Cold brew vs. iced coffee: What's the difference, and which is best for you?

When summer arrives and temperatures rise, many of us swap our warm cup of coffee for a refreshing cold version. But when choosing between cold brew and iced coffee, what do they mean, and what exactly is the difference? And perhaps more importantly; which one is best for you? In this blog post, we'll take a closer look at the differences between cold brew and iced coffee.

What is the difference between cold brew and iced coffee?

Cold brew and iced coffee are both cold coffee drinks, but they are made in different ways. Cold brew is made by allowing ground coffee to steep slowly in cold water over an extended period, often between 12 and 24 hours. Because cold brew steeps slowly and without heat, the taste becomes less bitter and acidic than in regular coffee.

In contrast to cold brew, traditional iced coffee is essentially regular hot brewed coffee that has been cooled over ice and served. This method captures the essence of hot coffee and offers a smooth and refreshing taste. This gives a lighter and more acidic taste than cold brew, as certain flavor notes can only be extracted with hot water, and the ice dilutes the coffee somewhat.

How to make cold brew and iced coffee at home?

Making cold brew at home is easy. You only need coarse ground coffee, cold water, and a container. Mix the coffee with the water and let it steep for at least 12 hours. Then strain the coffee through a regular coffee filter and serve it over ice, possibly mixed with water or milk to taste. We recommend using one of Hario's cold brewers to simplify the process.
To make iced coffee at home, brew a strong cup of hot coffee and let it cool slightly. Then pour the coffee over ice and enjoy. Chemex is fantastic for making iced coffee, and Hario has its own brewers specifically for iced coffee.

It's also extra refreshing to add, for example, lemon or other fresh fruits to either your iced coffee or cold brew.

To prevent the ice from diluting the coffee, you can make coffee ice cubes by freezing cooled coffee in ice cube trays. This is a great trick you can also use in other drinks.

Conclusion, which is best?

The choice between cold brew and iced coffee largely depends on personal taste and preferences. Cold brew offers a rounder and less acidic taste, while iced coffee has a brighter and more refreshing taste. Try both variations and find out which one suits you best! Do you have a recipe or tips you want to share? Contact us so we can share it here on our blog!

Find our best summer coffee products here!