How Long Does Cold Brew Last

Are you looking to get the most out of your cold brewed coffee? On average, cold brew will last one to two weeks on average. However, store-bought coffee will usually last twice as long. Whether you're brewing your own batch at home or enjoying pre-made options from a coffee shop or store, I explain the signs that your cold brew coffee is going bad. Plus, I have some tips to keep your cold coffee fresh longer.

How Long Will Cold Brew Last In The Fridge?

Assuming you brew your own cold brew, it will last one to two weeks in the fridge. But you need to store it right to keep it fresh as long as possible. Oxygen and light at the biggest factors that will spoil your coffee.

Keep it in a metal or glass container with a tight-fitting lid. It will go bad faster if you store it in open containers or pitchers that have a lot of airflow.

Pre-made cold coffee from a roaster or coffee shop will also last about two weeks. Like the coffee you make at home, it usually isn't pasteurized. This means it spoils at about the same rate.

Store-bought cold brew is usually pasteurized, so it almost always has a longer shelf life. It will stay fresh as long as it is sealed. Then you have two to four weeks before it goes bad once you open it.

How To Tell If Your Cold-Brewed Coffee Has Gone Bad

The easiest way to tell if your cold brew is bad is to smell it. The coffee will smell sour or musty. Other signs include bitter or metallic flavors and changes in color or clarity. While it usually takes several weeks, cold brewed coffee will eventually develop mold.

Here are the most common signs your cold-brewed coffee has gone bad:

• Murky Color or Clarity: One of the earliest signs that it is going bad is that the cold brew looks cloudy, murky, or has particles floating in it. Fresh cold coffee should always look clear, with a rich black-brown color.
• Increase in Bitterness: Bitterness is a sign your cold brew is going bad. As the coffee oxidizes, the flavor and aroma fade. The result is a pronounced bitterness.
• Odor: If it has a sour or unpleasant smell, it's likely gone bad. Fresh cold brew should have a clean, coffee-like aroma.
• Strange Taste: Another sign that your cold brew is old is that the flavor is off, sour, or stale. Fresh cold coffee should have a smooth, rich flavor without any unusual tastes.
• Mold: If you see mold, throw out your cold brew. Mold will appear as an oily film on the surface and slowly turn white, blue, or green. 

While drinking spoiled cold brew can make you sick, the most common symptom is an extended stay in your bathroom. It's rare that anything more serious can happen. Still, it's best to throw out cold brewed coffee if you see any of the signs above.

How Do You Make Cold Brewed Coffee Last Longer?

If you brew your own cold brew at home, it will probably last no more than two weeks. But there are a few ways to keep it fresh as long as possible.

Here are some tips to extend the shelf life of your cold-brewed coffee and keep it fresh as long as possible:

1. Use Fresh Coffee Beans: Start with fresh coffee beans and grind them just before brewing. This will give you the best-tasting cold brewed coffee and the longest shelf life. Old beans have already started oxidized, which will make your cold coffee taste dull and stale faster.
2. Brew It Properly: Brew cold coffee properly by using the correct coffee-to-water ratio and steeping time. This ensures optimal extraction of flavors without over-extracting, which can lead to faster deterioration.
3. Store in an Airtight Container: Transfer the cold brew to a clean, airtight container immediately after brewing. This prevents oxidation, which makes the coffee taste stale. Mason jars, glass bottles, or pitchers with tight-fitting lids work well for storage.
4. Keep It Refrigerated: Always store cold coffee in the refrigerator. The cold keeps it fresh and limits the growth of mold or bacteria that cause it to go bad.
5. Avoid Temperature Fluctuations: Drastic temperature changes will make your cold brew go bad faster. Keep it in the back of your fridge, and never store it on the door. When you are ready for a glass, put it back in the refrigerator right away.

Following these steps will help your cold brewed coffee last up to two weeks, assuming it lasts that long. I usually brew enough cold coffee to get me through the week. 

Does Cold Brew Concentrate Last Longer Than Cold Brew?

Many people think that concentrated cold brew lasts longer. But unfortunately, this is a myth. While you might think the concentrate stays fresh longer because it's strong, it lasts just as long as regular cold brewed coffee.

As long as you store your concentrate in an air-tight container with a tight-fitting lid, it will last one to two weeks. While it won't last, there is still an advantage to brewing concentrated cold brew.

If you drink a lot of cold coffee, brewing concentrate means you have to brew less often. You can brew a 1.5-liter batch, then dilute each glass down. While it doesn't last longer, it saves you time overall.

Frequently Asked Questions About How Long Cold-Brewed Coffee Lasts

Is It Safe to Refrigerate Cold Brewed Coffee?

Yes, you should always refrigerate cold brewed coffee. While you can keep store-bought products at room temperature, you should always store homemade coffee in the fridge. Leaving your cold brew on the counter will cause it to go bad much faster, often in just a few days.

What is the Best Container for Storing Cold Brew in the Fridge?

In my opinion, stainless steel carafes are the best for storing cold brew in the fridge. Models with a pour spouts are best at blocking out oxygen that spoils coffee. After stainless, I like glass pitchers. The downside is that they let in light, which can spoil the coffee. They are also breakable, which isn't optimal. But I can't recommend plastic containers. Even BPA-free plastic can still leach flavors into your coffee.

What Should You Do With Stale Cold Brew?

While no one enjoys drinking stale coffee, you have options besides throwing it away. As long as it isn't moldy, you can pour your old or stale cold brew into your garden or add it to your house plants. Coffee is a great source of nitrogen, which helps plants grow strong stems. It will also make them greener. Otherwise, you can pour it on your grass or your compost pile or dump it down the drain. However, you should always pour moldy cold brew down the drain. Pouring mold into your garden or compost pile is never a good idea. 

Can You Freeze Cold Brewed Coffee?

Yes, you can freeze cold brew as long as it is still fresh. Thaw the coffee ice cubes overnight in the fridge, and you have instant cold coffee. You can also use the coffee ice cubes to keep your iced coffee drinks cold without watering it down. They are also great for making espresso martinis or other coffee cocktails. Use them instead of regular ice for a bright, coffee addition. However,  you should never freeze spoiled cold brewed coffee. You end up with spoiled coffee ice cubes, which is just as bad as spoiled cold brewed coffee.

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