What is the best time for cold brew coffee?

December 22, 2025 •

3 min read

According to the National Coffee Association, the cold brewing process is defined by steeping coffee grounds in room temperature or cooler water for an extended period. The best time for cold brew coffee is not a single fixed duration but rather a flexible range, typically between 12 to 24 hours, depending on your preferred flavor profile and brewing temperature.

Quick Summary

The ideal brewing duration for cold brew coffee typically ranges from 12 to 24 hours, influenced by factors like temperature, grind size, and personal taste. Achieving a smoother, less bitter result requires longer steeping times at cooler temperatures, while adjusting for different flavor strengths is possible through experimentation.

Key Points

Optimal Brewing Time: The ideal steeping period for cold brew is between 12 and 24 hours, balancing flavor extraction and preventing bitterness.
Temperature Impact: Steeping in the refrigerator (18-24 hours) yields a smoother, more mellow flavor, while brewing at room temperature (8-12 hours) provides a quicker, richer result.
Coarse Grind is Critical: Always use a coarse grind, similar to cornmeal, to prevent over-extraction and a gritty texture during the long steep.
Personalization through Experimentation: The best method is subjective, so adjust steeping times based on your taste preference to find your perfect cup.
Post-Brew Dilution: Cold brew is often a concentrate, so dilute it with water or milk after brewing to achieve your desired strength and taste.
Avoid Over-Steeping: Steeping for more than 24 hours can extract undesirable, bitter, and woody flavors from the grounds.

Optimal Cold Brew Steeping: Finding Your Sweet Spot

For many coffee enthusiasts, cold brew is the gold standard for a smooth, low-acid coffee experience. However, achieving that perfect, mellow flavor relies heavily on one crucial factor: time. The optimal brewing time for cold brew is not one-size-fits-all, but rather a spectrum influenced by several variables. The most commonly cited range for steeping cold brew is 12 to 24 hours. This extended period, as opposed to the quick extraction of hot brewing, is what yields the signature smoothness and minimizes bitterness.

The Influence of Temperature

Temperature plays a direct and significant role in the extraction rate. Brewing at different temperatures will alter the required steeping duration to achieve a balanced flavor.

Room Temperature (8-12 hours): Steeping your cold brew at room temperature accelerates the extraction process. This method provides a rich flavor in a shorter timeframe but also requires closer monitoring to prevent over-extraction, which can lead to bitter notes.
Refrigerator (12-24 hours): Brewing in the fridge is the more common and forgiving method. The colder temperature slows down extraction, allowing for a longer, more gradual infusion. This results in a consistently smooth and less acidic concentrate. For many, an 18-hour steep in the fridge hits the perfect balance of flavor and strength.

Grind Size Matters

Beyond temperature, the coarseness of your coffee grounds is another critical factor. The long brewing time of cold brew is why a coarse grind is almost always recommended. A grind size similar to coarse cornmeal or sea salt is ideal. Using a finer grind, like the one for drip coffee, can lead to over-extraction and a gritty, muddy texture.

The Art of Experimentation

Ultimately, the 'best' time is subjective and depends on your palate. The perfect batch of cold brew is a result of trial and error. Starting with a standard 12-hour steep in the fridge is a great baseline. If you find the resulting brew is too weak, extend the time by a few hours on your next batch. Conversely, if it's too strong or bitter, shorten the steeping time. Many home brewers discover their sweet spot is somewhere between 16 and 20 hours.

Time vs. Temperature: A Comparison


Feature	Fridge Steep (12-24 hours)	Room Temperature Steep (8-12 hours)
Extraction Speed	Slow and gradual	Faster and more intense
Ideal Steep Time	18+ hours for optimal balance	8-12 hours to avoid bitterness
Flavor Profile	Smoother, more mellow, less acidic	Can be richer but risks more bitterness
Control	Higher control, more forgiving	Less forgiving, requires careful timing
Storage	Conveniently chills as it brews	Must be chilled after straining
Recommended For	Beginners and those seeking a classic cold brew flavor	Experienced brewers who can closely monitor extraction

How to Create Your Perfect Brew

Follow these steps to make your own delicious cold brew:

Use a coarse grind: This is essential for proper extraction and preventing a muddy result.
Combine coffee and water: Use a 1:4 to 1:5 ratio of coffee to water. For example, 1 cup of grounds for 4 cups of filtered water.
Stir gently: Ensure all grounds are saturated with water.
Steep: Place the covered container in the fridge for 12-24 hours.
Strain: Use a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth to filter out the grounds. For a cleaner brew, you can strain a second time.
Dilute and serve: The resulting concentrate can be diluted with water, milk, or served over ice.

Conclusion

Finding the best time for cold brew coffee is a journey of personal preference. While experts and enthusiasts often recommend a 12 to 24-hour steep, especially when brewing in the refrigerator, factors like grind size and water temperature play a significant role. Experimentation is the key to unlocking your ideal brew. By controlling these variables, you can consistently produce a smooth, rich, and delicious cold brew that perfectly suits your taste. For more detailed brewing tips and techniques, explore resources like the National Coffee Association's guide to cold brew coffee.

Authoritative Source

For a deeper understanding of coffee brewing principles, including cold brew, the National Coffee Association is an authoritative and reliable source. Their resources provide extensive information on various brewing methods and techniques.

National Coffee Association - Cold Brew Coffee Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

A minimum of 12 hours is generally recommended for adequate extraction, especially when brewing in the refrigerator. Steeping for less time can result in an under-extracted, weak brew.

Yes, steeping for longer than 24 hours can lead to over-extraction, which pulls out bitter and undesirable earthy or woody flavors from the coffee grounds.

Yes, lower temperatures slow down the extraction process. Cold brew steeped in the fridge will require a longer time (12-24 hours) than if steeped at room temperature (8-12 hours).

A coarse grind is best for cold brew. Using a fine or medium grind can lead to over-extraction and a gritty final product.

To make your cold brew stronger, you can either increase the steeping time within the 12-24 hour window or adjust the coffee-to-water ratio to use more coffee grounds.

Store your cold brew concentrate in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It is best enjoyed within the first week, though it can last up to two weeks.

Yes, cold brew is brewed with cold or room temperature water over a long period, while iced coffee is hot-brewed coffee that is then chilled.