Say goodbye to boring iced coffee. Cold brew is smoother, stronger, and way more versatile—and these 20 recipes will show you just how creative (and delicious) your mornings can be.
Classic Cold Brew Coffee
Classic cold brew coffee is simple to make at home. Using this method, you get a smooth, less acidic drink. The process is straightforward and requires little equipment.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup coarsely ground coffee beans
- 4 cups cold, filtered water
Instructions:
- Combine the coffee grounds and water in a large jar or pitcher.
- Stir to make sure the grounds are fully saturated.
- Cover and refrigerate for 12 to 18 hours.
- Strain the mixture using a fine mesh sieve, cheesecloth, or a coffee filter.
- Serve over ice. Add milk or sweetener if you like.
Store your cold brew in the fridge for up to one week. Adjust the coffee-to-water ratio for a stronger or lighter flavor. This method keeps your coffee ready for any busy morning.
Vanilla Bean Cold Brew
Vanilla bean cold brew is a flavorful twist on classic cold brew coffee. You get a smooth, lightly sweet drink at home with simple ingredients. The main keyword, “vanilla bean cold brew,” appears right away for clarity.
You can make this recipe in your kitchen without special equipment. It uses real vanilla bean for an authentic flavor.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup coarsely ground coffee
- 4 cups cold filtered water
- 1 vanilla bean, split and scraped
- 2-3 tablespoons simple syrup (optional)
- Milk or half and half, to taste
Instructions:
- Add ground coffee and vanilla bean (split and scraped) to a large jar or French press.
- Pour in the cold water. Stir to combine.
- Cover and refrigerate for 12-18 hours.
- Strain using a fine mesh strainer or French press.
- Serve over ice. Add simple syrup and milk if desired.
For a stronger vanilla flavor, let the vanilla bean steep with the coffee the entire time. You can use vanilla bean syrup for extra sweetness. Adjust milk or sweetener to your preference.
Cinnamon Cold Brew
Cinnamon cold brew offers a new twist on classic cold brew coffee. You can easily create a cinnamon-infused drink at home using simple ingredients. The flavor is smooth, mellow, and gently spicy.
You only need a few pantry items. Here’s what you need for one batch:
- 1 cup coarsely ground coffee
- 3.5 cups cold filtered water
- 1 cinnamon stick (about 3 inches)
- Optional: 1-2 teaspoons simple syrup or maple syrup
Follow these steps for the best flavor:
- Place the coarsely ground coffee in a large jar or pitcher.
- Add the cinnamon stick.
- Pour cold water over the coffee and cinnamon.
- Stir gently to combine.
- Cover and steep in the refrigerator for 12 to 18 hours.
- Strain using a fine mesh sieve or coffee filter.
Pour your cinnamon cold brew over ice. Add sweetener or a splash of milk if you want a creamier drink. The cinnamon gives a warm, subtle spice without overpowering the coffee.
Try adjusting the cinnamon strength by using more or less cinnamon stick. Use maple syrup for a mild sweet flavor that pairs well with cinnamon. For a stronger brew, increase the coffee grounds.
Enjoy your homemade cinnamon cold brew anytime you want a smooth, refreshing coffee with a hint of spice.
Mocha Cold Brew
Mocha cold brew brings together chocolate and smooth cold brew coffee. You can enjoy a homemade version with only a few simple ingredients.
Making mocha cold brew at home is fast and simple. You do not need special equipment to create a satisfying drink.
Here’s one easy recipe:
Ingredients:
- 4 ounces cold brew coffee
- 2 tablespoons chocolate syrup
- 1 tablespoon caramel syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/8 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
- 2 ounces water
- Ice
Instructions:
- Add all ingredients to a glass.
- Stir until the syrups and extracts dissolve.
- Fill the glass with ice.
- Taste and adjust sweetness as you like.
For a classic café-style mocha cold brew, you can use the following:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup cold brew coffee
- 1/2 cup milk (dairy or oat milk)
- 2 tablespoons chocolate syrup
- Ice
Instructions:
- Mix the cold brew and chocolate syrup until smooth.
- Add milk and mix again.
- Pour over ice and serve.
You can top your mocha cold brew with a small amount of vanilla cold foam. This adds a creamy texture and extra flavor. Use oat milk if you prefer a dairy-free option.
Coconut Cold Brew
Coconut cold brew is a smooth, tropical twist on regular cold brew coffee. You get a mellow coffee flavor with creamy coconut and a hint of sweetness.
To make this recipe, you need just a few ingredients. You can serve it over ice for a refreshing drink.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup cold brew concentrate
- 1/2 cup coconut cream, chilled
- 1-2 teaspoons maple syrup or agave (optional)
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Ice
Instructions:
- Fill your glass with ice.
- Pour cold brew concentrate over the ice.
