Nitro Cold Brew: What is Nitro Cold Brew at Home

Nitro Cold Brew

nitro cold brew

Over the past few years, we have seen new coffee trends and innovative ways to prepare coffee. Some fizzle away after a few month while others continue to stay, even still today, especially if you are using the best coffee maker. We all know that cold brew became a sensation that many people fell in love with. Eventually, coffee enthusiasts decided that it wasn't quite enough and that it needed a little extra "something". This gave birth to nitro cold brew, a delicious nitrogen infused cold brew, similar in it's creamy mouth-feel to that of a Guinness.

Naturally, this lead to people making their own nitro cold brew at home with the use of some of the best nitro cold brew coffee makers and kegs. We will list our top recommendations down below for the best nitro cold brew setups, but first, we will dive into what it is and how to make it down below. 

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IMAGE PRODUCT
  • Leak-proof design
  • Tight o-ring seals to help preserve freshness
  • Quality engineering made in the US
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  • Priced lower than other competitors with similar performance
  • 100% money back guarantee
  • Matte black or stainless steel options
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  • Double wall insulated
  • Pressure valve included
  • Double filtration
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  • Multiple colors and sizes to pick from
  • Lifetime Warranty with excellent support
  • Engineered to ensure fresh, frothy and creamy nitro cold brew
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  • Gripped handle
  • Pressure valve
  • Conveniently store the stainless steel keg in your fridge to deliver a nice cold beverage to your guests
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What is Nitro Cold Brew

We see a lot of misinformation out there regarding nitro cold brew and what it is. So, what is nitro cold brew? Nitro cold brew is simply cold brew coffee that has been infused with nitrogen. When nitrogen is introduced to the cold brew, you are left with a rich, creamy and sweet brew that closely resembles a Guinness. The nitro cold brew is a much sought after drink because it is naturally sweet, contains less acidity and is a smoother, bolder and less bitter experience.

Nitro Cold Brew at Home

Nitro Cold Brew at Home

Despite what many people think, nitro cold brew at home is quite a simple task to accomplish, as long as you are willing to buy some of the gear and get over that first startup hurdle. To make your own nitro cold brew at home, all you need is coarse ground coffee, water, a filter or cheese cloth, a source of nitrogen and a container to house the coffee. Not only will you save more money over time becoming your own barista, but you will also be able to experiment and find your favorite nitro cold brew coffee.

1. Coarse Ground Coffee

Before you can prepare your nitro cold brew at home, you first need to find some fresh coffee beans that you want to use for your cold brew concentrate. You should buy these fresh from a small batch coffee roaster, not a generic name brand coffee company that will sell you old beans.

Once you have the coffee beans that you want to use, you will need to ground these coarsely. Typically, coarse ground coffee is used for slower coffee extractions, like a French press, percolator or cold brew. If you are unsure what these coffee grounds should look like, they will resemble something similar to that of sea salt.

2. Cold Brew Preparation

The next step in the nitro cold brew recipe is to prepare the cold brew or cold brew concentrate. If you have never made cold brew before, you're in for a delicious treat. There are two typical ways to make cold brew, one of which is to prepare it so that it is ready to be consumed, the other way is to make a stronger concentrate that you dilute as needed. The ladder is easier to store in your fridge which is what we typically recommend.

In order to make the cold brew concentrate, you'll need a cold brew maker. We have gone ahead and put together a list if you are in need of the best cold brew coffee maker. To make the cold brew, simply add the coffee concentrate into your cold brew machine and add filtered water to it. For a concentrate, it is common practice to use one part coffee to three parts water. This of course can be altered based on personal preferences, size limitations and desired tastes.

3. Making Cold Brew

Now that you have added the water to your coffee, you will need to let this sit in your fridge for roughly 24 to 36 hours. You'll read many articles that claim certain timeframes for the best results, but we have found those to be malarkey. I have had delicious cold brew after only a few hours and some after three or four days. As long as you give the immersion some time so that osmosis can occur, it'll taste amazing.

After the 24 to 36 hours has passed, you can now remove the coffee grounds from the cold brew concentrate. If your cold brew maker doesn't have a filter in it, simply run the concentrate through a cheesecloth to filter out the coffee grounds and excess sediment. Once you are left with the concentrate, you can now add more filtered water to it until you get to your desired brew strength. Most cafes add an equal amount of water to the concentrate, but this may be too weak for some.

