Buzz
As warmer weather approaches, many coffee enthusiasts transition from hot beverages to cooler alternatives. Two popular cold coffee options are iced coffee and cold brew. While they are often grouped together, their preparation methods have significant differences that impact both their flavor and cost.
Iced coffee and cold brew share the same basic ingredients—water and ground coffee—but they are brewed in distinct ways. Iced coffee starts as hot-brewed coffee, which is poured over ice to cool down quickly. Some coffee shops even store leftover hot coffee in the fridge to use for iced coffee later.
Cold brew requires more time and effort but is often the go-to choice for coffee aficionados. As the name implies, cold brew coffee is steeped in cold water, which, according to Starbucks, results in a smoother, less acidic, and naturally sweeter flavor. The brewing process is slower—taking at least 12 hours—due to the slower infusion of coffee into cold water. The coffee-to-water ratio is also much higher in cold brew (1:5) compared to regular coffee (1:16). These factors make cold brew a more expensive option than iced coffee.
Cold brew is often regarded as a higher-quality option due to its slow, careful brewing process. This method produces a smoother, less acidic flavor and results in a stronger caffeine concentration.
Iced coffee and cold brew are both easy to find during the summer months, and your choice depends on your taste and budget. If you'd prefer to enjoy a refreshing coffee treat at home, here are some cold coffee ideas to try this summer.
