Nitro Cold Brew Recipe

Combine coffee and water

Place 1 cup of coarsely ground coffee in a clean container (pitcher, mason jar, or French press). Pour 4 cups of cold filtered water over the grounds, ensuring all grounds are saturated. Stir gently to make sure there are no dry pockets.

Steep

Cover the container and let the coffee steep at room temperature or in the refrigerator for 12 to 18 hours. A longer steep (up to 18 hours) yields a stronger, more concentrated brew; 12 hours is a good starting point for balanced flavor.

Filter

After steeping, strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve lined with cheesecloth, a coffee filter, or the plunger of a French press into a clean container. If using cheesecloth, strain twice for clarity. The liquid collected is the cold brew concentrate.

Store

Transfer the concentrate to a sealed container and refrigerate. Concentrate will keep for up to 7 days, but is best within 3–4 days.

Dilute to taste

For a standard serving, combine 1 cup cold brew concentrate with 1/2 cup cold filtered water (or milk/plant milk if you prefer a creamier beverage). Adjust the ratio to taste—more water for a milder drink, less for a stronger one.

Optional sweetening

If you want a sweet nitro cold brew, stir 2 tsp simple syrup (or your chosen sweetener to taste) into the diluted cold brew. Simple syrup dissolves easily in cold liquid; gently mix until combined.

Prepare nitro system

If using a nitro tap system: ensure the keg or container is chilled and connected to a nitrogen regulator and tank following manufacturer instructions. If using a whipped-cream style nitro dispenser with N2 cartridges: chill the dispenser, pour the diluted cold brew into the vessel (do not overfill), secure the head, and charge with nitrogen cartridge(s) per the device instructions.

Dispense

Hold a chilled glass at a 45° angle and dispense the nitro cold brew. The nitrogen will create a rich, creamy head and a cascading effect. For tap systems, pull the tap in one smooth motion; for cream whipper systems, dispense slowly to allow the cascading settle and form a velvety crema.

Serve

Serve immediately without stirring to preserve the layered silky head. If desired, add ice (1 cup) to the glass before dispensing for an extra-chilled drink; note that ice will slightly reduce the crema. Optionally garnish with a light dusting of cocoa or cinnamon.

If you used a nitro tap system, flush lines with 1 cup clean cold water after service to prevent build-up and maintain flavor integrity. Follow equipment manufacturer's cleaning schedule for deep cleaning.