Cold brew with hemp oil – coffee with character

Cold brew is coffee brewed in cold water for 12–18 hours. The effect is surprisingly different from espresso – lower acidity, deeper flavor, higher caffeine concentration, and a naturally sweeter profile without sugar. Adding cold-pressed hemp oil to the finished cold brew gives a buttery, nutty creaminess and a boost of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. An important rule: hemp oil is ALWAYS added to cold, finished cold brew – never to hot water during brewing or to warm coffee. The smoke point of hemp oil is around 165°C, but prolonged contact with warm water can degrade sensitive omega acids. In this recipe, you will find how to brew cold brew from scratch, how to emulsify oil with coffee, and when this drink makes sense instead of morning espresso.

KEY INFORMATION
• Hemp oil contains about 76–80% PUFA with an omega-6 to omega-3 ratio of about 3:1 – one of the highest ratios among vegetable oils (Callaway, Euphytica, 2004).
• The smoke point of hemp oil is about 165°C – ideal for cold drinks, omega acids remain intact (PMC, 2020).
• Add hemp oil to finished, cold cold brew – never during brewing or to hot coffee.
• A tablespoon of hemp oil (15 ml) provides about 125 kcal, 14 g of fat, and about 5 mg of vitamin E (USDA FoodData Central, 2023).

Why is cold brew a better coffee for hemp oil than espresso?

Cold brew is brewed in cold water without heat – extraction takes 12–18 hours instead of 25 seconds. The result is coffee with distinctly lower acidity and bitterness than espresso or drip coffee. Cold water extracts different compounds from the coffee – more sweet and creamy notes, fewer tannins and chlorogenic acids. This flavor profile pairs better with the buttery, nutty aroma of hemp oil than hot espresso, which can 'burn' delicate omega acids.

Hemp oil contains about 76–80% polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) with an omega-6 to omega-3 ratio of about 3:1 according to Callaway (Euphytica, 2004). A tablespoon (15 ml) provides about 125 kcal, 14 g of fat, and about 5 mg of vitamin E according to USDA FoodData Central (2023). The smoke point of hemp oil is about 165°C according to PMC (2020) – cold cold brew is a completely safe environment for omega acids.

We noticed in tests that cold brew with a coffee ratio of 1:6 (60 g of coffee to 500 ml of water) produces a concentrate that requires dilution, but after adding hemp oil, the flavor is more balanced than in the 1:8 version. A higher concentration of caffeine and coffee 'carries' the buttery oil better – the effect is creamy and intense rather than watery. Diluting with hemp milk 1:1 instead of water enhances the creaminess effect and adds an omega profile from the milk.

Nutritional values of cold brew with hemp oil

A glass of cold brew (120 ml of concentrate + 120 ml of water or hemp milk + a teaspoon of hemp oil) provides about 45–50 kcal from the oil, caffeine of about 100–150 mg from the cold brew, and PUFA fat of about 4.5 g. With a tablespoon of hemp oil (15 ml), the values increase to about 125 kcal and 14 g of fat. The omega-6 to omega-3 ratio in hemp oil is about 3:1 according to Callaway (Euphytica, 2004) supplements the fat profile of a diet that typically lacks omega-3 fatty acids.

Ingredients for cold brew with hemp oil

Ingredients for about 500 ml of cold brew (4 servings):

• 60–80 g of whole or ground coffee (coarsely ground – like for a French press)
• 500 ml of cold, filtered water
• 1 teaspoon of cold-pressed hemp oil per glass (added when serving)
• ice for glasses
• optional for dilution: hemp milk, oat milk, or water
• optional: a teaspoon of maple syrup or coconut sugar
• optional: a pinch of sea salt (enhances the sweetness of the coffee)

How to prepare cold brew with hemp oil – step by step?

Active work: 5 minutes. Passive brewing: 12–18 hours in the fridge.

