How to Use the Cold Brew Dilution Calculator
Cold brew concentrate is brewed far stronger than regular coffee, so it's meant to be diluted with water rather than drunk straight. Figuring out exactly how much water to add for the strength you want gets tedious to calculate every time. This tool takes your concentrate amount and dilution ratio and instantly returns the water needed, the total finished volume, and roughly how many cups that makes.
Choose a 1:1 ratio of concentrate to water for a strong cup, 1:2 for something close to a regular Americano, or 1:3 if you prefer it milder. The finished volume is also converted into cups, based on a standard 7 fl oz serving.
Since the concentration of the concentrate itself varies by brand and brewing method, if you're trying a new one for the first time, start with a 1:2 ratio and adjust from there to match your taste. When making a cold brew latte, reduce the proportion of water by roughly the amount of milk you add so the overall strength stays balanced.
If you dilute a large batch ahead of time and keep it in the fridge, the aroma fades gradually, so it's best enjoyed within 3-4 days. Storing the concentrate and water separately and mixing only what you're about to drink preserves the aroma and acidity for longer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Use 1:1 for a strong cup, 1:2 for a strength similar to a regular Americano, or 1:3 if you prefer it milder. Feel free to adjust further based on how concentrated your specific concentrate is.
Yes, melting ice naturally dilutes the drink further, so if you're using a lot of ice, using 10-20% less water than calculated helps keep the strength where you want it.