Starbucks cold brew vs. nitro cold brew: Which One is better?

Starbucks cold brew and Nitro cold brew are both strong coffee beverages; although they may seem the same, they are significantly different. Their taste, nutritional value, ingredients, and availability differ. My curiosity led to in-depth research on the two, and I discovered valuable information to help you understand the drinks more. Reading this post, you will learn how the drinks compare and which one is the best.

What are the differences between Starbucks cold brew vs. nitro cold brew?

Features	Cold brew	Nitro cold brew
Ingredients	Brewed Coffee and Ice	Brewed coffee infused with nitrogen
Taste profile	It has a delightfully sweet taste. It has a slight hint of bitterness and rich coffee flavors.	It has a rich coffee flavor with a bitter-sweet hint and a velvety-creamy texture.
Caffeine content/ Nutritional value	A 16 fl oz has 205mg of caffeine, 5 calories, 0g fats, 15mg sodium, 0g carbs, and 0g proteins.	A 16 fl oz has 280mg of caffeine, 5 calories, 0g fats, 10mg sodium, 0g carbs, and 0g proteins.
Availability/ Accessibility	It is readily available and easy to access at the store or through the app.	It is only available in a few Starbucks stores
Roast level	Medium to medium-dark roast level	Medium to medium-dark roast for the coffee

Starbucks cold brew vs. nitro cold brew – How They Compare

Ingredients

Starbucks cold brew coffee has coffee and ice as the ingredients. It is, therefore, a simple drink whose flavor and nutritional value depend solely on brewed coffee. The ice makes it cold and refreshing and slightly contributes to a more balanced taste.

Similarly, the nitro cold brew has brewed coffee as the main ingredient. It is the sole determinant of the drink’s nutritional value. The drink is also infused with nitrogen, which significantly alters the flavor of coffee, giving it a unique twist. The ice provides the drink’s refreshing nature.

The nitro cold brew wins in this category because it is infused with nitrogen, which improves its texture and taste.

Taste profile

The cold brew has a delightful and slightly sweet-bitter taste. It is a drink that produces an unmatched coffee flavor. The melting ice tones down the bitter taste of strong coffee. Due to the high caffeine level, the drink maintains a bitter taste.

The nitro cold brew has a strong coffee flavor with a unique twist to its taste due to the nitrogen infusion. The nitrogen infusion process makes the drink bubbly, providing a velvety-creamy texture that enhances the taste experience.

The nitro cold drink wins this category because of the unique taste twist created by the nitrogen infusion. The drink does not feel like regular coffee and has a special uniqueness.

Caffeine content/ Nutritional value

A 16 fl oz of the Starbucks cold brew has 205mg of caffeine and 5 calories. The caffeine level is significantly higher than in most Starbucks drinks. High levels of caffeine are unhealthy due to negative health impacts such as addiction and increased heart rate.

On the other hand, a 16 fl oz of the nitro cold brew has 280mg of caffeine and 5 calories. The caffeine level is higher than in the cold brew making it unhealthier. Considering that an adult’s daily caffeine limit is 400mg, you cannot have more than one serving of the drink in a day.

The cold brew wins in this category because it has slightly lower caffeine levels making it healthier. Both drinks have low-calorie counts and hence are excellent for individuals losing weight.

Availability/ Accessibility

The cold brew is available in all Starbucks stores, and you can get it at the café or order it online. It is one of the most available and accessible drinks.

On the other hand, the nitro cold brew is rare and not found in every Starbucks store.

Therefore, the cold brew wins in this category because it is readily available and easily accessible.

Roast level

The cold brew uses Arabica coffee roasted at a medium or medium-dark roast level. At this roast level, the coffee releases its ultimate flavors.

Similarly, the coffee used to prepare the nitro cold drink is roasted at medium-to-medium-dark roast levels. The rich coffee flavors are released at this level creating drinks with ultimate coffee flavors.

This category has no winner because both drinks are made with coffee from the same roast level.

Starbucks cold brew vs. nitro cold brew: A comparison review

Starbucks cold brew – Overview

The cold brew has rich arabica coffee flavors. It is an excellent drink when you need refreshment. The high caffeine in the drink is a strong stimulant and will help you to maintain your focus on attention-demanding tasks. Coffee lovers will appreciate the drink’s sweet-bitter taste, which is a characteristic of any strong coffee.

What I liked;

• I liked its low-calorie counts and the fact that it is readily available.

What I didn’t like;

• I did not like its vivid bitter taste

Who it’s best suited for.

• It is best suited for coffee lovers who need refreshment and a caffeine kick.

Starbucks nitro cold brew – Overview

The nitro cold drink has a unique taste and a perfect velvety texture. Thanks to the nitrogen infusion, you will enjoy the rich coffee flavors that come with a lovely twist. The high caffeine will give you an energy boost that you may need on a hot, busy day. You should, however, take caution not to take more than one serving of 16 fl oz in a day to avoid exceeding the daily caffeine limit.

What I liked;

• I liked the unique taste that is created by nitrogen infusion.

What I didn’t like;

• I did not like the high caffeine content that may be addictive and with significant negative health impacts

Who it’s best suited for.

• It is best suited for avid coffee drinkers and individuals working on an attention-demanding task and needing a strong stimulant.

Final Verdict: So, Which is Better? – Starbucks cold brew or nitro cold brew

The nitro cold brew is better than the cold brew because of its unique taste and texture. The nitrogen infusion makes the drink bubbly and slightly alters its flavor, making it more desirable. Although it is not available in all Starbucks stores, it is a real refreshment when you get it.

FAQ

Does Nitro cold brew taste different than a cold brew?

The nitro cold drink has a unique taste created by nitrogen infusion.

Is Nitro cold brew stronger than a cold brew?

The nitro cold brew is stronger than the cold brew because it has higher caffeine content.