As a coffee aficionado who’s tasted brews from Seattle to Sumatra, I can confidently say that nitro coffee is shaking up the caffeine scene. What started as a trendy cafe option is now a staple for many coffee enthusiasts, and for good reason. Nitro coffee’s popularity has skyrocketed in recent years, with the global market expected to reach $60 billion by 2032 [1].
So, what’s all the buzz about? Picture this: a cascade of tiny bubbles creating a creamy, Guinness-like effect in your coffee, minus the alcohol. It’s naturally sweeter and less acidic, so you can ditch the sugar and cream without sacrificing flavor.
In this article, I’ll cover everything you need to know about nitro coffee, from its unique flavor profiles to different methods for making it at home and the benefits it offers.
What is Nitro Cold Brew?
Nitro Cold Brew Coffee is a coffee drink that starts with a cold brew base and is infused with Nitrogen gas. It is served straight from the tap, much like a cold beer, which adds to its appeal and creates a visually striking cascading effect when poured.
The addition of nitrogen to cold brew coffee serves multiple purposes. First, it creates a smooth and creamy mouthfeel, enhancing the overall texture of the drink. The tiny nitrogen bubbles also contribute to a perceived sweetness, allowing the coffee to taste sweeter without the addition of sugar or other sweeteners. Furthermore, the nitrogen infusion produces a distinctive foamy head on top of the coffee, just like a freshly poured beer.
Nitrogen is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas that is completely safe for consumption. This inert gas doesn’t alter the flavor profile of the coffee itself but instead enhances its texture and presentation. The use of nitrogen in beverages has been common in the beer industry for years, particularly in stouts and other creamy beers, before making its way into the coffee world in 2012.
Nitro Cold Brew Coffee is best when served on tap, where the full effect of the nitrogen infusion can be appreciated. But now you can also find it in bottles and cans in different flavors, so you can enjoy it easily at home or on the go.
What does Nitro Coffee taste like?
Nitro coffee has a smooth, creamy texture and a rich, full-bodied taste. The nitrogen infusion gives it a slightly sweet flavor and creates a foamy, beer-like head. It feels almost like an iced latte without adding any milk or sugar.
It’s less acidic and less bitter than regular coffee, and it’s got that velvety mouthfeel that just feels so good. Even people who hate coffee will like it. Nitro Coffee is ideally enjoyed cold and black, allowing you to fully appreciate its unique qualities.
Can You Make Nitro Coffee at Home?
Yes, you can make nitro coffee at home. You’ll need cold brew coffee, a nitrogen cartridge, and a device like a cream whipper, NitroPress, or a small keg system to infuse the nitrogen.
What Machines are used to infuse nitrogen into coffee?
1- Cream Whipper
One method for making nitro coffee is using a cream whipper. It is the most cost-effective way to make nitro coffee at home but you have to use it more carefully.
To make nitro coffee using a cream whipper, first, fill the whipper with cold brew. Then, insert a nitrogen cartridge and secure the lid tightly. After that, shake the whipper lightly, flip it upside down, and give the trigger a quick press to release a small amount of gas into the glass. Repeat this process 2-3 times to minimize splattering. Once it’s safe, hold down the trigger to fully dispense the nitrogen-infused coffee.
2- Nitro Press
The NitroPress is a versatile and user-friendly device designed for creating nitro beverages at home. To use it, fill the press with cold brew coffee, charge it with a nitrogen cartridge, and then dispense the coffee. The advanced design of the NitroPress makes it simple to infuse nitrogen into cold brew, tea, beer, or even milk.
The NitroPress costs more than the cream whipper, but it’s got better features, is easy to carry around, and lasts longer. It’s definitely worth getting if you want to make nitro drinks quickly at home or in cafes.
3- Keg System
Keg systems allow for the storage and dispensing of large quantities of cold brew coffee while maintaining its quality and freshness. The main components of a cold brew keg system include a stainless steel keg to store the coffee, a nitrogen tank for pressurization, and a tap system for easy pouring. The nitrogen tank serves two purposes: it pushes the coffee out of the keg and helps preserve its flavor by preventing oxidation.
It’s the most advanced method and gives the best results, but it’s also the most expensive. Keg systems are commonly used in coffee shops, but Mini portable Kegs are also available for home use.
How to make Nitro Coffee
Ingredients and Equipment
- Coarsely ground Coffee beans (Ideally Dark or Medium Roast)
- Filtered Water
- A Large Container or Jar for steeping coffee – French Press would be a good choice
- Fine Mesh Strainer
- Cream Whipper or Nitro System or Keg System
Step by Step instructions
Here’s a detailed step-by-step guide for making Nitro Coffee:
1- Prepare the Cold Brew Base:
Start by preparing cold brew coffee. Mix the grounds with cold water in a 1:4 ratio (1 part coffee to 4 parts water). Steep this mixture in a large container or French Press for 12-24 hours at room temperature. Strain the coffee through a fine filter or cheesecloth to remove the grounds, leaving you with a smooth, concentrated cold brew.
Check out a guide on how to make Cold brew in French Press
2- Prepare the Nitrogen Setup Choose your nitrogen setup—cream whipper, NitroPress, or a keg system. For a cream whipper or NitroPress, fill it with cold brew coffee concentrate and cold water in a 1:1 or 1:2 ratio (depending on the taste). Make sure not to overfill as you have to leave some space for the nitrogen.
3- Charge with Nitrogen Insert a nitrogen cartridge into your device and securely seal it. Shake the device lightly to infuse the nitrogen into the coffee. If using a keg system, attach the nitrogen tank and set the regulator to the appropriate pressure to infuse the cold brew in the keg.
