Does Nitro Cold Brew Have More Caffeine? The Surprising Cool Caffeine King!

The data from the table above was extracted from the Starbucks website and collated in a neat and easy to read format.

Is Nitro Cold Brew Stronger Than Cold Brew?

Yes, true nitro coffee is stronger and more caffeinated than regular cold brew coffee. Cold brew coffee has 12.91 mg of caffeine per fluid ounce (or 43 mg per 100 ml) while nitro cold brew has 17.91 mg of caffeine per fluid ounce (or 59.71 mg per 100 ml).

Notably neither a cold brew coffee nor a nitro cold brew have a strong bold flavor as both are very mellow, well-rounded and balanced.

The difference between nitro and regular cold brew is the nitrogen makes the flavors pop, more lively and crisp than a regular cold brew coffee and is creamier without the addition of milk or cream. It’s also naturally sweeter.

Nitro Cold Brew Caffeine Vs Espresso

Clearly nitro cold brew coffee has more caffeine than espresso, but let’s see how much caffeine it has when compared directly to espresso and how many shots it is the equivalent of.

You can see from the table that a Tall 12 Oz (360 ml) nitro cold brew has almost the same caffeine as 3 shots of espresso while a Grande 16 Oz (480 ml) has almost 4 shots of espresso.

Read: Does cold brew have more caffeine than iced coffee?

How Much Caffeine In Nitro Cold Brew?

Nitro cold brew can be considered as highly caffeinated as it has more than 150 mg of caffeine per drink for the smallest drink size that it is available in.

The Tall 12 Oz (360 ml) has 215 mg of caffeine, making it out of the realm of pregnant ladies and nursing moms as the FDA recommends a maximum daily caffeine intake of 200 mg.

The larger Grande 16 Oz (480 ml) has 280 mg of caffeine, which is just less than 4 shots of espresso. 280 mg of caffeine is within the Food and Drug Administration’s 400 mg per day caffeine limit, for a single beverage it is a lot of caffeine.

Is Nitro Cold Brew Carbonated?

No, the term carbonated infers the use of carbon, or accurately put carbon dioxide, to make the drink fizzy.

No carbon dioxide is used in the elaboration of a tasty nitro cold brew coffee. Nitrogen is used instead, hence the name, Nitro cold brew coffee.

The drink, nitro cold brew coffee is cold brew coffee that is infused with nitrogen. It is best enjoyed fresh from coffee shops rather than the cans of nitro cold brew that you see at convenience stores.

Read: Does cold brew have more caffeine?

Is Nitro Cold Brew Bad For You?

No,

while there is a lot of concern focused around is the nitrogen in nitro cold brew bad for you or harmful, the answer is no. Nitrogen has been used in drinks for well over a century and maybe even longer. A famous drink that you are familiar with that is nitrogen infused in Guinness!

…And that has been in use since 1859!

The only possible harm comes from excessive caffeine consumption and thus if you remain within the 400 mg of caffeine per day maximum as suggested by the FDA.

Frequently Asked Questions About Does Nitro Cold Brew Have More Caffeine?

Is Nitro Cold Brew High Caffeine?

The amount of caffeine that is in a nitro cold brew coffee is as follows:

• Tall 12 Oz (360 ml): 215 mg
• Grande 16 Oz (480 ml): 280 mg

When a single cup of coffee has a total caffeine content greater than 200 mg, it is fair to consider it as having a high caffeine content.

Does Nitro Cold Brew Have More Caffeine Than Cold Brew?

Yes, the cold brew coffee caffeine content in the two drink sizes that a nitro cold brew coffee is sold in has 155 mg and 205 mg compared to the 215 mg and 280 mg meaning that a nitro coffee has a notably greater kick.

In terms of flavor, a nitro coffee has a creamier texture and more subtle flavor.

Does Ice Ruin Nitro Cold Brew?

Yes, unfortunately ice does spoil nitro cold brew coffee as it ruins the carbonation, the infusion of the nitrogen into the drink and detracts from the natural rich creamy texture. Adding milk, sweet cream and cold foam also detracts from this drink and is not advised.

Is Nitro Cold Brew Stronger Than Americano?

A café American can have from 75 mg to 300 mg of caffeine depending on the size of the drink served.

For the same two drink sizes, Tall 12 Oz (360 ml) Grande 16 Oz (480 ml) an Americano has 150 mg and 225 mg respectively meaning for the same two sizes a nitro cold brew coffee has more caffeine as it has 215 mg and 280 mg for the drink sizes mentioned.

Why Does Nitro Cold Brew Make Me Feel Weird?

If you feel a little queasy in the stomach or energized, it is probably due to the caffeine content. Nitrogen gas from the nitrogen cartridges used to infuse it into your drink is harmless and has been used in drinks for nearly two centuries. Guinness is a fine example of nitrogen-infused beverage. 

Why Can’t I buy Venti Nitro Cold Brew?

 When Nitro cold brew coffee is served in drink sizes above the Grande 16 Oz (480 ml), you lose the cascading effect, frothy texture and creaminess of the drinks. The bubbles dissipate and get lost easier, similar to how a large carbonated Coca-Cola loses the fizz quicker.

What Is The Hype With Nitro Cold Brew?

Nitro cold brew coffee is a regular cold brew coffee with nitrogen. A true nitro coffee has a silky texture and rich creamy taste and looks like a glass of beer due to the foamy head.

It is a very smooth tasting coffee. It is infused with nitrogen gas that makes the flavors pop and fresher, more crisp.

Can You Add Flavors To Nitro Cold Brew?

Yes, you can add flavors to nitro cold brew coffee, but it is not advised. Try the coffee first and enjoy it as it is then experiment with flavored syrups. Avoid milk, cream, and cold foam toppings.

Final Thoughts – Does Nitro Cold Brew Have More Caffeine?

That question, does nitro cold brew have more caffeine, has been answered in this article. If you’re skimming down for the quick answer or missed it, the answer is yes, nitro cold brew has more caffeine than many other coffee beverages, including cold brew, latte, cappuccino, iced coffee and espresso to name a few.

It is one of the most caffeinated coffee drinks at Starbucks on a per fluid ounce basis.

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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