How to Make Honey Sweetened Cold Brew Coffee at Home

Quick Answer

To make a honey sweetened cold brew at home, steep coarse-ground coffee in cold water for 12–18 hours, then stir in honey simple syrup before serving over ice. Use a smooth, organic coffee blend like Chamberlain Coffee's Organic Hazelnut Coffee Blend for a naturally sweet base, and adjust honey to taste. This method gives you a rich, low-acid concentrate that’s easy to customize.

If you love cold brew but find it too bitter or too plain, honey sweetened cold brew is the perfect upgrade. Honey adds a gentle floral sweetness that pairs beautifully with the smooth, low-acid profile of cold brew—without the sharpness of granulated sugar. Plus, making it at home lets you control the strength and sweetness, saving you trips to the café.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through a foolproof method to brew cold brew concentrate, sweeten it with honey, and serve it the way you like. We’ll also highlight a few Chamberlain Coffee products that make the process easier and more delicious.

Why Honey Works in Cold Brew

Honey doesn’t dissolve as easily as sugar in cold liquids, but that’s a fixable challenge. The secret is to make a honey simple syrup—stir equal parts honey and warm water until smooth—then add it to your cold brew. This ensures even sweetness without a clump of honey at the bottom of your glass.

Flavor-wise, honey brings nuanced notes that complement coffee’s natural chocolate and nutty undertones. If you’re using a flavored blend like Chamberlain Coffee’s Organic Hazelnut Coffee Blend, honey’s sweetness amplifies the toasted hazelnut and spice notes, giving you a dessert-like cup without extra calories from syrups.

• Use a 1:1 ratio of honey to water for a simple syrup that mixes easily.

Choosing the Right Coffee for Honey Sweetened Cold Brew

Cold brew’s long steeping time brings out sweetness and body, so you don’t need a bold roast to get a satisfying cup. A balanced, organic blend works best because it lets the honey shine without competing with harsh bitterness. For a distinctive twist, choose a naturally flavored blend that pairs with honey’s floral notes.

Chamberlain Coffee’s Organic Hazelnut Coffee Blend, with its soft, creamy toasted hazelnut and apple pie notes, is a great choice. It’s nut-free, so it’s safe for those with nut allergies, and its gentle profile makes it forgiving for first-time brewers. If you prefer unflavored coffees, any smooth medium or dark roast will work—just grind it coarsely to avoid over-extraction.

• Always use a coarse grind—think breadcrumbs, not sand—to prevent bitter over-extraction.

How to Brew Cold Brew Concentrate

The basic ratio is 1 part coffee to 4 parts cold water. In a large jar or pitcher, combine 1 cup of coarse-ground coffee with 4 cups of filtered water. Stir gently to ensure all grounds are saturated, then cover and refrigerate for 12 to 18 hours. The longer you steep, the stronger and smoother the concentrate.

After steeping, strain through a fine-mesh sieve lined with a coffee filter or a nut milk bag. Do this twice if needed to remove all sediment. The result is a concentrate that you can dilute with water or milk—usually a 1:1 ratio—or use as a base for iced lattes.

• Steep in the fridge, not at room temperature, to keep the brew clean and fresh.

Step-by-Step: Make a Honey Sweetened Cold Brew

1. Make Honey Simple Syrup: Combine equal parts honey and warm water in a small jar. Stir until the honey fully dissolves. Let cool before adding to cold brew. Check: The syrup should be smooth, not grainy—if honey clumps, stir over a warm water bath.
2. Brew Cold Brew Concentrate: In a large Mason jar, mix 1 cup coarse-ground coffee (like Organic Hazelnut Coffee Blend) with 4 cups filtered water. Stir, cover, and refrigerate for 12–18 hours. Check: Don’t steep longer than 18 hours or the brew may turn bitter.
3. Strain the Concentrate: Pour the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve lined with a coffee filter or a clean cloth. Strain twice for a cleaner cup. Check: If you see fine particles, give it one more pass through a paper filter.
4. Sweeten and Serve: In a glass filled with ice, combine 1 part cold brew concentrate with 1 part cold water or milk. Stir in 1–2 teaspoons of honey simple syrup, adjusting to taste. Check: Taste before adding ice to ensure the sweetness is balanced—ice dilutes as it melts.

Chamberlain Coffee Products That Help

• Organic Hazelnut Coffee Blend: This brew will sweeten your routine with a soft, creamy blend of toasted hazelnut, spice and apple pie. This product does not contain nuts. Its naturally sweet, creamy profile means you may need less honey, making it a smart base for honey sweetened cold brew.
• Large Cold Brew Mason Jar: Crafted from high-clarity glass and finished with a secure lid, it’s the ideal vessel for cold brew, matcha, infused waters, and anything you want to keep fresh and beautifully stored. This Mason Jar is not heat resistant and is for cold beverages only. Use this jar for steeping and storing your cold brew concentrate—its generous capacity and secure lid make the brewing and pouring process simple.

Honey sweetened cold brew is a simple, delicious way to enjoy a café-quality drink at home. With the right coffee, a little patience, and your own honey simple syrup, you can make a glass that’s perfectly sweet, smooth, and refreshing. Try it with Chamberlain Coffee’s Organic Hazelnut Coffee Blend and a Large Cold Brew Mason Jar for an easy, repeatable ritual.