Nitro Cold Brew Recipe

Combine

Place 1 cup coarsely ground coffee in a clean jar, pitcher, or brewer. Pour 4 cups cold filtered water evenly over the grounds, ensuring all grounds are saturated.

Steep

Cover and steep at room temperature or refrigerated for 16 to 20 hours. For a brighter profile, steep closer to 16 hours; for a deeper, richer extract, steep toward 20 hours.

Strain

After steeping, strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve lined with cheesecloth, a coffee sock, or a paper filter into a clean container. Press or squeeze gently to extract as much liquid as possible without pushing fine sediment through.

Store

Refrigerate the cold brew concentrate in a sealed container for up to 7 days. This concentrate is strong — typically a 1:4 coffee-to-water ratio; dilute before drinking if desired.

Prepare Concentrate for Infusion

Measure 4 cups of cold brew concentrate. If you prefer a lighter strength, add up to 1/2 cup cold filtered water and mix gently. Chill the mixture thoroughly (ideally 35–40°F / 2–4°C) — cold liquid accepts nitrogen best.

Fill Vessel

Transfer the chilled cold brew into the vessel you will use to infuse nitrogen: a nitro keg, whipped-cream-style dispenser rated for nitrogen cartridges, or a growler/keg equipped with a nitrogen regulator. Leave appropriate headspace per device instructions (typically 20–30% headspace).

Charge with Nitrogen

If using a dedicated nitrogen keg and regulator: connect the nitrogen cylinder, set pressure to 30–40 psi, and circulate gas through the liquid for 1–2 minutes; then set serving pressure to 30–40 psi and allow to settle 5–10 minutes. If using single N2 cartridges with a whipped-cream dispenser: attach one nitrogen cartridge per the manufacturer instructions, shake the dispenser vigorously 10–20 times to encourage dissolution, then let sit chilled for 5 minutes. For a stout-like cascade and creamy head, pour through a stout faucet or restrictor when serving.

Serve

Dispense the nitro cold brew into a chilled glass at a slight angle, then straighten the glass and pour to produce the velvety crema. Expect a cascading effect and a thick, creamy head that settles in 20–30 seconds.

Sweeten or Make Nitro Latte

If desired, add 2 tsp simple syrup directly to the nitro cold brew and stir gently before serving. To make a nitro cold brew latte, pour 2 oz cold milk or oat milk into the glass before or after dispensing the nitro brew; if added before, pour the nitro brew slowly over the milk to create layered presentation.

Iced Serve

If serving over ice, use a small amount of ice (1 cup or less) to avoid excessive dilution. For best texture, minimize ice and serve very cold — nitro cold brew tastes creamiest without too much ice.

Storage After Charging

If using a keg, keep the system refrigerated and under nitrogen pressure; the nitro cold brew will remain good for several weeks if kept cold and sealed. Single-use dispenser servings are best consumed immediately.