For 12 oz (355 ml) of water, use about 44 g of coffee, roughly 8.9 level tablespoons of ground coffee. That is a 1:8 ratio, our default for ready-to-drink cold brew.
44 gcoffee
8.9 tbsplevel, ground
355 mlwater
~9.0 ozin the cup
Stronger or milder
| Ratio | Coffee | Tablespoons | Taste |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1:7 | 51 g | 10.1 tbsp | stronger |
| 1:8 | 44 g | 8.9 tbsp | our default |
| 1:9 | 39 g | 7.9 tbsp | milder |
| 1:12 | 30 g | 5.9 tbsp | milder |
Ratios are coffee to water by weight. A scale makes this easy and repeatable; tablespoons are approximate because grounds vary in density (about 5 g per level tablespoon).
How to brew it
- Grind: coarse.
- Water temperature: cold or room temperature.
- Brew time: 12–18 hours (room temp) or 16–24 (fridge).
- Brewed at drinking strength, so you can pour it straight over ice.
Fixing the taste
| If it tastes… | Try this |
|---|---|
| Sour, thin, weak | Grind a little finer or brew longer; or use more coffee (lower ratio number). |
| Bitter, harsh, dry | Grind a little coarser or brew shorter; or use less coffee (higher ratio number). |
| Fine but flat | Use fresher beans, roasted within the last month, ground right before brewing. |
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Take a lookOther ready-to-drink cold brew sizes
Other methods at 12 oz
French pressPour-over (V60)ChemexAeroPressDrip coffee makerClever DripperCold brew concentrateReady-to-drink cold brewIced pour-over (Japanese method)
Questions people ask
How many grams of coffee for 12 oz of water?
About 44 g at a 1:8 ratio, between 30 g (milder) and 44 g (stronger).
How many tablespoons of coffee for 12 oz in a ready-to-drink cold brew?
About 8.9 level tablespoons of ground coffee.
What is the best ready-to-drink cold brew ratio?
Start at 1:8 and adjust between 1:8 and 1:12 to taste.
Numbers on this page are estimates calculated from the assumptions shown. Coffees, beans and drinks vary; caffeine figures are typical values, not medical advice.