Copycat Stok Cold Brew Recipe

If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably reached for a bottle of Stōk Cold Brew more times than you can count, savoring its perfect balance of richness and clarity. But have you ever thought about crafting that same deliciousness at home?

How to make Stōk Cold Brew

Stōk Cold Brew is a brand of ready-to-drink cold brew coffee made by Danone North America. It’s designed to deliver a smooth, bold coffee flavor with a higher caffeine content than regular coffee, making it popular among people looking for a strong energy boost.

Ingredients

• Coarsely Ground Coffee Beans
• Filtered Water
• Optional Sweeteners

Instructions

1. Prepare the Coffee Grounds: Grind your coffee beans to a coarse consistency—this is key to preventing over-extraction and bitterness. If you don’t have a grinder, purchase pre-ground coffee labeled as “coarse grind.”

2. Combine Coffee and Water: Add 1 cup of coarsely ground coffee to a large jar, pitcher, or French press. Slowly pour 4 cups of filtered water over the coffee grounds, ensuring all grounds are saturated. Stir gently to combine.

3. Steep Slowly: Cover the container and let the mixture steep at room temperature for 12–24 hours. The longer it steeps, the bolder the flavor. For a smoother cold brew, steep for closer to 18–24 hours; for a milder taste, stick to 12 hours.

4. Strain the Coffee: Once steeping is complete, strain the coffee using a fine mesh sieve, cheesecloth, or coffee filter. This step removes all the grounds and makes your cold brew silky smooth. If you’re using a French press, simply press the plunger down to separate the liquid from the grounds.

5. Store and Serve: Transfer your cold brew to a sealed container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Serve over ice and enjoy as-is, or customize with milk, cream, sweeteners, or your favorite flavorings.

Tips for Perfect Stōk Cold Brew

1. Use the Right Ratio Stick to the classic 1:4 coffee-to-water ratio. If you prefer stronger coffee, go for 1:3; if you want it lighter, try 1:5.
2. Don’t Rush: Cold brew requires patience. Avoid shortcuts like hot water—it defeats the purpose of cold brewing and affects the flavor.
3. Experiment with Flavors: For a Stok-inspired twist, add a splash of vanilla extract or use sweetened condensed milk for a creamy, sweet finish.
4. Dilute Before Serving: Undiluted cold brew can be quite strong. If it’s too bold for your taste, add water, milk, or ice cubes to mellow it out.
5. Keep It Fresh: For the best flavor, consume your cold brew within 10–14 days, though it can last up to 2 weeks if stored properly.

What to serve with

Stōk Cold Brew is smooth, bold, and refreshingly versatile—making it the perfect companion to a variety of foods and snacks.

1. Pastries

• Croissants, danishes, or flaky butter pastries work wonderfully with the rich, bold flavors of cold brew.
• For extra indulgence, try chocolate-filled pastries; their sweetness contrasts beautifully with the coffee’s dark undertones.

2. Muffins

• Fruity options like blueberry muffins or spiced varieties like cinnamon apple muffins bring out the nuances of cold brew.
• Bonus tip: Warm your muffin slightly before serving to intensify its aroma.

3. Donuts

• Sweet and satisfying, glazed donuts, chocolate-frosted donuts, or custard-filled donuts make a fun pairing for cold brew.
• Pairing tip: Dunk your donut in the cold brew for an extra messy, delicious experience.

4. Cookies

• Classic chocolate chip cookies, oatmeal raisin cookies, or sugar cookies pair well with cold brew’s slightly bitter undertones.
• If you’re serving flavored cold brew (like vanilla), try cookies with complementary flavors such as white chocolate macadamia or vanilla shortbread.

5. Cake or Brownies

• Pair cold brew with rich chocolate cake, espresso brownies, or coffee cake for a match made in heaven.
• Want to go over the top? Serve your cold brew with a slice of cheesecake for a creamy, indulgent treat.

Ingredients Substitutes

Part of the magic of cold brew coffee is its versatility—not only in how you serve it but also in how you make it. Don’t have all the exact ingredients on hand for recreating Stōk cold brew? Don’t worry!

1. Substitutes for Coffee Beans

The coffee beans are the star of the show, but you have plenty of options if you’re out of your usual roast or want to try something new.

Alternative Coffee Beans or Grounds

• Instant Coffee Powder: While not ideal, you can steep coarsely mixed instant coffee in cold water as a quicker alternative.
• Espresso Grounds: If you only have espresso grounds on hand, you can still make cold brew—but use a mesh sieve or a fine filter during the straining process to handle the finer grind.
• Pre-Ground Coffee for Drip Machines: Store-bought coffee grounds for drip coffee can work in a pinch, though they may be finer than optimal.

Non-Arabica Coffee Options

• Robusta Coffee: While traditionally more bitter than Arabica beans, Robusta coffee has a strong caffeine punch and can give your cold brew a bolder flavor.
• Flavored Coffee Beans: Some flavored coffees (like hazelnut, caramel, or vanilla pre-infused beans) can be brewed cold for a built-in flavor twist.

Non-Coffee Substitutes (for Decaf Lovers or Those Avoiding Caffeine)

• Decaffeinated Coffee Beans: For a low-caffeine alternative.
• Chicory Coffee: If you’re a fan of earthy flavors, try steeping chicory alone or blending it with coffee for a Stok-inspired cold brew with a unique taste.
• Dandelion Coffee or Herbal Mock Coffee Blends: Many herbal alternatives to coffee can be cold-brewed to approximate that rich, smooth coffee experience.

2. Substitutes for Water

If filtered water isn’t accessible, you can try these substitutes for the water base. Since the quality of water affects the final taste, choose the best option available!

• Spring Water: This is the next best thing to filtered water—it has a neutral flavor profile, perfect for cold brew.
• Tap Water: If using tap water, filter it with a pitcher or boiling method to remove impurities and improve taste.
• Coconut Water: For a tropical twist, use coconut water in place of some (or all) filtered water. It adds natural sweetness and electrolytes.
• Almond Milk/Non-Dairy Milks: Blend non-dairy milk (unsweetened!) directly in your steeping process for a pre-mixed creamy cold brew. This won’t be as traditional but still yields a delicious result.

3. Sweetener Substitutes

Stōk is known for offering “Not Too Sweet” and sweetened options. If you’re planning to sweeten your homemade cold brew, here are some substitutes for sugar.

Natural Sweeteners

• Honey: A natural sweetener that blends beautifully with cold brew—but dissolve it in a hot or slightly warm beverage first before adding to the cold brew.
• Maple Syrup: For a subtle caramel or nutty flavor, add pure maple syrup directly to the cold brew.
• Agave Syrup: This liquid sweetener is a subtle and natural way to sweeten your cold brew.

Zero-Calorie Sweeteners

• Stevia: A plant-based product that adds sweetness without calories. It works well for those watching their sugar consumption. Start with a pinch—it’s potent!
• Erythritol or Monk Fruit Sweetener: These sugar substitutes are keto-friendly and easily dissolve in liquids.

Other Sweet Alternatives

• Brown Sugar: Adds a rich molasses undertone, creating a deeper sweetness.
• Sweetened Condensed Milk: Perfect for a Vietnamese coffee-inspired cold brew! It sweetens while adding creaminess.
• Dates or Date Syrup: Blend pitted dates into your coffee concentrate for a natural caramel-like sweetness.
• Flavored Syrups: Caramel, hazelnut, or vanilla syrups can turn your cold brew into a café-style drink.

Final Thoughts

By following the steps above, you’ll be able to recreate the magic of Stōk cold brew in your kitchen—and make it uniquely yours.