A Complete Guide to Cold Brew Coffee Concentrate

Ever wished you could have a perfectly smooth, rich coffee ready in an instant, whether you want it hot or cold? That’s the magic of cold brew coffee concentrate. It's a powerful, undiluted coffee elixir, made by slowly steeping coarse coffee grounds in cold water for 12 to 24 hours.

This guide gives you practical, actionable advice to master making and using this versatile coffee base, perfect for both busy cafés and home coffee lovers.

What is Cold Brew Coffee Concentrate?

Think of cold brew concentrate as a coffee cordial. Just as you add water or lemonade to a fruit cordial, you simply dilute this coffee base with water or milk to create your finished drink. It’s a game-changer for bustling cafés and home brewers alike.

The long, gentle steeping process changes the flavour extraction. Hot brewing can pull out sharp, acidic compounds and bitterness. Cold brewing is patient, coaxing out a profile that is incredibly smooth, naturally sweet, and noticeably less acidic.

For many, this means it’s much easier on the stomach. But for everyone, it delivers a deep, almost chocolatey flavour that holds its own perfectly when diluted, making it an ideal foundation for countless drinks.

Why Should I Use a Concentrate?

The appeal of this potent liquid is its incredible versatility and efficiency. It acts as a powerful foundation for a huge range of drinks, helping you speed up service without compromising on quality.

Here’s why it’s become so popular:

• Speed and Efficiency: Pour a perfect iced coffee in seconds. Just add your concentrate, dilute, and serve—a massive help during the morning rush.
• Flavour Consistency: Every pour from the same batch has the same smooth, balanced flavour. This guarantees your customers get the same great drink every time.
• Versatile Menu: It’s much more than just iced coffee. Use it as a base for lattes (hot or cold), frappés, cocktails, and even desserts or glazes.

This isn't a niche trend. The UK cold brew market was valued at USD 274.12 million in 2024 and is forecast to reach USD 1632.19 million by 2033. This growth shows a real shift in what customers want: smoother, more convenient coffee options. You can dive deeper into the data on the UK's cold brew market trends to see how fast it's expanding.

Why Concentrate Is a Game-Changer for Your Business

Cold brew coffee concentrate is a secret weapon for efficiency and consistency in a busy café. For home coffee lovers, it’s about getting coffee-shop quality without the faff or the price tag.

Imagine the morning rush. Instead of grinding beans and pulling shots for every iced coffee, your team can just pour, dilute, and serve. This is a massive leap in speed. Queues get shorter, customers get happier, and the whole operation runs smoother.

Concentrate also means the iced latte a customer raved about on Monday will taste exactly the same on Friday, no matter who's on the bar. That kind of consistency builds trust and keeps people coming back.

Boost Your Efficiency and Profitability

In any café, every second and every gram of coffee counts. Cold brew concentrate optimises both, feeding directly into your bottom line. By brewing one large, controlled batch, you slash the waste from unsold drip coffee and reduce pressure on your team during peak hours.

This streamlined workflow does more than save time—it builds a more profitable menu. With less labour tied up in each drink and virtually zero waste, the profit margin on every cold coffee gets a healthy boost. To dig deeper, have a look at our guide on how to build a profitable coffee menu for your business.

By making one large batch of concentrate, a café can serve hundreds of consistently high-quality cold drinks with minimal effort per serving. This turns a high-demand product into a low-labour profit centre.

Since 2015, the UK cold brew scene has exploded from a niche curiosity into a menu essential. The market is on track to grow significantly as more customers seek out great-tasting iced drinks, fast. You can read more about the UK's cold brew market growth to see how big the opportunity is.

The Home Barista Advantage

The benefits don't stop at the café door. A bottle of concentrate in the fridge is your ticket to instant coffee gratification at home.

• Unbeatable Convenience: Your morning coffee is ready as fast as you can pour it. Just add cold water or milk for an iced coffee, or hot water for a surprisingly smooth hot brew.
• Creative Freedom: Use it as a blank canvas. Whip up lattes, frappés, or coffee cocktails in seconds, without needing a fancy espresso machine.
• Cost Savings: Brewing your own or buying concentrate in bulk from a supplier like ADS Coffee Supplies is far kinder on your wallet than a daily coffee shop run.

Ultimately, whether for a bustling office or your own kitchen, cold brew concentrate is a smarter way to do coffee. It delivers on flavour, speed, and versatility.

How to Make Cold Brew Coffee Concentrate: Ratios and Dilution

The secret to incredible cold brew is understanding two key numbers: the brew ratio and the dilution ratio. The brew ratio is the blueprint for your potent coffee base, and the dilution ratio is how you finish it to perfection.

First, the brew ratio. This defines the strength of your cold brew coffee concentrate by setting the proportion of coffee grounds to water during steeping. A punchy 1:4 ratio (one part coffee to four parts water, by weight) gives you a thick, syrupy concentrate. A milder 1:8 ratio creates a less intense base.

Once your concentrate is made, it’s time for dilution. This is where you add liquid—water, milk, or a plant-based alternative—to transform that powerful elixir into a beautifully balanced drink.

