Nitro brew was made by a beer-loving homebrewer who decided to experiment with a new technique of making beer in the early 2010s.  Now it has become one of the world's biggest coffee trends and can be found in many cafes and even is available in cans at grocery stores. 

Its signature frothy look and velvety texture resembles a “beer” and has become quite famous with coffee aficionados. 

So much hype around this drink, makes you wonder how it's made. Let's dive into it. 

How is it Made? 

Nitro cold brew, as the name suggests, is made by using cold brew coffee. This is the first step in the process.

Cold Brew Making Process

A cold brew coffee is simply coffee where the grounds are steeped in water at cold temperatures for long periods of time. It is made by soaking coarsely ground beans for 18 to 24 hours in room-temperature or cold water. This makes for less acidic coffee since the coffee beans are never in contact with hot water. 

After the coffee grounds are done steeping, they are filtered out by using a paper filter or a sieve. The resulting cold brew can then be diluted with water or milk and served either chilled or hot.

The Nitro Cold Brew Making Process

A nitro cold brew is made by infusing nitrogen into a cold brew concentrate through a pressurized valve. The addition of nitrogen bubbles gives a distinct texture and mouthfeel to the cold brew. The nitrogen also adds a layer of foam to the coffee and gives it its signature "beer" look.

Equipment Needed to Make Nitro Cold Brew

It's important to preserve the nitrogen in the coffee and hence the nitro cold brew is often kept in a keg, exactly like beer! 

While the delicious drink is popular for both its texture and look, some small businesses find it quite challenging to make in bulk. 

The commercial process of infusing nitrogen into the cold brew involves faucets, tubes, hoses, gas tanks, and kegs. Storage of nitrogen and cold brew also requires equipment that leads to a hefty bill for cafes. 

However, to make it at home, you can purchase a nitrogen whip and quickly make your own nitro cold brews. With the right equipment and technique, it's quite easy to make nitro-based drinks. The nitrogen whip is available at almost all grocery stores. 

The Delicious Taste of a Nitro Cold Brew

The nitrogen gas infusion makes a velvety texture that is smooth on the tongue. 

Coffee made as a nitro cold brew is thick, velvety, and sweet without the addition of any sugar or dairy. This has made the drink very popular amongst fitness enthusiasts too as it's indulgent and creamy while having only five calories per serving. It’s also keto and vegan-friendly. 

Wanna try making some on your own? Get a nitrogen whip and coffee to make your cold brew. We recommend trying our Downtown Blend, which has notes of roasted nuts, cedar, and sweet herbs. Sourced straight from South America and Asia, choose the "cold brew" grind when you order to be coarse for making cold brew.