Iced Coffee vs Cold Brew: Which One Is Better?

I’ll say straight away that I love both iced coffee and cold brew. Like many of the various ways I brew and enjoy coffee, there’s a time and place for each of them. Plus, it can be fun to keep things fresh with different flavors and methods.

So in this geeky deep dive into specialty coffee drinks, I will teach you the difference between iced coffee and cold brew, including the flavor, caffeine levels, and how to make it at home!

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Is Cold Brew the Same as Iced Coffee?

Even though people sometimes use the term iced coffee in a general way that includes all cold coffee drinks (including cold brew,) cold brewed coffee is not the same as iced coffee. The fundamental differences between the two drinks stem from their distinct brewing methods. Cold brew is a full immersion coffee brewed with cold water, whereas iced coffee is regular drip coffee served over ice.

And, these fundamental differences affect flavor, caffeine levels, and much more. Let’s explore what sets them apart!

Basic Difference Between Cold Brew and Iced Coffee

So, saving the extraction science for later, how is cold brew different from iced coffee in terms of flavor?

Iced coffee exhibits a brighter acidity compared to its cold brew counterpart. The hot brewing and rapid cooling process locks in these lively tasting notes.

But cold brew’s slow extraction process with cool water is known for its remarkably smooth and naturally sweet flavor. Cold-brewed coffee captures sweetness without the usual acidity or bitterness people tend to associate with hot-brewed coffee.

Cold Brew Coffee Method

Cold brew coffee involves steeping coffee grounds in cold water over an extended period, typically 12 to 24 hours. Unlike traditional hot brewing methods that rely on heat to extract flavors, cold brew takes a patient approach, gradually transferring flavor over an extended time. The slow extraction process and low water temperature change the chemistry of extraction, which explains cold brew’s distinct taste profile.

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Iced Coffee Method

You brew iced coffee hot and then rapidly chill it by pouring it over ice. You follow a standard recipe for hot coffee and allow the brew to cool to at least room temperature before adding ice. You can also brew the coffee with a tighter ratio to account for melting/dilution and add it to ice immediately.

Some people prefer the Japanese iced coffee method, where you make drip coffee that falls directly onto ice, each drip chilling instantly. The rapid chilling process can intensify the acidity, resulting in a lively and bright brew.

Does Cold Brew Taste Better Than Iced Coffee?

Cold brew and iced coffee exhibit distinctive characteristics that can sway your choice depending on your preferences.

Even if you use the same coffee, each brewing process uniquely extracts coffee flavor. Cold brew’s charm comes from the gentle extraction over many hours in cool water. The immersion and coarse grind give it a rich body, but the reduced acidity and bitterness make it velvety smooth. You will often get subtle tasting notes of nutty and chocolatey sweetness.

In contrast, iced coffee embraces a more expedited route to extraction, brewing with hot water in a standard method like drip coffee. You can drip coffee directly onto the ice while brewing (Japanese iced coffee) or pour it over ice afterward. The hot water and rapid chilling draw out brighter acidic notes from the coffee. Expect a tangy/citrusy flavor from lighter roasts especially.

Cold Brew vs. Japanese Iced Coffee

The comparison between Japanese iced coffee and cold brew gets more interesting because the Japanese method is more similar to cold brew than the typical iced coffee method.

With Japanese iced coffee, you brew a manual pour over coffee over a container of ice, allowing each drip to instantly cool. You calculate the volume of ice and adjust your pour over recipe accordingly, which ensures the final brew has the proper strength.

In my opinion, this method manages to capture the acidity and flavor of the coffee in a way that mimics the smoothness of cold brew.

Is Cold Brew Stronger than Regular Iced Coffee?

In terms of taste, is cold brew or iced coffee stronger? For comparing the strength of cold brew vs iced coffee, it depends on whether you are talking about the concentrated form or the diluted form.

If we compare concentrated cold brew to a similar volume of iced coffee, it’s safe to say that cold brew is stronger. This strength is due to the longer extraction time and the higher coffee-to-water ratio of the cold brew process. However, people rarely consume cold brew straight.

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After brewing, cold brew is usually diluted with water and served over ice. This dilution more or less equalizes it to the taste strength of iced coffee and cold. Even iced coffee is usually brewed with a bolder ratio than standard hot coffee to account for ice melting. But both drinks end up with a similar concentration.

