Making Dunkin’ Donuts Cold Brew At Home

Quick answer

• Use a coarse grind for your coffee beans.
• Steep coffee grounds in cold water for 12-24 hours.
• Strain the concentrate thoroughly.
• Dilute the concentrate with water or milk to taste.
• Use good quality, fresh beans for the best flavor.
• Keep your brewing equipment clean.

Who this is for

• You’re a Dunkin’ Donuts fan who loves their cold brew.
• You want to save some cash by making it yourself.
• You’re ready to get your hands a little dirty in the kitchen.

What to check first

Brewer type and filter type

Most folks making cold brew at home use a simple pitcher or jar. Some fancy dedicated cold brew makers exist, but a Mason jar works just fine. Whatever you use, make sure it’s clean. For filtering, cheesecloth, a fine-mesh sieve, or even a French press can do the trick. Just aim for something that catches the grounds without letting too much sediment through.

While a Mason jar works, a dedicated glass pitcher can make the process even easier. Consider a durable glass pitcher for your cold brew.

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Water quality and temperature

Tap water can sometimes mess with your coffee’s flavor. If your tap water tastes funky, try filtered water. For cold brew, you’re using cold water, not hot. That’s the whole point. Room temperature is okay, but straight-up cold from the fridge is even better.

Grind size and coffee freshness

This is a big one for cold brew. You want a coarse grind. Think sea salt, not table salt. Too fine a grind will lead to over-extraction and a bitter, sludgy mess. Freshly ground beans are always best, but for cold brew, the grind size is more critical than for hot coffee.

Coffee-to-water ratio

This is where you dial in your strength. A common starting point is a 1:4 ratio of coffee to water by weight. So, for every ounce of coffee, use four ounces of water. You can adjust this later based on how strong you like it. Remember, you’re making a concentrate first.

Cleanliness/descale status

Seriously, clean your gear. Old coffee oils can turn your delicious cold brew into something bitter and stale. If you’ve got a machine that uses heat, make sure it’s descaled according to the manufacturer’s instructions. For simple cold brew, a good scrub with soap and water is usually enough.

Step-by-step (brew workflow)

1. Measure your coffee beans.

• What it looks like: You have your beans ready to go. For a standard 32 oz jar, aim for about 8 oz of whole beans.
• Common mistake: Eyeballing it. This leads to inconsistent results. Use a scale if you can, or at least a consistent measuring cup.

2. Grind the coffee beans.

• What it looks like: Coarse, even grounds. Like breadcrumbs or coarse sand.
• Common mistake: Grinding too fine. This will make your cold brew bitter and hard to strain. Use a burr grinder if possible for consistency.

3. Combine coffee grounds and water.

• What it looks like: The grounds are fully saturated with cold water in your container.
• Common mistake: Not fully wetting the grounds. Stir gently to make sure all the coffee grounds are in contact with the water.

4. Stir gently.

• What it looks like: All the grounds are wet and mixed evenly.
• Common mistake: Over-stirring. You don’t want to agitate it too much, just ensure saturation.

5. Cover and steep.

• What it looks like: Your container is sealed and sitting on the counter or in the fridge.
• Common mistake: Leaving it uncovered. This lets in dust and can affect flavor.

6. Steep for 12-24 hours.

• What it looks like: Time has passed. The water will be dark brown.
• Common mistake: Steeping for too short or too long. 12 hours is a good starting point for lighter roasts, 24 for darker. Experiment to find your sweet spot.

7. Prepare to strain.

• What it looks like: You have your straining setup ready – cheesecloth, sieve, or French press.
• Common mistake: Not having a plan. Trying to strain without the right tools is a mess.

8. Strain the coffee concentrate.

• What it looks like: Liquid coffee is separating from the grounds.
• Common mistake: Rushing the process. Let gravity do its thing. Squeezing cheesecloth too hard can push fine sediment through.

9. Double-strain if needed.

• What it looks like: The liquid is clear of most sediment.
• Common mistake: Settling for a muddy brew. If there’s still a lot of grit, strain it again through a finer filter.

10. Dilute to taste.

• What it looks like: Your final cup of cold brew.
• Common mistake: Drinking the concentrate straight. This stuff is potent! Start with a 1:1 ratio of concentrate to water or milk and adjust.

11. Serve over ice.

• What it looks like: A refreshing cold drink.
• Common mistake: Not using enough ice. Cold brew is meant to be cold, so don’t skimp.

