What Is Coffee Concentrate & How to Make It at Home

Coffee concentrate is a strong brew made with cold extraction. A high coffee-to-water ratio is used to concentrate the flavors and caffeine content of the coffee.

This strong, dark brew can be used to create a range of hot and cold beverages. It’s the perfect option for people who want to make coffee instantly without the dull flavors of instant coffee.

In this guide, you’ll learn what coffee concentrate can be used for, what it tastes like, how to make it, and a few quick beverage recipes.

What is Coffee Concentrate Used for?

Bottle labeled “Coffee Concentrate” surrounded by coffee beans.

Coffee concentrate is a versatile “ingredient” rather than a standalone brew. It can be used to make a variety of hot and cold beverages, as well as several different desserts and baked goods such as tiramisu and coffee brownies.

Its highly concentrated nature means that it can be diluted with water, milk, and other ingredients to create perfectly balanced brews and foods instantly.

When made correctly, concentrated coffee captures the flavors of the fresh coffee beans. When diluted to make iced or hot coffee, these flavors shine through. If you’re willing to do the prep work beforehand, coffee concentrate makes a much more flavorful alternative to store-bought instant coffee.

You can make several different types of coffee with concentrate, such as:

What Does Coffee Concentrate Taste Like?

Coffee concentrate has a rich, bold, smooth flavor that typically has less acidity and more caffeine than traditionally brewed coffee. This is mostly down to the cold extraction method used to make it — coffee concentrate is essentially a cold brew that’s been made with a higher coffee-to-water ratio.

It’s naturally sweet and produces deep, chocolatey, and nutty undertones. However, the exact flavors vary depending on the beans used.

Coffee concentrate made from arabica coffee exhibits smooth, sweet, caramel-like notes and has a mild to strong caffeine content. Robusta coffee concentrate is exceptionally strong, with around twice the amount of caffeine as arabica concentrate. It’s dark, bold, nutty, and slightly bitter.

Concentrates made from a blend of arabica and robusta share the qualities of both beans. They have natural sweetness and caramel-like qualities alongside dark, deep, nutty notes. Blends are stronger than 100% arabica concentrates but slightly weaker than robusta concentrates.

What You Need to Make Coffee Concentrate

Coffee brewing setup with French press, grinder, scale, beans, mug, and water container.

You don't need much to make coffee concentrate at home. However, the quality of the coffee you use is important.

Here are the ingredients and equipment you'll need:

Ingredients

High-Quality Coffee — Opt for a high-quality whole-bean coffee and grind it fresh before brewing.
Water — Use cold, fresh, filtered water to make concentrated coffee.

Equipment

Coffee Grinder — The best coffee concentrate is made with freshly ground coffee. Use a burr or blade grinder to create the coarse grind needed for this brewing method.
Coffee Measure — You'll need a coffee measure (scoop) or weighing scale to accurately portion the grounds.
French Press — These classic immersion brewers are available in a range of sizes from one cup up to 12 cups.
Glass Storage Jar — You'll need a glass mason jar or an airtight glass bottle to store the coffee concentrate.
Ice Cube Tray (Optional) — Freezing the concentrate in ice cube trays extends its shelf life.

Coffee Recommendations

The type of coffee you choose to make coffee concentrate will affect the brew's taste and caffeine content.

Whether you choose 100% arabica, 100% robusta, or a blend of arabica and robusta depends on what you want out of your concentrate.

What's important is that you select a high-quality whole-bean coffee that's fresh.

Coffee recommendations:

100% Arabica — Opt for a 100% arabica coffee, such as Cafely DaLat, if you want a naturally sweet, smooth coffee concentrate with a mild caffeine content.
100% Robusta — Choose a 100% robusta coffee, such as HaNoi or BanMe, if you want a dark, bold, slightly bitter coffee concentrate with a strong caffeine content.
Blends — Opt for a balanced arabica and robusta blend, such as Saigon OG, if you want a coffee concentrate with the characteristics of both varieties. Blends have a mild to strong caffeine content.

How to Make Coffee Concentrate: Step-by-Step Guide

Making coffee concentrate is a simple process. Although the brewing process is time-consuming, if you make enough, you can make delicious coffee beverages instantly for several days.

Here's how to make coffee concentrate:

1. Measure & Grind the Coffee

Measure 230 grams (8.1 oz) of high-quality whole-bean coffee and grind it to a coarse consistency. The grounds should have a similar consistency to Kosher salt.

