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10 Surprising Differences Between Iced Coffee And Cold Brew

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10 Surprising Differences Between Iced Coffee And Cold Brew

12 min read MAY 12, 2025

Are you team cold brew or team iced coffee?

Wait? What?

Is there actually a difference between these two incredibly popular brews?

Iced coffee is deliciously bold, cool, and refreshing.

Likewise, cold brew coffee is deliciously bold, cool, and refreshing.

Hmmm, these two selections seem like they’re one in the same, right?

Not exactly.

While cold brew and iced coffee are both indeed coffee, the similarities stop there as cold brew coffee and iced coffee are, in fact, very different.

When comparing iced coffee to cold brew:

One requires an extended amount of time for brewing, while the other can be brewed quickly and enjoyed (almost) immediately.
One brew is slightly sweet, while the other has a touch more bitterness.
One brew is a little more acidic.
One can be made with traditional, pre-ground, coffee, while the other necessitates a specific grind size.
And, one brew is slightly stronger, even containing a bit more caffeine.

So, even though these brews are commonly mistaken as similar, it’s clear that they are actually quite different, and we’ve only scratched the surface of these taste bud tantalizing, tremendously satisfying joes.

What about you? Do you know the difference between cold brew and iced coffee?

Even better, can you taste the difference between cold brew and iced coffee?

Currently, while iced coffee is incredibly tasty, cold brew has been trending as the most popular chilly java beverage, and its popularity doesn’t seem like it’ll be dwindling any time soon.

But, what is it that’s causing folks to consistently reach for this type of coffee?

I mean, is it really all it’s cracked up to be?

And, which brew should you reach for in the spring and summer months when you’re searching for a chilly beverage to satisfy your coffee cravings?

Obviously, your taste buds will have to make the final decision concerning this tricky java-inspired conundrum, but thankfully, we’re here to lend a helping hand.

Below you’ll find the ultimate cold brew and iced coffee comparison, a list of 10 surprising differences between these two popular, tasty, and chilly brews.

So, without further ado, let’s begin this epic exploration of the world’s favorite cold coffees…

10 Surprising Differences Between Iced Coffee And Cold Brew

Back to our original question - are you team cold brew or team iced coffee?
For me, there’s simply no contest.

Once I tasted cold brew coffee, I’ve never looked back. In fact, just one sip of a chilled brew and I can immediately tell whether I’m sipping cold brew or iced coffee.
Why? How?

Because the differences in grind size, time, temp, brewing method, and ultimately the end result of each way of making coffee causes the individual brew to smell different, taste different, and even affect the body in different ways.

So, today we’d like to look at 10 differences between these brews, some of which may surprise you!

1- Brewing Method

Generally speaking, iced coffee is made by brewing a regular cup of coffee, then serving this brew over ice.

Of course, adding ice to hot coffee would cause immediate melting, so most folks prefer to enjoy iced coffee by brewing a cup of coffee, allowing time for the brew to chill, then serving this tasty treat over ice.

When making traditional iced coffee, you can brew your java in a variety of ways, including using a French press, pour over, or even a typical drip brewer.

However, when making cold brew, the method required for brewing this type of coffee is far less flexible.

While traditional coffee requires the use of hot water to extract flavor from ground coffee beans, cold brew utilizes cold water and the element of time, which necessitates an entirely different brewing method.

You can make cold brew in a cold brew maker (there are a variety of options available, from simple to complex), a French press, mason jar, etc.

But, no matter which cold brew contraption/maker you use, the bottom line here is when making cold brew, unlike a traditional brewing method, you’ll be covering ground coffee with water and allowing the coffee to steep for an extended period of time in the liquid (as opposed to traditional, quick brewing) to create your brew.

Then, after a specified amount of time has expired, the ground coffee is strained from the mixture, resulting in a cold brew concentrate that can either be diluted with water or milk or simply enjoyed over ice.

We’ll expound upon this process in further detail with each difference discussed, but for now, to recap:

When it comes to iced coffee, this brew is made by utilizing traditional brewing methods to make a hot cup of coffee which is then chilled and served over ice.
When it comes to cold brew, however, this coffee is made by steeping ground coffee in cold water over an extended period of time. It is later strained then diluted with water, milk, and/or ice.

2- Grind Size

Another difference between iced coffee and cold brew that many folks are unaware of is grind size.

When you brew coffee using a traditional brewing method (such as a drip brewer or pour over), this requires roughly a medium-sized grind.

