Cold Brew vs Iced Coffee Main Differences

Which has more caffeine between cold brew vs iced coffee? If you’re wondering whether there’s a difference between the two, we have an answer to this. 

As a coffee lover, it should be easy making different coffee beverages at your convenience. Besides, you do not need to drink hot coffee every other day. 

It’s easy to make a cold brew and iced coffee at home. However, you can also get the coffee beverages from a cafe. But why should you spend money buying coffee when you can make it yourself at home?

We will take you through how to prepare coffee and the difference between cold brew vs iced coffee. 

Last update on 2023-11-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Let’s get started.

What Is Cold Brew

Coffee can either be hot or cold. Leaving your cup of coffee for several hours or a whole day does not make it a cold brew. There’s a difference. 

To make a cold brew, you need coffee grounds and cold water. However, you can also use a coffee maker like a french press. 

You have to steep the ground coffee in cold water for 12-24 hours. To make it taste good, use the best coffee from the top brands. 

What Is Iced Coffee

Making iced coffee is also fast and easy. From the name, you can already tell that iced coffee has ice. The resulting coffee is a cold beverage. 

To make iced coffee, start by brewing your regular cup of joe. Add ice cubes into your coffee cup. Unlike cold brew, iced coffee does not use cold water. 

For example, if your automatic coffee machine has the iced coffee settings, select the option and brew coffee over ice. Both Iced coffee and cold brew coffee are perfect drinks for summer. 

Difference Between Cold Brew Vs Iced Coffee?

Cold brew and iced coffee are cold beverages. From the definitions, you can identify the difference between the two. But, there’s more. 

The main differences are: 

Brewing Method

The main difference between cold brew and iced coffee is the brewing method. To make iced coffee, you brew regular coffee over ice. On the other hand, cold brew uses cold water. 

Caffeine content

The other difference is the caffeine in iced coffee vs cold brew. Iced coffee has less caffeine compared to cold brew. To make Iced coffee, you’re using hot water. 

One of the contributing reasons to the high caffeine is that the coffee steeps for longer. As a result, the method of brewing extracts more caffeine. If you do not want too much caffeine, you can dilute your cup of joe with cold water. 

Difference in flavor

Besides cold brew vs iced coffee caffeine content, another notable difference is the flavor and taste. Cold brew coffee has a smooth taste. It is less acidic and does not have a bitter taste.

Iced coffee is acidic and bitter compared to cold brew coffee. However, the taste preference is personal. To enjoy a smooth and less acidic cup of joe, consider the cold brew method. 

Brewing Time

Another difference cold brew vs iced coffee has, is the brewing time. Cold-brew takes more time as it uses cold water. On the other hand, iced coffee is faster to make as you’re using a drip coffee machine that uses hot water to make coffee. 

Besides a drip coffee maker, you can use a french press, pour-over, or your favorite brewing method. Whichever method you use, it will take less time to make iced coffee. 

For cold brew, baristas leave the coffee steep for 12-24 hours. Some will have it steep between 16 and 18 hours. As a result, caffeine in iced coffee vs cold brew varies. There’s more caffeine in cold brew than in iced coffee. 

Grind size

To make a perfect cup of coffee for your morning, you can use fine, medium, or coarse grind sizes. 

For a cold brew, the coarse grind size is most suitable. The reason is the low water temperature and brewing time. If you do not have coarse-grind coffee, you get pre-ground coffee from a coffee store. Better yet, you can grind coffee at home. 

Water temperature

The water temperature is quite noticeable. Remember, from our earlier definition, cold brew uses cold water. Iced coffee is regular coffee from hot water. 

You brew hot coffee over ice to make iced coffee. Therefore, the water temperature varies. 

Coffee brewer 

We mentioned it earlier, but it’s worth stressing the point. It is easier to make iced coffee with any conventional coffee brewing method. 

You can use a pour-over, french press, espresso coffee maker, or a drip coffee machine. Unfortunately, you cannot use most of these methods to make a cold brew. 

