For 16 oz (473 ml) of water, use about 95 g of coffee, roughly 18.9 level tablespoons of ground coffee. That is a 1:5 ratio, our default for cold brew concentrate.
95 gcoffee
18.9 tbsplevel, ground
473 mlwater
~9.6 ozconcentrate
Stronger or milder
| Ratio | Coffee | Tablespoons | Taste |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1:4 | 118 g | 23.7 tbsp | stronger |
| 1:5 | 95 g | 18.9 tbsp | our default |
| 1:6 | 79 g | 15.8 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, like rough sea salt.
- Water temperature: cold or room temperature.
- Brew time: 12–18 hours (room temp) or 16–24 (fridge).
- Strain twice, then dilute about 1:1 with water or milk to serve.
Diluted 1:1, this makes about 19 oz of drinkable cold brew. See the cold brew guide or the cold brew calculator for any batch.
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 cold brew concentrate sizes
Other methods at 16 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 16 oz of water?
About 95 g at a 1:5 ratio, between 79 g (milder) and 118 g (stronger).
How many tablespoons of coffee for 16 oz in a cold brew concentrate?
About 18.9 level tablespoons of ground coffee.
What is the best cold brew concentrate ratio?
Start at 1:5 and adjust between 1:4 and 1:6 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.