Iced Coffee Vs. Cold Brew: Is Cold Brew Just Iced Coffee?

Are you confused between cold brew and iced coffee? They may look alike, but they are quite different!

Here’s a quick answer: iced coffee is brewed hot and then cooled, while cold brew is steeped in cold water for a smoother, less acidic taste.

Keep reading to discover the differences in taste, caffeine, calories, and brewing methods. By the end, you’ll know exactly which is right for you. Let’s start brewing!

Ice Coffee Vs. Cold Brew: Quick Comparison

Feature	Cold Brew	Iced Coffee
Brewing Method	Coarse coffee grounds steeped in cold water for 12-24 hours	Hot brewed coffee cooled and poured over ice
Caffeine Content	Higher (200-300 mg per 16 oz)	Lower (100-200 mg per 16 oz)
Flavor Profile	Smooth, rich, low acidity, naturally sweet	Bright, bold, more acidic, retains hot coffee flavors
Aroma	Mellow, earthy, chocolatey	Intense, vibrant, similar to hot coffee
Caloric Content	2-5 calories per 16 oz (without additives)	2-5 calories per 16 oz (without additives)
Popular Additives	Vanilla syrup, almond milk, chocolate syrup	Milk, cream, sugar, flavored syrups
Preparation Time	Long (12-24 hours)	Quick (minutes to brew and cool)
Best Brewing Tool	OXO Cold Brew Coffee Maker	Any standard coffee maker or pour-over setup
Texture	Velvety, smooth	Depending on preparation, it can be slightly more watery compared to cold brew
Versatility	Can be diluted with water, milk, or used in recipes	It can be customized with milk, cream, sugar, or syrups

What Is Cold Brew?

Cold brew coffee’s roots can be traced back to 17th-century Japan, where it was known as Kyoto-style coffee. This method involved slowly dripping cold water over coffee grounds, creating a concentrated, smooth beverage.

In the early 2000s, cold brew gained traction in the United States, becoming popular for anyone who wants a refreshing coffee, especially in warm weather.

Cold brew is a coffee brewing method that involves steeping coarsely ground coffee beans in cold water for an extended period, typically 12 to 24 hours.

This process results in a smooth, less acidic coffee concentrate that can be enjoyed as is or diluted with water, milk, or a milk alternative.

The slow extraction process highlights the coffee’s natural flavors, offering a rich and mellow taste without the bitterness often associated with hot-brewed coffee.

What Is Iced Coffee?

Its origins often go back to 19th-century France, where it was known as “mazagran,” a cold, sweetened coffee drink. Over time, iced coffee evolved and spread globally, with different cultures adding their unique twists.

In the United States, it gained popularity in the mid-20th century, becoming a staple summer refreshment.

Iced coffee is a chilled coffee made by brewing hot coffee and then cooling it down, typically by pouring it over ice.

This method preserves the traditional coffee flavors while providing a refreshing, cold alternative. You can also personalize it with milk, cream, sugar, or flavored syrups.

Iced Coffee Vs. Cold Brew: Main Differences

Now, let’s compare both coffees to get a better idea of their differences in taste, caffeine levels, calories, and more.

Coffee Taste

Cold Brew: Cold brew is known for its smooth, rich flavor with natural sweetness. The long steeping process fully extracts the coffee’s oils and sugars, resulting in a complex and well-rounded taste.

You can expect a mellow aroma, often with earthy and chocolatey tones. Also, cold brew is low in acidity, making it gentle on the stomach and providing a velvety mouthfeel.

Iced Coffee: On the other hand, iced coffee, which is brewed hot and then cooled, has bold and strong flavors. Depending on the roast, this method has distinct notes of the coffee bean, like fruity or nutty flavors.

The aroma is intense and vibrant, similar to hot coffee. Because of the hot brewing process, iced coffee has a brighter, more acidic profile. This makes it lively and slightly more bitter, with less smoothness than brew.

Caffeine

Cold Brew: Cold brew typically contains more caffeine, averaging 200-300 mg per 16-ounce (473 ml) serving. This higher caffeine level gives you a stronger and longer-lasting energy boost.

Iced Coffee: Iced coffee, brewed hot and then cooled, usually has less caffeine, averaging around 100-200 mg per 16-ounce (473 ml) serving.

Calories

Cold Brew: Plain cold brew coffee is typically very low in calories. Usually containing around 2-5 calories per 16-ounce (473 ml) serving. However, the calorie count can quickly increase depending on what you add.

For instance, sugar, flavored syrups, cream, or milk can easily add anywhere from 50 to 200 calories. If you add two tablespoons of cream and one tablespoon of sugar, it can increase by around 80 calories.

Iced Coffee: Like cold brew, plain iced coffee contains 2-5 calories per 16-ounce (473 ml) serving. Once again, adding milk, sugar, etc., increases the calories in your drink.

