Chamberlain Coffee Cold Brew: Homemade Recipe

Quick answer

• Use a coarse grind for best results.
• Steep for 12-24 hours.
• Ratio is key: start with 1:4 coffee to water.
• Filter thoroughly.
• Store in the fridge.
• Taste and adjust for your next batch.

Who this is for

• Anyone who loves Chamberlain Coffee’s cold brew but wants to save cash.
• Campers and outdoor enthusiasts looking for a smooth, easy coffee fix.
• Busy folks who want to prep coffee ahead of time.

What to check first

Brewer type and filter type

This recipe works for most cold brew setups. Think mason jars, French presses, or dedicated cold brew makers. The filter is where the magic happens, or doesn’t. Paper filters can be used, but cheesecloth or a fine-mesh strainer is often better for cold brew to let those oils through.

Water quality and temperature

Good water makes good coffee. If your tap water tastes funky, your cold brew will too. Filtered water is your friend here. You don’t need hot water for cold brew; room temperature or cool water is perfect.

Grind size and coffee freshness

This is a big one for cold brew. You want a coarse grind, like breadcrumbs. Too fine, and you’ll get sludge and over-extraction. Freshly roasted beans are always best, but for cold brew, a few weeks off roast is usually fine.

Coffee-to-water ratio

This is where you dial in your personal taste. A good starting point is 1:4 – that’s one part coffee to four parts water by weight. So, for 8 oz of coffee grounds, use 32 oz of water. You can adjust this later.

Cleanliness/descale status

Nobody wants funky flavors from a dirty brewer. Give your gear a good wash before you start. If you use a machine, make sure it’s descaled according to the manufacturer’s instructions. A clean brewer means clean coffee.

Step-by-step (how to make chamberlain coffee cold brew)

1. Measure your coffee. Grab your Chamberlain Coffee beans. For a 1:4 ratio, if you’re aiming for 32 oz of concentrate, you’ll need 8 oz of coffee grounds.

• What “good” looks like: Accurately measured grounds.
• Common mistake: Guessing the amount. Avoid this by using a scale.

2. Grind your coffee. Set your grinder to a coarse setting. Think coarse sea salt or breadcrumbs.

• What “good” looks like: Even, coarse particles.
• Common mistake: Grinding too fine. This leads to a bitter, sludgy brew.

3. Add grounds to your brewer. Place the coarsely ground coffee into your chosen cold brew maker, French press, or a large jar.

• What “good” looks like: All grounds are in the brewing vessel.
• Common mistake: Leaving grounds stuck to the grinder or counter. Brush them in.

4. Add water. Pour filtered, room-temperature water over the grounds. Ensure all grounds are saturated. If using a jar, give it a gentle stir to help saturation.

• What “good” looks like: All coffee grounds are wet.
• Common mistake: Not fully saturating the grounds. This leads to uneven extraction.

5. Steep. Cover your brewer and let it sit. The sweet spot is 12-24 hours at room temperature or in the fridge. Longer steeps generally yield a stronger concentrate.

• What “good” looks like: A patient wait.
• Common mistake: Rushing the process. Cold brew needs time.

6. Begin filtering. If using a French press, slowly press the plunger down. If using a jar with cheesecloth or a strainer, carefully pour the liquid through.

• What “good” looks like: Slow, controlled pouring or pressing.
• Common mistake: Pouring too fast, disturbing the grounds.

7. Double filter (optional but recommended). For an extra clean brew, pour the concentrate through a paper coffee filter (like for a pour-over) or a very fine-mesh sieve. This catches any remaining fine particles.

• What “good” looks like: Clearer liquid emerging.
• Common mistake: Using a filter that’s too fine and clogs easily. Be patient.

8. Dilute and serve. Your concentrate is potent. Mix it with water or milk (or your favorite creamer) to taste. A 1:1 or 1:2 ratio of concentrate to liquid is a good starting point. Add ice.

• What “good” looks like: A perfectly balanced drink.
• Common mistake: Drinking the concentrate straight. Ouch.

