[Video Guide] Cold Brew vs Iced Coffee: The Key Differences & How to Brew the Perfect Cold Brew at Home

There’s nothing like a refreshing cold coffee to start your day or power through the afternoon. But not all cold coffee is created equal. While iced coffee and cold brew might look similar in your cup, they’re worlds apart when it comes to flavor, caffeine content, and brewing methods. In this guide, we’ll break down the differences between iced coffee and cold brew, explore the science of coffee extraction, and share a simple step-by-step recipe to help you master making cold brew at home.

Frequently Asked Questions: 

What’s the main difference between iced coffee and cold brew?
Iced coffee is brewed hot and quickly cooled, while cold brew is steeped in cold water for many hours.

Which has more caffeine—iced coffee or cold brew?
Cold brew generally has more caffeine because of the longer extraction and higher coffee-to-water ratio.

Why does cold brew taste smoother than iced coffee?
Cold brewing extracts fewer acidic compounds, resulting in a less bitter, smoother cup.

How long does homemade cold brew last?
Stored in the fridge, cold brew concentrate can stay fresh for up to a week.

Do I need special equipment to make cold brew?
No—just coffee, water, and a jar or French press. A filter or sieve will help with straining.

When it comes to chilled coffee, iced coffee and cold brew often get confused. Both are served cold, but the brewing process makes a big difference in taste, strength, and smoothness.

Cold Brew vs. Iced Coffee

Iced coffee is brewed hot and then quickly cooled over ice. This method highlights brightness and acidity, making it a great choice if you prefer a crisp, refreshing cup with a little tang. Cold brew, on the other hand, is made by steeping coarse coffee grounds in cold water for 12 to 24 hours. The result is a smoother, less acidic coffee with higher caffeine content.

In short: if you want a quick, bright cup with lower caffeine, go for iced coffee, try fruity single origins like our Ethiopian Yirgacheffe or Kenya AA. If you’re after smoothness, boldness, and more caffeine, cold brew is your best friend, we recommend our Cold Brew Blend or Magma Espresso Blend.

The Science of Coffee Extraction

At the heart of both methods is extraction—the process of water dissolving flavors from coffee grounds. Factors like grind size, water temperature, brewing time, and coffee-to-water ratio all play a role. Together, they determine your coffee’s total dissolved solids (TDS), which measure strength and flavor concentration.

A higher TDS means stronger, fuller coffee. In cold brew, this often translates into a smoother texture and more caffeine. But balance is key—over-extraction can lead to bitterness.

How to Make Cold Brew at Home

Making cold brew is easier than you might think. Here’s a simple recipe:

You’ll need:

• 30g coarse-ground coffee (about the size of coarse sand)

• 150ml cold water

• A jar or French press

Steps:

1. Add coffee grounds to your jar.

2. Pour in the water and stir gently.

3. Seal and refrigerate for 12–24 hours.

4. Strain with a fine mesh sieve or a V60 filter for a clean result.

The liquid you’ll get is a cold brew concentrate. To serve, pour it over ice and dilute with water or milk to taste. You can also sweeten it or use it as a base for creative coffee drinks.

Serving Suggestions

Enjoy your cold brew black for a bold kick, or mellow it out with milk. If you’re feeling adventurous, try flavor infusions like vanilla or cinnamon. The beauty of cold brew is its versatility—make it strong and then customize it to your taste.

Full Video Transcript: 

"There’s nothing like a refreshing cold coffee to start your day or give you that mid-afternoon boost. Today, I’m here to guide you through the differences between cold brew and iced coffee, the science behind coffee extraction, and how to master making cold brew at home.

If you’re new here, I’m all about helping you make better coffee at home and exploring the fascinating world of coffee. So, if you want to up your coffee game, consider hitting that subscribe button.

Cold brew and iced coffee may look similar, but they’re brewed very differently. Iced coffee is brewed hot and then quickly chilled before being served over ice. This method gives it a brighter and more acidic flavor. Cold brew, on the other hand, is made by steeping coarse coffee grounds in cold water for 12 to 24 hours. The result is a smoother, less acidic coffee with higher caffeine content. In short, if you prefer a quick, bright, and more acidic cup with less caffeine, go for iced coffee. If a smooth, less acidic, and more caffeinated coffee suits your taste, choose cold brew.

Now let’s talk about the science. Coffee extraction occurs when water dissolves flavors from coffee grounds. The variables that affect this process include grind size, water temperature, brewing time, and the coffee-to-water ratio. These factors determine the total dissolved solids, or TDS for short, which influence the strength and flavor of your coffee. TDS includes both organic compounds like caffeine, oils, and sugars, and inorganic compounds like minerals. A higher TDS indicates a stronger, more flavorful coffee. It’s measured as a percentage, so a 2% TDS means 98% water and 2% coffee solids.

The flavors in your coffee come from oils, acids, and sugars. Oils add richness, acids bring brightness, and sugars provide sweetness and balance. In cold brew, a higher TDS can be especially beneficial. Because cold extraction is slower than hot brewing, using a higher coffee-to-water ratio can compensate and add more robustness and flavor. It also allows for a stronger concentrate that can be diluted later, making cold brew versatile. A higher TDS contributes to a smoother texture and typically means more caffeine, giving you that extra kick. However, balance is important—over-extraction can lead to bitterness.

Making cold brew at home is simple. All you need is coffee, water, and ice. For this example, I’m using Burundi Long Miles coffee, which has apple notes and works great for iced coffee drinks. To make cold brew, use a 1:5 coffee-to-water ratio. Weigh out 30 grams of coffee for 150 milliliters of water. Grind the beans to resemble coarse sand, then pour the grounds into a jar. Zero your scale, add the water, and give it a stir. You could use a French press, but I prefer a jar since it seals easily and prevents your coffee from absorbing any fridge flavors. Put the lid on and refrigerate for 12 to 24 hours.

Here, I tripled the recipe because I wanted more coffee, and it’s been steeping for about 18 hours. The next step is to strain it. You could use a fine mesh sieve, but I like using a V60 because it gives the cleanest result. If you use a sieve, make sure it’s fine enough, otherwise you’ll end up with a silty, sludgy brew. Rinse the filter paper first to remove any papery flavor, then strain your cold brew concentrate.

And there you have it—cold brew concentrate ready to serve. To enjoy, fill a glass with ice, add your coffee, and dilute with milk or water. Sweeten if you like. Personally, I prefer keeping it simple with just coffee and milk.

We recently made a video using ChatGPT to generate some interesting iced coffee recipes, so I’ll link that somewhere around this video. Remember, the key to great coffee is to experiment and find what works best for you. If you found this video helpful, give it a thumbs up and hit that subscribe button for more coffee tips and tricks. If there are any videos you’d like to see, let us know in the comments. See you next time."