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What’s the difference between a cold brew and an iced coffee? At face value, they sound similar, but with just a little digging you’ll find some differences that can significantly influence your cup of coffee.
With this guide, you’ll be able to tell all the differences between the two and get a better idea as to which drink best suits you and your needs at home.
Cold brew is an immersion brewing method. It uses room-temperature water to create a drinking experience that’s rich in fully-developed flavours. The cooler water temperature leads to a much slower extraction, hence why it takes anywhere between 12 to 24 hours to brew. But the result is well worth the wait. Because you’ll taste a focused, full-flavoured beverage that can be enjoyed straight or as a base for coffee cocktails.
Iced coffee is what it says on the tin. Brewed coffee served with ice. Think your typical espresso, V60, or AeroPress brew. It’s a delicious chilled drink, but it’s also easy to make and as fast to brew as it is versatile. You can even make this a flash chill coffee by brewing it directly over ice. Whichever way you choose to brew an iced coffee, you can achieve a bright and complex final cup.
Cold brew coffee only uses room temperature or chilled water. This is largely what makes it incredibly easy to make. Iced coffee, however, typically requires you to brew hot coffee first. Whether that’s an espresso or a filter coffee like a V60, AeroPress, or cafetière. This prolongs the process and time it takes to brew.
Cold brew takes a considerable amount of time more to make than an iced coffee. Many hours compared to just a few minutes. Simply down to the fact that you’re brewing at much lower temperatures and are using that extra time to extract all the juicy flavours and caffeine.
In this sense, cold brew is very much a ‘no-nonsense’ brew. All that’s standing between you and a beautiful brew is patience. An iced coffee requires a little more effort on your end. But you can enjoy the fruits of your labour a lot quicker!
This can vary depending on what beans you’re using, the grind size you’re working with, and how you’re serving it, but a cold brew is typically stronger than an iced coffee, simply because it’s had longer to steep and extract more caffeine. That said, iced coffee can still serve up a rich coffee experience. And the less diluted your coffee is, the stronger it’ll be.
Cold brew can be made in large batches and stored in the fridge for around one week while maintaining its freshness and flavour, ready to pour whenever you need a coffee fix. Iced coffee, on the other hand, is best enjoyed fresh. Brew it, chill it, and drink it within a few hours for the best taste.
Both can be served straight, over ice, or with your favourite milk or syrup. They’re also both fantastic in coffee cocktails!
Fruity flavours will thrive in a cold brew. Something like a Rwinyoni Natural would be perfect if you’re planning a cocktail night with friends. If you like a milky brew, though, chocolatey numbers are your best friend, like our award-winning Bourbon Cream Filter. But, so long as it’s freshly roasted and left to steep for long enough, you’re always in for a treat!
This is dependent on which method you’re using. But, as a general rule of thumb, fruity coffees perform best without milk. For a V60 without milk, we highly recommend a fruity-floral coffee like La Secreta. But if you’re more of a cafeière cowboy and like a dash of milk, you won’t go wrong with a smooth and chocolatey House Blend. The Aeropress will work wonders with any coffee you like, and for iced mochas, coffees like Terras Atlas will give you that sweet sensation and a summery fruity twist.
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What’s the difference between a cold brew and an iced coffee? At face value, they sound similar, but with just a little digging you’ll find some differences that can significantly influence your cup of coffee.
With this guide, you’ll be able to tell all the differences between the two and get a better idea as to which drink best suits you and your needs at home.
Cold brew is an immersion brewing method. It uses room-temperature water to create a drinking experience that’s rich in fully-developed flavours. The cooler water temperature leads to a much slower extraction, hence why it takes anywhere between 12 to 24 hours to brew. But the result is well worth the wait. Because you’ll taste a focused, full-flavoured beverage that can be enjoyed straight or as a base for coffee cocktails.
Iced coffee is what it says on the tin. Brewed coffee served with ice. Think your typical espresso, V60, or AeroPress brew. It’s a delicious chilled drink, but it’s also easy to make and as fast to brew as it is versatile. You can even make this a flash chill coffee by brewing it directly over ice. Whichever way you choose to brew an iced coffee, you can achieve a bright and complex final cup.
Cold brew coffee only uses room temperature or chilled water. This is largely what makes it incredibly easy to make. Iced coffee, however, typically requires you to brew hot coffee first. Whether that’s an espresso or a filter coffee like a V60, AeroPress, or cafetière. This prolongs the process and time it takes to brew.
Cold brew takes a considerable amount of time more to make than an iced coffee. Many hours compared to just a few minutes. Simply down to the fact that you’re brewing at much lower temperatures and are using that extra time to extract all the juicy flavours and caffeine.
In this sense, cold brew is very much a ‘no-nonsense’ brew. All that’s standing between you and a beautiful brew is patience. An iced coffee requires a little more effort on your end. But you can enjoy the fruits of your labour a lot quicker!
This can vary depending on what beans you’re using, the grind size you’re working with, and how you’re serving it, but a cold brew is typically stronger than an iced coffee, simply because it’s had longer to steep and extract more caffeine. That said, iced coffee can still serve up a rich coffee experience. And the less diluted your coffee is, the stronger it’ll be.
Cold brew can be made in large batches and stored in the fridge for around one week while maintaining its freshness and flavour, ready to pour whenever you need a coffee fix. Iced coffee, on the other hand, is best enjoyed fresh. Brew it, chill it, and drink it within a few hours for the best taste.
Both can be served straight, over ice, or with your favourite milk or syrup. They’re also both fantastic in coffee cocktails!
Fruity flavours will thrive in a cold brew. Something like a Rwinyoni Natural would be perfect if you’re planning a cocktail night with friends. If you like a milky brew, though, chocolatey numbers are your best friend, like our award-winning Bourbon Cream Filter. But, so long as it’s freshly roasted and left to steep for long enough, you’re always in for a treat!
This is dependent on which method you’re using. But, as a general rule of thumb, fruity coffees perform best without milk. For a V60 without milk, we highly recommend a fruity-floral coffee like La Secreta. But if you’re more of a cafeière cowboy and like a dash of milk, you won’t go wrong with a smooth and chocolatey House Blend. The Aeropress will work wonders with any coffee you like, and for iced mochas, coffees like Terras Atlas will give you that sweet sensation and a summery fruity twist.
