You’ve probably had a few cold brews before. They’re delicious, refreshing, and certainly take the edge off when you feel tired and need a little boost. But could there be something even better? The nitro cold brew might just be the perfect upgrade to your cold brew.
Brewing a Nitro Cold Brew from the comfort of your own home doesn’t have to be intimidating. All you need is an infusion of nitrogen with nitroxide, and following the instructions for creating this delightful beverage are as straightforward as crafting any regular cold brew.
This guide is designed to teach you how to make your own nitro cold brew coffee right at home. In addition, it provides invaluable knowledge and advice about this invigorating beverage that will have you coming back for more.
Get ready to experience the deliciousness of this genuinely one-of-a-kind treat.
Table of Contents
What is a Nitro Cold Brew?
A nitro cold brew is a type of coffee that has been INFUSED with nitrogen and then served on tap. It has a creamy, velvety texture and an INTENSE flavor profile that is completely unique from TRADITIONAL cold brew coffees.
The nitrogen infusion gives the drink it’s signature CASCADING effect as well as providing a SMOOTH taste without any bitterness or acidity.
Pro Tip: Cold brew concentrate often has a deeper and more intense flavor – offering a far better option than your local coffee shop.
Nitro cold brews are typically made with COARSELY ground coffee beans, steeped in room-temperature water for 12 to 24 hours, then strained through a fine filter and POURED into kegs or growlers FILLED with pressurized nitrogen gas.
When served on tap, the nitrogen bubbles CREATE tiny crema-like bubbles, which give the drink its DISTINCTIVE look and feel.
What is the History of Nitro Cold Brew Coffee?
It was created in 2013 by an Austin-based brewery and has since become WIDELY popular among coffee drinkers for its smooth TEXTURE and intense flavor profile [1].
The HISTORY of nitro cold brew dates back to the early 2000s when homebrewers began experimenting with different METHODS of infusing nitrogen into their beverages.
Nitrogen infusion was initially used to give the beer a CREAMY, velvety texture, and it wasn’t long before this same TECHNIQUE was applied to the world of cold brewing.
In 2013, the FIRST commercial nitro cold brew was released in Austin, Texas, setting off a wave of experimentation that continues today as baristas around the WORLD explore new ways to create UNIQUE flavors using nitrogen-infused coffees.
Which Coffee Beans Should You Use?
When making a nitro cold brew, the coffee beans you CHOOSE are just as important as the nitrogen INFUSION process. The right bean will give your drink its signature flavor and texture, while the wrong one can RUIN an entire batch of coffee.
You’ll want to use medium-dark roasted beans that have been FRESHLY ground for a nitro coffee. These types of beans tend to have more INTENSE flavors and less acidity than lighter roasts which makes them IDEAL for this type of brewing method.
You’ll also want to look for coffees with NOTES of chocolate or caramel, adding sweetness and body to your drink when COMBINED with the nitrogen bubbles.
In addition, try using DIFFERENT combinations of single-origin or blended coffees to create unique flavor profiles for EACH batch you make. This way, you can explore all sorts of DELICIOUS possibilities without buying multiple bags.
How to Set Up Nitro Cold Brew
Making a nitro cold brew at home is EASIER than you might think. All you need is your favorite medium-dark roasted coffee beans, some nitrogen gas, and the NECESSARY equipment to get started. With just a few SIMPLE steps, you can have a delicious nitro cold brew in no time.
How to Make Nitro Cold Brew at Home
There is a main TECHNIQUE for making a nitro cold in addition to several other methods (which are less effective). The steps needed to make nitro coffee at home are SIMPLE to follow, and the equipment NEEDED is fairly easy to access.
What You Will Need for a Nitro Cold Brew Recipe
- Medium-dark roasted coffee beans
- Nitrogen gas
- Coarsely ground coffee beans
- Room temperature water
- Fine filter
- Kegs or growlers filled with pressurized nitrogen gas
- Coffee grinder for grinding the freshly roasted beans
- Brewing vessel (like a French press) or an immersion cold brewer like a Toddy
- A fine mesh strainer and cheesecloth for filtering out the grounds from the finished brew
The Basic Brewing Technique
1. Begin by coarsely grinding your freshly roasted coffee beans in a coffee grinder.
2. Place the ground beans in your brewing vessel and add room-temperature water until fully submerged the grounds.
3. Allow the mixture to steep for 12–24 hours, occasionally stirring during this process if possible.
4. After steeping, strain out the grounds using a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth into another container or pot before transferring it to kegs or growlers with pressurized nitrogen gas.
5. Close up the kegs/growlers tightly and store them away from direct sunlight at room temperature for 12–24 hours while they infuse with nitrogen gas, allowing time for carbonation to occur as well as flavor development to create that classic nitro cold brew texture and taste profile you get when ordering one at cafes and restaurants around town!
6. Once infused with nitrogen gas, serve cold right out of the tap – don’t forget to stir vigorously before drinking.
Should You Use a Whipped Cream Dispenser or a Mini Keg?
Using a whipped cream dispenser or a mini keg for a nitro brew is a matter of PREFERENCE and can depend on the DESIRED texture of the final product.