This grind size is commonly what is used for pre-ground coffees, thus making brewing a breeze for those individuals who do not own their own grinder.

Cold brew, however, again, requires a little more detail.

Because cold brew is made by infusion rather than extraction, the grind size needed here is larger, known as a coarse grind.

With such a large grind size, the entire flavor extraction process is slowed down, and while this does require the element of time to truly reveal those heavenly java tastes, this also yields a less bitter brew...more on this in a moment.

So, if you prefer iced coffee, stick with a medium grind. But, if you’re craving cold brew, you’ve gotta go with a coarse grind.

3- Time

This has already been alluded to more than once, but let’s take some time now to discuss this iced coffee and cold brew difference in greater detail.

Overall, when making an iced coffee, you’ll be able to brew, chill, ice, and sip in a much shorter time than what is required to make cold brew.

With iced coffee, you can typically brew a cup of coffee in around 4-5 minutes. Then, depending on the cup size, material, and thickness, etc. that single cup of coffee can potentially cool in under 45 minutes resting on the counter.

Of course, when you place that freshly brewed cup of joe in the refrigerator to chill, this speeds up the process greatly.

Then, all that’s left to do is serve the brew over ice, adding any milk or sweeteners if you so choose.

If you choose to make an entire pot (or several cups) of traditionally brewed coffee to chill and have on hand for making iced coffees at a moment’s notice, this will typically stay fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.

With cold brew, since time is a primary element in this brewing method, it can take anywhere between 12-24 hours to prepare.

Typically, if you allow your brew to steep on the countertop, at room temperature, 12-16 hours is sufficient, but if you prefer to have those flavors extracted under refrigeration, 18-24 hours is recommended.

(A personal note: I make cold brew a few times a week using a 32-ounce glass cold brew pitcher, and I’ve found that brewing under refrigeration, while it does take longer, yields a much smoother, sweeter cup.)

Once prepared though, you’ll have several servings of cold brew on hand to enjoy before needing to brew another batch.

And, since cold brewing extracts fewer oils than traditional brewing methods, this type of coffee will last much longer than traditionally brewed java in an airtight container under refrigeration (generally up to 10 days).

For the recap: Iced coffee prep time, including time for cooling, can take less than an hour (much less if cooled under refrigeration), while cold brewing requires 12-24 hours before the java is ready to be enjoyed.

4- Temperature

Another brewing element that we’ve already hinted at is temperature, and this one’s a biggie when it comes to the difference between iced coffee and cold brew.

While cold brew and iced coffee are both enjoyed chilled, the way each of these brews are made requires temperatures on the opposite ends of the coffee making spectrum.

For iced coffee, since this brew is made using either a drip maker, pour over, or French press, a traditional brewing temperature of 195-205 degrees Fahrenheit (roughly boiling) is required to extract the oils, flavors, and aromas evidenced in a classically tasty cup of joe.

With cold brew though, remember time is the primary brewing element, with the flavors and healthy oils in coffee being infused into the water rather than extracted by the water.

In other words, for cold brew you’ll want to use room temperature water or cool water ranging from 68-72 degrees Fahrenheit.

Of course, if you refrigerate during the cold brewing process, your brew is being ‘created’ in temperatures less than 41 degrees Fahrenheit (on average).

So, as confusing as it sounds, you’ll technically need boiling water to make iced coffee and room temperature water to make cold brew.

5- Amount

Another difference you’ll find when making an iced coffee versus cold brew is that you’ll use a lot more coffee when making the latter.

The amount of coffee you use when brewing is commonly referenced in ratios, a sequence of two numbers representing the amount of coffee needed compared to the amount of water required.

For instance, a typical brewing ratio for making coffee with a drip brewer is 1:16. This means one part coffee to 16 parts waters.

Of course, some folks prefer a stronger brew, and this would be very applicable when making coffee to be consumed over ice. So, you might find that you prefer a 1:12 ratio for iced coffee.

But if you’re desiring cold brew, since this makes a concentrated brew, it is generally recommended to use a 1:4 ratio or one part coffee to only 4 parts waters.

Doing the math here, you could be looking at using 3-4 times the amount of coffee when making cold brew compared to what you’d use to make a traditionally brewed cup for iced coffee.

6- Cost

Not controversial, but for many (like myself), this difference between iced coffee and cold brew is non-negotiable.

I suppose this one is quite obvious, for if it takes 3-4 times the amount of coffee to make cold brew compared to a regularly brewed cup of coffee to make iced coffee, it makes sense that cold brew costs a bit more.

