Coconut Cold Brew
Smooth cold brew with coconut milk swirled through it: nutty, creamy and dairy-free.
Coconut cold brew is cold brew coffee lightened with coconut milk and sweetened a little. Coconut adds a rich, nutty sweetness and a round body without dairy, and its flavour suits the chocolatey side of cold brew.
Sensory profile
You should taste
How it unfolds
Where it sits
That is 140 mg in one serving (12 oz (355 ml) glass over ice), a concentration of 39.4 mg per 100 ml. The scale above ranks whole servings, and servings differ in size, so a larger drink can sit further right while being weaker cup for cup.
Editorial estimate, not a laboratory measurement
Related gear
| Brewing method | Cold brew with coconut milk over ice |
|---|---|
| Coffee-to-water ratio | Cold brew 1:12; 180 g cold brew to 50 g coconut milk |
| Dose & yield | 15g → 260g |
| Grind size | Coarse, like breadcrumbs |
| Water temperature | 39°F / 4°C |
| Target brew time | Cold brew 12-24 hr in the fridge |
| Serving | 12 oz (355 ml) glass over ice |
What you need
- Cold brew (makes about 900 g): 83 g coarsely ground coffee, 1,000 g cold water
- 180 g cold brew
- 50 g canned coconut milk, well shaken
- 20 g water
- 10 g simple syrup or coconut sugar syrup
- 120 g ice
- Toasted coconut flakes, optional
Required gear
- Large jar for cold brew
- Fine sieve and paper filter
- Tall glass
- Scale
Step-by-step protocol
- Day beforeStir 83 g coarse coffee into 1,000 g cold water, cover, and steep in the fridge for 12-24 hours. Strain through a sieve, then a paper filter.
- 0:00Whisk 50 g coconut milk with 20 g water and 10 g syrup until smooth.
- 0:30Stir the coconut mixture into 180 g cold brew in the glass.
- 1:00Add the ice, and top with toasted coconut flakes if you like.
Troubleshooting
What it may be good for
The caffeine count
About 140 mg in 180 g of cold brew made at 1:12. Bought cold brew ranges widely, so check the label; a concentrate diluted 1:1 is roughly similar.
Estimate; cold brew caffeine depends on the coffee, the ratio and the steep time.
Dairy-free
Made with coconut milk and no dairy. Canned coconut milk is rich, so 50 g is enough for a whole glass.
What to watch out for
- Contains caffeine, and cold brew can be stronger than it tastes. If you are pregnant, nursing, sensitive to caffeine or have been told to limit it, dilute it more.
- Contains coconut. Coconut allergy is uncommon but real; if you have a tree-nut allergy and are unsure about coconut, ask your allergist.
Coconut cold brew is cold brew coffee lightened with coconut milk and sweetened a little. Coconut adds a rich, nutty sweetness and a round body without dairy, and its flavour suits the chocolatey side of cold brew. Which coconut product you use changes the drink more than anything else.
Origin & Story
Where it comes from
Coconut and coffee have long been paired where both grow. In Vietnam, cà phê cốt dừa, coffee blended with coconut milk and ice into a slush, is a well-known café drink. In Western cafés, coconut milk arrived as one of the dairy alternatives in the 2010s, and coconut cold brews, coconut cold foams and coconut lattes followed. This page covers the simple iced version: cold brew with coconut milk.
Which coconut
"Coconut" covers three quite different liquids:
- Canned coconut milk is made from grated coconut flesh pressed with water. It is thick and rich, and a small amount goes a long way. Shake the can, because the cream rises.
- Carton coconut milk (often labelled "coconut milk drink") is much thinner, made to pour like dairy milk. It gives a lighter, more subtle drink.
- Coconut water is the clear liquid from inside young coconuts. It is not milky at all; it adds a light sweetness and a slightly salty, mineral taste. Cold brew with coconut water is refreshing, but it is a different drink with no creaminess.
This recipe uses canned coconut milk, thinned slightly, because it gives the most coconut flavour with the least volume.
Why cold brew
Cold brew is coffee steeped in cold water for 12 to 24 hours. It is smoother and less sharp than hot coffee chilled over ice, and it tends towards chocolate and nut, which is exactly where coconut sits. Brewed at about 1:12, coffee to water by weight, it is ready to drink straight; a stronger concentrate needs diluting.
Why it splits sometimes
Canned coconut milk is an emulsion of fat in water, and cold makes the fat firm up. Poured into very cold coffee, it can show white flecks of coconut fat. Shaking the can, thinning the coconut milk with a little water, and stirring it into the coffee before the ice goes in all help. A few flecks are harmless.
Making it at home
Mix the coconut milk with the sweetener and a little water, stir it into cold brew, and pour over ice. Toasted coconut flakes on top add aroma. For a version with coconut cream on top, see the cold foam method on our pumpkin cold foam cold brew page.
Reading the Flavor Profile
| Axis | Score |
|---|---|
| Sweetness | 54/100 |
| Acidity | 20/100 |
| Bitterness | 40/100 |
| Body | 64/100 |
| Aroma | 66/100 |
These values are comparative editorial positions within our own catalog, calibrated so entries can be ranked against each other. They are not laboratory measurements.
How much caffeine is in Coconut Cold Brew?
One serving, 12 oz (355 ml) glass over ice, contains approximately 140 mg of caffeine.
What temperature should I use for Coconut Cold Brew?
This drink is made with water at about 4°C (39°F) and time, not heat. Cold extraction is slow by design, so the steep runs for many hours; warmer water is faster but brings out more bitterness.
How long should Coconut Cold Brew be extracted?
Timing: Cold brew 12-24 hr in the fridge. Method: Cold brew with coconut milk over ice. Ratio: Cold brew 1:12 (83 g coffee per litre); 180 g per glass with 50 g coconut milk. Grind or leaf format: Coarse, like breadcrumbs.
Why does my Coconut Cold Brew taste bitter?
Cold brew turns bitter when it steeps too long or the grind is too fine. Past about 20 hours you gain bitterness rather than strength, so grind coarser or shorten the steep, and raise the dose if the result tastes weak.
Which coconut milk is best for cold brew?
Canned coconut milk gives the richest, most coconut-flavoured drink; use about 50 g, thinned with a little water. Carton coconut milk is lighter and needs more. Coconut water makes a thin, refreshing drink with no creaminess.
Why does coconut milk separate in my coffee?
Its fat firms up in the cold and can show as white flecks. Shake the can, thin the coconut milk with water, and stir it into the coffee before adding ice.
Can I use coconut water instead?
Yes, about 120 g with 150 g cold brew. It makes a light, slightly salty, very refreshing drink, but not a creamy one.
Is coconut cold brew dairy-free?
Yes, as written. Check that any syrup you add is dairy-free too.
Who should avoid Coconut Cold Brew?
Contains caffeine, and cold brew can be stronger than it tastes. If you are pregnant, nursing, sensitive to caffeine or have been told to limit it, dilute it more. Contains coconut. Coconut allergy is uncommon but real; if you have a tree-nut allergy and are unsure about coconut, ask your allergist. This information is educational and is not medical advice. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, managing a cardiac or gastrointestinal condition, or taking prescription medication, discuss caffeine and botanical intake with a qualified healthcare professional before making changes.
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