What's the Difference Between Cold Brew and Iced Coffee?

Both are cold. That is where the similarity ends.

The two can sometimes get used interchangeably on menus and in conversation, but they are made in completely different ways, and the difference shows up in the cup.

The difference between cold brew and iced coffee comes down to how each is made.

Cold brew is steeped, not brewed

Cold brew never touches hot water while it steeps. Coarsely ground coffee sits in cold or room temperature water for somewhere between 12 and 24 hours, then gets filtered out. What’s left is always a concentrate, which you dilute with water or milk before drinking.

That means cold brew is made ahead of time. You steep it overnight, keep it in the fridge, and pour it when you want it. Perfect for those who prefer a no-fuss, ready-to-drink option when they’re rushing out in the morning.

An interesting fact about cold brew is that it was originally served with one part cold brew to four parts hot water or hot milk, and only more recently became an iced drink.

Iced coffee is brewed on the spot, then cooled

Iced coffee is exactly what it sounds like. Coffee that’s brewed hot, the way you would brew any coffee, then cooled over ice, with milk or a splash of your favorite syrup.

There is no waiting. You make it fresh when you want it. The one thing to account for is the dilution. Remember, ice melts, so brewing it a little stronger than usual keeps it from turning too watery.

Another smart way to combat the dilution is to brew it at double strength, using half the usual water straight into a carafe full of ice. This is how Oren used to make it in our stores, and you can drink it right away.

What does the difference taste like?

Hot water pulls more out of the grounds, including the acids and aromatic compounds that give a coffee its brightness and its more delicate flavors. Iced coffee holds onto all of that, and it tastes closer to the coffee you would drink hot, just cold.

Cold water, on the other hand, extracts slowly and more selectively. Cold brew comes out rounder and heavier, smoother and a little sweeter, without so much of the sharp edge. What you get in body you give up a bit in clarity.

Neither is better. They just make very different coffee profiles for people with different preferences.

Which one should you make?

If you want something fast and easy for the week, cold brew is the quick, no-brainer option. Steep a batch, keep it cold, then pour as needed.

If you want to taste what’s actually in a coffee, our recommendation is iced coffee. Brew it hot then pour it over ice. Single origins in particular tend to show more of themselves this way too.

Both methods work with most of the coffee that you already have at home. Cold brew just needs a coarser grind. Iced coffee uses whatever grind your usual method calls for. Just be sure to select the most suitable coffees made to be enjoyed cold.