How To Make Nitro Cold Brew At Home - For The Love Of Coffee

Nitro coffee, popularized by Starbucks, has taken the coffee world by storm with its creamy, smooth texture and unique flavor profile. But what exactly is nitro coffee, and can you make it at home? In this guide, we'll answer these questions and more, helping you create the perfect nitro cold brew from the comfort of your kitchen.

With just a few simple tools and techniques, you can whip up a delicious batch of Nitro coffee at home—no barista required. Nitro coffee is all about infusing that smooth cold brew with nitrogen gas, and it’s easier than it sounds.

If you're curious about how Starbucks pulls off their famous nitro cold brew, we’ll uncover some of their secrets to help elevate your home brewing game. And we'll also give you the ideal coffee-to-water ratio for that perfect cold brew base.

What Makes Nitro So Great?

Nitro coffee is made by infusing cold brew coffee with nitrogen gas under pressure, creating a creamy, smooth cold coffee that resembles a beer on tap or a Guinness. This process not only gives the coffee a velvety texture but also enhances its flavor, making it less bitter and lower in acidity compared to traditional hot brewed coffee.

Steps to Make Nitro Coffee at Home

1. Brew Cold Brew: Start by steeping coarse coffee grounds in cold or room temperature water for 12–24 hours. Strain the coffee to remove the grounds.
2. Infuse with Nitrogen: Pour the cold brew concentrate into a keg and pressurize it with nitrogen gas. The high pressure and nitrogen combine to create the desired effect.
3. Serve: Nitro coffee is best served cold and can be poured over ice. Alternatively, you can dilute half a cup of cold brew with half a cup of water, pour it into a whipper, charge it with nitrous oxide, and shake for 20–30 seconds before pouring.

Tools and Options for Home Brewing

• Nitro Cold Brew Keg: A reliable option for frequent brewers.
• Whipped Cream Dispenser: A simple and cost-effective method using nitrogen gas cartridges.

Now that you have a snapshot of how to make this iconic brew at home we'll breakdown all the small details that lead to your best cup of nitro brew.

The Story

One day I got a call from my friend who owns a local coffee shop. He told me about some new coffee drink that was like Guinness beer. Being a fan of Guinness too, I had to find out what this was. That day we drove nearly 35 miles to Austin, Texas to try a Nitro Cold Brew coffee. And I haven't been able to get over it since then. See more about what nitro cold brew is.

I'm not a rocket scientist, but my friend and I did a little research and testing to figure out how to make the best recreation nitro cold brew at home. This article is dedicated to our journey and providing you with a step-by-step process to make your own nitro brew today.