Easy Mint Cold Brew

Name: Easy Mint Cold Brew
Prep time: 24 h
Total time: 24 h
Yield: 4
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 Cup Water; 1 Cup Sugar; 3/4 - 1 Cup Ground Coffee; 3 - 4 Cups Water; Fresh Mint Leaves; 1/2 and 1/2, milk, cream, or any non-dairy substitute of your choice

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Easy Mint Cold Brew is the perfect afternoon pick me up. Cold and refreshing. Easy to make with a hint of mint that you will love!

I know, I know. I know what you're thinking. Mint in your coffee? No way, weird. Possibly gross. Strange flavor combo. I agree with you...I felt all those same emotions when I first heard about mint cold brew.

BBUUUTTTTTTTT....

This easy mint cold brew is so refreshing and perfect for those warmer temps! Don't think peppermint mocha sugar bomb latte sorta thing. Think more along the lines of refreshing summer 2 pm ice coffee pick me up sort thing with a hint of mint lingering at the end.

Surprisingly addictive and delicious.

Jump to:

Does Mint and Coffee Go Together?
How Do I Make this at Home?
How to Make Mint Cold Brew
How to Assemble Your Mint Cold Brew
Frequently Asked Questions
Recipe

2 glasses of cold brew coffee with mint, cream and straws in the glasses. french press and cup of cream in the background.

Does Mint and Coffee Go Together?

I know it may sound like a strange combo at first, but trust me on this one. It is so good!

The subtle hint of fresh mint flavor is a great complement to coffee. And making it cold is even better and refreshing during the summer!

How Do I Make this at Home?

I have tried all different ways. Basically any easy-not so fancy-at home-I am not a coffee snob kinda way. ?

There were some big key points I have taken away on the whole at-home cold brew thing.

Everyone likes their coffee differently and in a certain way. Me....I do not like super-strong coffee, but I don't like brown-colored water either. Finding that middle ground can be hard.
I cannot do the acidity of coffee. It WRECKS my stomach. Hence actually why I switched to drinking English Breakfast Tea for a time period.
To combat numbers 1 & 2, good quality coffee is a must! I didn't believe it made a difference at first until I used some really bad coffee a couple of times. Blech! My favorite is Kobrick Coffee from NYC. This stuff is amazing and we don't drink anything else!
Find whatever coffee you like and stick with it. Know the amount of coffee you need to use to reach the desired boldness in flavor.
Everyone likes their add-ins differently. From straight black to just a splash of coffee in your cream and sugar. ? You do you. Again, find and know what you like and stick with it.

So basically this recipe is super adaptable and adjustable to your personal coffee desire. Like most of the things that come out of my kitchen.

Use this more of a roadmap than a set recipe.

Want your cold brew stronger? Add more grounds to the water.

Like it sweet? Add more sweetness.

Easy peasy, just make it your own way!

pouring coffee into a tall glass with ice. a straw and mint is inside.

How to Make Mint Cold Brew

To make cold brew at home is actually super easy. It just requires a little time (and if you're not patient, just use the whole "throw a few ice cubes on this mornings leftover coffee trick" it does just fine ? )

All that is required for the cold brew is

coarsely ground quality coffee
water

I recommend buying whole beans and grinding yourself but you absolutely can use already pre-ground beans.

Add grounds to a large pitcher and add water over top. Give a quick stir to wet all the grounds and let sit in the fridge for 12-24 hours. ** see below for an easier way of making in a french press**
After that time is up, pour through a fine-mesh strainer (or a nut milk bag *) and store cold brew in a clean pitcher in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

french press full of black coffee on a white table

PRO TIP: I actually found that I preferred to just make a smaller batch in our french press. That way when I was ready to use it I just pressed down the top and didn't have to fool with straining the grounds.

pouring cream into a mint cold brew. another cold brew is next to it full with a straw and mint spring inside.

How to Assemble Your Mint Cold Brew

For a touch of sweetness, I made a simple syrup to add. A liquid form of sweetener is way easier to incorporate into a cold liquid than granulated sugar. Use any desired liquid sweetener you would like or this simple syrup recipe:

Simple Syrup

1 Cup Sugar
1 Cup Water

To a medium saucepan, add 1 cup of sugar and 1 cup of water.
Place on the stove over medium heat and bring up to a low boil.
Once at a low boil, turn down to medium-low heat and cook for 10 minutes. Stir to dissolve the sugar completely.
Once finished, pour into a mason jar and place in the fridge until needed.

Mint Cold Brew

Add a couple of mint leaves to the bottom of a tall glass. With the end of a straw, gently muddle the leaves a bit.
Fill the glass with ice.
Pour your brewed cold brew up about ¾ of the way full.
Add the desired amount of simple syrup or desired sweetener. Stir to combine the syrup and mint leaves with the cold brew and ice.
Top it off with a splash of half and half, milk, or any non-dairy product of your choice and a spring of mint for looks and wha-laa ENJOY!

me holding a glass of cold brew against a gray wall. blue and white stripped straw and mint sprig inside.

I personally enjoy my mint cold brew around 2-3 pm when I am starting to lag and need a second wind for the rest of the day. It is cold, refreshing with just a light touch of sweetness, slightly creamy but not enough to be totally bad and the hint of mint that lingers at the end has you coming back for more.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Difference Between Cold Brew and Iced Coffee?

Honestly, from me to you - I have no idea 🙂 And I think nothing....at least taste-wise.
But if you were to ask a coffee professional they would probably scold me for saying that.
But if we want to get technical, cold brew is when you actually "brew" your coffee by combing your coffee grounds and cold/room temp water and letting sit out on the counter or fridge to brew for 12-24 hours. Iced coffee, is made with your traditional hot coffee brewed in a coffee pot then poured over ice.
When you think about it, that actually makes sense!??

How Do I Make a Stronger Flavored Cold Brew?

The more coffee grounds you use and the less water you use the more concentrated and strong your cold brew will be.

( ex: ¾ cup ground and 4 cups of water = less strong vs. 1 cup of grounds and 3 cups of water = strong).

Can I Use a Different Type of Sweetener in Mint Cold Brew?

Any sweetener you like can be used.

I prefer a liquid sweetener like simple syrup because it doesn't have to dissolve in cold liquid. Honey, maple syrup, liquid Stevia, or agave could be substituted if preferred.

Can I Use Other Dairy Products?

Milk, cream, or any dairy-free milk of your choice can be used instead of half and half.

How Long Can I Keep Mint Cold Brew?

Cold-brew will keep in the fridge for up to a week.

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