With the third wave and specialty coffee, the cold variety has become its own category with a roster of options that seemingly requires a degree to fully understand. From iced cappuccinos to iced macchiatos, coffee shops now offer a dizzying variety of cold coffee-based beverages. Even if not considering an espresso drink or a something-ccino, there is still a decision to be made between iced coffee; its pricier cousin, cold brew; and maybe even a nitro. But what is the difference?
Before getting into coffee “hobby”, I was equally baffled by the complex iced coffee taxonomy. But after spending tons of time (and money) experimenting, I became more familiar than ever wanted to be with what goes into each glass (or cup). From the classic iced coffee to that $5+ nitro brew, here's what you need to know.
Iced coffee
Let's start with a long time, faithful friend, iced coffee. Classic, reliable and famously over-iced, this guy is a summertime go-to.
How it's made
True to its name, iced coffee is pretty much your average cup of drip (or press) . . . over ice. It's brewed hot like the regular cup but at double strength, so when it melts a pitcher of ice, it won't lose the body and kick.
How it tastes
Iced coffee tends to be light, refreshing and a little more acidic—though this will depend on the beans at play and how well the person brewing knows how to do it.
What you're paying for
Iced coffee costs more than the hot stuff because of the extra materials involved—like straws, ice (not to mention the ice machine required) and plastic (or better compostable) cups, which can cost up to two times the price of their paper counterparts. It's typically the cheapest of all the iced varieties, however, because the process of making it isn't too time intensive.
Drink it if
You love drinking strong black coffee, don't mind adding dairy or a nondairy creamer (since it's more acidic, you may need a little something), or want to make it yourself in a pinch.
Cold Brew
Though not really new at all, cold brew has gotten a lot hotter over the past few years. It's pretty much a household name, finding its way into grocery stores, restaurants, and any coffee shop worth its beans.
How it's made
The cold in cold brew doesn't come from the temperature of the coffee, but rather the process of making it. Steeped in cool water at room (or colder) temperature, cold brew will slowly become its best self over 12 to 24 hours. The grounds are then strained out, and the remaining liquid is chilled (or heated) and served.
How it tastes
The heat tends to pull some of the most intense and aromatic chemicals out of coffee beans, which translates into the acidic, slightly bitter taste of hot-brewed coffee. Because cold brew is made with cool water, it tastes slightly sweeter, a bit milder and way less acidic than your average iced joe. Though the aroma and flavor will be less intense, they won't change dramatically over time like hot coffee. So you can drink it the next day, and the next day, and it will taste just as fresh.
What you're paying for
We've all wondered why cold brew cashes out anywhere from 50 cents to a dollar more than regular iced coffee. Not only does the process take way longer, but cold brew also requires about twice the amount of coffee grounds as its more traditional counterpart.
Drink it if
You want to avoid adding creamer or sweetener but have trouble drinking black coffee since it's much smoother than your standard coffee cup. Also, this is a great option if you want to make high-quality coffee at home and don't mind brewing it a day in advance.
Nitro Brew
Nitro brew is basically a bubblier cold brew that comes from a keg. It grew in popularity in recent years, delighting those who had always secretly wished coffee was just beer.
How it's made
The coffee is typically first made using the cold brew process, then poured into a keg. It's then infused with tiny nitrogen bubbles and routed through a pressurized valve to create the "on tap" situation that looks (and tastes) undeniably cooler than any Keurig.
How it tastes
The biggest difference between a nitro brew and a cold brew is texture. While both of these iced options are subtle and sweet in flavor, a nitrogen cold brew delivers a super-smooth, rich body with a foamy top similar to your favorite draught beer.
What you're paying for
Between the (time- and money-intensive) cold brew process, the nitrogen infusion and the costly equipment needed to make it.
Drink it if
You want something frothy but you're trying to avoid creamers or sweeteners.