Finding Your Perfect Brew Ratio

There’s no single ‘correct’ brew ratio; it depends on your beans and desired result. A fantastic all-rounder is a 1:5 ratio. For every 100 grams of coffee, use 500 grams (or 500ml) of water.

This creates a strong, robust concentrate that stands up brilliantly to dilution. Remember to use a coarse grind for your beans—it's essential for a clean, smooth extraction without bitterness. If you need a refresher, check our guide on how to grind your coffee beans.

For a café, getting this right is non-negotiable. Knowing how to scale a recipe is key to ensuring every large batch tastes just as good as the first.

Your Guide to Cold Brew Concentrate Dilution

Diluting your concentrate is where the fun begins. The ratio you choose completely changes the final drink.

Use this quick reference table as your starting point, and don’t be afraid to tweak the numbers to find what works for you.

These ratios are your launchpad, not strict rules. Now, it's time to make them your own.

Experiment with Confidence

The beauty of cold brew concentrate is its flexibility. A dark, chocolatey roast might taste best at a 1:3 dilution for an iced coffee, while a fruity single-origin bean could shine at 1:2.

Don't be afraid to experiment. The best ratio is the one that tastes best to you or your customers. Start with our recommendations, taste, and adjust. This process is key to mastering your unique cold brew.

For example, when making a cold brew latte, start with a 1:1 ratio. If the coffee flavour is too strong, dial it back to 1:1.5 next time. If it’s not punchy enough, try a stronger mix. This simple adjustment empowers you to serve a perfectly balanced drink, every time.

Creative Recipes to Inspire Your Menu

Once your cold brew coffee concentrate ratios are dialled in, a world of flavour opens up. This potent base can elevate your entire drinks menu and even sneak into the kitchen, helping you craft complex drinks in a fraction of the time.

Whether you're looking to wow customers in your café or treat guests at home, these ideas show just how versatile a good concentrate can be.

This quick guide is a great visual reminder of the key brew and dilution ratios we've talked about.

Nailing these ratios is the first step. After that, it’s all about experimenting and having fun.

Classic Cold Brew Latte

A cold brew latte is a café staple for a reason. It’s smoother and richer than its espresso-based cousin, with none of the sharp acidity. Best of all, it's incredibly simple.

Ingredients:

• 60ml Cold Brew Concentrate
• 60ml Milk (dairy or plant-based alternatives like oat or almond work beautifully)
• Ice

Instructions:

1. Fill a tall glass to the brim with ice.
2. Pour the cold brew concentrate over the ice.
3. Slowly top with your chosen milk for that gorgeous cascading effect. Stir gently before serving.

Rich Mocha Frappé

Using concentrate for a frappé guarantees a bold coffee flavour that won’t get watered down. The key to an authentic taste is pairing it with a quality chocolate sauce.

Ingredients:

• 60ml Cold Brew Concentrate
• 120ml Milk
• 2 pumps of quality chocolate sauce
• A large cup of ice
• Whipped cream and chocolate shavings to finish

Instructions:

1. Combine the concentrate, milk, chocolate sauce, and ice in a blender.
2. Blend on high until the mixture is completely smooth and thick.
3. Pour into a tall glass, top with a generous swirl of whipped cream, and finish with chocolate shavings.

For more ideas, check out our guide to the best syrups for iced coffee, frappés, and cold brews to find the perfect flavour pairing.

Sophisticated Cold Brew Negroni

Coffee cocktails are a brilliant way to add a signature drink to your menu. The natural sweetness and low acidity of cold brew concentrate make it a fantastic partner for spirits.

Ingredients:

• 30ml Cold Brew Concentrate
• 30ml Gin
• 30ml Campari
• 15ml Sweet Vermouth
• Orange peel, for garnish

Instructions:

1. Fill a mixing glass with plenty of ice.
2. Add the concentrate, gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth.
3. Stir gently for about 20-30 seconds until perfectly chilled.
4. Strain the mixture into a rocks glass over a large ice cube.
5. Twist the orange peel over the drink to release its oils, then drop it in as a garnish.

Beyond the Glass: Coffee-Infused Glaze

Don’t limit your concentrate to drinks. Its intense flavour is an amazing addition to marinades, sauces, and desserts. This simple barbecue glaze adds a deep, smoky richness that is fantastic on ribs or chicken.

Ingredients:

• 60ml Cold Brew Concentrate
• 120ml Ketchup
• 60ml Brown Sugar
• 30ml Apple Cider Vinegar
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire Sauce

Instructions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a small saucepan.
2. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
3. Lower the heat and let it bubble for 10-15 minutes, or until it has thickened.

Choosing the Best Coffee for Cold Brew Concentrate

The secret to an incredible cold brew coffee concentrate starts with the beans. The gentle cold brew method is brilliant at pulling out the deep, rounded flavours locked inside medium and dark roasts. Think rich chocolate, smooth caramel, and toasted nuts—the perfect profile for a naturally sweet, low-acid concentrate.

How to Select Beans for a Superior Brew

The goal is to find a coffee with natural sweetness and a full body. This gives your concentrate the backbone it needs to stand up to dilution. Single-origin beans from places like Brazil or Colombia are fantastic starting points, as they naturally carry those classic chocolatey and nutty profiles.

