How to make starbucks nitro cold brew

By Starbucks Channel • July 24, 2017 • 2 min read

Table of Contents Show

#1: How it’s poured.
#2: Served in a glass.
#3: No ice.
#4: It’s low-cal.
#5: Unsweetened.
#6: It’s a two-tap system.
#7: No contact with hot water.
#8: It’s slowly steeped.
#9: It first launched in Seattle.
#10: It’s like beer, but not exactly.
How is Starbucks nitro cold brew made?
What coffee does Starbucks use for nitro cold brew?
Is Starbucks nitro cold brew stronger than cold brew?

It’s no secret that Starbucks® Nitro Cold Brew has become one of our most popular drinks overnight. But some of the reasons for its success might surprise you. Watch as coffee education specialist Mackenzie Karr takes us behind the counter for the inside scoop on what makes smooth, creamy Nitro Cold Brew unlike anything you’ve tried before.

#1: How it’s poured.

There’s a reason we pour Nitro Cold Brew into a cup placed flat on the tray. Unlike beer where you tilt the glass under the tap to avoid excessive bubbles… we want ’em!

#2: Served in a glass.

In most stores you can order Nitro Cold Brew “to stay” and it will be served up in a pint glass so you can see the gorgeous cascade of nitrogen bubbles swirling about.

#3: No ice.

We serve Nitro Cold Brew without ice to further enhance the smooth, creamy finish.

#4: It’s low-cal.

When people try Nitro Cold Brew they love the creamy taste and assume that means lots of calories. Not true! A tall (12-ounce) serving has 5 calories and 0 grams of sugar.

#5: Unsweetened.

The drink is served unsweetened to highlight the flavor the cold brewing process brings out in the coffee. If you want to amp up the sweetness, ask for Nitro Cold Brew with Sweet Cream. It will be topped with a float of house-made vanilla sweet cream resulting in a subtly-sweet cascade of velvety coffee.

#6: It’s a two-tap system.

We use a two-tap system – one for regular Cold Brew and one for the nitro version. The kegs are right next to each other in the store. The only difference? One is infused with nitrogen as it cascades out of the tap.

#7: No contact with hot water.

Cold Brew is a method of crafting iced coffee where the coffee never comes into contact with hot water. The coffee is steeped in cool water, with time replacing heat to extract flavor.

#8: It’s slowly steeped.

Our Nitro Cold Brew is handcrafted. The coffee is slowly steeped for 20 hours in a Toddy brewer.

#9: It first launched in Seattle.

Like Cold Brew before it, Starbucks first launched Nitro Cold Brew in Seattle. When it launched we couldn’t believe how quickly it shot up to become one of the highest selling beverages. (What is the highest selling? The latte!)

#10: It’s like beer, but not exactly.

The look and texture have been compared to Guinness® stout. Some people have wondered – does it contain alcohol? Nope! Just our creamy Cold Brew and a shot of nitrogen.

Check out this locator to find Nitro Cold Brew in a store near you.

How is Starbucks nitro cold brew made?

Our Nitro Cold Brew is created when our signature Cold Brew (slow-steeped for 20 hours) is infused with nitrogen as it pours from the tap. Nitrogen infusion creates microbubbles, giving the coffee a cascading, frothy texture.

What coffee does Starbucks use for nitro cold brew?

Starbucks uses a cold brew blend that includes coffee beans from Nariño, Colombia. Only Starbucks knows exactly what the blend is, but you can get a very close version by making cold brew using Starbucks Cold Brew Pitcher Packs which contains coffee from Nariño.

Is Starbucks nitro cold brew stronger than cold brew?

Yes, there is more caffeine in nitro cold brew vs regular coffee, but that is hardly the only benefit you get. We believe that any one of these is a great reason to try Quivr's True Cold Nitro Coffee and if they weren't enough, we know the great taste of Quivr will make the difference.

make starbucks nitro cold brew