A whipped cream dispenser will create micro-bubbles, which result in a SMOOTH and creamy cold brew with a VELVETY texture.
On the other hand, mini kegs will create LARGER, thicker bubbles, giving the final product a lighter, more carbonated texture. Either way, BOTH methods will result in a delicious nitro cold brew.
Whatever method you choose, just remember that QUALITY beans and proper nitrogen infusion are key for making a GREAT cup of nitro cold brew every single time.
Other Methods for Making a Nitro Cold Brew
Nitro cold brew is a delicious and REFRESHING drink that can be enjoyed in the comfort of your own home.
While the main technique for making nitro cold brew INVOLVES kegs or growlers filled with pressurized nitrogen gas, there are SEVERAL alternative methods you can use to make this unique beverage.
Pro Tip: No matter your method, fresh nitro cold brew will always be the best.
These INCLUDE using a French press, pour-over coffee maker, espresso machine, and immersion cold brewer like a Toddy. With these methods, you can create COMPLEX flavor profiles from single-origin or BLENDED coffees while exploring all sorts of delicious possibilities.
French Press
Begin by coarsely GRINDING your freshly roasted coffee beans in a coffee grinder, and then add them to a French press.
Next, pour room-temperature water OVER the grounds until they are fully submerged. Allow the mixture to steep for 12–24 hours, occasionally stirring DURING this process if possible.
After the steeping process is COMPLETE, plunge the filter down slowly and pour the cold brew into an AIRTIGHT container.
Lastly, add nitrogen gas to the CONTAINER using a manual or automatic whipped cream dispenser – and voilà, you have yourself a DELICIOUS cup of nitro cold brew made with a French press.
Pour-Over
The pour-over coffee maker technique is ESSENTIALLY the same as the French press method, with just a few VARIATIONS. Begin by coarsely grinding your freshly roasted coffee beans in a coffee grinder and then adding them to the FILTER of a pour-over coffee maker.
Next, SLOWLY pour room-temperature water over the grounds until they are fully submerged. Allow the mixture to steep for 12–24 hours, occasionally stirring DURING this process if possible.
After the steeping process is complete, POUR out the cold brew into an airtight container. Lastly, add nitrogen gas to the CONTAINER using a manual or automatic whipped cream dispenser.
Coffee Maker
Begin by grinding your FRESHLY roasted coffee beans in a coffee grinder and then adding them to an ESPRESSO portafilter.
Next, slowly pour room-temperature water into the portafilter until it’s FILLED. Allow the mixture to steep for 12-24 hours, occasionally stirring DURING this process if possible.
After the steeping process is COMPLETE, remove the portafilter and pour out the cold brew into an AIRTIGHT container. Lastly, add nitrogen gas to the CONTAINER using a manual or automatic whipped cream dispenser.
Espresso Machine
Begin by grinding your freshly roasted coffee beans in a coffee GRINDER and then adding them to an IMMERSION cold brewer like a Toddy.
Next, slowly POUR room-temperature water into the machine until it’s filled. Allow the mixture to steep for 12-24 hours, stirring occasionally.
After the steeping process is complete, REMOVE the cold brew from the machine and pour it into an airtight container. Lastly, ADD nitrogen gas to the container using a manual or automatic dispenser.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Nitro Cold Brew Coffee Good for You?
Cold brew coffee is an excellent source of antioxidants, health benefits and energy – depending on the strength.
Yet one must remember to consume this beverage in balance – too much caffeine can harm your health status. Enjoy Nitro cold brew coffee with measured moderation.
How Long Does Nitro Cold Brew Coffee Last?
For the best flavor and ultimate freshness, Nitro cold brew coffee should be consumed within three days of opening.
But if stored in an airtight container at room temperature, it can be enjoyed up to a few weeks later. And for those looking for extra longevity, simply refrigerating the beverage will extend its shelf life even more.
Is Nitro Cold Brew the Same as Iced Coffee?
Absolutely not. Nitro-cold brew is made with specialized methods which involve a long infusion of coffee beans, while iced coffee simply consists of regular brewed coffee poured over ice cubes.
Moreover, their taste and texture contrast considerably as nitro cold brew has an incredibly smooth flavor paired with its velvety, creamy feel in your mouth.
Is Nitro Cold Brew Stronger Than Regular Coffee?
Absolutely. Cold brew coffee yields a higher caffeine content than the standard brewing processes, producing an intense yet flavorful cup of java. What’s more, nitrogen gas is often injected into the nitro-infused cold brew to reduce its acidity and enhance its smoothness.
To Conclude
Homemade nitro cold brew coffee is a GREAT way to get your daily caffeine fix while enjoying the smooth and creamy taste. It can last up to a few weeks when stored PROPERLY, though it’s best consumed within THREE days for maximum freshness.
Plus, nitro-infused cold brew has MORE caffeine than regular brewed coffee, and its nitrogen gas content makes it LESS acidic with a smoother flavor profile.
Whether you PREFER an espresso machine or pour-over method for brewing your own nitro cold brew at home, these techniques are sure to help ENHANCE any cup of joe.