What Is Nitro Coffee? [Everything You Need To Know...]

Everything You Need To Know About Nitro Cold Brew Coffee

You may not have seen nitro brew coffee on the menu at your local coffee shop yet, but it will be there soon. First concocted in 2012, this coffee-drinking innovation is quickly becoming mainstream; even Starbucks and Dunkin’ are getting in on the game.

What is nitro cold brew? How is it made? How does it taste? And should you try it? You have questions, and we have answers.

What Is Nitro Coffee?

Nitro coffee is simply cold brew coffee infused with nitrogen, a colorless, odorless gas.

Does that sound strange? We put gases into cold beverages all the time. The gas carbon dioxide gives soda pop its characteristic bubbles, which is why we call it “carbonated.”

Nitrogen is already popularly used in certain beers, the most recognizable of which is Guinness. Instead of calling them “carbonated,” these beers are referred to as having been “nitrogenated.” In fact, many nitro beers and stouts are brewed with the dark flavors of coffee.

So it was only a matter of time before someone had the brainwave that the creamy head of Guinness would be equally well-suited to cold brew. Now, it’s fast becoming one of the coffee drinks of choice in the specialty coffee world.

Like the beer, nitrogenated coffee is best when served “on-tap”. The nitrogen infused cold brew is released from a keg through a pressurized valve with tiny holes, creating the characteristic smooth and creamy body.

What Does It Taste Like?

The flavor profile of a nitro cold brew depends on the coffee beans used, but the drink has some general features. Like typical cold brew, nitrogen-infused coffee is extremely smooth and less acidic, but it has a uniquely silky mouthfeel.

This is because nitrogen gas doesn’t dissolve in liquids as well as carbon dioxide, so the bubbles in a nitrogen-infused beverage are much smaller (1).

“Since nitrogen doesn’t dissolve in water until it is pressurized, it forms very small bubbles, which do not change the taste of the coffee but do affect the texture. It becomes creamy.” – Josh Bloom, American Council of Science and Health

Most fans of the nitro-brew drink it black, either straight up or poured over ice. The nitrogen gas adds a natural sweetness to the flavor of the coffee and creamy mouthfeel, and a part of the appeal of nitro coffee is that you may not need to add sugar or dairy. For those with a sweet tooth, many shops offer it enriched with sweet cream or vanilla syrup.

At the Manhattan coffee shop Mighty Brew Bros, it is used in cocktails like a nitro pina colada and paired with vanilla ice cream in a nitro float (2). Owner Josh Kim claims that the nitrogen-infused coffee takes well to more flavors compared to other coffees.

What Does It Look Like?

Many Third Wave coffee shops market and sell nitrogenated coffee using its visual appeal. As it is poured from a tap, it produces a coffee cascade of careening bubbles that is undeniably beautiful. The cascade effect arises because the nitrogen bubbles are so tiny that the flowing liquid easily pushes them around the glass.

Once everything settles, nitro cold brew looks very similar to nitro beer, with a foamy head and dark liquid.

How Much Caffeine Is In Nitro Cold Brew?

Nitro coffee has more caffeine than hot coffee because it is made with cold brew. Cold brew is prepared using a high ratio of coffee to water, so it is more caffeinated than an equivalent hot coffee made from the same beans. The nitrogenation process has no effect on the caffeine content.

The exact caffeine content of nitro cold brew varies depending on the coffee and recipe. A Starbucks grande nitro cold brew has 280 mg of caffeine, whereas a grande brewed coffee has 260 mg. A grande Starbucks cold brew has 205 mg of caffeine because the drink includes ice.

Is Nitrogen-Infused Coffee Better For You?

Increasingly, nitrogen infused coffee is being marketed to gym-going coffee lovers as a healthier alternative to traditional coffee. In fact, many high-end gyms are now offering it on tap.

The reason for the health claims is that infusing a drink with nitrogen imparts a natural sweetness and inherent creaminess. The nitro foam hits the tongue in particular places that give the perception of sweetness without the addition of sugar – or the added calories (3).

For anyone used to doctoring their morning java with high-calorie cream and sugar, nitrogenated coffee is a gateway to low-calorie black coffee.

Plus, the higher caffeine content than standard coffee makes it an excellent choice to get amped up before a hard workout.

Nitro Cold Brew Has Lower Acidity

Nitro cold brew, like all cold brew, has less acidity than hot coffee. This benefits coffee drinkers who have sensitive stomachs or are prone to heartburn and acid reflux. If you struggle with these issues – or if you simply don’t love the taste of highly acidic coffee – nitrogen coffee may be the smooth and silky answer you’re looking for.

Related: the best low acid coffee brands

While the choice of coffee beans is often the cause of acidic coffee, the brewing method is more important in the case of nitro cold brew. The acidity is low because the drink is brewed cold.