- In a separate cup, mix coconut cream, vanilla extract, and sweetener (if using) until smooth.
- Slowly pour the coconut cream mixture over the cold brew.
- Top with an extra splash of coconut cream if you want it creamier.
If you want a thicker texture, you can add 1 teaspoon of chia seeds or a spoonful of coconut yogurt to the cream mix. For the best result, chill your glass and cold brew first. The coconut cream can melt quickly if the drink gets too warm.
Try stirring before drinking to blend the flavors. Adjust the sweetness to your liking.
Salted Caramel Cold Brew
Salted caramel cold brew is simple to make at home. This drink blends smooth cold brew coffee with sweet caramel and a hint of salt.
You’ll get a creamy, flavorful coffee that works well over ice. The salted caramel brings a balanced sweetness to the cold brew. It can be enjoyed any time of year.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup cold brew coffee
- 2 tablespoons caramel sauce (plus extra for garnish)
- 1/4 cup milk or cream
- 1/8 teaspoon sea salt
- Ice
Instructions:
- Fill a glass with ice.
- Pour cold brew coffee over the ice.
- Stir in caramel sauce and sea salt until dissolved.
- Add milk or cream slowly.
- Drizzle extra caramel on top, if desired.
A pinch of sea salt lifts the caramel flavor and avoids too much sweetness. Use a milk frother for extra foam if you like café-style drinks. Adjust the level of caramel and salt to fit your taste.
Oat Milk Cold Brew
Oat milk cold brew is easy to make at home. You get a smooth coffee base with a creamy, non-dairy twist. It’s a popular choice if you want a plant-based option.
This drink combines the mellow flavor of cold brew with the subtle sweetness of oat milk. The cold brew keeps the coffee flavor smooth and low in acidity.
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon cold brew concentrate
- 6 ounces oat milk
- 2 tablespoons simple syrup (adjust to taste)
- Ice
Instructions:
- Add 1 tablespoon of cold brew concentrate to your glass.
- Fill the glass with ice.
- Pour 6 ounces of oat milk into a jar with a lid.
- Add 2 tablespoons of simple syrup.
- Shake the oat milk mixture well until foamy.
- Pour the sweetened oat milk over the cold brew and ice. Stir and enjoy.
You can use any oat milk you like, store-bought or homemade. Adjust the sweetness to your preference. Enjoy an oat milk cold brew for a refreshing, dairy-free coffee drink.
Almond Milk Cold Brew
Almond milk cold brew is a smooth, dairy-free iced coffee. You get a great texture and mild flavor that pairs well with most cold brews.
This drink is easy to customize. You can use plain, vanilla, or sweetened almond milk depending on what you prefer.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup cold brew coffee
- 1/2 cup almond milk (plain or vanilla)
- 1-2 tsp simple syrup or sweetener (optional)
- Ice cubes
Instructions:
- Fill a glass with ice.
- Pour in the cold brew coffee.
- Add almond milk slowly for a layered look or stir to combine.
- Mix in a sweetener if you like it sweeter.
For a stronger flavor, freeze cold brew into ice cubes. Use the cubes instead of regular ice to avoid dilution as the drink sits.
Try adding a small amount of flavored creamer or a pinch of cinnamon for extra variety. Almond milk cold brew is ready in minutes and works for busy mornings or easy afternoons.
Nitro-Style Cold Brew
Nitro-style cold brew gives your coffee a creamy, foamy texture.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup coarsely ground coffee
- 4 cups cold filtered water
- Ice, to serve
- Optional: milk or sweetener
- 1 whipped cream dispenser (cream whipper)
- 1 nitrous oxide (N2O) charger
Instructions:
- Add coffee grounds to a jar. Pour in water.
- Stir, cover, and steep in the fridge for 12–16 hours.
- Strain the coffee through a fine mesh sieve or coffee filter.
- Pour the cold brew into the whipped cream dispenser.
- Charge with 1 N2O cartridge and shake well.
- Dispense into a glass over ice.
Nitro-style cold brew looks frothy and smooth. It tastes slightly sweeter than regular cold brew. You can add milk or sweetener, but many enjoy it plain. Using a whipped cream dispenser for this recipe is affordable and easy.
Cold Brew Tonic
Cold brew tonic is a simple and refreshing drink you can make at home. It blends cold brew coffee and tonic water for a fizzy, energizing option.
You get a drink that is cool, slightly bitter, and lightly sweet. The combination is popular in summer, but you can enjoy it all year. If you like unique coffee twists, this is worth trying.
Here’s what you need:
- 3 oz cold brew coffee (store-bought or homemade)
- 4 oz tonic water
- Ice cubes
- Optional: lemon slice or lemon zest
Instructions:
- Fill a glass with ice cubes.
- Pour in the cold brew coffee.
