Start small. If you’re new to cold brew, try a 4-ounce serving first. See how you feel. Your tolerance might be lower than you think.
Most experts say 400 mg of caffeine per day is safe for healthy adults. One large cold brew (16 ounces of concentrate) can blow past that limit. Do the math: 16 oz of concentrate = roughly 300+ mg. Oops.
That’s why I always split my cold brew with a friend—or save half for tomorrow. Sharing is caring, and also prevents heart palpitations.
Homemade Cold Brew: You Control the Chaos
Making it at home? You’re the captain of this caffeine ship. A typical recipe uses 1 cup of coarsely ground coffee to 4 cups of cold water. Steep for 16 hours, then strain.
The resulting concentrate will be super strong. I usually dilute it 1:1 with milk or water. If you want a milder kick, use less coffee or steep for only 12 hours.
Remember: the longer you steep, the more caffeine you extract. Don’t leave it for 48 hours unless you’re training for a marathon. You’ll get jittery—and possibly see sounds.