4. Nitrogen in Coffee

The final step in the process of making nitro cold brew at home is to simply add the nitrogen to your cold brew. We have gone ahead and created a product review list down below if you still need to find the best nitro cold brew coffee maker. We go into the nitro coffee setup more below if you still have questions on what that looks like.

There are two popular ways that people are making their own nitro coffee at home, one is with a whipped cream dispenser and the other is with a mini keg. We highly recommend the mini keg for the easiest experience, and not to mention, the best nitro cold brew.


Nitro Coffee Setup

Whipped Cream Dispenser

 

whipped cream dispenser

The nitro coffee setup can be quite expensive if you are on a budget. If you need a cheaper setup, there are some people that achieve a similar end result using a whipped cream container for the final step of the brewing process. Although this method may be cheaper, it can be a hassle since you'll need to keep changing nitrogen gas cartridges and will need to run additional gas purges.


Mini Keg

mini keg

The mini keg is the best way to make nitro cold brew at home. Not only do these look nice, they also help to preserve the cold brew much more efficiently than the whipped cream dispenser. Plus, once you store it in the fridge, it is ready to use whenever you need it.

Have friends or family coming over? Simple! Just pull the keg out and serve it for everyone. The insulated kegs can also sit outside of your fridge for quite a while which also makes this an awesome bonus if you plan to bring this anywhere, like the beach or to a party.

For our favorite options, be sure to check out the best nitro cold brew coffee makers down below!

 


Can you Make Nitro Cold Brew at Home

Yes, you can make nitro cold brew at home as long as you have a way to prepare the cold brew and a system that will allow for you to add nitrogen to your coffee. Since nitro cold brew is quite expensive at most cafes, many people have begun to craft their own at home. With just a mini keg, or a whipped cream dispenser, you can as well.

Nitro Cold Brew Caffeine

Nitro Cold Brew Caffeine

Despite what some people claim, nitro cold brew does not have more caffeine than regular coffee. The only reason why nitro cold brew would have more caffeine is if you made a stronger batch of it, using more coffee when preparing the cold brew.

If you would like to have more caffeine in your nitro cold brew, there are a few ways you can achieve this. We already mentioned that you could simply use more coffee, but if that is not something you wish to do, especially because of price, you can instead use different coffee beans.

Caffeine amounts can vary for many reasons such as the varietal of the bean, the origin they come from, how they were processed and grown, the age of the bean, the roast degree and how long you let the coffee infuse with the water when preparing cold brew.

For starters, Robusta beans have more caffeine if you want to change coffee bean varietals. Single Origins that are naturally processed and shade grown will also have more caffeine. Lastly, the fresher the bean, the lighter the roast and the longer you let the cold brew sit, the greater amount of caffeine.


Is Nitro Cold Brew Stronger than Regular Coffee

Is Nitro Cold Brew Stronger than Regular Coffee

Coffee strength is often misunderstood according to most coffee drinkers. Many people incorrectly label a coffee as "strong", when in fact, they mean that it is bitter or very dark. The strength of a coffee is identified by how much of the bean was extracted into the cup. The more coffee grounds you use, the stronger a coffee will be, usually.

There are some variables that come into play when extracting coffee, but a darker roast does not mean that the coffee is stronger. So, is nitro cold brew stronger than regular coffee? Typically, yes. Since most cold brew is filtered with a metallic filter or a porous cheesecloth, a lot of the sediment gets into your cup of coffee, making for a stronger nitro coffee compared to a paper filtered cup of drip coffee.

Can Nitro Cold Brew Kill You

If you are wondering whether or not Nitro cold brew can kill you, the answer is yes, but no more so than any other cup of coffee. Since nitro cold brew has the same caffeine content as regular coffee and cold brew, it would take a lot of cups to overdose on caffeine. To be honest, the most likely culprit for death would be due to bacteria in the cans and kegs or getting in an accident on the way to the store or cafe to buy nitro cold brew.

What is in the Nitro Cold Brew

Nitro Cold Brew contains cold brew coffee and nitrogen, or nitrous oxide. These two ingredients are then infused together to form a beautiful bond that is both creamy and bold. The nitrogen also makes the cold brew taste sweeter. If you enjoy Guinness and cold brew coffee, you'll love Nitro Cold Brew.


