What you need.
- 2 tbsp (12g) Shyne Coffee
- 16 oz Cold filtered water
- 1 Mason jar or pitcherWith lid
~15 calories per serving
How it’s done.
- 1
Add 2 tbsp of Shyne Coffee to your mason jar or pitcher.
- 2
Pour in cold filtered water and stir well to combine.
- 3
Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight. Freeze-dried coffee dissolves right away, so this chill time is about serving it properly cold — not steeping.
Pro tip: In a hurry? Stir, add ice, and drink it now. See the classic ground-coffee method below if you want a true 12-hour steep.
- 4
Stir again before serving, as some settling is normal.
- 5
Serve over ice, diluting with water or milk to taste.
- 6
Store any remaining cold brew in the fridge for up to 3 days.
The Classic Method: Ground Coffee, 12-18 Hours
If you searched "how to make cold brew," this is the traditional version — and it only needs a jar:
- Coarse-grind your coffee. Think breadcrumbs, not powder. Fine grounds over-extract and turn muddy.
- Use a 1:4 ratio for concentrate — 1 cup of grounds to 4 cups of cold water (or 1:8 for ready-to-drink strength).
- Steep in the fridge 12-18 hours. Under 12 is weak; past 24 it drifts woody and bitter.
- Strain twice — first through a fine sieve, then through a paper filter or cheesecloth.
- Dilute concentrate 1:1 with water or milk over ice.
Why bother? Cold water extracts fewer bitter compounds and less acid than hot water. According to Healthline's summary of the research, cold brew can be significantly less acidic than hot-brewed coffee — which is why it tastes naturally sweeter and sits easier on some stomachs.
The 2-Minute Shortcut
Here's the thing about freeze-dried coffee like Shyne: the extraction already happened before it went in the jar. Stir it into cold water and you get a smooth, full-strength cold coffee immediately — no grinding, no 18-hour wait, no straining, and the strength is always exactly what you measured.
That's what the recipe card above describes. The overnight fridge time just gets it properly cold and lets the flavour settle; it's ready whenever you are.
Cold Brew Ratio Cheat Sheet
| What you want | Coffee : Water | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Concentrate (classic) | 1:4 | Dilute 1:1 before drinking |
| Ready to drink (classic) | 1:8 | Pour straight over ice |
| Instant version | 1 tbsp : 8 oz | Adjust to taste — no dilution step |
Cold Brew FAQ
How long should cold brew steep? 12-18 hours in the fridge is the sweet spot for ground coffee. At room temperature, 8-12 hours is enough (then refrigerate).
Why is my cold brew weak? A grind that's too coarse, a ratio that's too thin, or a steep that's too short. Try 1:4 and a full 16 hours before changing anything else.
Why is it bitter? Usually over-steeping (24+ hours) or grounds that are too fine. Cold brew forgives a lot, but not powder-fine grounds.
How long does cold brew keep? Concentrate keeps up to a week refrigerated; diluted cold brew is best within 2-3 days. The instant version is so fast there's little reason to store much.
Is cold brew stronger than regular coffee? Concentrate is, before dilution. Properly diluted, a serving lands in the same caffeine range as a regular cup — with Shyne, a measured 65-75mg per serving.
Storage & Serving
Serve over ice with:
- Oat milk for a creamy latte
- A splash of sweet cream
- Vanilla syrup for sweetness
More Cold Coffee Recipes
- Iced Coffee - The 5-minute concentrate method
- Iced Latte - Quick and creamy
- Coffee Tonic - Refreshingly different
- Greek Frappé - Foam-topped classic
