Cold Brew Vs. Iced Coffee: Understanding the Differences

There are so many different options out there when it comes to coffee. When you order from a coffee shop like ours, you will find specialty choices and drinks made to order for your tastes. Understanding the difference between cold brew and iced coffee is important for your order. You want to be sure you get what you are really looking for. While these two names may sound similar, they are different.

Check out this guide to find out just how these coffees are similar and how they differ.

Cold brew and iced coffee are both served cold, but that is really where their similarities end. They are brewed and made differently, which means you will find different flavor notes and textures between the two.

Here is the biggest difference. Cold brew coffee is brewed using cold water instead of hot water. However, iced coffee is brewed using hot water, then ice is added to make the coffee cold. Both cold brew and iced coffee can still have sugar, sweetener, flavors, milk, cream, or whatever else you desire added to them.

With the cold brew process, the coffee tends to be balanced and mellow in flavor since some of the strength is left behind in the brewing process. We also infuse our cold brew with nitrogen, much like a Guinness Stout. The result is a rich beverage full of body and natural flavors!

How to Make Iced Coffee

Iced coffee is made almost exactly like any hot coffee. They use the same brewing process with hot water to brew your beans of choice. You can make any traditional hot coffee by using less hot water to brew and replacing it with ice in your carafe. Your brew ratios should stay the same whether hot or cold. We like to refrigerate before serving. This means you will experience the traditional flavors of coffee plus any of your favorite additives, paired with ice to make it a cold drink instead of a hot one.

Iced coffee will be bright and acidic because you don’t lose any of the brewing flavors thanks to the hot brewing process used. Here is a quick look at how iced coffee is made:

Brew hot coffee to your liking
Swap about 1/3 your hot water with ice in your carafe
Add the hot coffee over ice
Refrigerate or enjoy right away!

What is Cold Brew Coffee?

Cold brew coffee is not always served cold, despite the name. It can be served either hot or cold based on your preferences. The real difference is that this coffee is brewed using cold water, which changes the flavor & body substantially.

To make cold brew you don’t need much special equipment. We utilize the Toddy system, which is basically just a bucket and large-closable filter. You can cold brew at home with a Toddy or even a french press. Cold brewing typically takes anywhere from 12-24 hours. It takes longer because you are using cold water for brewing rather than hot.

However, a lot of people like that cold brewing results in lighter coffee flavors that resemble chocolate in some ways and is smooth to drink. It’s not as bitter as regular coffee is to many people. The caffeine content is also typically higher because of the long brewing process.

The coffee beans or coarsely ground beans are steeped in cold water, slowly extracting the flavors to create coffee. After the brewing and steeping process, you can warm the coffee and serve it hot, or you can serve it as an iced coffee if you prefer. Just like any other coffee, you can also add any of your favorite creamers and flavors.

Cold Brew Coffee Benefits

Coffee has many different benefits as it is, but cold brew has some benefits that set it apart from traditional coffee. Cold brew coffee has tons of antioxidants that can help reduce inflammation and improve overall health. One of the best-known antioxidants is caffeoylquinic acid, which is very powerful.

In addition, cold brew does have higher levels of caffeine. If you are looking for more of a caffeine kick in your coffee, cold brew is the way to go. Many people feel that this extra caffeine and the antioxidants can be beneficial for weight loss.

If your stomach is sensitive to coffee, cold brew is gentler. Since it is less acidic, it tends to cause less distress to sensitive stomachs. Ultimately, the antioxidants offer benefits such as boosted mood, increased metabolism, overall health, and more.

Cold Brew Coffee vs. Iced Coffee: Which Will You Try?

The difference between cold brew and iced coffee is pretty substantial. They are both unique. You may enjoy them both at different times, or you may find that you prefer one over the other. At the shop, our iced coffee is bottomless while we offer our cold brew as single serve.

At The Foundry Coffee House, we take great pride in offering a variety of quality coffees for every taste. Check out the menu and ask your friendly barista what they recommend!