Cold Brew vs. Iced Coffee Caffeine Content

Cold brew and iced coffee may have similar strengths, but since caffeine extraction depends on brewing conditions, their caffeine levels differ. Generally, expect cold brew to have a higher caffeine level than iced coffee. With equal sizes at Starbucks, cold brew has 30 mg more caffeine. There’s a reason why coffee lovers who love their caffeine kick often go with cold brew coffee!

However, caffeine levels can vary widely based on specific recipes. Cold brew tends to have higher caffeine levels because of the immersion brewing method and concentration. And iced coffee usually ends up more diluted after the ice melts.

So remember that caffeine levels are always approximate, but that cold brew will more often pack a bigger punch!

Calories

The good news is that, by themselves, both beverages are relatively low in calories. However, it’s essential to be mindful of any additional ingredients or accompaniments that may contribute to a higher caloric intake.

I recommend trying cold brew if you haven’t since many people find that its natural sweetness does not require any additives.

Starbucks Cold Brew vs. Iced Coffee Taste & Caffeine

Since Starbucks is so ubiquitous worldwide, I figured comparing these two cold coffee drinks would be most beneficial. Firstly, let’s look at the small sizes and how the caffeine content compares:

Starbucks crafts its iced coffee using its standard brewing methods and a typical coffee blend that you would get from its hot drip machine. Since the roast is often darker, expect smokey flavors, sometimes even a slightly burnt taste.

But their cold brew is much smoother and more consistent since it follows an easier recipe. They steep a coffee blend designed for cold extraction in cool water for 20 hours. While not as sweet as other cold brew coffees I’ve tried (or made,) it is definitely low-acid and smooth. In my opinion, Starbucks’ cold brew drinks are incredibly consistent from location to location, and it is my go-to road trip coffee!

Starbucks Iced Coffee Recipe

This homemade iced coffee recipe tastes like the standard flavors you get at shops like Starbucks. And, if you particularly love the Starbucks brew, you can buy Starbucks coffee beans while following that recipe—we recommend this variety pack so you can find your favorite.

Alternatively, you can purchase a premade iced coffee bottle from the Starbucks store. Besides the medium roast, they also sell a blonde roast that will be mellow and round or a dark roast that is bold and robust.

What Beans Does Starbucks Use for Cold Brew?

To create its cold brew, Starbucks uses a custom blend of Arabica beans sourced from Latin America and Africa. These beans are specifically chosen for their flavor profiles, ensuring a well-rounded and rich taste experience. The blend is not as sweet as the cold brew I usually make at home, but there’s no denying the smoothness and consistency.

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See Also: Is Starbucks Considered Specialty Coffee?

How Do Coffee Shops Make Cold Brew?

Wondering how coffee shops make large batches of cold brew? The beauty of cold brew is that you can always increase the output so long as you maintain the same brewing ratio and grind size.

Coffee shops must first choose a bean or blend to use for cold brew. Following that, they combine the coarsely ground coffee with cool water in a large enough container. The ratio of coffee to water may vary depending on the desired strength and flavor preferences of the coffee shop. The container is then carefully covered or sealed to prevent any flavor contamination or oxidation.

After waiting 12-24 hours, shops will then strain the brew to separate the coffee grounds, resulting in a concentrated and decadent cold brew.

Which Is Easier To Make at Home Iced Coffee or Cold Brew?

I tend to recommend a cold brew recipe to coffee newbies before giving the more complicated directions for iced coffee. This is not to say that iced coffee is hard, but you have to first be more familiar with the basic principles of making coffee.

But cold brew is as simple as steeping and waiting. The most crucial feature is to make sure all equipment is clean to avoid any bacteria growth. Otherwise, the steps are as follows:

1. Measure out your desired amount of coarsely ground coffee.
2. Combine the coffee grounds and cold water in the brewing container. Stir gently to ensure the grounds are fully saturated.
3. Cover the container and let it steep at room temperature for 12 to 24 hours. The longer the steeping time, the stronger the flavor will be. Feel free to experiment with different steeping durations to find your preferred taste.
4. Once the desired steeping time has passed, strain the cold brew concentrate using a fine-mesh strainer or coffee filter.

Common Questions

Here, we’ll address some frequently asked questions as a review and conclusion to the debate between iced coffee vs cold brew.

Final Thoughts

Hopefully, you have a deeper appreciation for these cold coffee drinks no matter your preference. Whether you prefer the smooth richness of cold brew or the brighter acidity of iced coffee, both beverages can be delightful and refreshing.

In both cases, let’s just be thankful that so many cold coffee options exist!

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