Cold Brew Coffee at Home for 90% Less Than Starbucks

The Problem

You spend $4-5 per cold brew at Starbucks. That's $100+ per month if you drink one daily.

The Hack

Combine 1 cup coarse-ground coffee with 4 cups cold water in a jar. Stir, cover, refrigerate for 12-24 hours. Strain through a coffee filter or fine mesh strainer. Dilute concentrate 1:1 with water or milk.

Why It Works

Cold water extracts flavor slowly and gently, producing a smooth, low-acid concentrate without the bitterness of hot-brewed coffee. The long steep time replaces heat.

Pro Tips

• The concentrate keeps in the fridge for 2 weeks
• Use coarse grounds — fine grounds make it bitter and cloudy
• Dilute 1:1 — the concentrate is STRONG
• One batch makes about 8 servings for ~$0.25 each