Cold Brew vs. Nitro Cold Brew: What’s the Difference?

Cold brew has become a staple for a reason. It’s smooth, refreshing, and easy to enjoy year-round. But once nitrogen enters the conversation, things start to feel a little different. While cold brew and nitro cold brew share the same foundation, the experience in the cup can change in meaningful ways.

Let’s break it down.

What Is Cold Brew?

At its core, cold brew is coffee brewed slowly with cold or room-temperature water over an extended period of time—typically 12 to 24 hours. Instead of relying on heat, time does the work, gently extracting flavor from the coffee grounds.

This slow extraction results in a cup that’s naturally low in acidity, smooth, and balanced. Because fewer bitter compounds are pulled from the coffee during brewing, cold brew often tastes softer and rounder than hot-brewed coffee served over ice. It’s one of the reasons cold brew works so well as a base for different styles of drinks.

Cold brew can be enjoyed black, paired with milk, sweeteners, or flavored syrups. It’s versatile, forgiving, and easy to build on—making it a favorite in cafés, offices, and homes alike.

What Happens When You Add Nitrogen?

Nitro cold brew starts the same way: as cold brew coffee. The difference comes at the end, when nitrogen gas is infused into the coffee and the drink is served on tap.

Nitrogen is used instead of carbon dioxide (CO₂) because it doesn’t create acidity or sharp bubbles caused by carbonation. CO₂ would make the coffee feel fizzy, while nitrogen produces tiny, soft bubbles that give nitro cold brew its signature cascading pour and velvety, creamy texture—without adding milk or sugar.

The result is a coffee that feels fuller and smoother, with a slightly sweeter perception and a dense, almost beer-like mouthfeel. Nitro doesn’t change the coffee itself, but it does change how your palate experiences it.

The Benefits of Each

Cold Brew

• Naturally low acidity
  
  
• Smooth and approachable
  
  
• Easy to customize with milk, sweeteners, or flavors
  
  
• Versatile for a wide range of drink styles
  

Nitro Cold Brew

• Creamy, velvety texture without dairy
  
  
• Enhanced mouthfeel and perceived sweetness
  
  
• Highlights aroma and flavor clarity
  

Both are great—it just depends on how you like to enjoy your coffee.

How They’re Best Served

Traditional cold brew tends to shine when paired with milk, oat milk, or subtle flavor additions. It’s forgiving and balanced, making it a great everyday option or a base for seasonal drinks.

Nitro cold brew, on the other hand, is usually best enjoyed on its own. Because of its texture and natural sweetness, it doesn’t need much else. It’s a great way to experience the flavor notes of a coffee in a clean, focused way.

That’s why we offer both. Our customers enjoy coffee differently, and we like to meet people where they are.

Choosing the Right Coffee for Cold Brew or Nitro

The coffee itself plays a big role, as well as your ratio of coffee grounds to water during the extraction process.

If you tend to add milk or sweetener, a medium to darker roast often works well in traditional cold brew. These coffees bring chocolatey, nutty, or caramelized notes that hold up beautifully when paired with dairy.

If you’re more interested in tasting fruit-forward or floral notes, a lighter roast often shines in nitro form. The nitrogen helps soften acidity while lifting aromatics, making those brighter characteristics more approachable.

There’s no rulebook here—just preferences. And we’re always experimenting.

A Quick Note on Iced Coffee

It’s worth mentioning that iced coffee is different from both. Iced coffee is typically brewed hot (like a standard drip or pour-over) and then cooled down or poured over ice. Cold brew, on the other hand, is never exposed to heat during brewing, which is what gives it that smooth, low-acid profile.

All three have their place—we just happen to be especially fond of cold brew.

Why We Do Both

At Unbound Brews, we offer both traditional cold brew and nitro cold brew on tap because no two drinkers are the same. Our kegs can be served still or nitrogen-infused, depending on what works best for the coffee and the setting.

At our shop, we highlight both styles side by side—traditional cold brew and nitro—so guests can taste the difference themselves. Think of it like a brewery flight, but for coffee: same base, different expression.

We’re constantly testing new coffees, dialing in recipes, and refining our approach to make the best possible beverage. In the end, it’s not about choosing one over the other. It’s about finding the version that feels right for you.