Given their names, you’d be forgiven for thinking that cold brew and iced coffee are the same thing. They’re both just chilled coffee – right? Not quite. We delve into what sets these two popular drinks apart and which might suit your preferences.
Are Cold Brew & Iced Coffee the Same?
No, cold brew and iced coffee aren’t the same thing. While they are both coffee drinks typically meant to be enjoyed cold, it’s largely their brewing method that sets them apart, providing slightly different final results.
What is Cold Brew?
While most coffee, from espresso to filter coffee, is brewed with hot water, cold brew is actually brewed with cold water, hence the name. Here, coffee grounds are steeped in cold water over several hours, meaning flavour is extracted by time rather than heat.
What is Iced Coffee?
While iced coffee is served cold, it is brewed hot like a regular coffee. Iced coffee drinks are typically made with a shot or two of espresso or regularly-brewed coffee poured over ice and often served with milk and flavoured syrups.
What is the Difference Between Cold Brew & Iced Coffee?
There are a few key differences between cold brew and iced coffee, including how they’re made, their taste and, in some cases, how much caffeine they contain.
Brewing Process
As already touched upon, the main difference lies in how each drink is brewed.
Cold brew is made by steeping coffee grounds in cold water for an extended period, typically 12 to 24 hours. The slower extraction time results in a smooth, mellow coffee taste with low acidity.
Once prepared, cold brew is usually made as a concentrate, which can be stored in the fridge for up to one to two weeks. When serving, it’s typically diluted with water (or milk) depending on the original coffee-to-water ratio. Despite the name, you can even dilute cold brew with hot water – it doesn’t always have to be served cold!
On the other hand, iced coffee starts with hot brewing. The heat rapidly extracts the coffee’s flavours, caffeine and oils, resulting in a brighter, more acidic profile. After brewing, the coffee is cooled down and served over ice. It can be made with a French press, drip/pour over coffee or espresso. In coffee shop franchises and cafes, iced coffee is often prepared using double-strength espresso poured over ice (known as flash brewing); as the ice melts, it dilutes the coffee to achieve the perfect ratio and a balanced flavour.
Iced coffee requires a bit more hands-on effort but can be prepared quickly, while cold brew is largely hands-off and simple to make, though requiring more time and patience.
You could also feasibly make iced coffee with instant coffee, which you cannot do for cold brew. This is because the extraction has already taken place (with hot water) before the coffee is dried into granules, so steeping it in cold water would not provide the same results as cold brewing coffee grounds.
Caffeine Content
As is often the case with the ‘which has more caffeine’ question, it really depends on how a particular drink is prepared. However, on the whole, cold brew tends to have a higher coffee-to-water ratio, meaning the average cold brew has a higher caffeine content than the average iced coffee drink.
For instance, cold brew might have a ratio of 1:8 coffee-to-water, while the ratio for an iced coffee might be more like 1:15, depending on how strong you want it. But the reality is, you’ll probably be diluting both cold brew and iced coffee quite a bit (with water, milk and ice), so the final caffeine content will really depend on how it’s served.
Grind Size
Cold brew tends to work better with coarse-ground coffee, as the larger particles slow down extraction to prevent over-extraction during the long steeping time, which provides that smoother, more mellow flavour.
Iced coffee uses a grind size that matches the hot-brewing method being used. For example, a medium grind might be used if you’re making it via the drip method, a coarse grind with a French press or a fine grind with an espresso machine. Because hot water extracts flavours much more quickly, using the correct grind size is essential to avoid under or over-extraction, and to achieve a balanced, well-rounded taste.
Flavour
Thanks to the differences in the brewing processes, the flavour profile of each drink varies quite noticeably.
Cold brew’s slow extraction in cold water results in a coffee that is lower in acidity and bitterness. This gives it a naturally smooth, rounded taste that many people find easier to drink, even without milk or sugar. It’s often described as slightly sweet, with soft chocolatey or nutty notes, and a more mellow character overall.
Iced coffee, by contrast, retains much of the acidity that comes from hot brewing. The use of heat extracts brighter, more complex flavour compounds, which can highlight fruity or floral notes depending on the beans. This gives iced coffee a livelier, sharper taste with more pronounced acidity and a crisper finish.
Storage & Prep
If you’re thinking of making these drinks at home, storage and preparation are also important factors to consider. Cold brew is usually made in large batches, making it a convenient option for those who want ready-to-go coffee throughout the week. Once the coffee has finished steeping and the grounds have been filtered out, the concentrate can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two weeks. This allows you to simply pour and dilute a serving whenever you want.
Iced coffee, however, is best enjoyed fresh. Because it is brewed hot and then cooled down over ice, its flavour and strength begin to change quite quickly as the ice melts and the coffee continues to dilute. For this reason, it’s generally not ideal for batch preparation and is best made and consumed within a few hours of making to preserve its intended taste and balance.
Which is Better?
Whether you’re contemplating a cafe menu or want to try a new coffee at home, cold brew and iced coffee are both popular, refreshing options, but which is best for you?
- Choose cold brew if you like a mellower, slightly sweet flavour and want something you don’t have to add milk to.
- Choose iced coffee if you prefer a more traditional coffee flavour with bold, acidic notes that pair well with milk and flavoured syrups.
Ultimately, neither is objectively ‘better’ than the other. It comes down to whether you prefer the smooth, slow-steeped character of cold brew or the lively, familiar taste of iced coffee.
Our Esquires Coffee shops serve all kinds of tasty brews – why not discover your local store to find a new favourite?
