So, you’ve accepted that hot coffee isn’t the only worthwhile option and hopped on the cold brew bandwagon — now what?
Why, you start experimenting with your cups of coffee, of course, and you use our favorite cold brew recipes to do it!
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Our list of cold brew drinks spans several flavors, from sweet chocolate to crisp peppermint. So, no matter your personal preferences, we have no doubts that there’s something here that will hit the spot.
What Is Cold Brew vs. Iced Coffee?
First, know that iced coffee and cold brew aren’t the same. Yes, you serve both beverages over ice, but their brewing methods set them apart.
The iced coffee brewing process involves hot water. After it brews, the joe chills in the refrigerator before being served.
On the other hand, cold brew comes to be when coarse coffee grounds steep in room temperature or cold water for a few hours. The exact length of this brewing process depends on how strong you want the resulting joe to be.
Then, the brewer uses a filter — often a fine mesh sieve or piece of cheesecloth — to separate the used ground coffee beans from the cold brew concentrate. From there, the options for dressing up the cup of cold brew are almost endless.
You can go as plain as sipping it as-is or diluting it with water (which we highly recommend), or as fancy as using simple syrups, a splash of your milk of choice, and a dollop of fluffy whipped cream.
Roasty’s Cold Brew Coffee Recipe Round-Up
Below are some of our favorite cold brew-based drinks for you to try. So, fill a tall glass with ice, pull out your fresh cold brew, and start working your way through this list!
Classic Cold Brew
Classic Cold Brew
This classic cold brew is an easy coffee drink you can make at home with cold brew or strong brewed coffee.
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup cold brew coffee or chilled strong coffee
- 1 cup ice
- 1/2 cup milk or oat milk
- 1 to 2 tablespoons sweetener
- 1 to 2 tablespoons vanilla syrup, sauce, or flavoring
- Whipped cream, optional
Instructions
- Add the coffee, ice, milk, sweetener, and flavoring to a blender or shaker.
- Blend or shake until cold and well mixed.
- Taste and adjust sweetness or coffee strength.
- Pour into a glass and top with whipped cream if desired.
Notes
Use coffee ice cubes if you want a stronger drink that will not get watered down.
Simple Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew
Simple Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew
This simple vanilla sweet cream cold brew is an easy coffee drink you can make at home with cold brew or strong brewed coffee.
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup cold brew coffee or chilled strong coffee
- 1 cup ice
- 1/2 cup milk or oat milk
- 1 to 2 tablespoons sweetener
- 1 to 2 tablespoons simple vanilla sweet syrup, sauce, or flavoring
- Whipped cream, optional
Instructions
- Add the coffee, ice, milk, sweetener, and flavoring to a blender or shaker.
- Blend or shake until cold and well mixed.
- Taste and adjust sweetness or coffee strength.
- Pour into a glass and top with whipped cream if desired.
Notes
Use coffee ice cubes if you want a stronger drink that will not get watered down.
Starbucks Copycat Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew
Starbucks Copycat Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew
This starbucks copycat pumpkin cream cold brew is an easy coffee drink you can make at home with cold brew or strong brewed coffee.
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup cold brew coffee or chilled strong coffee
- 1 cup ice
- 1/2 cup milk or oat milk
- 1 to 2 tablespoons sweetener
- 1 to 2 tablespoons starbucks copycat pumpkin syrup, sauce, or flavoring
- Whipped cream, optional
Instructions
- Add the coffee, ice, milk, sweetener, and flavoring to a blender or shaker.
- Blend or shake until cold and well mixed.
- Taste and adjust sweetness or coffee strength.
- Pour into a glass and top with whipped cream if desired.
Notes
Use coffee ice cubes if you want a stronger drink that will not get watered down.
Our Favorite Maple Cold Foam Cold Brew
Our Favorite Maple Cold Foam Cold Brew
This our favorite maple cold foam cold brew is an easy coffee drink you can make at home with cold brew or strong brewed coffee.
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup cold brew coffee or chilled strong coffee
- 1 cup ice
- 1/2 cup milk or oat milk
- 1 to 2 tablespoons sweetener
- 1 to 2 tablespoons our favorite maple syrup, sauce, or flavoring
- Whipped cream, optional
Instructions
- Add the coffee, ice, milk, sweetener, and flavoring to a blender or shaker.
- Blend or shake until cold and well mixed.
- Taste and adjust sweetness or coffee strength.
- Pour into a glass and top with whipped cream if desired.
Notes
Use coffee ice cubes if you want a stronger drink that will not get watered down.
Copycat Starbucks Salted Caramel Cream Cold Brew
Copycat Starbucks Salted Caramel Cream Cold Brew
This copycat starbucks salted caramel cream cold brew is an easy coffee drink you can make at home with cold brew or strong brewed coffee.
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup cold brew coffee or chilled strong coffee
- 1 cup ice
- 1/2 cup milk or oat milk
- 1 to 2 tablespoons sweetener
- 1 to 2 tablespoons copycat starbucks salted syrup, sauce, or flavoring
- Whipped cream, optional
Instructions
- Add the coffee, ice, milk, sweetener, and flavoring to a blender or shaker.
