Orange Cold Brew Coffee
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This orange cold brew is a refreshing way to enjoy coffee with a citrusy twist. The bright flavor of fresh orange blends smoothly with cold brew, creating a drink that’s bold, balanced and just a little more fun than your typical iced coffee. It’s light, easy to make and a great pick when you want something a bit different without overcomplicating things.
Prep this citrus-infused drink ahead and enjoy whenever you need a caffeine fix. Plus, it is easy to make and can last over a week in the fridge when stored properly!
Orange coffee is best enjoyed chilled – the perfect drink during hot summer months.
There are plenty of options for how you can enjoy it, all mentioned below in the “Useful tips” section.
What is cold brew coffee?
It is a method of preparing coffee by steeping ground coffee beans in cold water over a period of several hours. This type of coffee is usually less acidic but stronger.
Note: It is not the same as iced coffee.
How much coffee for cold brew?
The often-used coffee beans to water ratio is 1:4. This is in case you like to grind your coffee yourself. This ratio also yields a very strong coffee concentrate.
If you don’t have a grinder but still want to try this, follow this ratio: Steep 2 tablespoons ground coffee (use a measuring spoon for best results) to 1 cup of water (15 grams to 250 milliliters).
To get an extra strong concentrate, you will need to use 1 cup of ground coffee (about 14 measuring tablespoons) to 4 cups (1-quart/1-liter) of water.
How to make cold brew coffee at home
Tools needed
- A large glass jug, pitcher, mason jar or any other glass container with a lid.
- Long spoon/spatula – Anything for stirring.
- A fine mesh strainer – Or a coffee filter (even better) or a cheesecloth. You can also use a French press, if you have one!
- Zest peeler – A fine grater will work just as well.
Ingredients
- Orange – mostly orange zest, plus some slices for serving (optional).
- Cold Water.
- Coffee – You can either grind your own coffee or purchase it already ground.
The prep
It only takes a few minutes to prepare the mixture for brewing. In a jug, you mix the 3 main ingredients, cover it, and let it steep at room temperature for at least 16 hours or in the fridge for 24 hours.
When ready, strain the liquid through a coffee filter (or use another previously mentioned option), and you are done! All you need to do is enjoy it the way you like. I used a French press.
Useful tips
- When planning on making a large batch and enjoying your cold brew throughout the week, make sure to keep the concentrate in the fridge!
- Dilute it to your liking either with water and/or milk, or creamer.
- For best results, I highly recommend using filtered or bottled water.
- Drink as is or add a sweetener of your choice. There are plenty of options: Regular sugar, brown or dark muscovado sugar for a more robust flavor, maple or agave syrup and honey, just to name a few.
- Honey does not melt easily in cold beverages, so you need to stir well!
- Use organic oranges if you can.
- The longer you steep, the stronger the brew.
- Don’t like orange-flavored anything? No problem! Simply omit it.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can dilute it with hot water if you like. However, cold brew is best enjoyed chilled or turned into iced coffee!
A smooth, low-acid cold brew pairs best with citrus. If your coffee is already very acidic or bitter, the orange can make it taste sharp. A mellow, chocolatey or nutty roast is ideal for balance.
Not necessarily! If you like your coffee on the bitter side, the orange might add enough brightness on its own. But a touch of simple syrup or honey can round it out if you prefer a smoother finish.
If you are looking for more summer coffee recipes that are quick and served over ice or chilled, here are a few ideas for you:
- Iced Oat Milk Latte – A smooth and creamy dairy-free option with just the right balance of coffee and oat milk.
- Cinnamon Iced Instant Coffee – Quick to make and full of cozy cinnamon flavor with no special tools required.
- Iced Caramel Latte – Sweet, chilled and easy to whip up at home with your favorite caramel syrup.
- Greek Frappe – A bold, foamy iced coffee made the classic Greek way. Great for warm days.
Orange Cold Brew Coffee Recipe
Ingredients
- 6 tablespoons ground coffee (45 grams), see note 1
- 3 cups cold water (625 milliliters), see note 2
- 2 oranges (zest)
Optional:
- ice
- sweetener of your choice
- orange slice for serving
Instructions
- In a French press (or 1-quart/1-liter mason jar or glass jug), combine coffee, water and orange zest. Stir well.
- Cover and let it brew for at least 16 hours at room temperature or 24 hours in the fridge.
- Strain the coffee by pushing down the press or using coffee filters or a fine mesh strainer and keep it in the fridge covered.
- Enjoy chilled!
Notes
- This recipe does not use instant coffee (a.k.a. coffee granules)! Coarsely ground coffee is best, but regular ground coffee will work just fine.
- Use good-quality water. If your tap water does not taste good, use bottled water for best results.
- This concentrate can be diluted with more water, ice or milk, creamer,…
- Milk, oat milk, almond milk or any other alternative is good to use as long as you like them!
- Two tablespoons of ground coffee to 1 cup of water. For a stronger extract, use 1 cup ground coffee (80 grams) to 4 cups (1 liter) of water.