Cooling it Down with Cold Coffee Gear

Cold coffee is a topic with the potential to ignite surprisingly heated debates, and oftentimes, people stand firm on one side of the argument, willing to die on that hill. However, for some of us, it doesn’t have to be a great debate. Just as a warm cup of coffee on a brisk day has a way of warming the soul, a refreshing iced coffee or cold brew can be just the treat you need to get through the sweltering summer months.

If you, like some of us here at Prima, are a sucker for a cold coffee any time of year, having the option of making it at home can save you time and money. We have a few wonderful cold coffee options available in our catalog, whether you prefer cold brew, or a simple iced coffee, we’ve got something for everyone.

Break it Down

If you walk into nearly any specialty coffee shop these days, you will find some variation of cold coffee on the menu. Whether that be an iced latte, iced coffee, cold brew, or ready-to-drink canned options, they know that the desire for cold coffee has expanded over the last decade and is projected to only grow from there.

Beyond the debate of hot vs. cold, there is also the cold brew vs. iced coffee vs. iced latte people. While we won’t be discussing iced lattes in this article, as they require an espresso maker such as a Flair 58 or El Rocio Zarre, it is important to understand the difference between cold brew and iced coffee, and what to expect from both when you’re making them at home.

Cold brew

Cold brew is a sweet and syrupy elixir that, when brewed well, lacks the acidity of a standard cup of coffee. However, this treat is only for the patient. Proper cold brew takes between 2-24 hours to brew, and this is because it’s extracted using cool water, either through full immersion or a slow drip, that slowly extracts all the delicious sweetness from the coffee.

Iced Coffee

Iced coffee is brewed using hot water and is cooled with ice. When done correctly, you can still enjoy a balanced cup of coffee that still maintains delicious aromatics and acidity. The key to achieving a delicious cup of iced coffee is to cool it drop-by-drop rather than all at once so that the ice doesn’t melt rapidly and dilute your cup.

We offer a great article that dives deeper into the concerns about cold coffees as well as some unique recipes that you can check out, here.

Hario Mizudashi Cold Brew Coffee Pot

The Mizudashi brews:

• Cold Brew
• Capacity: 600 or 800 ml
• Time: 12-24 hours
• Also suitable for prepping hot coffee or tea

The Hario Mizudashi Cold Brew Coffee Pot offers up a brilliantly simple solution for cold brew at home. Using the provided mesh basket and sturdy Hario glass server, you can brew cold brew using an immersion method. Simply load your basket with ground coffee and cool water and place it in the refrigerator overnight to awaken to a deliciously simple cold brew that’s ready to serve! It’s available in two color and size options to accommodate capacity and aesthetic needs.

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Bruer - Cold Bruer - Slow Drip Cold Coffee Brewer

The Bruer brews:

• Cold Brew
• Capacity: Approximately 600 ml
• Time: 3-12 hours
• Dishwasher safe

The Cold Bruer launched at a Kickstarter campaign back in 2013, far surpassing their $30,000 goal, offering up a new method for making cold brew at home allowing variable shifts beyond grind size and coffee to water ratio. The Cold Bruer uses a drip method that slowly saturates the coffee and drips into the pot. The valve allows for a seemingly endless adjustment of flow rate that can produce delicious cold brew anywhere from 3-12 hours.

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Yama Cold Coffee Brewer

The Yama Cold Brew Tower brews:

• Cold Brew
• Capacity: 32 oz or 124 oz
• Time: 3 hours for 32oz and 8-12 hours for 124oz
• Beautiful combination of art and science

The Yama Cold Brew Tower is a beautiful combination of art and science that leaves you with deliciously crafted cold brew. The Tower utilizes three chambers to ensure you’re getting the most out of your coffee. The top tower houses water and ice that slowly drips into the middle chamber containing ground coffee, ultimately making its way into the bottom chamber, ready to serve. The Yama Cold Brew Tower is available in two size option, 32 oz and 124 oz

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Hario V60 Fretta Iced Coffee Brewer

The Fretta brews:

• Iced Coffee
• Capacity: 2-4 cups
• Time: Approximately 3 minutes
• Also suitable for brewing hot coffee

The Hario V60 Fretta Iced Coffee Brewer is the only “Iced Coffee” maker on this list. As mentioned above, this means the Fretta brews coffee using hot water rather than cold. It combines a plastic V60 02 and 700 ml glass carafe that contains a plastic diffuser for even water distribution and funnel insert that houses the ice. The Fretta brews a standard V60 that gradually trickles over the ice to quickly cool the coffee without melting the ice and diluting the coffee.

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Hatfields London NitroPress Portable Handheld Nitro Dispenser

The Nitropress crafts:

• Nitro Cold Brew and cocktails
• Capacity: 500 ml
• Dishwasher friendly
• Recommended for cold use only

While the Nitropress doesn’t actually brew cold brew or iced coffee, it does produce delicious, authentic nitro coffee. It uses pure nitrogen canisters rather than nitrous oxide that creates a smooth and creamy texture. Simply fill it with the liquid of your choice, whether that be cold brew or components of a cocktail, give it a shake, and squeeze the handle and your presented with a delicious, creamy, nitrous infused beverage. Make sure to check out our NitroPress blog to check out some of the great Nitro coffee and tea recipes.

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Whether you’re prepping for the warm months ahead, or you’re a year around cold coffee drinker, we’ve got the gear to keep you cool and satisfied. If you’re interested in learning some new cold coffee recipes, check out our Spring Coffee Recipe blog and Iced Drinks for Summer! And if you’re looking to take your coffee game to the next level and nerd out with other coffee enthusiasts, be sure to join the Prima Coffee Community!

May 3rd 2023 Ragan LaTour-Kelley