How to Make Coffee Concentrate for Iced Lattes

Coffee concentrate is coffee brewed with much less water than usual, so it is strong enough to be diluted with milk, water or ice. For a cold version, steep 1 part coarsely ground coffee in 4–5 parts cold water for 12–18 hours and strain; for a hot version, brew at about 1:5 to 1:8 with an AeroPress, moka pot or pour-over. For an iced latte, mix 1 part concentrate with 1–2 parts milk over ice.

Why Make Coffee Concentrate?

Regular brewed coffee is designed to be drunk as is. Pour it over ice and add milk, and it turns weak and watery. Concentrate solves that problem. It packs enough flavor to survive dilution, so an iced latte tastes like coffee rather than cold milk.

• Fast drinks: Make a batch once and pour iced lattes in 30 seconds all week.
• No espresso machine needed: It is the easiest stand-in for espresso in cold milk drinks.
• Control: You choose the strength, the beans and the dilution.
• Versatility: Use it in iced lattes, shaken drinks, smoothies, desserts and cocktails.

Cold Coffee Concentrate Method

This is the most popular option for iced lattes. Slow, cold extraction produces a smooth, chocolatey concentrate with soft acidity. It is related to regular cold brew, which you can learn about in our guide on how to make cold brew at home, but uses a stronger ratio.

For about 2.5 cups (600 ml) of concentrate:

• 5 oz (140 g) coffee, ground coarse
• 3 cups (700 ml) cold filtered water (about a 1:5 ratio by weight)

1. Add the grounds to a large jar or pitcher.
2. Pour in about half the water, stir to wet all the grounds, then add the rest and stir again.
3. Cover and steep for 12–18 hours, at room temperature or in the fridge (fridge steeping takes toward the longer end).
4. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve, then again through a paper filter or cheesecloth for a cleaner cup.
5. Pour into a clean sealed bottle and refrigerate.

Expect to get back less liquid than you added: the grounds absorb a lot of water. A coffee roasted for cold brew, such as our Cold Brew Coffee, gives a smooth, full-bodied result.

Hot Coffee Concentrate Methods

Hot methods are ready in minutes and taste brighter and more aromatic. Cool the concentrate before pouring over ice, or brew directly over ice as in Japanese iced coffee.

AeroPress concentrate

1. Add 18 g (about 3 tablespoons) of fine-medium ground coffee.
2. Pour in 100 g (3.5 oz) water at about 200°F (93°C).
3. Stir for 10 seconds, steep for 1 minute, then press slowly.

This makes about 3 oz (90 ml), roughly the strength of a double shot for one iced latte.

Moka pot

A moka pot naturally brews a strong, concentrated coffee. Fill the basket level without tamping, add hot water up to the valve and brew over medium heat, removing it as soon as it starts to sputter. A 3-cup moka pot yields enough for one or two drinks.

Strong pour-over or drip

Brew at a 1:8 ratio, for example 40 g coffee to 320 g water, with a slightly finer grind than usual. It is less intense than the other methods, so dilute it less.

Ratios and Dilution Guide

Remember that ice melts, so start with a little less milk than you think and adjust. For the basics behind these numbers, see our coffee to water ratio guide, and use How to Scale a Coffee Recipe to make bigger batches.

How to Make an Iced Latte With Concentrate

1. Fill a 16 oz glass with ice.
2. Add 1–2 tablespoons of syrup if you like it sweet.
3. Pour in 4 oz (120 ml) of cold concentrate.
4. Top with 4–6 oz (120–180 ml) of cold milk and stir.

Want more ideas? Our iced latte guide covers milks, sweeteners and flavors.

Storage and Freshness

• Cold concentrate: Keep it in a sealed glass bottle in the fridge and use within about 1 week for the best flavor.
• Hot concentrate: Cool it quickly, refrigerate and use within 2–3 days; it loses aroma faster.
• Coffee ice cubes: Freeze leftover concentrate in ice cube trays. Use the cubes in iced lattes so melting adds coffee instead of water.
• Keep it sealed: Concentrate absorbs fridge odors, so do not store it uncovered.

Coffee Concentrate FAQ

Is coffee concentrate the same as cold brew?

Not exactly. Cold brew is a method, and it can be made ready-to-drink or as a concentrate. Coffee concentrate is any strong brew meant to be diluted, whether made hot or cold.

How much caffeine is in coffee concentrate?

Because it is brewed strong, concentrate has more caffeine per ounce than regular coffee. The amount in your glass depends on how much you use and how you dilute it, so keep track if you are watching your intake. The FDA cites up to 400 mg a day for most healthy adults.

Can I use concentrate for hot drinks?

Yes. Mix 1 part concentrate with 1–2 parts hot water for a quick cup of coffee, or with steamed milk for a hot latte.

What grind should I use for cold concentrate?

Coarse, similar to raw sugar or coarse sea salt. A fine grind over-extracts during a long steep and makes straining difficult.

Build a Better Iced Latte

A concentrate is only as good as the beans in it. Every Feel Espresso coffee order is roasted 1–5 days before delivery and arrives in 2–5 days. Start with our Cold Brew Coffee, add sweetness with French Vanilla flavored coffee, or go bold on busy days with the Max Caf Blend.