What Is A Nitro Cold Brew? – The Perfect Cold Brew Coffee!

There is a lot of buzz around Nitro cold brew coffee and many people are asking what is a nitro cold brew?

It’s all in the name! A nitro cold brew is a cold brew coffee that has been infused with nitrogen! It’s a relatively new coffee drink that has only been around since 2012.

What does it taste like? Can you make it at home? Keep reading to find out!

What Is A Nitro Cold Brew?

Nitro cold brew coffee is an excellent twist on regular cold brew coffee that really makes the flavors pop and the drink rich, creamy and sweet.

It’s regular cold brew coffee that has been infused with nitrogen gas.

The cold brew coffee base is not made in a different way, its a coffee that has been brewed with cold water. Due to the cold water extraction the flavor is well-balanced, well-rounded and notably with a reduced acidity.

When you take the step, or the coffee shop, has taken the step to male the cold brew with ice-cold water and brew it in the fridge. The typical brewing time is much longer due to the low temperature extraction with a brew time of 24 to 36 hours on average. Which is why that extra step of brewing with ice-cold water and leaving it to extract in the fridge is overlooked by coffee shops.

At home, that extra step produces a cold brew that has crisper and fresher flavors – perfect for infusing with nitrogen.

When you infuse the cold brew coffee with nitrogen, you get the creaminess and cascading effect of a stout beer like a Guinness.

You end up with a similar appearance with a frothy creamy smooth head of foam and a fuller and heavier mouthfeel and texture.

It’s a regular cold brew coffee with nitrogen gas infused!

Read: How much caffeine in nitro cold brew coffee?

Nitro Cold Brew Vs Cold Brew

It may appear that nitro cold brew coffee and cold brew coffee are the same drink. Nothing could be further from the truth!

These are two distinctly different drinks that look different, taste different and have a very different taste and texture.

That is the difference that infusing nitrogen into the drink.

A minor but very important difference is the way the drinks are served. One is served with ice (regular cold brew coffee) and the other, nitro cold brew, is not served with ice.

This minor difference is very important. Add ice or serve nitro cold brew over ice, and you will spoil the texture and creaminess.

Is Nitro Cold Brew Bad For You?

Nitro cold brew is not bad for you. A lot of people get concerned regarding the consumption of the nitrogen gas that is infused into the cold brew coffee.

78% of the air that you breathe is composed of nitrogen. Nitrogen has been infused in drinks like Guinness for centuries (since 1759 at least).

The only “bad” thing that I can think of is due to over consumption is excessive caffeine intake.

Is Nitro Cold Brew Sweet?

Yes, nitro cold brew is sweeter than regular coffee and regular cold brew without the addition of sugar.

This is a coffee that is best enjoyed naked. By naked I mean with nothing added to it, no sugar, no milk, no cream and certainly no dairy of any kind, not even a splash.

Although you can at Starbucks order this drink with sweet cream and a variety of toppings, this is counter productive as the drink is already sweet and creamy.

Is Nitro Cold Brew Carbonated?

No, nitro cold brew is nitrogenated and not carbonated. A different element and molecule is used. The drink is infused with a smaller molecule, Nitrogen gas (N2) instead of carbon dioxide (CO2).

The use of nitrogen does not cause any harm to your body.

Read: Nitro cold brew at home

How To Make Nitro Cold Brew?

A mini nitro cold brew keg is obviously the best choice. With a mini keg you can fill it with your cold brew and charge it with nitrogen. The initial charge will expel all air, essentially making your cold brew coffee nitro sealed like a large can of nitro cold brew coffee and will stay fresh until you pour it.

You can also use a Whipped cream dispenser and fill it with cold brew coffee whenever you want a nitro cold brew. Shake well for about a minute before charging with nitrogen and dispense into a tall glass.

Your cold brew coffee will stay fresh for about a week in your fridge.

Serve and enjoy.

Frequently Asked Questions About What Is A Nitro Cold Brew

Why Is Nitrogen Added To Coffee?

Nitrogen is added to, or more accurately infused into, cold brew coffee to produce a sweeter and creamier tasting cup of coffee with an enhanced flavor.

Is It Safe To Drink Nitrogen-Infused Coffee?

Nitrogen infused coffee is safe to drink as nitrogen gas has been used in a variety of drinks for hundreds of years. It’s a safe alternative to carbon dioxide.

Does Nitro Cold Brew Cause Bloating?

Nitro coffee is much easier on your stomach than regular coffee as nitrogen gas does not expand as much as carbon dioxide and thus is unlikely to cause bloating to the same level that CO2 does.

Why Do I Feel Sick After Nitro Cold Brew?

If you feel sick after drinking nitro cold brew, the effect is probably due to the caffeine content. Nitro coffee is high in caffeine and due to the nitrogen content gets absorbed 30% quicker when compared to regular coffee.

Why Does Nitro Cold Brew Taste So Good?

Nitro cold brew coffee is a regular cold brew coffee that is infused with nitrogen, a colorless gas that has bubbles and molecules smaller than carbon dioxide. It creates a thicker and heavier mouthfeel and can make your coffee as strong as black coffee with a sweeter and smoother taste.

Does Nitro Cold Brew Taste Like Beer?

Nitro cold brew coffee looks like beer when it is poured and cascades in your glass. It does not taste like beer at all.

Does Nitro Cold Brew Give You Energy?

Yes, nitro cold brew contains caffeine and due to the presence of nitrogen, the uptake of caffeine is 30% quicker than regular coffee beverages.

Is Cold Brew Good For Gut?

According to a study by the American Chemical Society, cold brew coffee is less acidic than hot brewed coffee and contains crude polysaccharides which aid your digestive system.

Final Thoughts – What Is A Nitro Cold Brew?

That question, what is a nitro cold brew, has been answered in detail and given you a great recipe with instructions on how to make nitro cold brew at home. If I have missed anything out or you have any questions please as us in our cool coffee community.

Join our cool coffee community and tell us about your own experiences with nitro cold brew coffee! Do you like it, love it or hate it! Find us on Facebook/Meta.

Derek Marshall

Derek Marshall, a certified barista by the Specialty Coffee Association possesses over two decades of experience in specialty coffee shops. He holds professional certifications for coffee brewing and barista skills. Derek is also an author with authoritative books covering various coffee topics including specialty coffee, sustainability and coffee, coffee brewing, coffee recipes, coffee cocktails and books focusing on Brazilian coffee, Vietnamese coffee, Indonesian coffee and Malaysian coffee. As a barista for over two decades, Derek Marshall has worked in specialty coffee shops across the United Kingdom, Spain, Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, Indonesia, and Vietnam. His expertise extends to the distinct coffee cultures, specialty beverages, and brewing techniques of each nation. Functioning as a coffee consultant, Derek charges US$50 per hour. To learn more about Derek Marshall and Latte Love Brew, visit his About Me Page. For coffee inquiries, contact him at +34-639-410-375 or Derek@LatteLoveBrew.com, mentioning your name and location