Make coffee
Make a simple decaffeinated cold brew with adult help by mixing decaf coffee and water, straining, and serving over ice safely.
About this activity
Make a simple decaffeinated cold brew with adult help by mixing decaf coffee and water, straining, and serving over ice safely.
What you need
Step by step
- 1
Step 1
Wash your hands and clear a clean space to work.
- 2
Step 2
Gather all the Materials Needed and place them on the table.
- 3
Step 3
Measure 1/2 cup decaffeinated coarsely ground coffee into the jar using the measuring cup.
- 4
Step 4
Measure 2 cups cold water and pour the water over the coffee grounds in the jar.
- 5
Step 5
Stir the mixture with the spoon for 20 seconds so all the grounds get wet.
- 6
Step 6
Put the lid on the jar and place it in the refrigerator to steep for 12 to 18 hours.
- 7
Step 7
Ask an adult to take the jar from the refrigerator when the steeping time is done.
- 8
Step 8
Set the fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth over the clean pitcher or bowl.
- 9
Step 9
With the adult's help hold the jar and slowly pour the steeped coffee through the sieve to strain out the grounds.
- 10
Step 10
Use the spoon to press gently on the grounds in the sieve to extract more liquid.
- 11
Step 11
Fill a cup with ice cubes.
- 12
Step 12
Pour the strained cold brew over the ice into your cup.
- 13
Step 13
Taste your cold brew and then ask an adult to add a little water or milk if you want it milder.
- 14
Step 14
Share a photo and description of your finished decaf cold brew on DIY.org.
Fun facts
How do I make a simple decaffeinated cold brew with my child?
Combine coarse decaf coffee and cold water in a clean jar (typical ratio 1:4 to 1:8). Stir, cover, and refrigerate to steep 12–24 hours. With adult help, pour the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth into a pitcher to remove grounds. Serve chilled over ice in small cups. Adults should handle pouring, straining, and lifting heavy jars while children can measure, stir, and label the jar.
What materials do I need to make decaf cold brew with a child?
You’ll need coarse-ground decaffeinated coffee, cold filtered water, a large glass jar or pitcher, a measuring cup and spoon, a stirring spoon, a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth, a second pitcher or container for strained coffee, ice, and small serving cups. Optional items: simple syrup, milk or plant milk, reusable labels, and a timer. Always keep knives or hot liquids out of reach and supervise each step.
What ages are suitable for making decaffeinated cold brew with kids?
This activity suits preschoolers for sensory play and measuring with close adult guidance, and elementary-age kids (about 5–10 years) can take on more steps like stirring and labeling. Older children can help strain with supervision. Toddlers should not handle containers or strainers unsupervised. Always tailor tasks to your child’s skill level, and remember even decaf can contain trace caffeine, so limit portions and consult your pediatrician if concerned.
What safety tips and variations should I consider for child-friendly decaf cold brew?
Safety: confirm the coffee is decaffeinated, supervise all steps, avoid hot liquids, and use stable, unbreakable containers. Strain slowly to prevent spills and keep kids away from sharp or heavy items. Variations: make a kid-friendly coffee mocktail by adding milk, vanilla, or a touch of simple syrup, or steep for shorter times for a milder flavor. Limit quantity for children and store leftovers refrigerated up to 48 hours.
Watch & Learn
Need help?
What can I use if I can't find decaffeinated coarsely ground coffee or a coffee grinder?
If decaffeinated coarsely ground coffee isn't available, grind decaffeinated whole beans to a coarse size in a coffee grinder or use regular coarsely ground coffee with an adult's OK, then proceed to measure 1/2 cup into the jar in step 3.
My cold brew tastes gritty or grounds get into the cup — how can I fix that?
If grounds pass through the sieve or your cold brew tastes gritty, line the fine mesh sieve with an extra layer of cheesecloth and press gently with the spoon while pouring from the jar as described in steps 8–10 to better filter the liquid.
How do I adapt this activity for younger children or for older kids who want more challenge?
For younger children, let them do simple tasks like stirring for 20 seconds (step 5) and adding ice (step 11) while an adult measures and pours, and for older kids let them measure the 1/2 cup and 2 cups (steps 3–4), time the 12–18 hour steep (step 6), and experiment with longer or shorter steeping to change strength.
How can we personalize or improve the flavor of the decaf cold brew?
To personalize the cold brew, add a cinnamon stick or a split vanilla bean to the jar during the 12–18 hour steep (step 6) or stir in flavored syrup, milk, or a splash of water when tasting and adjusting the drink in step 14 before sharing your photo on DIY.org (step 15).