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Cold Brew Coffee Grind Size, Ratio, and Time: A Comprehensive Guide to Making Cold Brew and Understanding the Differences Between Cold Drip and Cold Brew

Published: 2026-01-27 Author: FrontStreet Coffee

Last Updated: 2026/01/27, Recently, many friends have been asking about cold brew coffee, so FrontStreet Coffee would like to take this opportunity to discuss "cold brew coffee." Cold brew coffee is essentially different from regular hot water coffee brewing. It involves using cold water to steep or drip-filter coffee grounds for an extended period to extract coffee liquid. Cold brew and cold drip are the most common forms of cold brew coffee. However, currently

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Recently, many friends have been asking about cold brew coffee, so FrontStreet Coffee would like to take this opportunity to discuss "cold brew coffee."

Cold brew coffee is essentially different from regular hot water brewed coffee. It is coffee liquid extracted by steeping or dripping coffee grounds with cold water for an extended period. Cold brew and cold drip are the most common forms of cold brew coffee. However, nowadays some places also narrowly refer to cold brew coffee as cold brew coffee, distinguishing it from cold drip coffee. This might stem from translation issues - cold brew coffee in English is "Cold Brew Coffee," while cold drip coffee is "Cold Drip Coffee" or "Dutch Coffee."

When we usually make pour-over coffee, we pay great attention to water temperature because the water temperature directly affects the extraction efficiency of coffee. The extraction efficiency of cold water is very low. If we want to get a coffee with good concentration, we must extend the extraction time. Therefore, the production time of cold brew coffee is very long, usually taking 6-8 hours.

Characteristics of Cold Brew Coffee

The biggest difference between cold brew coffee and hot coffee is that cold brew coffee has a longer extraction time, so there will be more water-soluble flavor substances, the taste will be richer, and the texture will be more mellow. Moreover, the entire process of low-temperature extraction and preservation extends its shelf life, which can generally be stored for 3-5 days.

Coffee Bean Selection for Cold Brew

As for what coffee beans are suitable for cold brew coffee, FrontStreet Coffee recommends using medium-light roasted single-origin coffee beans. The resulting cold brew coffee will be refreshing and delicious, very suitable for summer drinking.

Some friends may want to know whether a certain coffee is suitable for making cold brew coffee, or want FrontStreet Coffee to recommend several coffee beans for making cold drip coffee. Regarding this, FrontStreet Coffee can help clarify the relationship between coffee bean flavors and cold brew coffee, which should help you more clearly understand what coffee beans you want.

The flavor descriptions on coffee bean labels are the flavors tasted during cupping, which means that regardless of the extraction method, the coffee produced will have the flavors described on the label. Cold brew coffee is a preparation method that can highlight certain characteristics, such as rich fermented flavors.

Therefore, whether used for making pour-over coffee or cold brew coffee, you can choose single-origin coffee beans that match the flavor descriptions on the labels according to your taste preferences. The inherent flavor of the coffee beans does not conflict with the cold brew extraction method.

"If you like distinct acidity and a refreshing feeling, you can choose some washed light-roasted coffee beans, such as FrontStreet Coffee's Yirgacheffe, FrontStreet Coffee's Guatemala Flora, FrontStreet Coffee's Kenya; if you prefer fruity and honey-sweet flavors, you can choose sun-dried or anaerobic light-roasted coffee beans, such as FrontStreet Coffee's Coffee Queen, FrontStreet Coffee's Giant Rock Estate Blueberry, FrontStreet Coffee's Rose Valley; if you like rich fermented flavors and wine aromas, you can choose FrontStreet Coffee's Honduras Sherry, FrontStreet Coffee's Lychee Orchid, FrontStreet Coffee's Costa Rica Baha, FrontStreet Coffee's Mozart, FrontStreet Coffee's Colombia Flower Moon Night..."

Can Dark Roasted Coffee Be Used for Cold Brew?

Can medium-dark roasted coffee not be used for cold brew coffee? Not necessarily, but most people cannot accept iced bitter coffee, just as no one would voluntarily drink iced herbal tea, so it is naturally not recommended. FrontStreet Coffee has also tasted a cold brew coffee made with medium-roasted Yunnan beans. After proper storage and refrigeration for seven days, its texture was mellow, and the fruit wine-like fermented feeling was very strong. This shows that non-acidic coffee is not incapable of being made into cold brew, but it is difficult to make delicious cold brew.

Cold Brew Coffee Making Methods

The method of making cold brew coffee is also quite simple. Basically, mastering a few key parameters can make delicious iced coffee. Cold brew is divided into cold brew coffee with immersion extraction and cold drip coffee with drip extraction. FrontStreet Coffee has previously given detailed explanations on the method of making cold drip coffee. Interested friends can click "here" - this article will not repeat it.

The equipment for making cold brew coffee is also very simple. You only need a 600ml container. "You ask if a mineral water bottle will work?" "Of course, as long as you don't mind its unattractive appearance!" The main parameters that cold brew coffee focuses on are coffee grind size, ratio, and time. The coffee grind size required for cold brew coffee is slightly finer than pour-over, approximately the coarseness where 85% passes through a #20 sieve.

The coffee-to-water ratio is generally 1:12, which can also be adjusted according to personal preference. If using a 600ml container, approximately 40g of coffee grounds requires 480ml of cold water.

The steeping time is recommended to be controlled between 12-24 hours. The longer the time, the stronger the coffee. Simply put the coffee grounds and water into a bottle, then gently shake to ensure all coffee grounds are moistened. Afterward, place it in the refrigerator (5-10 degrees Celsius) for 12-24 hours.

Finally, filtration is needed. Use filter paper (or cloth) to separate the coffee grounds from the coffee liquid, and it's ready to drink. You can also refrigerate it at low temperature for 4 hours before drinking, which will have better aroma. It is recommended to taste it after refrigerating for a period of time.