See, most acids in hot brewed coffee are extracted by hot water. The steamy liquid extracts the acids along with the sweeter flavors, oils, and caffeine. However, nitro cold brew is brewed at lower temperatures, so many acids never enter the beverage (4).

An added benefit of this brewing method is the drink also tastes much less bitter, a factor that any fan of nitro cold brew will undoubtedly attest to.

Can You Make Nitro Coffee At Home?

There’s no way around it, nitrogen enriched cold brew is expensive. Regular cold brew is already much pricier than regular coffee thanks to the need for a long brewing time and double the grounds, and most shops charge at least another dollar for the nitro version.

Willing to fork out the cash, but just don’t want to leave the house? A few shops are now marketing ready-made canned nitro brew. Just make sure you invert it into a glass before drinking. Consuming it straight from the can ruins the silky mouthfeel and means you’ll miss out on the drink’s visual appeal.

If you’re hooked on the stuff, consider investing in the tools to make your own at home. It’s easier than you think.

How To Make Nitro Cold Brew

You can buy dedicated nitro brew coffee makers, which might be worthwhile if you enjoy it often enough to keep on tap. But for most of us, the cheapest way is to use a whipped cream dispenser that uses a nitrogen cartridge.

Steven from Home Grounds shows you how in this video:

Nitro Cold Brew Ingredients

• 12 ounces homemade or storebought cold brew
• Whipped cream dispenser
• Nitrous oxide or nitrogen cartridge

At A Glance

Brew Time:

5 minutes

Yield:

One serving

Should I Use N2 or N2O To Make Nitro Brew?

You can use N2 (nitrogen gas) or N2O (nitrous oxide) to make nitro cold brew; both are safe and effective. N2O cartridges are commonly used for whipped cream, so they are often less expensive and easier to find. However, nitrogen cartridges produce smaller bubbles, which results in a smoother, creamier drink. N2 is a better choice if you can find it.

Nitro Cold Brew Coffee Recipe

I’m going to walk you through an easy recipe for cold coffee infused with nitrogen gas.

Step 1: Make Or Buy Cold Brew

If you have the time, we recommend that you make your own cold brew. It’s easy, less expensive, and means you can use your favorite coffee beans.

In short, steep coarsely ground coffee beans in cold filtered water for 12-24 hours and then strain out the coffee grounds using cheesecloth or a coffee filter. This process yields cold brew concentrate that should be diluted 1:1 with water before nitrogenating.

But if time is of the essence, you can use store-bought cold brew or coffee concentrate from the local supermarket or coffee shop.

Step 2: Infuse The Coffee With Nitrogen

Pour your cold coffee into the whipped cream dispenser. Charge it with one nitrogen or nitrous oxide charge, and shake for about 30 seconds. Discharge the gas, turn the canister upside down, and dispense your creamy coffee into a waiting glass.

Pro tip: Using a frosty glass from the freezer is the best way to keep your nitro coffee cold without diluting it with ice. Alternatively, make ice cubes from brewed coffee for use in all your chilled coffee beverages.

Step 3: Serve And Enjoy

Even if you typically enjoy coffee with cream and sugar, we recommend trying your nitro coffee black first. You’ll find that nitro cold brew has a natural sweetness and velvety mouthfeel.

For a more decadent drink, make a Starbucks-style frothy topping. Whip ¼ cup cold skim milk with 1 teaspoon vanilla syrup, and spoon it over your brew.

Final Thoughts

What is nitro infused coffee? It’s cold brew with nitrogen gas – the sweet, creamy, satiny version of cold brew that’s taking the world by storm right now. Whether you’re looking for a healthier way to get your morning coffee fix or just a new twist on a cold caffeinated beverage, try this innovative coffee!

Do you have any questions we didn’t answer? Let us know in the comments below.

FAQs

What is the difference between cold brew and nitro cold brew?

The difference between cold brew and nitro cold brew is the infusion of nitrogen gas into the latter. This process adds tiny bubbles to the cold brew, which gives it a naturally creamy mouthfeel, enhanced sweetness, and a beautiful aesthetic compared to regular cold brew coffee.

What is the difference between cold brew and iced coffee?

The difference between cold brew and iced coffee is the brewing process. Cold brew is made by steeping coarsely ground coffee for hours in cool water. Iced coffee is made by brewing hot coffee and chilling it over ice. The different extraction times and temperatures yield distinct flavor profiles. Using the same beans, a cold brew will be sweeter and smoother, while an iced coffee be crisp and brighter.

What is Starbucks nitro cold brew?

Starbucks nitro cold brew is their signature slow-steeped cold brew infused with nitrogen gas and served on tap. Starbucks uses nitrogen gas rather than nitrous oxide for the ultimate smooth texture. It’s available black or topped with sweet cream.