Step 1: Gather your ingredients. You'll need 1 cup of coarse-ground coffee and 4 cups of cold filtered water. A large jar or pitcher is also essential for steeping your coffee.
Step 2: Combine coffee and water. In your chosen container, add the coarse-ground coffee. Pour the cold filtered water over the coffee grounds, ensuring all grounds are thoroughly saturated. Give it a gentle stir to make sure there are no dry spots.
Step 3: Steep. Cover the container with a lid or plastic wrap and let it steep at room temperature for 12-18 hours. For a stronger concentrate, steep closer to 18 hours. For a milder one, 12-14 hours is sufficient. Avoid steeping longer than 24 hours, as it can start to develop an overly bitter flavor.
Step 4: Strain the concentrate. Once steeping is complete, it's time to separate the concentrate from the grounds. Line a fine-mesh sieve with a cheesecloth or a clean coffee filter and place it over a large bowl or another clean pitcher. Slowly pour the steeped coffee mixture through the lined sieve. Allow it to drip completely, resisting the urge to press on the grounds, which can force fine particles through and make your cold brew cloudy.
Step 5: Store your concentrate. Transfer the finished cold brew concentrate to an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 1-2 weeks.
Step 6: Serve and enjoy! To make a single serving of iced coffee, fill a glass with ice. Pour 1 part cold brew concentrate and 1-2 parts cold filtered water or milk of your choice (adjust to your preferred strength). Add any sweeteners or flavorings you desire. Stir well and savor your perfectly crafted homemade iced coffee!