- Blend or shake until cold and well mixed.
- Taste and adjust sweetness or coffee strength.
- Pour into a glass and top with whipped cream if desired.
Notes
Use coffee ice cubes if you want a stronger drink that will not get watered down.
Easy Copycat Starbucks Irish Cream Cold Brew
Easy Copycat Starbucks Irish Cream Cold Brew
This easy copycat starbucks irish cream cold brew is a smooth coffee cocktail with enough coffee flavor to stand up to the sweetener and spirits.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces chilled strong coffee or cold brew
- 1 1/2 ounces vodka, rum, or bourbon
- 1 ounce coffee liqueur
- 1/2 ounce simple syrup
- Ice
- Copycat Starbucks Irish garnish, optional
Instructions
- Add the coffee, spirit, coffee liqueur, simple syrup, and ice to a cocktail shaker.
- Shake until the outside of the shaker feels cold.
- Strain into a glass.
- Garnish if desired and serve right away.
Notes
For a lighter drink, pour the shaken cocktail over fresh ice and top with a splash of cream.
Copycat Starbucks Toasted Coconut Cold Brew
Copycat Starbucks Toasted Coconut Cold Brew
This copycat starbucks toasted coconut cold brew is a coffee-flavored treat that keeps the method approachable and the payoff sweet.
Ingredients
- 1 cup strong brewed coffee, cooled
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- Pinch of salt
- 2 cups copycat starbucks toasted base or mix-ins
- Whipped cream or glaze, optional
Instructions
- Stir the coffee, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt together.
- Use the mixture to flavor the dessert base or toss with the mix-ins.
- Bake, chill, or assemble according to the type of treat you are making.
- Finish with whipped cream or glaze if desired.
Notes
Use strongly brewed coffee so the flavor does not disappear once mixed with the sweet ingredients.
Nutella Cold Brew
Nutella Cold Brew
This nutella cold brew is a coffee-flavored treat that keeps the method approachable and the payoff sweet.
Ingredients
- 1 cup strong brewed coffee, cooled
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- Pinch of salt
- 2 cups nutella base or mix-ins
- Whipped cream or glaze, optional
Instructions
- Stir the coffee, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt together.
- Use the mixture to flavor the dessert base or toss with the mix-ins.
- Bake, chill, or assemble according to the type of treat you are making.
- Finish with whipped cream or glaze if desired.
Notes
Use strongly brewed coffee so the flavor does not disappear once mixed with the sweet ingredients.
Homemade Peppermint Mocha Cold Brew
Homemade Peppermint Mocha Cold Brew
This homemade peppermint mocha cold brew is a coffee-flavored treat that keeps the method approachable and the payoff sweet.
Ingredients
- 1 cup strong brewed coffee, cooled
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- Pinch of salt
- 2 cups peppermint base or mix-ins
- Whipped cream or glaze, optional
Instructions
- Stir the coffee, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt together.
- Use the mixture to flavor the dessert base or toss with the mix-ins.
- Bake, chill, or assemble according to the type of treat you are making.
- Finish with whipped cream or glaze if desired.
Notes
Use strongly brewed coffee so the flavor does not disappear once mixed with the sweet ingredients.
Peppermint Cold Brew
Peppermint Cold Brew
This peppermint cold brew is an easy coffee drink you can make at home with cold brew or strong brewed coffee.
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup cold brew coffee or chilled strong coffee
- 1 cup ice
- 1/2 cup milk or oat milk
- 1 to 2 tablespoons sweetener
- 1 to 2 tablespoons peppermint syrup, sauce, or flavoring
- Whipped cream, optional
Instructions
- Add the coffee, ice, milk, sweetener, and flavoring to a blender or shaker.
- Blend or shake until cold and well mixed.
- Taste and adjust sweetness or coffee strength.
- Pour into a glass and top with whipped cream if desired.
Notes
Use coffee ice cubes if you want a stronger drink that will not get watered down.
Easy Starbucks Copycat Chocolate Cream Cold Brew
Easy Starbucks Copycat Chocolate Cream Cold Brew
This easy starbucks copycat chocolate cream cold brew is a coffee-flavored treat that keeps the method approachable and the payoff sweet.
Ingredients
- 1 cup strong brewed coffee, cooled
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- Pinch of salt
- 2 cups starbucks copycat chocolate base or mix-ins
- Whipped cream or glaze, optional
Instructions
- Stir the coffee, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt together.
- Use the mixture to flavor the dessert base or toss with the mix-ins.
- Bake, chill, or assemble according to the type of treat you are making.
- Finish with whipped cream or glaze if desired.
Notes
Use strongly brewed coffee so the flavor does not disappear once mixed with the sweet ingredients.
Bone-Chilling Cold Brew
Bone-Chilling Cold Brew
This bone-chilling cold brew is a simple homemade creamer that adds flavor and creaminess without a store-bought bottle.