- Add the tonic water slowly to keep the bubbles.
- Stir gently.
- Garnish with a lemon slice or zest if you like.
Try using different tonic waters to change the flavor. Some have floral or citrus notes. You can also add a small amount of simple syrup if you prefer it sweeter.
Cold Brew Lemonade
Cold brew lemonade is a refreshing drink that combines cold brew coffee and lemonade. You get a tangy, bright twist on your usual cold brew recipe. It’s easy to put together with a few ingredients.
To make classic cold brew lemonade, you’ll need:
- 1/2 cup cold brew concentrate
- 1/2 cup sparkling water
- 1/2 cup lemonade
- Ice
- Lemon slice for garnish
Instructions:
- Fill a glass with ice.
- Add cold brew concentrate and sparkling water. Stir gently.
- Top with lemonade.
- Add a lemon slice for garnish.
Another way is to mix equal parts cold brew and lemonade. This method works if you want a stronger citrus taste. You may skip the sparkling water in this case.
For a sweeter version, use the following:
- 3 parts cold brew coffee
- 2 parts lemonade
- 1–2 teaspoons sugar (optional)
Instructions:
- Pour cold brew and lemonade into a glass over ice.
- Add sugar, if you like it sweeter. Stir well.
Cold brew lemonade is served cold, usually without milk or cream. You can adjust the ratios to make it as strong or as mild as you like. Try using fresh lemon juice for more flavor.
Maple Cold Brew
Maple cold brew is a great twist on classic cold brew coffee. The maple syrup adds a natural sweetness and a hint of rich flavor to your drink. You can make this at home in just a few minutes.
For one serving of maple cold brew, you need:
- 1 cup cold brew coffee
- 2 tablespoons milk or cream
- 1–1.5 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- Ice cubes
To make maple cold brew:
- Fill a glass with ice cubes.
- Pour in the cold brew coffee.
- Add the maple syrup and stir until mixed.
- Top with milk or cream. Stir again and serve.
If you want more flavor, try maple cold foam. Whisk 1/4 cup cold milk with 1 tablespoon maple syrup until foamy. Spoon the foam on your drink for a café-style finish.
This recipe is easy to adjust. Add more or less maple syrup to change the sweetness. Use a milk of your choice for different textures.
Cinnamon-Honey Cold Brew
Cinnamon-Honey Cold Brew adds a sweet and spicy twist to your homemade cold brew coffee. You can create this recipe easily at home using a few kitchen staples. This drink blends smooth cold brew with natural honey and fragrant cinnamon.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup coarsely ground coffee
- 2 cups cold water
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 cup ice
- Milk (optional), to taste
Instructions
- Mix ground coffee, water, and the cinnamon stick in a jar or French press.
- Stir well and cover.
- Steep in the fridge for 12 to 16 hours.
- Strain out grounds and cinnamon.
- Pour the cold brew over ice.
- Stir in honey until fully dissolved.
- Add milk if you want a creamier taste.
Enjoy your cinnamon-honey cold brew any time of day. The recipe produces about 2 servings. It offers a natural sweetness with a gentle spice from the cinnamon.
Cold Brew Horchata
Cold Brew Horchata lets you blend a creamy, spiced drink with the bright flavors of cold brew coffee. You get a refreshing, Mexican-inspired twist on classic cold brew.
To make this recipe at home, you need just a few pantry ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup cold brew coffee
- 1 cup unsweetened oat milk (or milk of choice)
- 2 tablespoons simple syrup
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Ice
Instructions:
- Fill a glass with ice.
- Pour 1 cup cold brew coffee over the ice.
- Add 1 cup oat milk.
- Stir in 2 tablespoons simple syrup.
- Sprinkle in the ground cinnamon and add vanilla extract.
- Mix well until combined.
This recipe balances the bold taste of coffee with subtle cinnamon, vanilla, and creamy milk. You can adjust the sweetness or the amount of milk to suit your taste. For a vegan version, always choose plant-based milk.
If you want extra flavor, garnish with a cinnamon stick or dust the top with more cinnamon before serving.
Thai-Style Cold Brew
Thai-style cold brew brings a unique twist to your homemade cold brew drinks. You get a smooth coffee with bold flavors and a creamy finish. Sweetness is balanced by spices like cardamom or almond extract.
You will need a few ingredients to make Thai iced coffee cold brew at home:
Ingredients
- 1 cup cold brew coffee concentrate
- 2 tablespoons sweetened condensed milk
- 2-3 ice cubes
- ¼ teaspoon ground cardamom (optional)
- ¼ teaspoon almond extract (optional)
- 2 tablespoons half and half or milk
Instructions
- Add ice to a tall glass.
- Pour in the cold brew coffee concentrate.
- Stir in sweetened condensed milk until fully dissolved.
- Add cardamom and almond extract if you want extra flavor.
