Copycat Chameleon Cold Brew Recipe in 5 Easy Steps
If you are looking for a Chameleon Cold Brew recipe, then good news. I got the inspiration to try it, and then copycat it to perfection. These are the steps:
- Grind the coffee until it is coarse, then add it to a large glass jar.
- Add the cold water and give everything a gentle stir so all the coffee is soaked.
- Let it brew for at least 11 hours, or longer if you like a stronger cold brew.
- Strain the coffee to remove the grounds, then pour the concentrate into a bottle and refrigerate it.
- Serve and enjoy by mixing the concentrate with water or milk over ice, or warm it up with hot water or steamed milk.
To know about these steps in detail, along with some tips and other valuable information, stick to the end.
Copycat Chameleon Cold Brew Recipe Takeaways
| Recipe Detail | Value |
| Recipe Name | Copycat Chameleon Cold Brew |
| Cuisine | American |
| Recipe Type | Cold Coffee Beverage |
| Difficulty Level | Easy |
| Prep Time | 10 minutes |
| Cook Time | 0 minutes |
| Brew Time | 11–24 hours |
| Total Time | 11 hours 10 minutes (minimum) |
| Servings | 8 servings (about 8 cups prepared) |
| Serving Size | 8 fl oz (240 ml) |
| Calories | 5 kcal per serving (without milk or sweeteners) |
| Caffeine | 200 mg per serving |
| Total Fat | 0 g |
| Protein | 0 g |
| Best Served | Cold over ice (or hot after dilution) |
| Main Ingredient | Coarse-ground coffee |
| Coffee-to-Water Ratio | 1:4 for concentrate |
| Serving Ratio | 1:1 concentrate to water or milk |
| Dietary Information | Vegan, Vegetarian, Dairy-Free (without milk), Gluten-Free, Low-Calorie, Sugar-Free |
| Suitable For | Breakfast, Brunch, Afternoon Coffee, Summer Drinks |
| Equipment Needed | Glass jar, fine mesh strainer, cheesecloth or coffee filter, storage bottle |
| Recipe Yield | 1.2 litres (40 fl oz) concentrate |
| Taste Profile | Smooth, bold, low acidity, naturally sweet |
| Author Rating | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.9/5 |
| User Rating | 4.9 out of 5 |
| Total Reviews | 125 reviews |
| Keywords | Chameleon Cold Brew recipe, homemade cold brew concentrate, copycat Chameleon coffee, cold brew concentrate, iced coffee recipe |
Chameleon Cold Brew recipe Ingredients
| Ingredient | Amount | Purpose |
| Coarse-ground coffee | 1 cup (100–120 g) | Base ingredient for the cold brew concentrate |
| Cold filtered water | 4 cups (950 ml) | Used to extract the coffee |
| Ice cubes | As needed | Chills the finished drink |
| Cold water (for serving) | 6 oz (180 ml) | Dilutes the concentrate |
| Milk | 6 oz (180 ml) | Creates a creamier cold brew |
Equipment
- Large glass jar or pitcher
- Wooden or silicone spoon
- Fine mesh strainer
- Cheesecloth or coffee filter
- Storage bottle
Best Chameleon Cold Brew recipe: how to prepare Chameleon Cold Brew
To make the Chameleon Cold Brew recipe:
- Grind the coffee beans coarsely and add the grounds to a large glass jar.
- Pour in cold, filtered water and stir gently until all the coffee grounds are fully wet.
- Let the coffee steep for 11–24 hours, depending on how strong you want the concentrate.
- Strain and filter the coffee, then pour the concentrate into a sealed bottle and keep it in the fridge.
- Mix and serve the concentrate with water or milk over ice, or enjoy it hot with hot water or steamed milk.
Step 1: Grind the Coffee
The first step of the Copycat Chameleon Cold Brew recipe is choosing the perfect coffee beans and grinding them. Using freshly roasted coffee beans (ideally used within 2 to 4 weeks of their roast date) makes a massive difference. In my opinion, fresh beans give the perfect flavor and aroma.
Next, grind them coarse. For reference, aim for the consistency of raw sugar or coarse sea salt.
Don’t overgrind. A fine grind can make the concentrate cloudy. I have also found that fine powder makes the coffee overly bitter.