You may need to budget for a cold brew coffee maker if you do not have a french press or AeroPress at home. Besides, you can cut the cost by using a pitcher or mason jar with a lid.

Price difference

Which one do you think is expensive between cold brew vs iced coffee? Have you gone to a coffee store and compared the price of the two?

A cold brew is more expensive than iced coffee. Cold brew coffee takes a long time to brew, hence the higher price. For instance, you will pay $4 or $5 for cold brew coffee and about $3 for iced coffee. 

How To Make Cold Brew Coffee

Making cold brew coffee at home is easy. Here’s a simple recipe to follow when making cold brew coffee:

What you need:

1. Coldwater/room temperature water
2. Mason jar or french press
3. Coarse ground coffee 

How To brew

Add ground coffee into a french press coffee maker or a mason jar. If you do not have either of the two, use a preferred container with a lid. Having more coffee will result in highly concentrated coffee. 

Add water into the container. Let it steep for 12-24 hours. Steeping time is mostly a personal preference, and you can have it for 16-18 hours. 

Filter out your coffee to remove the particles. You can filter the mixture twice to remove even the fine particles. Serve the coffee, but you can add cold water to reduce the concentration. 

However, you can also add creamer or milk. Making this coffee at home is fast and easy and does not require professional skills.

How To Make Iced Coffee 

On a hot day, the best way to cool down the hot temperatures is with a refreshing iced cup of coffee. Here’s a simple procedure to make iced coffee.

What you need:

1. Ice cubes
2. Coffee maker
3. Ground coffee
4. Water

Procedure:

Make coffee using your preferred brewing method. It can be a drip coffee maker or an espresso coffee maker. Whichever you use, make sure you brew your regular cup of joe. 

Add enough ice cubes to your brewing cup. The hot coffee drips over the ice and melts some in the process. You can add more ice cubes. 

If you love more flavor in your cup of joe, you can add milk or honey to enhance the taste. 

Besides, you can also place the hot coffee in a refrigerator to cool down before adding the ice cubes. 

If you love experimenting with different brew styles, you can make the two types of coffee to pick a favorite. Pay attention to the caffeine in iced coffee vs cold brew. 

You will notice that the cold brew has more caffeine than iced coffee. You can add water to reduce the concentration. 

Cold Brew Coffee Maker

To make cold brew coffee, you can use a french press or a mason jar. However, if you want to use a coffee maker, here are our topic picks.

1. Goodful Airtight Cold Brew Iced Coffee Maker

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With a coffee maker, you can make enough cold coffee for everyone. The Goodful airtight jar features a removable stainless steel mesh brew core that holds ground coffee when brewing. 

The resulting coffee is clean as the mesh filter holds the ground coffee. It has a capacity of 9 cups, suitable for multiple servings. 

The cold brew coffee maker has a compact design to store in a refrigerator. An airtight, gasket silicone lid is leak-proof and keeps your cold brew coffee fresh for 14 days. 

The cold brew pitcher is easy to clean as it is dishwasher-safe. It is also affordable to buy. 

2. Country Line Kitchen- Cold Brew Mason jar

Last update on 2023-12-01 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

The mason jars from Country Line Kitchen are easy to use and clean. You can select from a 32 oz or 64 oz cold brew mason jar.

It features a stainless steel mesh filter that holds ground coffee in place. The filter is durable, and you can use it for several years to make a cold brew. 

Cleaning up is easy. The components of the mason jar are dishwasher-safe. Other features of the cold brew mason jar are – a leak-proof lid, an easy-to-pour dispenser, and a flip-cap lid. 

3. Oxo Brew Cold Brew Coffee Maker

Last update on 2023-12-01 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Coffee can either be cold or hot. The Oxo brew cold brew coffee maker allows you to make hot and cold coffee. It has a rainmaker showerhead that distributes water evenly on the ground coffee. 