If you don’t want to grind whole-bean coffee yourself, make sure to opt for a pre-ground coffee with a recent roast date.

This recipe makes around 32 oz (950 mL) of coffee concentrate. Use the table below if you want to make more or less:

Coffee (Grams)	Water (oz & mL)	Coffee Concentrate (oz & mL)
57 grams	10 oz (295 mL)	8 oz (240 mL)
115 grams	20 oz (590 mL)	16 oz (475 mL)
230 grams	40 oz (1180 mL)	32 oz (950 mL)

2. Add the Coffee & Water to the French Press

Add the ground coffee to the bottom of the French press. Then, saturate the grounds with a small amount of cold, fresh, filtered water. Wait for 45 seconds — this short “bloom stage” will degas the grounds and improve extraction.

Once blooming is complete, add 40 oz (1180 mL) — or five US cups — of cold water to the press. Stir the mixture to thoroughly combine the grounds and water.

3. Brew the Coffee Concentrate

Place the lid on the French press, but don’t push the plunger through the brew. Place the press in your refrigerator and leave it for 18 to 24 hours.

You don’t need to disturb the brew during this time. The longer you leave it, the stronger the coffee concentrate will be. However, leaving it for too long can create a bitter brew.

4. Strain & Store Coffee

After 18 to 24 hours, remove your French press from the fridge. Slowly press the plunger down to separate the coffee grounds from the brew.

Pour your coffee concentrate into a large, airtight jar or bottle and store it in the back of your refrigerator. The brew will last for five to seven days before its flavor starts to degrade.

5. Using the Coffee Concentrate

When you want to use your coffee concentrate, simply take 1–2 oz (30–60 mL) and add it to a cup or glass. Dilute the brew with hot water, cold water, cold milk, and ice, or steamed milk to create a delicious coffee in seconds.

6. Freeze Your Coffee Concentrate (Optional)

If you want to make coffee concentrate in bulk, consider freezing it to increase its shelf life. Pour the brew into ice cube trays and freeze it. When you want to use some concentrate, remove one to two cubes and thaw them out before diluting as normal.

Frozen coffee concentrate will last for at least six to 12 months before its flavor profile begins to diminish.

Coffee Concentrate Beverage Ideas

Coffee concentrate can be used to make a variety of different beverages, both hot and cold.

Here are some beverage ideas for coffee concentrate:

1. Iced Coffee

Iced coffee in a glass beside a coffee concentrate bottle and coffee beans.

Iced coffee can be made instantly with coffee concentrate. Making a delicious, sweet, creamy, chilled beverage with concentrated coffee is simple.

Here’s a brief rundown:

Fill a tall glass with ice.
Pour 1–2 oz (30–60 mL) of coffee concentrate over the ice.
Add one to two tablespoons of syrup (optional).
Fill the glass with whole milk or a vegan alternative.
Stir the iced coffee and enjoy.

2. Americano (Black Coffee)

Americano coffee in a glass mug on a saucer beside a bottle labeled “Coffee Concentrate”.

An Americano is a brew made by diluting espresso coffee with hot water. Although it’s traditionally made with espresso, coffee concentrate can be used to make a beverage with similar qualities in seconds.

Here’s how to make an Americano with coffee concentrate:

Boil a kettle of fresh, filtered water.
Add 1–2 oz (30–60 mL) of concentrated coffee to a coffee mug.
Pour over 6–8 oz (180–240 mL) of hot water, depending on how strong you like Americano.
Sweeten with sugar (optional) and enjoy.

3. Latte (White Coffee)

Latte in a glass mug next to a coffee concentrate bottle, spoon, and coffee beans on a tiled surface.

A latte is a brew made by pouring light, velvety, steamed milk over a double shot of espresso. Although not the traditional way to make it, you can make a latte-like beverage with coffee concentrate.

Here’s how to make a quick latte with coffee concentrate:

Heat 1–2 oz (30–60 mL) of coffee concentrate in a small saucepan.
Pour the coffee into a large coffee mug.
Heat 6 oz (180 mL) of whole milk or a high-protein alternative in a saucepan.
Froth the milk until light and velvety.
Gently pour the frothed milk over the coffee, moving in circles to blend the two liquids.
Add a teaspoon of sugar (optional) and enjoy while warm.

4. Mocha Coffee

Glass mug of mocha topped with whipped cream beside coffee concentrate bottle and coffee beans.