After grinding, pour the coarse grounds into a large glass jar. But why glass? Well, glass is non-porous, meaning it won’t absorb any flavors, odors, or oils from the coffee, and it won’t leach any chemicals into your brew.
Note: Avoid plastic containers.
Step 2: Pour in Water
Now, pour in water. Always use cold, filtered water. I never add tap water, as it contains minerals, chlorine, and impurities that can make your coffee taste metallic.
As you pour the water over the dry grounds, pour slowly. Why? So you don’t splash. Every single bit of coffee needs to get wet right away. Making sure every coffee ground becomes wet is crucial.
Stir gently for about 30 seconds using any spoon you have. This ensures even extraction. If you don’t stir, some grounds will stay dry and never release their flavor.
Step 3: Steep
Cover the container. Leave it to steep for:
- 11–12 hours for a smoother, lighter concentrate.
- 14–16 hours for a stronger flavor.
- 18–24 hours if you prefer an extra-bold concentrate.
Chameleon states its coffee is steeped for 11+ hours, which is why the taste has a low-acidity profile.
You can steep the coffee at room temperature by first placing it on the counter and then putting it in the refrigerator. What I do is I steep entirely in the refrigerator.
Step 4: Strain, Filter, and Refrigerate
Pour the mixture through a fine mesh sieve (a metal kitchen strainer). Here, you will discard the spent coffee grounds. The leftover, wet coffee grounds make fantastic, nutrient-rich compost for your garden or plants.
Then, filter again through:
- paper coffee filters
- cheesecloth
- a nut milk bag
Transfer the concentrate into a sealed bottle and refrigerate immediately. It generally stays fresh for 10 days. Take out as much as you want and make the cold brew.
Step 5: Serve
There are four popular serving styles of Chameleon Cold Brew.
1. Classic Iced Chameleon Cold Brew
Fill a glass with ice and add:
- 6 oz concentrate
- 6 oz cold water
Stir and serve immediately. This is the mixing ratio recommended by Chameleon for iced coffee.
2. Creamy Version
Take a glass, fill it with ice, and add:
- 6 oz concentrate
- 6 oz milk
Whole milk, oat milk, almond milk, or soy milk all work well. Stir and enjoy!
3. Sweet Version
Mix:
- 6 oz concentrate
- 6 oz milk
- 1–2 teaspoons vanilla syrup or simple syrup
Stir and serve over ice.
4. Hot Coffee
I know that it is brewed cold. But did you know the concentrate can also be served hot? It’s true. Mix:
- 3 oz concentrate
- 3 oz hot water
or
- 3 oz concentrate
- 3 oz steamed milk
Chameleon specifically recommends this ratio for hot coffee.
Important Tips to Remember to Make the Best Chameleon Cold Brew
- Stick to coarse coffee grounds. Fine grounds will just leave you with a muddy, sludgy mess.
- Use filtered water. The better your water tastes, the better your cold brew will taste.
- Keep an eye on the time. Don’t steep it for more than 24 hours, or it can start turning bitter.
- Filter it twice. Running it through a filter a second time gives you that super-smooth, café-quality finish.
- Keep it in the fridge. Once it’s brewed, always store it cold.
- Dilute it first! This is a concentrate, so don’t drink it straight. A good rule of thumb is a 1:1 mix with water or milk to start.
- Try it with another beverage. Make Tazo Strawberry Matcha for a unique experience.
Copycat Chameleon Cold Brew Nutritional Value
| Nutrient | Amount |
| Calories | 5 kcal |
| Total Fat | 0 g |
| Saturated Fat | 0 g |
| Cholesterol | 0 mg |
| Sodium | 10 mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 1 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 0 g |
| Total Sugars | 0 g |
| Added Sugars | 0 g |
| Protein | 0 g |
| Potassium | 180 mg |
| Calcium | 4 mg |
| Iron | 0.1 mg |
| Magnesium | 12 mg |
| Phosphorus | 18 mg |
| Caffeine | 200 mg |
Caffeine in Chameleon Cold Brew Super Concentrate
Chameleon Cold Brew Super Concentrate is a strong coffee concentrate, so it has more caffeine than regular coffee. It is not ready to drink and should always be mixed with water or milk first.
