cold brew: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1informal, commercial, marketing
Quick answer
What does “cold brew” mean?
A method of preparing coffee by steeping coarsely ground beans in cold water for an extended period, typically 12-24 hours.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A method of preparing coffee by steeping coarsely ground beans in cold water for an extended period, typically 12-24 hours.
A coffee beverage produced through the cold brew method; also, by extension, tea or other infusions prepared with a similar long, cold-steeping process.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is identical in both varieties, but the product is historically more established and widespread in American coffee culture.
Connotations
Connotes a less acidic, smoother, and often stronger coffee. In the UK, it may still carry connotations of a trendy, American-style coffee product.
Frequency
Significantly more frequent in American English. In British English, it is understood but less commonly a default menu item than in the US.
Grammar
How to Use “cold brew” in a Sentence
make [cold brew]drink [cold brew]order a [cold brew]brew [some cold brew]prefer [cold brew] to [hot coffee]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cold brew” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Let's cold-brew some tea for tomorrow's picnic.
- I'm going to cold-brew a batch this weekend.
American English
- We cold-brew our coffee for 18 hours.
- She cold-brews her own concentrate at home.
adverb
British English
- [Not standardly used as an adverb]
American English
- [Not standardly used as an adverb]
adjective
British English
- I prefer the cold-brew method.
- They serve a fantastic cold-brew toddy.
American English
- Grab me a cold-brew coffee, please.
- The cold-brew process takes patience.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Common in cafe menus, marketing materials, and product descriptions for bottled coffee drinks.
Academic
Rare, except perhaps in food science or culinary studies contexts.
Everyday
Common in casual conversation about coffee preferences and ordering at cafes.
Technical
Used in barista training and coffee industry literature to specify the brewing method.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “cold brew”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “cold brew”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cold brew”
- Using 'cold brew' to refer to any iced coffee. Confusing it with 'iced latte' or 'frappuccino'. Spelling as one word ('coldbrew') in formal writing.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It often has a higher concentration of caffeine per volume because it uses a higher coffee-to-water ratio, but the perceived strength is smoother and less acidic.
No, by definition, the 'cold brew' method uses cold or room-temperature water and a long steeping time. Using hot water creates a different product (like regular coffee or flash-chilled 'Japanese iced coffee').
No, you only need a container, coarsely ground coffee, cold water, and a filter (like a cheesecloth or a fine sieve). Specialised 'cold brew makers' or 'toddies' are convenient but not essential.
When stored properly in a sealed container, cold brew concentrate can last up to two weeks, though its flavour is best within the first 5-7 days.
A method of preparing coffee by steeping coarsely ground beans in cold water for an extended period, typically 12-24 hours.
Cold brew is usually informal, commercial, marketing in register.
Cold brew: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkəʊld ˈbruː/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌkoʊld ˈbruː/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[none specific to this term]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think BREW, but COLD. It's not coffee that got cold; it's brewed cold from the start.
Conceptual Metaphor
PATIENCE IS SMOOTHNESS (The long, slow process yields a smoother, less harsh result).
Practice
Quiz
What is the key difference between 'cold brew' and 'iced coffee'?