This is why you’ll find cafe offerings of cold brew to cost more than simple iced coffees.

But, as we’ll soon detail, the reduction in acidity and sweeter, smoother, yet strong flavors of cold brew elevate this brew to heights beyond the need for a price tag.

Of course, as we mentioned in the intro, personal preference is the ultimate decider between cold brew and iced coffee, but for die hard cold brew fans, there’s simply no substitution for the end result of this slow, cold, coffee infusion that’s won over the hearts…err taste buds…of so many!

Oh, and don’t let that ratio multiplication make you cup shy! It’s not nearly as bad as it seems. Remember, that 1:12/1:16 ratio for iced coffee is for a single cup, and the 1:4 ratio for cold brew is for an entire batch.

So, while it’s not necessarily even, the difference in cost isn’t as terrible as that ratio makes things seem.

7- Aroma

Despite its popularity, one drawback of cold brew is that this method does not yield that coveted, warm aroma that pleasantly wafts through your kitchen or house while brewing.

When making an iced coffee, since traditional brewing methods are used for such creations, heat (hot water) mingles with ground coffee causing not only flavor but aroma to be rapidly released, resulting in that classic, heavenly smell filling your home and your senses.

Overall, there are a wide variety of compounds found in coffee, some of which are responsible for the flavors you experience when sipping and others providing java’s familiar, pleasant aroma.

In the case of cold brewing, since heat is a component absent from this equation, those aromatic compounds are extracted at a much lower rate, resulting in a significantly less intense or distinct scent.

Recap: If you’re here for aroma alone, iced coffee (the initial brewing process) is where you’ll find those potent scents. But, if you can take or leave the scent, cold brew offers much less on the aroma front.

8- Acidity

As we’ve mentioned, iced coffee is made with traditionally brewed java.

And, when you brew coffee traditionally, heat is the primary component of extraction, where hot water essentially pulls out the oils, flavor compounds, and acids from the ground coffee beans.

For instance, chlorogenic acid is a well-known acid in coffee which gives your brew its bright and bitter flavors, and you experience these tastes and this typical brew-associated bitterness precisely because of the hot water used in your drip brewer, etc.

But as we now know, cold brew doesn’t use heat, but room temperature water and time to infuse coffee’s natural flavors into your cup.

So, since coffee’s natural acids are less soluble in these lesser temps, the end result is a much less acidic, and less bitter brew.

To put this into perspective, comparatively speaking: “One study found that cold brew is two-thirds less acidic than hot-brewed [coffee].”

9- Flavor

Since acidity and flavor go hand and hand when it comes to coffee, let’s now explore the differences in flavor between cold brew and iced coffee.

Since cold brew is less acidic, not only do some find that this makes it easier on digestion, but it also translates to a sweeter and milder brew, even while being slightly stronger than typical iced coffee.

The slow infusion process of cold brewing creates a smooth mouthfeel, and that touch of natural sweetness commonly leads many to find they don’t need as much cream and sugar in their cold brewed java.

Sans the typical bitterness from traditional brewing (using heat/hot water) many also find that cold brew allows them to taste the real, natural flavors in any given coffee, flavors that may become masked when brewed using heat.

Now, for coffee lovers, this certainly doesn’t mean that iced coffee isn’t also exceptionally delicious, but cold brew can come out with a slight edge in the flavor department due to its smooth, slightly sweet taste.

10- Caffeine

Compared to iced coffee, cold brew does have the potential for a higher caffeine content.

Ultimately, this can differ depending on how potent you make your regular brew and how much time and coffee is incorporated into your cold brew concoction, but in general:

A regular 16-ounce iced coffee contains roughly 165 mg of caffeine.
A 16-ounce cold brewed coffee contains roughly 200 mg of caffeine.
Further, some scientific reports list cold brew (from most cafes or coffee shops) as having roughly 50 mg more caffeine than the average iced coffee selection.

Again, this can differ depending on the amount of coffee used, how much water, ice, milk, and sweeteners are added, etc.

But in general, you can expect a bit more caffeine kick from cold brew than a typical iced coffee.

Check out Lifeboost Coffee Grata Medium Roast.

Becky Livingston Vance Content writer

Becky is a mother, educator, and content writer for Lifeboost Coffee. She has had three years’ experience as a writer, and in that time she has enjoyed creatively composing articles and ebooks covering the topics of coffee, health and fitness, education, recipes, and relationships.