½ cup sweetened condensed milk
Optional Add-ins
- coffee syrups
- sugar
- caramel sauce
- chocolate syrup
- ground cinnamon
Instructions
For the Coffee
- Pour half the water in two half-gallon pitchers. Sprinkle 4 ounces ground coffee over the water in both pitchers. Cover and let sit 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, stir. 4 quarts filtered water, 8 ounces dark roast coffee grounds
- Cover again and let sit at room temperature overnight.
- Line a fine mesh strainer with a double layer of fine cheesecloth or a coffee filter set over a large bowl or pitcher. Pour the coffee mixture through the strainer and allow the liquid to run through. The coffee mixture will take several minutes to strain, and will need to be done about 2 cups at a time. When finished, discard the coffee grounds.
- Pour the strained coffee in a covered container in the fridge until cooled.
For the Homemade Sweetened Creamer
- In a pitcher or bowl whisk together the heavy cream and sweetened condensed milk. Store in the fridge in an airtight container until ready for use. ½ cup heavy cream, ½ cup sweetened condensed milk
For Assembly
- Fill a glass with ice (or better yet, coffee ice!). Pour ¾ full with coffee. Fill the remaining ¼ with the creamer mixture. If you prefer a sweeter and creamier iced coffee you can do equal parts instead.
- Add in optional add-ins if desired. coffee syrups, sugar, caramel sauce, chocolate syrup, ground cinnamon
Video
Notes
- Pour some cold brew into an ice cube tray and freeze it to make coffee ice cubes. You’ll never have to drink watered-down iced coffee again.
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