Is Nitro Coffee Safe

Nitro coffee is just as safe as any other coffee. The only thing to consider when preparing your own nitro cold brew at home is to make sure that you are thoroughly cleaning your equipment before consuming the beverage. The fridge will delay bacteria growth, but you should still be cleaning the keg and or whipped cream dispenser regularly.

Is Nitro Cold Brew Bitter

what is nitro cold brew

Nitro cold brew is not bitter unless you are using bitter coffee. In fact, nitro cold brew uses the slow immersion technique of making coffee, so there is much less acidity and bitterness.

When you brew coffee with hot water, the temperature of the water can lead to burning of the coffee and an over extraction (tannins released), which will produce bitter coffee. Same with acidity, when hot water is used to extract coffee, more acids are pulled from the grounds.

Since cold brew uses slow immersion, there is less acidity. If you are experiencing acid reflux, try running the cold brew through a finer paper filter to remove coffee sediment.

Nitro Cold Brew vs Cold Brew

Nitro Cold Brew and Regular Cold Brew differ in that nitro cold brew uses nitrous oxide, whereas regular cold brew does not. Nitro cold brew has a smooth mouth-feel whereas nitro cold brew has a rich, full bodied texture. Both are delicious, and are the ultimate iced cold summer drinks.


Nitro Cold Brew Coffee Maker

Nitro Cold Brew has quickly captured the coffee world by storm. More and more cafes, restaurants and markets are now carrying Nitro Cold Brew. Like most of us, we like to save money here and there by learning how to do things on our own. Well, you are in luck! Not only can you prepare nitro cold brew in your own home, we prepared a list of the top rated nitro cold brew machines. So, sit back and figure out which of these is the best nitro cold brew coffee maker for you!

 

1. AT HOME Nitro Cold Brew Maker

AT HOME Nitro Cold Brew Maker

The first nitro cold brew maker on our list is the AT HOME Nitro Cold Brew Coffee Maker from HB Brewing. These mini kegs are what we often recommend to our customers that want to recreate and experience a delicious Nitro Cold Brew at home. This kit comes with two options, one is insulated and the other is not insulated. Since you'll be keeping this in your fridge more often than not, you may not need the insulated version in our opinion.

Each kit comes with the matte black 64 ounce mini keg, a stainless steel top with a proprietary pressure relief valve to ensure a rich and creamy taste, a stainless steel faucet and handle set, two hoses to fit the keg, O-rings that ensure a tight leak-proof seal, cleaning utensils and the Nitrogen holder for when you buy the Nitrous Oxide. This nitro cold brew machine is arguably the best nitro cold brew maker on the market.

Pros

  • Leak-proof design.
  • Tight o-ring seals to help preserve freshness.
  • Quality engineering made in the US.

 


2. My Morning Brew Nitro Maker

My Morning Brew Nitro Maker

Best Budget Nitro Cold Brew Maker 

The next Nitro Cold Brew Machine on our list is our best budget choice, the My Morning Brew Nitro Cold Brew Maker, manufactured by My Morning Brew. This machine also comes in two variations, matte black or stainless steel. Both options are priced equally and perform just as well as any of the others on our list. If a frothy, super rich and bold cold brew is what you are after, this machine will not disappoint. The cascading and foamy top layer looks as if you had a professional cafe prepare it. Heck, you may even think it was a Guinness.

This Nitro kit comes with a 64 ounce keg, a stainless steel top assembly with a well engineered pressure relief system, a stainless steel handle and faucet, the Nitrous Oxide Holder and cleaning utensils. Although you'll need to purchase the N2O separately, it's well worth the effort. You'll be happy to know that this machine is sold with confidence as the manufacturer has promised to fully reimburse anyone that is not satisfied with its performance. Lastly, this beautiful piece of equipment can easily fit conveniently in your fridge. If you are looking for the best nitro cold brew maker that is affordable, this is your best option.

Pros

  • Priced lower than other competitors with similar performance.
  • 100% money back guarantee.
  • Matte black or stainless steel options for those looking for different colors.

