Summer calls for colder coffee. Of course, you can enjoy these beverages year-round. Cold brew and iced coffees are brewed differently. So read on to see which option is best for you.

COLD BREW

Cold brew is brewed using cool or room temperature water which results in coffee with lower acidity and a smoother taste. This is because cold brew bypasses a chemical reaction that occurs when hot water hits coffee grounds. This means cold brew is easier for those with frequent heartburn or sensitive stomachs.

Coffee is ground coarse and will steep in water for 12-24 hours. After the coffee has finished steeping, the resulting liquid is coffee concentrate. You will want to mix the coffee concentrate with water, milk, or milk alternative to create a ready to drink beverage.

We recommend a ratio of 1 part coffee concentrate to 3 parts water, milk, or milk alternative. However, feel free to experiment with your preferred ratio.

Cold brew does not mean that you must drink your coffee cold. Just add hot water to your coffee concentrate and you can enjoy a hot cup of coffee.

Cold brew coffee can be made using the Toddy Cold Brew system and the concentrate can stay in your fridge up to 2 weeks.

ICED COFFEE

This is brewed with hot water and is more acidic than cold brew. Traditionally this was done in restaurants as a quick way to serve iced coffee.

The reason this coffee is more acidic compared to cold brew is that there is a chemical reaction that occurs when hot water hits coffee grounds.

Iced coffee can be made in a Chemex or drip coffee brewer and then cooling the coffee down in the fridge. Pouring hot coffee directly over ice and lead to more bitter flavor and weaker taste.

COOL DRINKS WITH COLD BREW

Cold brew gives you the flexibility of creating unique beverages and mocktails.

• A cold brew coffee float is cold brew coffee with a couple scoops of ice cream.
• To make a mocktail, add syrups and a dash of bitter and serve in a rocks glass.
• Mix tonic water and cold brew to create a coffee tonic. Experiment with different types of tonic water flavors or add cherries for a touch of sweetness.