If you’re a coffee lover but trying to skip the jitters, this decaf cold brew is about to become your new favorite drink. It’s smooth, filled with rich flavor, and so easy to make at home—no fancy equipment needed!
There’s just something about a cup of cold brew on a warm day, and this decaf version totally delivers. You can tweak it to your taste, make a big batch ahead of time, and sip on it any time of day without worrying about that late-afternoon caffeine crash.
Since Starbucks only offers decaf espresso with cold water or ice, instead of an actual decaf cold brew, I have used their cold brew method with decaf coffee grounds to make this refreshing drink that's perfect for making iced coffees.
Regular cold brew coffee is known for being strong and bold, but that doesn’t mean decaf has to be dull or bitter. With the right method, you can get a smooth cold brew that rivals anything from the coffee shop.
Can Cold Brew Be Decaf?
Yes, you can totally make cold brew with decaf coffee—and it turns out just as tasty! Decaf coffee beans are just regular coffee beans that have had the caffeine removed, so you can brew them up the same way you would for any cold brew. If you're watching your caffeine intake, decaf coffee is a great option.
I personally love using cold brew for a good cup of iced coffee because it has such a smooth, mellow flavor—way less bitter taste than regular brewed coffee. Plus, it’s super convenient to have a batch in the fridge, ready to go whenever that coffee craving hits.
Just like regular cold brew, decaf cold brew is made by steeping coarsely ground coffee in cold water for about 20 hours. Then you strain it and you’ve got a delicious, caffeine-free coffee concentrate ready to use.
And since the cold brew method skips the heat, the final drink is naturally lower in acidity and has a sweeter taste. So even though it’s decaf, your coffee will still be bold, smooth, and totally satisfying!
How to make Decaf Cold Brew
To make homemade decaf cold brew you will only need ground decaf coffee and filtered water. You should be able to find decaf coffee grounds
in most grocery stores.
- STEP ONE - Place the decaf coffee grounds in a large jar and gently pour the water over the coffee grounds. Stir the mixture carefully to ensure all the coffee grounds are wet.
- STEP TWO - Close the jar and place it on a countertop overnight. Ideally, you want it to sit for about 20 hours. The longer you leave it to infuse, the stronger the coffee will be. So it depends on your personal preference how long you leave it for depending on how strong you prefer your coffee.
- STEP THREE - Use a fine-meshed bag, paper coffee filter, or nut milk bag to strain the brewed coffee. You can strain the mixture more than once to ensure that there are no granules left if you like. Then pour the strained coffee mixture back into the jar and store it in the refrigerator for up to a week. Use as desired.
Variations
- Vanilla decaf cold brew - Add a teaspoon of vanilla extract to the cold brew coffee for a subtle vanilla flavor.
- Spiced decaf cold brew - For a spiced version of this coffee, add a sprinkle of cinnamon on top, about ¼ teaspoon.
- Caramel cold brew coffee - When making your coffee, use caramel syrup to sweeten the drink and add a delicious caramel flavor to it.
- Chocolate cold brew coffee - Coffee and chocolate are the perfect pair! So try adding a sprinkle of cocoa powder to your next cold brew iced coffee.
How to make an iced coffee with decaf cold brew
Cold brew coffee is strong in flavor and therefore needs some water or milk added to it. The ratio is usually two or three parts water or milk to one part cold brew, but this can vary depending on your taste.
So to make a decaf cold brew iced coffee, simply fill a serving glass with ice. Add ½ cup of decaf cold brew concentrate and top it with milk or water.
You can then add any additional toppings or flavoring you desire such as sweeteners, flavored syrups, foams, or whipped cream toppings.
Recipe FAQs
Starbucks decaf coffee ranges from 3-15 mg of caffeine per shot. Whereas a single shot of Starbucks blonde roast has about 85 mg of caffeine and their dark roast has 75 mg per shot.
Yes, but in very small amounts. Decaf coffee beans are never fully caffeine-free, so decaf cold brew does contain some trace caffeine. There are different ways of removing caffeine from coffee beans and as a general rule, decaf must have at least 7% of its caffeine content removed for it to be considered decaf coffee.
No. Starbucks offers decaf espresso served over ice, but they don't not make a decaf cold brew. This recipe uses the Starbucks cold brew method to make cold brew with decaf coffee grounds.
More Starbucks Copycat Recipes to Try:
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Recipe
Decaf Cold Brew (Starbucks Copycat)
Instructions
- Combine coffee ground and water in a large jar. Stir gently with a spoon to ensure all of the grounds are wet.1 Cup Decaf Ground Coffee, 4 Cups Cold Water
- Seal the jar and allow the coffee to steep at room temperature for 20 hours.
- Use a fine mesh bag, coffee filter, or nut milk bag to strain the coffee grounds from the cold brew.
Notes
- Fill a tall glass with ice cubes.
- Pour ½ cup of decaf cold brew over the ice.
- Add sweetener if you choose.
- Fill the glass with milk or water, or a combination of both, to suit your taste.
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