Coffee Grounds

Cold Brew: Medium to dark roast beans are preferred for cold brew, bringing out rich, chocolatey, and nutty notes. The beans should be coarsely ground to avoid over-extraction during the 12-24 hour steeping period, resulting in a smooth, rich flavor.

Iced Coffee: Iced coffee can use both light and dark roast beans. You try light roasts if you prefer floral and fruity notes, while dark roasts provide deeper flavors. The beans are ground to medium consistency and brewed hot before being cooled, resulting in a bright and aromatic drink.

Cold Brew: Brewing Methods

Immersion: Immersion is the most common technique for making cold brews. You let coarsely ground coffee steeped in cold water for 12-24 hours, usually in a large container or French press.

After steeping, the mixture is strained to remove the grounds, producing a smooth, concentrated coffee. This straightforward method brews a rich and mellow coffee.

Slow Drip: The slow drip method, or Kyoto-style, involves dripping cold water slowly over a bed of coffee grounds.

The water passes through the grounds and collects in a container below, typically taking several hours. This method produces a more refined and complex flavor, with distinct notes that are often more pronounced than immersion ones.

Iced Coffee: Brewing Methods

Hot Brewed Over Ice: This traditional method involves brewing hot coffee at double strength and pouring it directly over ice.

The ice cools the coffee quickly, diluting it to the proper strength. This technique preserves the coffee’s aromatic compounds, resulting in a bright and flavorful drink, though it can be more acidic.

Japanese Iced Coffee: Like the hot brewed-over-ice method, Japanese iced coffee is brewed directly onto ice using a pour-over method.

This technique betters the coffee’s flavor and aroma because rapid cooling preserves its delicate compounds. It creates a vibrant, refreshing cup that tastes cleaner than the normal hot brewed-over-ice method.

Iced Coffee Vs Cold Brew: My Favorite Recipes

I love experimenting with different recipes to find the perfect balance of flavor and refreshment when it comes to cold coffee drinks.

Here are four of my favorite recipes that you can easily make at home. I highly recommend using the OXO Cold Brew Coffee Maker for cold brew.

1 – Cold Brew Vanilla Almond Latte

Ingredients:

• 1 cup cold brew concentrate
• 1/2 cup almond milk
• 1 tablespoon vanilla syrup
• Ice cubes

Instructions:

1. Fill a glass with ice cubes.
2. Add cold brew concentrate and almond milk.
3. Stir in the vanilla syrup until well-mixed.
4. Enjoy your smooth and nutty vanilla almond latte!

2 – Mocha Cold Brew

Ingredients:

• 1 cup cold brew concentrate
• 1/2 cup milk or milk alternative
• 2 tablespoons chocolate syrup
• Whipped cream (optional)
• Ice cubes

Instructions:

1. Fill a glass with ice cubes.
2. Combine cold brew concentrate, milk, and chocolate syrup in the glass.
3. Stir well to mix the chocolate thoroughly.
4. Top with whipped cream if desired.
5. Indulge in your chocolatey cold brew treat!

3 – Classic Iced Coffee

Ingredients:

• 1 cup freshly brewed hot coffee
• 1/2 cup cold water
• Ice cubes
• Milk or cream (optional)
• Sugar or sweetener (optional)

Instructions:

1. Brew a cup of hot coffee at double strength.
2. Fill a glass with ice cubes.
3. Pour the hot coffee over the ice, allowing it to cool.
4. Add cold water to dilute to your preferred strength.
5. Customize with milk, cream, sugar, or sweetener if desired.
6. Sip your classic iced coffee, perfect for any time of day!

4 – Japanese Iced Coffee

Ingredients:

• 1 cup hot water
• 1/2 cup ice cubes
• 2 tablespoons coarsely ground coffee
• 1 tablespoon simple syrup (optional)

Instructions:

1. Place ice cubes in a glass.
2. Brew the coffee using a pour-over method directly over the ice cubes.
3. Stir in simple syrup if you prefer a touch of sweetness.
4. Enjoy the vibrant and clean taste of Japanese iced coffee!

These recipes are my go-to favorites for enjoying cold coffee at home. I like using the OXO Coffee Maker, which makes the brewing easy and gives you a consistently smooth and rich cold brew. So, go ahead and give these recipes and discover your new favorite cold coffee drink!

Last Thoughts

To recap, iced coffee is brewed hot and then cooled. This gives you a bright, bold flavor with more acidity.

On the other hand, cold brew is steeped in cold water for longer, resulting in a smooth, rich, and less acidic taste.

So, which should you pick? If you prefer a quick, traditional coffee with a robust flavor, iced coffee is your go-to.

But cold brew is the perfect choice if you’re looking for a smoother, more mellow drink with less acidity.

Now it’s your turn! Do you have any tips or favorite cold brew or iced coffee recipes? Leave a comment below and share your advice with us!