Common mistakes (and what happens if you ignore them)

Mistake	What it causes	Fix
Using a fine grind	Bitter, muddy coffee; clogged filters	Use a coarse grind (like breadcrumbs).
Incorrect coffee-to-water ratio	Too weak or too strong	Start with 1:4 (coffee:water) by weight and adjust for your taste.
Not fully saturating grounds	Uneven extraction, weak spots	Stir gently after adding water to ensure all grounds are wet.
Steeping for too short a time	Weak, underdeveloped flavor	Steep for at least 12 hours, up to 24 hours.
Steeping for too long	Bitter, over-extracted taste	Stick to the 12-24 hour window. Taste and adjust next time.
Aggressive filtering	Cloudy, silty coffee	Filter slowly and gently. Consider a double filter for clarity.
Using stale coffee beans	Flat, dull flavor	Use beans roasted within the last few months.
Dirty equipment	Off-flavors, funky taste	Clean your brewer and all equipment thoroughly before and after each use.
Using poor water quality	Unpleasant taste in the final brew	Use filtered water. Your coffee will thank you.
Not diluting the concentrate	Overpowering, undrinkable coffee	Always dilute your cold brew concentrate. Start with 1:1 or 1:2 (concentrate:liquid) and adjust.

Decision rules (simple if/then)

• If your cold brew tastes bitter, then you likely used too fine a grind or steeped too long, because these lead to over-extraction.
• If your cold brew tastes weak, then you may need to increase the coffee-to-water ratio or steep for longer, because under-extraction is the likely culprit.
• If your cold brew is cloudy, then your grind might be too fine, or you didn’t filter thoroughly enough, because fine particles are escaping.
• If you’re in a hurry, then cold brew might not be your best option today, because it requires significant steeping time.
• If you want to experiment with flavor, then try adding a cinnamon stick or vanilla bean to the grounds during steeping, because these will infuse their flavor.
• If you notice sediment at the bottom of your container, then you can carefully decant the liquid off the top, because this avoids stirring up the fines.
• If you want a smoother brew, then try a slightly coarser grind and a shorter steep time, because this reduces the chance of bitterness.
• If your concentrate tastes too acidic, then try increasing the steep time slightly or using a slightly finer (but still coarse) grind, because longer contact time can mellow out some acidity.
• If you’re making a large batch, then consider using a dedicated cold brew maker, because they are designed for efficiency and ease of use.
• If you are brewing at home and want to control all variables, then stick to the manual method with a jar and filter, because it offers the most flexibility.

FAQ

What kind of Chamberlain Coffee is best for cold brew?

Any of their roasts can work, but medium to dark roasts often shine in cold brew, offering rich, chocolatey, or nutty notes. Experiment to see what you like!

How long can I store cold brew concentrate?

You can typically store cold brew concentrate in an airtight container in the refrigerator for about 7-10 days. It’s best enjoyed fresh, though.

Can I use hot water to speed up cold brew?

No, that defeats the purpose of cold brew. Using hot water will result in a different brewing method, like pour-over or drip, and will extract different flavors.

Why is my cold brew gritty?

This usually means your grind was too fine, or you didn’t filter it carefully enough. Coarser grounds and a slower, more thorough filtering process will help.

Do I have to use a special cold brew maker?

Nope! A simple mason jar, a French press, or even a pitcher with cheesecloth or a fine-mesh strainer will do the trick. The key is good filtration.

What’s the difference between cold brew concentrate and ready-to-drink cold brew?

Concentrate is a much stronger brew that you dilute with water or milk. Ready-to-drink is already diluted to be consumed as is. This recipe focuses on making concentrate.

How much caffeine is in homemade cold brew?

It can vary a lot based on your coffee-to-water ratio, steep time, and the beans themselves. Generally, cold brew concentrate has more caffeine per ounce than drip coffee.

Can I reuse the coffee grounds?

While you can technically steep them again, the flavor will be significantly weaker and less desirable. It’s best to use fresh grounds for each batch.

What this page does NOT cover (and where to go next)

• Specific Chamberlain Coffee product reviews or comparisons.
• Detailed information on different grinder types.
• Advanced techniques like flash chilling or nitro cold brew.
• Troubleshooting for specific cold brew maker models.