- Top with half and half or milk and stir gently.
The sweetened condensed milk gives this drink a creamy texture. Spices add complexity and a fragrant aroma. You can adjust the sweetness and spice based on what you prefer.
Cold Brew Float
A cold brew float is an easy way to combine cold brew coffee with rich ice cream. You get a refreshing drink with a creamy twist. This recipe is simple and makes use of ingredients you likely have at home.
Try this quick cold brew float recipe:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup cold brew coffee, chilled
- 2 scoops vanilla ice cream
- Optional: 1 tablespoon chocolate syrup or caramel sauce
Instructions:
- Scoop the vanilla ice cream into a tall glass.
- Pour the cold brew coffee over the ice cream slowly.
- Add chocolate syrup or caramel sauce if you like.
- Serve with a spoon and straw.
You can swap vanilla ice cream with chocolate or coffee ice cream for stronger flavors. Add toppings like whipped cream or a dusting of cocoa powder if you want extra flair.
For a dairy-free version, use plant-based ice cream. This cold brew float brings together a sweet treat and a caffeine boost.
Mocha Coconut Cold Brew
Mocha coconut cold brew is a great way to enjoy coffee with chocolate and coconut flavors. You can make this recipe at home with just a few ingredients.
Ingredients:
- 5 oz cold brew coffee
- 1/2 cup coconut milk (lite, full-fat, or refrigerated)
- 2 tbsp chocolate syrup or 1 tbsp zero sugar chocolate pudding mix
- 1 tsp unsweetened cocoa powder (optional)
- Ice cubes
- Sweetener to taste (maple syrup, Swerve, or your choice)
Instructions:
- Add ice to a tall glass.
- Pour in the cold brew coffee.
- Add coconut milk.
- Stir in chocolate syrup or pudding mix until fully combined.
- Mix in any sweetener if desired.
- Top with a teaspoon of unsweetened cocoa powder for a stronger chocolate flavor.
- Stir well and enjoy.
For a creamier drink, blend all the ingredients together before serving. If you want a lighter taste, use less coconut milk.
Cold Brew Affogato
You can make a cold brew affogato at home with only two main ingredients. Cold brew coffee brings out a smoother flavor than hot espresso and pairs well with ice cream. This treat makes a simple dessert or afternoon refreshment.
Affogato means “drowned” in Italian. You’ll pour cold brew coffee over a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The ice cream softens as it mixes with the coffee, creating a creamy texture.
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup cold brew coffee concentrate
- 1-2 scoops vanilla ice cream
Instructions:
- Scoop the ice cream into a small glass or bowl.
- Pour the cold brew over the ice cream.
- Serve immediately. Use a spoon and enjoy before it melts.
If you like, you can try other ice cream flavors. Chocolate or caramel ice cream also works well. For a simple twist, sprinkle crushed nuts or shaved chocolate on top.
This cold brew affogato is quick to prepare. It takes less than five minutes from start to finish. Try it when you want a new way to enjoy cold brew coffee.
Pumpkin Spice Cold Brew
Pumpkin spice cold brew is a popular fall drink you can make at home. You get the autumn flavors as soon as you start sipping. This recipe is simple and uses real pumpkin and spices.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup cold brew coffee
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream or oat milk
- 2 teaspoons pumpkin puree
- 1 to 2 teaspoons brown sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions:
- In a small bowl, whisk together the cream, pumpkin puree, brown sugar, pumpkin pie spice, and vanilla.
- Froth or whisk the mixture until it becomes creamy and smooth.
- Pour the cold brew coffee over ice in a glass.
- Gently top with the pumpkin cream.
- Stir to mix or leave layered.
You can adjust the spice or sweetness to match your taste. Using real pumpkin gives this pumpkin spice cold brew a rich flavor. Enjoy your homemade version anytime, not just in the fall.
Cold Brew Soda
Cold brew soda is a unique way to enjoy your cold brew coffee at home. With cold brew soda, you get a mix of smooth coffee and sparkling refreshment.
You can customize this drink to your taste. The cold brew coffee adds bold flavor, while the fizzy water makes it light.
Here’s a simple cold brew soda recipe:
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup cold brew coffee concentrate
- 1/2 cup seltzer or sparkling water
- 1–2 teaspoons simple syrup (adjust to taste)
- Ice cubes
Instructions:
- Fill a glass with ice cubes.
- Add the cold brew coffee concentrate.
- Pour in the simple syrup and stir.
- Top with seltzer or sparkling water.
- Stir gently and serve right away.
Tips for variations:
- Add a lemon or orange slice for a citrus twist.
- Swap the simple syrup for flavored syrups.
- Try using tonic water for a different taste.
Cold brew soda works as a refreshing afternoon pick-me-up. You can experiment with flavors to find your favorite combination.