With its compact design, you do not have to worry about storage space. It has an attractive design that makes it appealing to have on a coffee table.

The coffee maker has a capacity of 200 millimeters and makes up to 16 ounces of cold brew coffee. To make coffee, place it on the brewer in the carafe. 

It features a glass carafe and a cork stopper to maintain the freshness of the coffee. 

4. Bodum K11683-01WM Bean Cold Brew Coffee Maker

Last update on 2023-12-01 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

The Bodum cold brew coffee maker works similarly to a french press. However, instead of using hot water, use cold filtered water. 

To make a cold brew, you only need to add ground coffee and cold water and let it sit for 12 to 24 hours. It comes with two lids, one to close the brewer and another with a plunger. 

With the flat lid, you can leave the coffee maker in the fridge overnight to steep. The Bodum cold brew coffee maker has a capacity of 51 ounces. It has BPA-free plastic parts. 

The locking lid system prevents spills on your countertop. One of the benefits of using the Bodum cold brew coffee maker is that it’s dishwasher-safe. 

5. Primula Pace Cold Brew Iced Coffee Maker

Last update on 2023-12-01 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Having a coffee maker with a large capacity helps you make coffee for multiple servings. The Primula Pace Cold brew coffee maker makes 6 cups of coffee. 

Besides cold brew iced coffee, you can use the coffee maker to make infused beverages and iced tea. It’s affordable to buy and simple to use. 

The cold brew coffee maker is made of borosilicate glass and can fit in a fridge door. It features a mesh coffee filter and a non-slip silicone base. 

The benefit of using the Primula Paced Iced coffee brewer is ease-of cleaning. It’s dishwasher safe. 

6. Cuisinart DCB-10P1 Automatic Cold Brew Coffeemaker

Last update on 2023-12-01 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

As mentioned earlier, cold brew coffee takes 12-24 hours to brew. However, the Cuisinart automatic cold brew coffee maker counters the time and reduces it to 25 to 45 minutes. 

Its versatility makes it easy to brew 3, 5, or 7 cups of coffee. The cold brew coffee maker features a removable stainless steel filter lid and a brewing chamber. 

The removable water tank is easy to refill and clean. It is hassle-free to clean the coffee maker as it is dishwasher-safe. You can monitor the coffee brewing from the clear brewing chamber. It comes with a 3-year warranty. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between cold brew vs iced coffee?

The difference between cold brew and iced coffee is the brewing method. To make a perfect cup of cold brew, you need to use coarse ground coffee and cold water. You steep the mixture for 12-24 hours before serving coffee. 

With iced coffee, you brew regular coffee, but it drips on ice cubes in a cup. Another difference cold brew vs iced coffee has, is caffeine concentration. You will notice higher caffeine concentration in cold brew than in iced coffee. 

Is there a difference in taste in cold brew vs iced coffee?

Yes. Cold brew coffee and iced coffee have varying taste and flavor. Cold brew is less acidic and has no bitter taste. The oils and acids that cause the acidic flavor do not dissolve in cold water. Iced coffee, on the other hand, is more acidic and bitter than cold brew coffee. 

Where can you buy iced coffee?

You can buy iced coffee from a cafe or make it at home. It’s simple. You can use your favorite coffee brewing method and pour it over ice. 

What are the pros and cons of using cold brew vs iced coffee?

There are various benefits of using cold brew coffee over iced coffee. So, why should you use one method over the other?

Cold brew 

Final Thoughts

Now that you know the difference cold brew vs iced coffee has, which one do you prefer? The choice to brew one over the other is purely a personal preference. 

Luckily, you can make both at home. To make a cold brew, use the best coffee beans and grind them coarse. 

You can also use a cold brew coffee maker to make a cold brew. The main difference between the two brewing methods is that cold brew uses cold water while iced coffee uses hot water.   

And that’s it for the difference between cold brew vs iced coffee. You can make this coffee at home or buy it from your local cafe.