On hotter days, you can get your daily dose of caffeine with different options. Two popular ones include iced coffee and cold brew.

Generally, you can expect them to be served cold. But beyond that, what else makes them vary from one another?

Let’s delve into that and see whether to choose iced coffee vs cold brew.

What is Iced Coffee?

Preparing iced coffee starts with the regular brewing or coffee-making process. It means you need to begin with it hot. The iced part comes in because you serve it over ice.

Since you’re adding ice, you might worry about watering down your drink. One way to prevent this is by doubling the amount. This way, the flavor can remain the same, especially once the ice melts.

When making this, you can also try different combinations, like coffee and milk, before adding the ice.

What is Cold Brew?

A cold brew follows a more complex process to make. It requires a lot of time, but this is also the key to its rich flavor!

It requires coarse-ground coffee to remain in cold water for about twelve to twenty-four hours. The flavor gets stronger the longer you keep it in.

When the steeping is done, the leftover coffee concentrate is mixed with milk or water before being served over ice. Because of the nature of the process, you can expect it to have less acidity.

What are the Differences?

Given their definitions, you might come up with a thing or two that sets them apart. Still, how do you know what to choose between iced coffee vs cold brew?

Here’s a clear look at their differences and what you can consider.

Process

The most distinct difference between iced coffee and cold brew is the preparation process. Generally, iced coffee is more straightforward and follows the typical coffee-making rules most people are familiar with. On the other hand, cold brew requires more skill since you want to be sure you steep it just enough.

Moreover, the time it takes to prepare them varies, wherein iced coffee can be done in a few minutes while cold brew requires at least half a day.

You want to consider this when you purchase either drink, especially because it explains why cold brew is usually more expensive than iced coffee.

Flavor

While they seem similar, iced coffee and cold brew taste nothing alike. In most cases, iced coffee will fit your tastes better perfectly since you can make it how you want.

For cold brew, the process creates results with less acidity. Moreover, you can decide how bitter you want it to be based on how long it’s kept in the cold water.

Keep in mind that cold brew is great for those who prefer their coffee dark or enjoy the strong texture, despite being diluted. On the other hand, iced coffee works better if you want a brighter taste.

Strength

Cold brew tends to have higher levels of caffeine than regular iced coffee, but lower than other hot coffee options. While it varies based on the brand, it can go for around 200 mg per 16 ounces, if not higher.

It also helps to know that you can feel the kick when you drink cold brew more than iced coffee. It’s because the flavor itself is strong, regardless of the caffeine level.

In Closing

When deciding what to choose to keep yourself cool on hot days, it’s important to first consider what you’re looking for in your coffee. If you want something refreshing, iced coffee would make a better choice because you can get it brighter. On the other hand, if you prefer a strong kick, a cold brew is the perfect choice!