Forget plain iced coffee — this drink bubbles with personality. Cold brew meets fizzy soda water for a lively, refreshing boost. Read the full recipe to see how to build this café-style sparkler at home.
DIY Cold Brew Soda
There’s something about mixing slow-steeped coffee with bubbles that just works. But you’ll want to have the right equipment and ingredients lined up if you want that crisp, balanced result.
Equipment
Brewing, straining, serving—you’ll need a few basics. A French press or a big jar gets the job done for steeping. Fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth? Definitely helps keep things smooth. If you like accuracy, a coffee scale is handy for getting your ratios right.
Don’t forget to chill your soda water ahead of time. Cold, fizzy water is key. Tall glasses show off the bubbles and keep the drink lively. If you want your drink extra cold, toss in some ice or even a few whiskey stones if you’re feeling fancy.
Quick List
- Large jar or French press
- Fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth
- Coffee scale
- Measuring cup
- Chilled soda water
- Glasses or tumblers
- Ice cubes
Ingredients
Freshness makes a difference here. Filtered water and freshly ground beans are the way to go. Medium to dark roast seems to work best for flavor. For a typical batch, you’ll want:
- 100 grams (about 1 cup) coarsely ground coffee
- 1 liter (about 4 cups) cold filtered water
- 250 ml (about 1 cup) chilled soda water
- Ice cubes as needed
- Optional: 1-2 tablespoons simple syrup or vanilla syrup
- Optional: Lemon peel or orange slice for garnish
Grinding your beans right before brewing? That’s the move. Play around with syrup or citrus until it tastes just right for you.
Instructions
Steep, strain, and mix—here’s how it comes together:
- Put 100 grams of ground coffee into your jar or French press.
- Add 1 liter of cold filtered water.
- Stir it up so all the grounds get wet.
- Cover and let it hang out in the fridge for 12-18 hours.
- Strain through mesh or cheesecloth to get rid of the grounds.
- Fill a tall glass with ice (as much as you like).
- Pour in about 100 ml of cold brew concentrate.
- Top it off with chilled soda water (start with 60 ml, adjust to taste).
- If you’re into sweet, add some syrup.
- Give it a gentle stir and maybe toss on a citrus garnish.
Keep the concentrate cold so the drink stays fizzy and bright.
Tasting Notes
It’s a little surprising at first—smooth coffee flavor, bright bubbles, and almost no acidity. The carbonation lifts everything, making it feel light and lively.
Depending on your beans, you might catch chocolate or nutty hints. Soda water tones down the richness and adds its own subtle sweetness. Citrus or syrup just takes it further, adding a little aroma and extra depth. Even as the ice melts, it doesn’t get bitter or heavy.
It’s the kind of drink that wakes you up without weighing you down. Sometimes I like it stronger, sometimes a bit sweeter—honestly, it’s fun to tweak for whatever mood you’re in.
Quick Pro Tips
Medium or dark roast beans? Absolutely—those give your cold brew soda a deeper, more satisfying flavor. Skip the flavored or oily beans, though. Trust me, they can throw the whole thing off.
Filtered water makes a difference, and honestly, using it fresh is just better. If you’ve got a little time, chill your glass ahead of time—your fizz will stick around longer. When it’s time to add the soda water, pour it slow and steady so you don’t lose all those bubbles right away.
Use a spoon to mix things up, not a shaker. Shaking just kills the fizz. Sweetener? Maybe, but start small—you can always add more, but you can’t take it out once it’s in.
Try out a few different beans if you’re curious; even minor changes can really shift the flavor or mouthfeel. And honestly, it’s just best when it’s fresh—don’t let it sit around too long.