 


3. GrowlerWerks uKeg Nitro Maker

GrowlerWerks uKeg Nitro Maker

Best Rated Nitro Cold Brew Maker 

Coming in at number three is the GrowlerWerks uKeg Nitro Cold Brew Coffee Maker manufactured by GrowlerWerks. This nitro cold brew maker is slightly more expensive than the others on the list, but for good reason. The GrowlerWerks features a beautiful polished stainless steel keg with stainless steel accessories. All of the kegs are double wall insulated so that you can take this out of the fridge for a party, and it'll stay cold for quite some time. This machine comes with a 50 oz. keg, coffee filter bag, coffee funnel, a proprietary uKeg tool, stainless steel faucet and attachments, the Nitrous Oxide holder as well as a unique pressure valve to maintain freshness for longer.

The GrowlerWerks allows for you to save money at home, while also ensuring the same delicious taste you'd expect at a cafe. From the cascading, to the preserved freshness, it's quite incredible that these machines are available for such an affordable price. If you are someone that likes to buy Starbucks Nitro Cold Brew or Dunkin' Donuts Nitro Cold Brew, you'll rest assured that you'll be saving a lot of money taking things into your own hand as you make nitro cold brew at home. Not only is this innovative device possibly the best nitro cold brew maker, it is the highest rated!

Pros

  • Double wall insulated.
  • Pressure valve included to prevent oxidation and pressure freshness.
  • Double filtration which prevents potential clogging from occurring.

 


4. Royal Brew Nitro Cold Brew Maker

Royal Brew Nitro Cold Brew Coffee Maker Home Keg Kit System

Best Nitro Cold Brew Systems 

No list would be complete without the Royal Brew Nitro Cold Brew Coffee Maker Keg Kit from Royal Brew. The thing that potentially makes Royal Brew better than the others on our list is that there are many styles and variations to choose from. For example, even though we have made our choices already, this nitro cold brew kit also comes with a best budget nitro maker, varying size kegs and different colors. The standard keg is 64 ounces like the previous two we have covered, but the Royal Brew also offers a 128 ounce keg that is twice as large, but that can still conveniently fit inside of our fridge.

The Royal Brew options also come in the two standard colors that you see, matte black and stainless steel. Each kit comes with a complete system that includes the keg, hosing, nitro holders and fittings, a stainless steel faucet and handles, a carry bag, cleaning supplies and any needed tools. The only thing you'll need to purchase is the Nitro itself, which is what you'll find with any of these machines. Lastly, what really separates this from the rest is the support. Not only is this manufacturer in the US, but there is also a lifetime warranty on these.

Pros

  • Multiple colors and sizes to pick from.
  • Lifetime Warranty with excellent support.
  • Engineered to ensure fresh, frothy and creamy nitro cold brew.

 


5. NutriChef Nitro Cold Brew Keg

NutriChef Nitro Cold Brew Keg

The last nitro cold brew maker for home is the Nitro Cold Brew Coffee Maker from the NutriChef store. This machine seems to share quite a bit of resemblance with the last item we reviewed as it features the same gripped stainless steel handle, stainless steel spear and faucet, a well engineered pressure valve to maintain freshness, compatible tooling equipment and a 64 ounce keg to deliver fresh cold cascaded nitro cold brew. Once you buy some N20, you'll be able to enjoy this in the comfort of your own home. Many people feel as though food and drinks are never as good at home, but this nitro cold brew maker proves that theory incorrect.

Pros

  • Gripped handle for a finished look.
  • Pressure valve to ensure freshness.
  • Conveniently store the stainless steel keg in your fridge to deliver a nice cold beverage to your guests.

 


Conclusion

best nitro cold brew coffee maker

If you love nitro cold brew, or are interested in trying it, we highly recommend buying the equipment for your home so that you can experience it using your own coffee preferences and ratios. All of the items on our list are excellent machines, guaranteed to deliver a wonderful experience to your taste buds. For those of you that have not had the luxury of experiencing a foamy, creamy and rich cup of deliciousness, we highly recommend you try it!

If money is a factor, just know that the average cup of nitro cold brew prepared at home will cost around $0.49, whereas the average price from a cafe or restaurant is steadily climbing upwards in the $4.99 range. After 30 cups or so, you will already break even on this purchase, which is well worth it, especially for those of you that plan on sharing some with friends and family. If you decide to purchase one of these, let us know which one you went with and be sure to let us know your thoughts on it once you had a chance to test it. Thanks for reading!


Author Profile Picture

Parker Russell is a coffee professional and the founder of Black Ink Coffee. As an expert in the field of coffee roasting, cupping (professional Q-Grader) and brewing, Parker has established Black Ink as brand that fuels the grind of dreamers.