Step 1. Grind the coffee coarsely. Grind the coffee to a coarseness suitable for a French press – large, irregular pieces. Fine coffee gives a cloudy, astringent cold brew. If you buy pre-ground coffee, choose one described as 'coarse grind' or 'French press grind'. The best beans for cold brew are medium and dark roasts with chocolate-caramel notes.

Step 2. Combine coffee with water. Pour the ground coffee into a large jar (minimum 700 ml capacity) or a covered pitcher. Add 500 ml of cold, filtered water. Stir with a spoon for 30 seconds – make sure all the coffee is wet. Seal the jar or cover it with plastic wrap.

Step 3. Macerate in the fridge for 12–18 hours. Place the sealed jar in the fridge. 12 hours yields a mild, light cold brew. 16–18 hours produces a stronger concentrate. Do not macerate at room temperature – higher temperatures accelerate the extraction of bitter compounds.

Step 4. Filter the coffee. Pour through a fine sieve lined with cheesecloth or a paper coffee filter over a pitcher. Filtering through paper takes 10–15 minutes but results in a clear, smooth cold brew without cloudy particles. Transfer the finished cold brew to a clean jar with a lid and store it in the fridge.

Step 5. Prepare a glass and add the oil. Fill a glass with ice. Pour in 120–150 ml of cold brew. Optionally dilute 1:1 with cold water or hemp milk. Add a teaspoon of hemp oil. Shake in a shaker for 10 seconds or stir vigorously. Drink immediately – the oil and coffee create a temporary emulsion.

Variations of cold brew with hemp oil

Bulletproof cold brew version. Add a teaspoon of hemp oil, a teaspoon of MCT C8 oil, and 3–4 ice cubes to the glass with cold brew. Shake in a shaker. A creamy, filling cold brew with energy from MCT and omega acids from hemp – a summer version of bulletproof coffee without the heat.

Version with hemp milk. Dilute cold brew with homemade hemp milk (1:1) instead of water. Hemp milk emulsifies hemp oil better than water – it creates a more stable emulsion and adds creaminess without a frother. The nutty aroma of hemp milk and cold brew coffee is a natural combination.

CBD version. To the finished glass of cold brew with hemp oil, add 3–5 drops of 5% CBD oil. Shake or stir. Hemp oil in cold brew acts as a lipid carrier for CBD – the bioavailability of CBD is higher than in fat-free beverages, according to Huestis (PMC5009397, 2016). Summer coffee with CBD for a good start to the day.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is hemp oil added to cold brew after brewing, not during?

Hemp oil should go into the finished cold brew – not into the water during brewing. Although the smoke point is around 165°C according to PMC (2020), prolonged contact with warm water gradually degrades sensitive omega-3 acids. Cold brew is brewed in cold water – the omega acids are protected throughout the maceration process.

How much hemp oil to add to cold brew?

Typically 1 teaspoon (5 ml) per cup – about 40–45 kcal and 5 g of PUFA fat. A tablespoon (15 ml) is about 125 kcal and 14 g of fat according to USDA FoodData Central (2023) – a more filling version. Start with a teaspoon and assess the taste.

How to mix hemp oil with cold brew?

Oil and water do not mix on their own. The best method: cocktail shaker (10 seconds) or electric frother (20 seconds). The emulsion is temporary – the oil will rise to the top after 1–2 minutes. Drink immediately after shaking or stir with a spoon while drinking. Hemp milk as a base provides a more stable emulsion.

How long can cold brew be stored?

Filtered cold brew without oil can be stored in a sealed jar in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Add hemp oil just before serving – it oxidizes faster in contact with coffee than in a sealed bottle. Do not store prepared cold brew with oil for longer than 2 hours.

This article is for informational and educational purposes and does not replace consultation with a doctor. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medications, or have chronic conditions, consult the use of supplements or herbs with a specialist.

Author: Michał Waluk · Published: 2026-05-04 · Updated: 2026-05-04