COFFEE GUIDE
Cold Brew
Steeped in cold water for 12 to 24 hours. Smooth, low-acid, high caffeine.
WHAT IT IS
Cold brew is ground coffee steeped in cold or room-temperature water for 12 to 24 hours, then filtered. It is not iced coffee. Iced coffee is brewed hot and cooled. Cold brew is never heated, and the slow cold extraction produces a smoother, less acidic, more concentrated result.
HOW IT IS MADE
Coarsely ground coffee (typically 1 part coffee to 4 to 8 parts water) is combined with cold water and steeped in the refrigerator for 12 to 24 hours. The mixture is then filtered through a fine mesh or paper filter to remove grounds. The result can be a ready-to-drink coffee or a concentrate meant to be diluted.
WHAT IT TASTES LIKE
Smooth, with chocolate, caramel, and sweet malt notes. Lower acidity than hot-brewed coffee means less of the bright, sharp flavors. The flavor is rounded and heavy rather than bright and acidic.
WHEN TO ORDER IT
When you want a cold coffee drink with less acidity. When you prefer a smooth, heavy coffee flavor. When you want a high-caffeine option served cold.
HOW TO ORDER IT
Say "cold brew." Specify with milk or straight. Ask if it is a concentrate (to dilute) or ready-to-drink. For a creamy version without milk, ask for nitro cold brew.
VARIATIONS
Nitro cold brew: infused with nitrogen gas for a creamy texture. Cold brew concentrate: a stronger brew meant to be diluted. Cold brew with cream: straight cold brew with a splash of heavy cream.
CAFFEINE
Varies widely. A ready-to-drink cold brew may have 100 to 150mg per 12 oz. A concentrate can have 200mg or more per serving before dilution.
According to Pulled Coffee data from 462,531 coffee shops worldwide, 15.9% of all coffee shops are classified as specialty — the type most likely to serve a proper Cold Brew. In cities like Vancouver (4,175 specialty shops) and London (3,621), your chances of finding a great one are significantly higher than the global average.
Find a great Cold Brew near you
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Find a great Cold Brew near you
COLD BREW BY CITY