Mocha coffee combines the flavors of coffee, chocolate, and milk. It’s a creamy, indulgent beverage with dessert-like qualities. If you love coffee and chocolate, you’ll love this brew. It’s incredibly simple to make with coffee concentrate, too…

Here’s how to make it:

Gently heat 1–2 oz (30–40 mL) of coffee concentrate in a small saucepan.
Heat 8 oz (240 mL) of whole milk or a plant-based alternative in a pan.
Add a few squares of dark chocolate to a bowl, followed by one to two tablespoons of the hot milk. Stir the mixture until a thick chocolate syrup forms.
Add the chocolate syrup to the warm milk and stir thoroughly to combine.
In a mug, add the coffee concentrate, followed by the milk. Stir the brew to combine and top with a dollop of whipped cream (optional).

5. Frozen Coffee

Tall glass of blended iced coffee beside coffee concentrate bottle, coffee beans, and spoon.

Frozen coffee is essentially iced coffee that’s blended to create a slushy, milkshake-like beverage. Making frozen coffee is easy with coffee concentrate, and it’s the perfect brew if you have a stock of coffee concentrate ice cubes.

Here’s how to make frozen coffee:

Add ice and 1–2 oz (30–60 mL) of concentrated coffee or 2–3 coffee ice cubes to a blender, followed by a cup of milk.
Add sugar or syrup to sweeten if desired.
Start the blender at a low speed until the ice is roughly crushed.
Blend the mixture on high until a thick, milkshake-like liquid has formed.
Pour the frozen coffee into a glass and serve with a straw.

FAQs: Coffee Concentrate

Want to learn more about coffee concentrate and what it can be used for?

Check out the frequently asked questions below to find out more…

1. How Long Does Coffee Concentrate Last?

Coffee concentrate will last in the fridge for five to 10 days before its flavor begins to degrade. Make sure to store the liquid in airtight glass jars or bottles close to the back of your refrigerator, where it's coldest.

2. Can You Make Concentrated Coffee With Hot-Brewed Coffee?

You can make coffee concentrate by hot brewing coffee if you don't want to wait several hours for cold extraction. However, hot-brewed coffee concentrate doesn't last as long as cold brew. A concentrated hot brew will only last for a day or two in the fridge before its flavor profile begins to degrade.

3. Is Coffee Syrup the Same as Coffee Concentrate?

No. Coffee syrup is made with a concentrated brew and sugar — usually at a 1:1 ratio of sugar to coffee. Syrup can be used to make sweet iced coffee, milky hot brews, and desserts. Syrup has a longer shelf life than coffee concentrate, but it contains far more sugar.

4. Can You Freeze Coffee Concentrate?

Yes. You can freeze coffee concentrate. Freezing the coffee increases its shelf life by several months. Simply pour the concentrate into ice cube trays and remove one or two cubes when making chilled or hot beverages.

5. How Much Caffeine is in Coffee Concentrate?

The amount of caffeine in coffee concentrate varies drastically depending on the bean type, coffee-to-water ratio, and extraction time used to create the liquid. However, you can expect a caffeine level of between 60 and 150 mg per 1 oz (30 mL) shot.

6. What’s the Best Coffee for Coffee Concentrate?

The best coffee for making coffee concentrate should be high-quality and freshly ground. Opting for whole-bean coffee and grinding it just before brewing will result in the most flavorful concentrate.

Whether you choose arabica, robusta, or a blend is down to you. Arabica offers sweet, smooth, mellow flavors. The best robusta coffee offers a strong caffeine hit and dark, bold flavors. Blends provide a balance between both beans.

7. Can You Use Coffee Concentrate to Make Tiramisu?

Yes. You can use coffee concentrate when making tiramisu to give the dessert its signature coffee flavor.

8. Is Coffee Concentrate Hard on the Stomach?

No. Surprisingly, coffee concentrate is easier on the stomach than most other types of coffee as long as it's made through cold extraction. Cold-brewed coffee is much less acidic than hot-brewed coffee. As long as the coffee concentrate is properly diluted, it shouldn't give you an upset stomach, acid reflux, or gastric discomfort.

9. Can You Make Iced Coffee With Coffee Concentrate?

Yes. Coffee concentrate is ideal for making iced coffee. Simply add one to two ounces of concentrate to an ice-filled glass and dilute it with milk or water. Sweeten with a syrup of your choice if desired.

10. Can You Make Hot Coffee With Coffee Concentrate?

Yes. To make hot coffee with coffee concentrate, simply boil a kettle of water and pour it over one to two ounces of coffee concentrate to dilute. Add milk and sugar to taste, stir, and enjoy.