They might look similar in the glass, but cold brew and iced coffee are fundamentally different drinks. Heres everything you need to know.
Iced Coffee
Iced coffee is simply hot-brewed coffee served over ice. Its quick to make but can taste diluted and bitter as the ice melts. The Japanese iced coffee method — brewing directly onto ice — solves this by using a concentrated brew ratio.
Cold Brew
Cold brew steeps coarse-ground coffee in cold or room-temperature water for 12-24 hours. The result is smooth, sweet, and low in acidity. Its naturally less bitter because cold water extracts fewer of the harsh compounds.
How to Make Cold Brew at Home
- Use a 1:8 ratio of coffee to water (e.g. 100g coffee to 800ml water)
- Grind coarse — like raw sugar
- Combine in a jar or French press
- Steep in the fridge for 12-24 hours
- Strain through a fine mesh or paper filter
- Dilute to taste and serve over ice
Which Should You Choose?
Want something quick and bright? Go iced coffee. Want something smooth and mellow? Cold brew is your friend. At Roastair, our House Blend makes excellent cold brew, while our Ethiopian Yirgacheffe shines as Japanese iced coffee.
Get Started
Our House Blend makes excellent cold brew. For a quicker method, try the Aeropress which can also make a great cold brew concentrate in just 2 minutes.
Made my first cold brew with the House Blend as suggested. It is so smooth! Perfect for summer mornings.
How long does cold brew keep in the fridge once made?