4- Dispense the Nitro Coffee With a cream whipper or NitroPress, dispense the coffee into a glass by pulling the trigger. For a keg system, pour the coffee from the tap. After dispensing, allow the coffee to settle for a moment, during which you’ll observe the mesmerizing cascade of tiny bubbles and the formation of a creamy, tan-colored head on top.
5- Serve the drink Cold: Nitro coffee is best served cold and black to fully enjoy its creamy texture and smooth flavor. You can add ice, but avoid diluting it too much to keep the rich, nitrogenated texture intact.
Serving and Flavorings for Nitro Cold Brew
For the best nitro cold brew experience, serve it in a tall, clear glass to showcase its cascading effect. Pour the coffee at a 45-degree angle, then straighten the glass as it fills. This technique helps create a beautiful, creamy head. Serve immediately after pouring to enjoy the full effect of the nitrogen infusion. For optimal taste and texture, use chilled glasses and avoid adding ice, as it can dilute the coffee and disrupt its creamy consistency.
Nitro cold brew is typically enjoyed without any added flavorings to appreciate its natural smoothness and creamy texture. For those with a sweet tooth, Light syrups like caramel, vanilla, or hazelnut can enhance the brew’s inherent sweetness without overpowering it. For a boozy twist, you can add a splash of Irish Whiskey, Kahlua, or Baileys to transform it into a delightful coffee cocktail.
Should You Use N2 Or N2O To Make Nitro Brew?
Both N2 (nitrogen) and N2O (nitrous oxide) can be used to make nitro cold brew, but they produce slightly different results.
N2O, commonly known as laughing gas, creates larger bubbles and imparts a slightly sweeter flavor to the coffee. It’s often the go-to choice for home brewers because N2O cartridges are readily available for cream whippers.
N2 is generally considered the better option for nitro cold brew. It produces a much denser, creamier foam head with microbubbles, resulting in a smoother and more velvety body. This is why most coffee shops use pure nitrogen for their nitro cold brew systems. The tiny bubbles created by N2 give the coffee its characteristic cascading effect and silky mouthfeel that have made nitro cold brew so popular.
Benefits of Nitro Coffee
1- Low Acidity – Gentle on the Stomach
Cold brewing produces a less acidic drink compared to hot coffee, as most coffee acids develop at higher temperatures. This makes Nitro coffee a gentler option for those with sensitive digestive systems. The lower acidity makes it easier on the stomach and gives a smoother taste with less bitterness.
2- Naturally Sweet, Calorie-Smart Choice
The nitrogen infusion in nitro coffee creates a subtle sweetness and creamy texture, mimicking the mouthfeel of milk-based coffee drinks like Iced Lattes. This natural flavor enhancement satisfies the cravings for sweet, creamy coffee without any extra additives like sugar and cream. This makes Nitro coffee a smart choice for cutting sugar consumption and avoiding health issues that come with it like obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, etc [2].
3- Offers the same health benefits as regular coffee
Nitro coffee retains all the health benefits associated with regular coffee. It’s rich in antioxidants, which help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals. These antioxidants have been linked to a reduced risk of various diseases, including certain types of cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases, etc [3]. Plus, the caffeine and other stuff in coffee can help your brain, give you an energy boost, lift your mood, and help you stay focused.
4- Powerful Caffeine Kick
Nitro coffee typically contains more caffeine than regular brewed coffee. This is because cold brew, the base for nitro coffee, is made with a higher ratio of coffee grounds to water. A standard serving of Nitro Cold Brew can contain between 200-300 mg of caffeine, significantly more than a regular cup of coffee.
The higher caffeine content in nitro coffee can offer several benefits, such as enhancing mental alertness, improving concentration, boosting physical performance, and increasing metabolism [4]. However, excessive caffeine intake can also lead to side effects, including insomnia, anxiety, increased heart rate, and digestive issues.
Nitro Coffee at Starbucks
At Starbucks, they’ve got Nitro Coffee, made with slow-steeped cold brew coffee that’s infused with nitrogen for a smooth, creamy texture. They have several flavor options or you can also add the syrups or topping of your choice to sweeten the drink.
The popular Nitro Cold brew flavored options at Starbucks are:
- Salted Caramel Cream Nitro Cold Brew: Made with vanilla syrup and salted cream cold foam.
- Honey Almondmilk Nitro Cold Brew: Made with a touch of honey and creamy almond milk.
- Irish Cream Nitro Cold Brew (Seasonal offering): Made with Irish cream syrup and topping of vanilla cream and cocoa.
Check out guides on other coffee drinks:
FAQs
Does Nitro Cold Brew Have Alcohol?
Nitro Cold Brew doesn’t contain alcohol. It’s simply coffee infused with nitrogen gas, which gives it a beer-like texture and cascading effect. However, you can definitely use nitro coffee as a base for some exciting cocktails like Nitro Espresso Martini or Nitro Irish Coffee, etc.
How Long Does Nitro Cold Brew Last?
Nitro cold brew stays fresh for up to a month when stored in a keg, as nitrogen is a good natural preservative. Once poured, it retains its signature bubbles and creamy texture and doesn’t go flat very quickly. If you’re storing it at home, nitro cold brew stays good in the refrigerator for about a week.
Can Nitro Coffee be Hot?
Yes, nitro coffee can be enjoyed hot, but it’s not ideal. At some coffee shops Nitro coffee is served both hot and cold. You can heat it nitro coffee in a microwave but you’ll need to drink it quickly as the heat will make the coffee go flat and lose its signature creamy texture quickly.
Are there any Side effects of Nitro Coffee?
Nitro coffee is high in caffeine, which can lead to side effects like anxiety, insomnia, jitters, or dizziness, especially in those sensitive to caffeine. Some people may also experience bloating or gas discomfort due to the nitrogen infusion.
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