12. Store leftovers properly.

• What it looks like: Your cold brew concentrate in a sealed container in the fridge.
• Common mistake: Leaving it out. Cold brew concentrate should be refrigerated and is best consumed within a week.

Common mistakes (and what happens if you ignore them)

Mistake	What it causes	Fix
Using pre-ground coffee	Weak, underdeveloped flavor; muddy texture	Grind beans fresh, just before brewing.
Grind too fine	Bitter taste, over-extraction, sediment in cup	Use a coarse grind; think sea salt.
Not steeping long enough	Weak, watery, sour coffee	Steep for at least 12 hours; up to 24 for darker roasts.
Steeping for too long	Bitter, harsh, unpleasant taste	Stick to the 12-24 hour range; taste test at 12 and 18 hours.
Using hot water	Negates the cold brew process, leads to bitterness	Always use cold or room temperature water.
Not stirring to saturate grounds	Uneven extraction, weak spots, sour notes	Gently stir to ensure all grounds are wet.
Rushing the straining process	Sediment in your cup, gritty texture	Let it drip; avoid squeezing cheesecloth aggressively.
Not cleaning equipment	Rancid flavors, stale coffee	Wash your brewing vessel and filters thoroughly after each use.
Drinking concentrate straight	Overpowering bitterness, stomach ache	Dilute with water or milk; start with a 1:1 ratio.
Using poor quality beans	Flat, uninteresting, or off flavors	Use fresh, quality beans; experiment with different roasts.
Not storing concentrate properly	Flavor degrades quickly, potential spoilage	Refrigerate in a sealed container; consume within about a week.

Decision rules (simple if/then)

• If your cold brew tastes bitter, then try a coarser grind because fine grounds over-extract.
• If your cold brew tastes weak, then steep it for longer or use more coffee because it needs more extraction time or coffee-to-water ratio adjustment.
• If you see a lot of sediment in your cup, then strain it again through a finer filter because your initial filter wasn’t fine enough.
• If your cold brew tastes sour, then check your steep time; it might not be long enough because sourness can indicate under-extraction.
• If you’re short on time, then don’t attempt cold brew because it requires a long steeping period.
• If your tap water tastes off, then use filtered water because water quality significantly impacts coffee flavor.
• If you prefer a bolder flavor, then increase the coffee-to-water ratio in your next batch because more coffee means a stronger concentrate.
• If you want a smoother, less acidic cup, then stick with cold brew because the cold water extraction process inherently produces less acidity.
• If your cold brew has an off-putting smell or taste, then clean your brewing equipment thoroughly because old coffee oils go rancid.
• If you’re making a large batch, then use a dedicated cold brew maker or a large pitcher because a small container will be difficult to strain.
• If you’re sensitive to caffeine, then be aware that cold brew concentrate can be highly caffeinated; dilute it well because caffeine levels are concentrated.

FAQ

How long does Dunkin’ Donuts cold brew take to make?

It takes 12 to 24 hours to steep the coffee concentrate. After that, diluting and serving is quick.

What kind of coffee beans should I use for Dunkin’ Donuts cold brew?

Dunkin’ uses their own signature blend, but you can use any medium to dark roast coffee beans. Freshly roasted beans will give you the best flavor.

Can I use a regular coffee maker for cold brew?

No, a regular drip coffee maker is designed for hot water. You need a method that allows for steeping grounds in cold water over time.

How do I make my cold brew less bitter?

Ensure you’re using a coarse grind and not steeping for too long. Also, make sure your water quality is good and your equipment is clean.

What’s the best way to store cold brew concentrate?

Keep it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It’s best consumed within a week for optimal flavor.

How much concentrate should I use per cup?

A good starting point is a 1:1 ratio of concentrate to water or milk. You can adjust this to your preference – more concentrate for stronger, less for weaker.

Why is my cold brew cloudy?

This is usually due to a grind that’s too fine or insufficient straining. Try a coarser grind and strain through a finer mesh or cheesecloth.

Can I add milk or sugar to my cold brew?

Absolutely. Cold brew is a base, so add milk, cream, sweetener, or flavorings to create your perfect drink, just like at Dunkin’.

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

• Specific Dunkin’ Donuts flavor syrup recipes. (Look for barista recipe blogs.)
• The science behind coffee extraction and acidity. (Explore coffee brewing forums or academic articles.)
• Detailed reviews of specific cold brew makers. (Check out coffee gear review sites.)
• Comparisons of different coffee bean origins for cold brew. (Visit specialty coffee roaster websites.)
• Advanced techniques like nitro cold brew. (Search for “how to make nitro cold brew at home.”)