Iced Coffee vs Cold Brew
When the weather warms up, many coffee lovers start reaching for cold drinks. But with iced coffee and cold brew both on the menu, it’s easy to wonder what sets them apart. Although they’re both served chilled, the brewing methods, flavor profiles, and even caffeine levels are completely different.
Let’s break down the differences between iced coffee and cold brew, and help you find the best Mississippi Mud Coffee to use for each.
What Is Iced Coffee?
Iced coffee is brewed hot, then cooled and served over ice. You can make it using a drip machine, pour-over, or French press—basically, any method you’d normally use for your hot coffee. After brewing, let it cool a bit, pour it over ice, and enjoy.
Since it starts hot, iced coffee tends to retain the brighter, more acidic notes that come from the brewing process. It’s a quicker way to enjoy cold coffee and is perfect for those who love the boldness of traditional coffee with a refreshing twist.
Best Coffees for Iced Coffee
We recommend using a dark roast when brewing iced coffee. Since you're pouring warm coffee over ice, the ice will slightly dilute the flavor. Dark roasts are naturally bolder and more full-bodied, so they hold up well against that dilution. They also tend to have rich, roasted notes that taste great cold.
Here are two of our favorite picks for iced coffee:
Italian Roast: Deep, intense flavor with a clean finish.
French Roast: Smooth, rich, and never bitter, with subtle smoky notes.
What Is Cold Brew?
Cold brew is made using a completely different method. Instead of using hot water, cold brew is steeped in cold water for 12 to 24 hours. This slow extraction pulls out the coffee’s smooth, rich qualities while leaving much of the acidity behind.
The result is a mellow, naturally sweet drink that’s easy on the stomach and can be enjoyed black or with milk and sweetener. Because of the long steeping time, cold brew is often more concentrated and can be diluted with water or ice to taste.
Best Coffee for Cold Brew
To get the most out of your cold brew, you’ll want a coarse grind and a roast that brings out smooth, chocolatey notes. Our Cold Brew Blend was crafted just for this purpose. It delivers a rich, full-bodied flavor that holds up beautifully when served cold.
Flavor Differences
The biggest difference between iced coffee and cold brew is in the taste.
Iced coffee retains more brightness and acidity because it was brewed hot. This makes it lively and aromatic but sometimes a little sharper on the palate.
Cold brew is smoother and often tastes naturally sweeter. You might notice chocolate, caramel, or nutty notes that aren’t as prominent in iced coffee.
Both can be delicious, but they offer very different experiences in the cup.
Caffeine Levels
Cold brew usually contains more caffeine per ounce because it’s steeped for a long time and is often more concentrated. Iced coffee has standard caffeine levels, unless you intentionally brew it stronger to compensate for the ice.
That said, the final caffeine content depends on your ratio of coffee to water and how much you dilute the cold brew before drinking.
How to Make Each at Home
Iced Coffee
- Brew a pot of strong coffee using your favorite method.
- Let it cool for a few minutes.
- Pour over a glass full of ice.
- Add milk, sweetener, or enjoy it black.
Cold Brew
- Use a coarse grind and mix 1 cup of coffee with 4 cups of cold water.
- Let it steep in the fridge for 12 to 24 hours.
- Strain using a fine mesh or cheesecloth.
- Dilute with water or milk if needed, and serve over ice.
Looking for the perfect roast to get started? Our Cold Brew Blend was made for this.
Which One Should You Choose?
It depends on what you’re looking for in a cup:
Go for iced coffee if you want a quicker option with bold, bright flavors.
Choose cold brew if you prefer a smoother, less acidic drink that’s easy to make ahead and keep in the fridge.
Both are excellent ways to cool off and still get your coffee fix.
Try It for Yourself
Still not sure which to try? You don’t have to choose. Brew a batch of each and taste the difference. Our Cold Brew Blend makes it easy to craft smooth, café-style cold brew at home. If you prefer iced coffee, try it with our Italian Roast or French Roast for bold flavor that holds up beautifully over ice.
However you brew, we’re proud to be part of your coffee ritual.