There’s something oddly mesmerizing about watching Nitro Cold Brew being poured. It flows like liquid silk, swirling and cascading before settling into a creamy, frothy top. This nitrogen-infused drink has been quietly turning heads in coffee shops for the past few years — and for good reason. It's cold, creamy, and effortlessly drinkable, with a texture and taste that stand out from anything else on the menu. In this article, we'll cover what it is, how it's made, and how you can incorporate it at your cafe.
What is Nitro Cold Brew
At its core, Nitro Cold Brew is simply cold brew coffee infused with nitrogen gas. This method transforms cold brew, which is usually crisp and refreshing, into a creamy, fizzling, and velvety coffee experience.
Unlike traditional iced coffee, which is brewed hot and then chilled, cold brew is made by steeping coffee grounds in cold water for an extended period. The coffee is connected to a nitrogen tank, and the gas is forced into the liquid under pressure, saturating it with ultra-fine bubbles.
The result isn’t fizzy, like carbonation, but smooth and dense — more like whipped cream than soda. When poured from a stout-style tap, the gas escapes slowly, creating the signature nitro cold brew cascade look. It’s part science, part showmanship, and all about texture.
Where does Nitro Cold Brew come from?
Nitro Cold Brew didn’t arrive with a bang — it crept onto the scene slowly, most tracing its origins back to Portland, Oregon in the early 2010s, where inventive coffee roasters began experimenting with running cold brew through beer taps, borrowing equipment and inspiration from the craft beer world. The goal wasn’t just to serve cold coffee — it was to change how it felt, looked, and tasted.
What started as a backroom experiment quickly evolved into a phenomenon. The nitrogen infusion gave cold brew a thick, creamy texture and a dramatic cascade that looked like something straight out of a brewery. It felt new, even rebellious, and customers loved it. From those early taproom-style cafés, Nitro Cold Brew spread across the U.S., then internationally, becoming a staple in specialty cafés and even mainstream chains.
Today, it’s more than just a summer drink. While cold brew gained popularity for its refreshing effect, Nitro transcended the seasons. Whether it’s served over ice in July or straight from the tap in a cozy café in December, Nitro Cold Brew has carved out a space of its own — where texture, temperature, and experience matter just as much as flavor.
The taste and texture of Nitro Cold Brew: What to expect
What sets Nitro apart from other cold coffee options is its mouthfeel. It's smooth, thick, and almost silky on the tongue. The nitrogen softens any bitter or acidic notes and brings out chocolatey, nutty, and depending on the coffee used, sweet fruity flavors in the cup. Unlike most iced drinks, which can taste diluted or can have a harsh bitterness, Nitro Cold Brew is cohesive and rich from the first sip to the last.
How to serve Nitro Cold Brew in your cafe – and the easiest way to get started
If you're considering adding Nitro Cold Brew to your menu this summer, the good news is that you don’t have to invest in a complicated brewing system or manage your own steeping process. One of the easiest, most efficient ways to serve Nitro Cold Brew is with pre-filled bag-in-box systems that connect directly to your existing nitrogen setup.
At 25GRAMS, we offer 3L and 10L bag-in-box formats designed specifically for cafés, coffee bars, offices, and event setups. These ready-to-serve boxes are filled with our cold brew, meaning all you need is a nitrogen tank, a standard tap, and you’re pouring!
The 3L format is ideal for smaller cafés, mobile carts, or businesses testing Nitro for the first time. It’s compact, easy to store, and reduces waste. For high-volume cafés, the 10L option ensures consistent service throughout the day without constant refills, making it perfect for peak hours or self-serve taps in office spaces or co-working environments.
