You might not have seen nitro coffee on your local menu yet, but you will. It is cold brew with a twist, and once you have had a good one, regular iced coffee feels a little flat. Here is what it is and why people love it.
Nitro coffee is cold brew infused with nitrogen and poured from a tap, like Guinness. The gas gives it a smooth, creamy, silky body and a cascading pour. It is naturally sweet, low in acid and usually drunk black. We keep rotating nitro and cold brew on tap at our Hurstville roastery.
So what is nitro coffee?
It is cold brew coffee charged with nitrogen. We put gas into cold drinks all the time: carbon dioxide is what makes soft drink fizzy. Nitrogen does something different. It is the same gas behind a pint of Guinness, which is why nitro coffee pours with that creamy cascade rather than sharp bubbles. Because of how it is served, it only comes on tap, pushed through a pressurised valve with tiny holes that whip up the texture.
What does it taste like?
Smooth, silky and low in acid, with a soft natural sweetness. The nitrogen bubbles are so small the drink feels almost creamy without a drop of milk, which is why most people take it black. If you have a sweet tooth, a little vanilla or sweet cream works, but it rarely needs it.
Nitro, cold brew or hot?
Same beans, very different cup. Here is the quick version.
| Acidity | How it is served | |
|---|---|---|
| Hot brewed | Higher | Hot, often with milk |
| Cold brew | Low | Cold, over ice |
| Nitro cold brew | Lowest, creamy | Cold, on tap, usually black |
Is nitro healthier?
It is often pitched that way, and there is something to it. The low acid is easier on sensitive stomachs. The natural creaminess and sweetness mean you can skip the sugar and milk you might add to a hot coffee. It also tends to carry a touch more caffeine than a standard cup, since there is less water, which is why you see it in gyms. Brewed cold from the start is what keeps the acidity and bitterness down.
Try it on tap in Hurstville
The easiest way to get it is to come and pour one. We run rotating nitro and cold brew on tap at our Hurstville roastery, alongside the espresso bar and fresh beans off the roaster.
FAQs
Does nitro coffee have alcohol?
No. It is brewed and served like a nitro beer and shares the creamy texture, but there is no alcohol in it at all.
Is nitro coffee healthy?
It is low in acid, which suits sensitive stomachs, and its natural sweetness means you can skip the sugar and milk. It also carries a little more caffeine than a standard cup.
Do you put milk in nitro cold brew?
Most people drink it black, since the nitrogen makes it creamy on its own. You can add milk if you like it sweeter and richer, but it is built to be enjoyed straight.
Come pour one on tap
We keep rotating nitro and cold brew on tap at the Hurstville roastery. Drop in, watch the roaster, take beans home.
Visit the roasteryWant it at home instead? Shop the beans.