Ingredients
- 1 cup half-and-half
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1/3 cup sweetened condensed milk
- 1 to 2 teaspoons bone chilling extract or syrup
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a jar or blender.
- Shake or blend until smooth.
- Taste and adjust the flavoring or sweetness.
- Refrigerate before using.
Notes
Store covered in the refrigerator and use within 5 to 7 days. Shake before each pour.
Nitro Cold Brew
Nitro Cold Brew
This nitro cold brew is an easy coffee drink you can make at home with cold brew or strong brewed coffee.
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup cold brew coffee or chilled strong coffee
- 1 cup ice
- 1/2 cup milk or oat milk
- 1 to 2 tablespoons sweetener
- 1 to 2 tablespoons nitro syrup, sauce, or flavoring
- Whipped cream, optional
Instructions
- Add the coffee, ice, milk, sweetener, and flavoring to a blender or shaker.
- Blend or shake until cold and well mixed.
- Taste and adjust sweetness or coffee strength.
- Pour into a glass and top with whipped cream if desired.
Notes
Use coffee ice cubes if you want a stronger drink that will not get watered down.
Decaf Cold Brew
Decaf Cold Brew
This decaf cold brew is an easy coffee drink you can make at home with cold brew or strong brewed coffee.
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup cold brew coffee or chilled strong coffee
- 1 cup ice
- 1/2 cup milk or oat milk
- 1 to 2 tablespoons sweetener
- 1 to 2 tablespoons decaf syrup, sauce, or flavoring
- Whipped cream, optional
Instructions
- Add the coffee, ice, milk, sweetener, and flavoring to a blender or shaker.
- Blend or shake until cold and well mixed.
- Taste and adjust sweetness or coffee strength.
- Pour into a glass and top with whipped cream if desired.
Notes
Use coffee ice cubes if you want a stronger drink that will not get watered down.
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A Quick Cold Brew Q&A
What do you mix into cold brew coffee?
There is no one-size-fits-all magic coffee recipe you have to follow. You can mix cold brew with anything you want; what’s important is that you like what’s in your cup.
However, the most common cold brew add-ins are as follows:
- Milk or coffee creamer: You can’t go wrong with pouring some creaminess into your cold-brewed joe, whether you use the ol’ reliable whole milk or experiment with different kinds of milk.
- Flavored syrups: Your cold brew already has a delicious natural flavor if it comes from high-quality coffee beans, but sometimes adding extra flavors to your morning joe is fun. That’s where flavored coffee syrups come in. From classic flavors like vanilla or caramel to more unique selections like blueberry or raspberry, there’s a syrup for everyone.
- Herbs and spices: Spice up your cup — literally! — with cinnamon, cloves, star anise, a sprig of mint, and more. The possibilities are almost endless here.
- Sweeteners: For some, the ideal cup of coffee has a sweet edge that’s often courtesy of granulated sugar. While you can stir the stuff into a cup of cold brew, using a liquid sweetener like simple syrup, maple syrup, or honey is a better option here, as those dissolve into cold liquids more easily than granules.
- Water: Cold brew coffee concentrate is often strong in flavor and caffeine content, so some people dilute it with water before serving it. There is no one-size-fits-all cold brew concentrate-to-water ratio — it varies based on individual coffee drinkers’ preferences. However, mixing equal amounts of each is a common practice and a solid starting point for experimenting with dilution.
What is the best way to make a cold brew?
We prefer an immersion method for making cold brew, like leaving the coffee grounds to steep in an airtight container for a few hours before filtering them out with a mesh strainer or cheesecloth.
Immersion brewing produces smooth coffee with a balanced flavor profile and low acidity. Plus, it’s easy!
Do you want to know more about this rich, delicious coffee? Click here for brewing tips!
How long should I let cold brew steep?
To make a cold brew, let coarse ground coffee beans steep at room temperature or cold water for 12 to 24 hours.
If you let the coffee steep for less than this, you’ll end up with weak, under-extracted joe; leave it longer, though, and the result is a cup full of bitter flavor — so disappointing.
What kind of coffee should you use for cold brew?
We’re so glad you asked! We rounded up what we’ve deemed the best beans for use in your cold brew coffee maker just for you.
Our buying guide is pretty diverse, highlighting several of our favorite brands of coffee and giving suggestions that span different roast levels. Don’t worry if you don’t have a coffee grinder; we also threw in some pre-ground coffee options.
So, regardless of their preferences and brewing habits, we think all our fellow coffee geeks can find something there that they’ll like.
Cool Off with Cold Brew
We won’t deny that some days, hot coffee hits the spot. But when you need to cool off, put some cold-brewed coffee on ice and use one of the above recipes to give it an upgrade. You’d be surprised how many combinations of milk, flavored syrup, and spices you can put in your cup.
After trying all of our cold brew coffee recipes, check out our blended, frozen coffee recipe round-up for more chilled, caffeinated fun.
Happy Caffeinating!
