How to Make Nitro Cold Brew at Home (DIY Tips!)

Have you ever tried nitro cold brew at a coffee shop? Though a relatively new addition to cafes, nitro cold brew coffee has accrued a loyal following. With its beautiful cascade of bubbles, it has become one of the most refreshing and Instagrammable beverages of the summer.

Its two irresistible characteristics are a smooth flavor and impossibly creamy mouthfeel.

For the cold brew coffee you can use your favorite cold brew from the grocery store. But if you have the time, it is easy and inexpensive to make your own at home. All you need is coffee beans, a grinder, a large mason jar, filtered water, and cheesecloth or a paper coffee filter.

A whipped cream dispenser is a metal canister with a dispensing nozzle that whips cream and other liquids using pressurized nitrous oxide cartridges.

The 3 Simple Steps to Making Nitro Cold Brew At Home:

Once you've gathered your supplies for a nitro cold brew, making it at home couldn't be easier. It only takes three steps, and one of them is enjoying your delicious beverage.

Basically, science has declared it even more flavorful than regular cold brew (1).

Step 1: Acquire cold brew coffee

You have two choices here, either making your own or purchasing a premade cold brew from a local supermarket. If you have the time, we recommend that you make cold brew coffee on your own. It's incredibly simple to follow our guide for how to make a regular cold brew coffee. It's also less expensive, and it means you can use your favorite coffee beans.

In short, steep coarsely ground coffee beans in cold filtered water for 12 to 24 hours and then strain out the grounds using cheesecloth or a paper coffee filter. This process yields a coffee concentrate that should be diluted 1:1 with water before drinking.

Step 2: Make the Nitro cold brew

Pour your coffee into the whipped cream dispenser. If you're using homemade cold brew concentrate, make sure to dilute 1:1 it with water first. (By the way, a whipped cream dispenser makes an excellent gift for a coffee lover).

Charge the cream whipper with one nitrous oxide charge, and shake it for about 30 seconds. Discharge the gas, turn the canister upside down, and dispense your fresh brew into a waiting glass.

Step 3: Serve and enjoy

Even if you typically enjoy your coffee with cream and sugar, we recommend trying your nitro cold brew black first. The nitrogen gas itself lends a sweetness to the cup, and the gas bubbles are tiny, much more delicate than those of carbon dioxide, which gives a creamy mouthfeel, even without dairy (2).

If you enjoyed your first foray into making this cold brew at home, you might be interested in some other coffee-related experiences.

Final Thoughts

Now that you know how simple it is to make nitro cold brew coffee at home, there's no reason not to give it a try. This beautiful and healthy refresher can finally become a staple of your summer coffee diet without draining your bank account.