

When the foamy layer on your nitro cold brew sinks, this is called a “cascade”. Once poured, this foamy layer sinks from the top to the bottom, much in the same style as Guinness. The nitrogen bubbles create a foamy, milky layer, very similar to the head on a glass of stout beer. Given that the technique for pouring nitro cold brew is very similar to the technique for pouring beer from a keg, it is perhaps not surprising that at first glance, a glass of nitro cold brew could easily be mistaken for a glass of stout or Guinness. The infuser disperses nitrogen gas throughout the cold brew, then dispenses that signature frothy, creamy nitro cold brew. Home baristas can use a handheld nitrogen infuser, which looks very similar to a whipped cream dispenser. In larger coffee shops, nitro cold brew is poured from a keg using a tap, much in the same way as a beer is poured at a bar. The pouring technique for nitro cold brew is one such factor – it is certainly much more exciting than pulling your standard espresso shot! Not only is there a bit of chemistry in every cup of nitro cold brew, there is a great taste too!īeyond the way that nitro cold brew tastes, there are other factors that really set this coffee apart. The creaminess and sweetness that typify nitro cold brew come from these nitrogen infused bubbles. The nitrogen microbubbles give the cold brew a thick, velvety texture with a luxurious mouthfeel.Īs with other bubbly beverages, the nitrogen gas in nitro cold brew transforms the way that the coffee hits your tastebuds. In terms of taste, infusing nitrogen into cold brew makes it sweeter and creamier, without adding any sugar or milk. The infusion of nitrogen into cold brew results in the formation of tiny microbubbles that give nitro cold brew its distinctive taste and texture, elevating it beyond any other type of coffee.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the common denominator that underpins nitro cold brew’s cool factor is the nitrogen itself. From its superior texture and mouthfeel, to its striking appearance and pouring techniques, nitro cold brew is certainly the cool, enigmatic cousin of the coffee world. So, what makes nitro cold brew so special? What does infusing nitrogen into cold brew actually do to the coffee? Read on for our complete guide to this hot new drink! What is so special about nitro cold brew?ĭedicated followers of nitro cold brew will tell you that there are several factors that make this drink special.

The resulting coffee is velvety and thick, with the nitrogen bubbles forming a foamy, creamy layer. Nitro cold brew is cold brew coffee that has been infused with nitrogen gas. Nitro cold brew is causing waves in coffee shops from Berlin to Brooklyn, and has even been featured on certain Starbucks menus in recent years. Just when you thought cold brew couldn’t get any, well, cooler, a new way of making this trendy coffee enters the scene.
