{"id":202267,"date":"2026-08-05T09:13:20","date_gmt":"2026-08-05T16:13:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/?p=202267"},"modified":"2026-08-05T09:13:21","modified_gmt":"2026-08-05T16:13:21","slug":"camping-cold-brew-coffee","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/camp\/camping-cold-brew-coffee","title":{"rendered":"Why You Should Bring Cold Brew Camping"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Sometimes I spend more time prepping the camp coffee than the meals.

That\u2019s probably inevitable when you write about coffee for a living, like I do, and spend a good chunk of your free time camping. Over the years, I’ve tinkered with my camp coffee setup countless times. I’ve packed French presses, pour-over brewers and the Editors\u2019 Choice Award<\/a>\u2013winning AeroPress Go<\/a> to make coffee outdoors. I’ve gone from bringing preground beans to toting hand grinders that nearly rival my countertop electric burr grinder.

Even so, it took me a long time to realize I was overlooking one of the simplest camp coffee options: cold brew.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Premade cold brew concentrate can be seved with ice, cold water or milk; it can also be diluted with hot water for a warm drink.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What is cold brew coffee?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Unlike traditional coffee, which is brewed with hot water in just a few minutes, cold brew is made by steeping coarse-ground coffee in cool or room-temperature water for 12 to 24 hours. The result is a concentrated cup that can be diluted with cold water or milk for an iced beverage or hot water or milk for a warming one.

While brewing coffee with hot water can express flavors ranging from fruity and floral to savory and herbaceous, brewing coffee grounds with cooler water tends to mute those high and lower notes. It\u2019s a smooth, balanced, easy-drinking beverage that is a real crowd pleaser\u2014and has become exceptionally popular in the last decade or so thanks in part to the broader rise of iced coffee. According to the National Coffee Association<\/a>, cold and frozen blended coffee drinks account for nearly one-third (31%) of all coffee consumed in its June 2025 survey, up from 23% in its January survey\u2014a reminder that cold coffee isn\u2019t just a seasonal novelty anymore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Part of its appeal is convenience: brew one batch ahead of time and you have coffee ready for several days. But many people also prefer its smooth, sweet flavor. One reason cold brew has such a devoted following is that it\u2019s often said to have lower acidity than hot-brewed coffee\u2014which is partially<\/em> true. While research shows cold- and hot-brewed coffee have relatively similar pH values<\/a>, brewing with hot water extracts sharper, zingier flavor notes<\/a> like tart citrus or tropical fruit.

But let’s not get too in the weeds about coffee science when we’re busy trying to get into the woods: Whatever the reason, cold brew might be the right choice for your next outing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why cold brew makes sense at camp<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For a long time, I assumed brewing fresh at camp was the only way to get a great cup of coffee. Then, while loading up our camping gear for an upcoming trip, it hit me: We already had a batch of cold brew in the fridge. We\u2019d made it so often at home that it had become almost invisible\u2014just another staple we always had on hand.

I poured it in a smaller bottle, tucked it in the cooler and by the end of the weekend I’d realized it solved many of the problems I\u2019d been trying to engineer my way around. Maybe it will do the same for you.

Here are the five biggest reasons I reach for cold brew when I don\u2019t feel like hauling my entire coffee kit into the campground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Cold brew requires less gear<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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If you opt to brew hot coffee while camping, get ready to pack a lot of gear<\/em>. Photo credit: Megan Lee<\/em>
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If you\u2019re not careful, your coffee setup can take up more space than your sleeping bag.

To brew coffee fresh at camp, you’ll need, at minimum, a brewer\u2014like a French press, pour over dripper, an AeroPress, plus any required filters\u2014along with a way to heat water, such as a camp stove and kettle. Depending on your setup, you may also need a manual coffee grinder, a scoop or scale, and a way to pack out any spent grounds.

Packing premade cold brew concentrate simplifies your packing list in a big way because you can leave most coffee brewing equipment behind. All you’ll need is your container of premade cold brew (see recipe below<\/a>), water or milk to dilute it to taste if necessary, and a vessel to drink it in. That saves serious weight and capacity for adventures where packing space is limited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Cold brew is portable<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Cold brew concentrate can fit easily into whichever size container best suits your camping adventure.

If you\u2019re going ultralight, put your concentrate in a flask. For a car-camping weekend, a 32- or 64-ounce leakproof bottle <\/a>is usually plenty. If you\u2019re wheeling around the U.S. in your full-size camper van or camping with a large group, maybe that gallon container isn\u2019t a bad move.

Cold brew is best stored cold. Keep it in a cooler or insulated bottle with ice packs until you\u2019re ready to drink it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Cold brew is versatile<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Cold brew can be your drip coffee replacement if you dilute the concentrate to a 1:1 ratio with hot water. If you\u2019re in the mood for something more latte-like, dilute with milk to the same ratio.

You could also mix cold brew concentrate with tonic water for a refreshing afternoon pick-me-up, spike it with your favorite spirit for a campfire cocktail, or experiment with a coffee-based mocktail to save yourself the headache before tomorrow\u2019s hike. Combine it with fresh citrus (like lemon or grapefruit juice), a little simple syrup and a few dashes of bitters for an easy way to turn your morning coffee into a trailside happy hour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Cold brew is ready fast (once it’s made)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Rather than fussing with the hot water kettle and your coffee-to-water ratio while you\u2019re still waking up, you can spend precious tentside morning time making breakfast burritos or soaking up that vista. 

With less brewing gear to pack, there’s also less to clean up afterward. No grounds or filters to pack out, and you don\u2019t have to rinse your coffee-brewing equipment after each use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Cold brew is great for groups<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019ve ever been the designated coffee person on a group camping trip, you know how long mornings can take. Playing backcountry barista can be fun, but by the time you’ve brewed coffee for the last person, everyone else has already finished breakfast.

Instead, make your cold brew concentrate at home and stash it in your cooler. Then everyone can have coffee in just a few minutes before the morning mist has even lifted.


Note:<\/strong> Exercise bear safety when preparing any food or beverages at camp, and be sure to store your (highly aromatic) coffee in a secure place away from your tents to avoid attracting wildlife.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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How to Make Cold Brew for Camping<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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A simple cold-brew coffee setup. Photo credit: Ever Meister | REI Co-op<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What you need<\/h3>\n\n\n\n