When choosing beans, look for these tasting notes:

• Chocolatey: Delivers that rich, comforting flavour.
• Nutty: Adds a wonderfully smooth, mellow character.
• Caramel or Toffee: Lends a natural sweetness, reducing the need for added sugar.
• Low Acidity: This is the hallmark of great cold brew, giving it a silky-smooth finish.

If you want to go deeper into how roasts and origins shape the final taste, our guide on how to choose coffee beans is a great place to start.

Our Top Coffee Picks for Your Concentrate

To make life easier, we’ve rounded up a few of our favourite coffees that make an outstanding cold brew concentrate, chosen for their fantastic flavour and consistency.

The popularity of ready-to-drink (RTD) cold brew shows how much people love this smoother coffee style. The UK market saw a massive 60% growth in RTD cold brew between 2021 and 2024, driven by a demand for convenience and superior taste.

Ultimately, the ‘best’ coffee is the one you like most. But if you start with a high-quality, medium-to-dark roast bean, you’re on the right track to creating a cold brew coffee concentrate you'll be proud to serve.

Proper Storage to Preserve Peak Flavour

Once you’ve nailed your perfect cold brew coffee concentrate, you need to protect that smooth, rich flavour. This liquid gold is perishable, so getting the storage right is a non-negotiable for quality and food safety.

The two golden rules are simple: keep it cold and keep it airtight. As soon as your brew is filtered, it needs to go into a clean, sealed container and straight into the fridge. Oxygen and warmth are the enemies here and will quickly break down the delicate flavour compounds.

How Long Does Concentrate Last?

Stored correctly in the fridge, your cold brew coffee concentrate should stay fresh for up to two weeks. After the 14-day mark, you’ll notice the bright, nuanced flavours starting to fade, becoming duller and more acidic.

For a business, this two-week window is perfect for managing stock without creating waste. It means you can brew large, cost-effective batches that will reliably serve customers for days.

How to Spot When It's Past Its Best

Your senses are the best tool for checking if your concentrate is still good. Here are the tell-tale signs to look for:

• A Sour or "Off" Smell: Fresh concentrate should have a rich, sweet coffee aroma. Any sharp or rancid smells are a clear sign it's time to pour it away.
• A Watery or Stale Taste: If your diluted coffee tastes weak or bland, the concentrate has lost its magic.
• Visible Mould: This is crucial. If you spot any signs of mould, the entire batch must be thrown out immediately.

A great brew deserves to be served at its best. Always trust your senses. If you have any doubt about the freshness of your concentrate, it’s always safest to start a new batch.

For cafés, diligence is key. Use a clear labelling system for every batch. Each container needs the brew date and a "use by" date (14 days later). This simple habit guarantees you’re meeting food safety standards and ensures every customer gets a fresh, high-quality drink.

Your Cold Brew Concentrate Questions Answered

Here, we’ll tackle the most common queries about cold brew coffee concentrate, giving you the confidence to brew, store, and serve like a pro.

How much caffeine is in cold brew concentrate?

Undiluted concentrate is strong and packs a serious caffeine punch. The exact amount depends on your coffee-to-water ratio and the beans used, but it's significantly more potent than an average cup of coffee.

This is why we dilute it. Once diluted to a drinkable strength (e.g., a 1:2 ratio), a typical serving has a caffeine level similar to, or slightly higher than, a hot coffee of the same size. The result is a smooth, sustained energy boost without the jitters.

Can I use cold brew concentrate to make hot coffee?

Absolutely! It's one of its most popular uses. You can make a beautifully smooth, low-acid hot coffee in seconds—perfect for anyone who finds traditionally brewed coffee a bit harsh.

Just dilute the concentrate with hot water instead of cold. A quick tip: use water that’s hot but not boiling. Pouring boiling water onto the concentrate can scorch its delicate, sweet flavours.

For a fantastic hot coffee, a 1:3 ratio of concentrate to hot water is a great place to start. It gives you a balanced, full-bodied cup that really shows off the natural sweetness from the cold brewing process.

What's the best grind size for making concentrate?

A coarse grind is non-negotiable. You’re looking for a texture similar to coarse sea salt. This larger grind size is vital for two key reasons.

First, it allows water to circulate freely around the grounds during the long steep, leading to a better and more even flavour extraction. Second, it makes filtering much cleaner. A fine grind will result in a cloudy, silty concentrate that tastes unpleasantly bitter from over-extraction.

Is it cheaper to make my own concentrate?

Yes, almost always. Brewing your own is far more cost-effective than buying pre-made bottles or a daily cold brew from a coffee shop. The real savings come from buying quality whole beans in bulk, which slashes your cost per serving.

While there’s a small time investment upfront, the process is incredibly simple. For a café, that translates directly to healthier profit margins. For home brewers, it means enjoying a premium coffee experience for a fraction of the high street price.

Ready to find the perfect beans for your next batch of cold brew concentrate? At ADS Coffee Supplies, we’ve curated a selection of beans and supplies to help you create an unforgettable coffee experience. Browse our full range and discover your new favourite at https://ads-coffee-supplies.co.uk.