When you prepare it according to the directions, one 8-ounce (240 ml) drink has about 150 to 160 mg of caffeine. That is more caffeine than a typical cup of brewed coffee, which usually contains around 95 mg.
To make one serving, mix 1 part concentrate with 2 parts water or milk. For example, pour ¼ cup of concentrate into a glass, then add ½ cup of cold water or milk. Add ice, stir well, and your coffee is ready.
If you are new to cold brew or are sensitive to caffeine, use a little less concentrate the first time. If you want a creamier drink, use whole milk, oat milk, or almond milk instead of water.
What Is Flavored Cold Brew Concentrate?
Flavored cold brew concentrate is strong cold brew coffee with added flavorr, such as vanilla, hazelnut, caramel, mocha, or chocolate. You can make it by soaking coarse coffee grounds in cold water for several hours. This slow brewing method makes the coffee smooth.
Unlike bottled iced coffee, a cold brew concentrate is not meant to be drunk on its own. You need to mix it with water, milk, or your favorite dairy-free milk before drinking it. A common mixing ratio is 1 part concentrate to 2 parts liquid.
Chameleon cold brew hazelnut Recipe
For Chameleon cold brew hazelnut Recipe, follow these steps:
- Fill the glass with ice: Take a tall serving glass and fill it almost to the top with fresh ice cubes. Plenty of ice keeps the drink cold from the first sip to the last and prevents it from becoming too diluted too quickly.
- Add the hazelnut flavor: Pour 1 tablespoon of hazelnut syrup into the bottom of the glass. If you prefer a stronger hazelnut flavor, you can increase it to 1½ tablespoons. Stirring the syrup in at the beginning helps it mix evenly throughout the drink.
- Pour in the cold brew: Slowly add 1 cup (240 ml) of Chameleon Cold Brew Coffee over the ice. Pour gently to keep the coffee chilled and to create a smooth base for the drink.
- Add the milk: Pour ¼ to ½ cup (60–120 ml) of cold milk into the glass. Whole milk creates a rich and creamy drink, while oat, almond, or skim milk also work well if you prefer a different option.
- Stir until combined: Use a long spoon or reusable straw to stir the drink for about 10 to 15 seconds. Make sure the hazelnut syrup is fully mixed into the coffee and milk so every sip has the same balanced flavor.
- Taste and adjust: Take a small sip. If you would like a sweeter drink, stir in a little more hazelnut syrup. If you prefer a stronger coffee taste, simply add a splash more cold brew.
- Serve immediately: Enjoy your hazelnut cold brew straight away while it is cold and refreshing. For an extra touch, garnish with a light sprinkle of chopped toasted hazelnuts or a small drizzle of hazelnut syrup on top, if desired.
If you love this, try Nescafe Iced Coffee, too. It’s yummy!
Chameleon cold brew latte recipe
To make Chameleon cold brew latte recipe:
- Prepare the glass: Fill a tall glass with fresh ice cubes until it is about three-quarters full. Using plenty of ice helps keep the latte cold without watering it down too quickly.
- Add the cold brew: Pour 1 cup (240 ml) of Chameleon Cold Brew Coffee over the ice. The chilled coffee forms the base of the latte and delivers its smooth, naturally low-acid flavor.
- Pour in the milk: Slowly add ½ cup (120 ml) of cold milk. Whole milk gives the latte a creamy texture, while oat, almond, soy, or skim milk can be used if you prefer a dairy-free or lighter option.
- Stir well: Use a long spoon to stir the coffee and milk together for about 10 seconds. This creates a smooth, creamy latte with an even flavor from top to bottom.
- Finish and enjoy: Serve the latte immediately while it is cold. If you like, top it with a light layer of cold milk foam or a dusting of cocoa powder or cinnamon for a simple café-style finish.
Bottom Line
Making Copycat Chameleon Cold Brew at home is simple and well worth the wait. Just grind your coffee beans, mix them with cold filtered water, and let everything steep for at least 11 hours. After that, strain the coffee, filter it well, and store the concentrate in the fridge.
When you’re ready to drink it, mix the concentrate with water or milk over ice. If you like sweeter coffee, add a little syrup. You can even enjoy it hot by mixing it with hot water or steamed milk.
Choice is yours!
