Can I make nitro brew at home? And How?
Yes, you can. Follow these easy three steps to make a delicious and visually appealing Nitro coffee:
Step 1: Make Cold Brew Coffee
Step 2: Infuse the Coffee with Nitrogen
Step 3: Pour into a Glass, Allow it to Settle, and Enjoy
It’s that simple. Now, let’s dive into the specifics step by step.
What You Need
In this article, we’ll assume you already have Cold Brew coffee. If you don’t know how to make, check out this article: How to make cold brew coffee at home.
Now that we have cold brew, we’ll infuse nitrogen to the coffee. You’ll need special equipment for this. I’ll show you how to do it with two of the best home-use nitro coffee maker:
- Whipper style : iSi Nitro 1L
- Mini-keg: iKegger 2.0
How To Make Cold Brew Nitro Coffee By iSi Nitro
Total Time Needed: 2 minutes
Required Tools:
– iSi Nitro 1L Dispenser
– iSi Nitrogen Charger
– Glass
Ingredients Needed?
– Cold Brew Coffee: 800ml – 1000ml
Steps to Make Nitro Coffee
Step 1 : Check Your Equipment
Before starting, ensure your equipment has all the necessary parts. This is crucial because, from personal experience, sometimes components can go missing after cleaning. Refer to the diagram beside this step to double-check your equipment.
Step 2 : Add Cold Brew to the Bottle
You can pour between 800ml and 1000ml of coffee for the best results. However, you can use less if you prefer. Using less coffee won’t affect the quality of the nitro coffee; it will only waste the excess nitrogen.
Step 3 : Screw on the Head and Nozzle
Screw the head onto the bottle securely. Ensure it’s properly sealed to prevent any leaks during the nitrogen infusion process.
Step 4 : Charge the Bottle with Nitrogen
Insert the nitrogen charger into the charger holder. Screw the holder in the head until you hear the hiss of gas being released into the chamber. This sound indicates the nitrogen is correctly infused into your cold brew coffee.
Step 5: Shake the Bottle
Shake the container several times. This action helps to evenly distribute the nitrogen throughout the coffee, ensuring a consistent texture and taste.
Step 6: Pour and Serve
Carefully pour the nitro coffee into a glass. For best results, tilt the glass slightly and pour slowly along the side. This technique helps to create the signature cascading effect and creamy head that nitro coffee is known for.
How To Make Cold Brew Nitro Coffee By iKegger 2.0
As assembling the components of the iKegger 2.0 for the first time can be somewhat complex, please refer to this video before proceeding.
Total Time Needed: 5 minutes
Required Tools:
– IKEGGER 2.0 | MINI KEG SYSTEM | PUSH BUTTON TAP | ANY DRINK
– Mosa Nitrogen Charger: 2 cylinders
– Glasses
Things Needed?
– Cold Brew Coffee: 2L
Steps to Make Nitro Coffee
Step 1 : Add Cold Brew Coffee
Pour 2L of prepared cold brew coffee into the keg.
Step 2 : Assemble the Tap System
Carefully put together all components of the tap system, ensuring each part is correctly aligned and securely fastened.
Step 3 : Attach the Tap System to the Keg
Connect the assembled tap system to the keg. Make sure it’s properly sealed to prevent any leaks during the nitro infusion process.
Step 4 : Assemble the Multi Gas Regulator
Put together the multi gas regulator, checking that all parts are correctly installed and tightened for safe operation.
Step 5: Connect the Multi Gas Regulator to the Tap System
Attach the assembled multi gas regulator to the appropriate connection point on the tap system. Ensure a secure fit to maintain proper pressure control.
Step 6: Charge Nitrogen and Shake (Repeat Twice)
Charge the system with the first nitrogen gas cylinder. Pay attention to the Pressure adjustment knob, make sure it’s on Close position. After tightening the bulb holder, open the Pressure adjustment knob to allow Nitrogen to enter the keg. Then shake the container several times. Do the same for the second time.
Step 7: Pour and Serve
Your nitro coffee is now ready. Place a glass under the tap, pull the handle, and watch as the creamy, cascading nitro coffee flows out. Serve immediately and enjoy your perfectly crafted beverage.
Pros and cons
Now you know how to do it. But you might be wondering which method to choose, right? I’ve made an infographic comparing the pros and cons of these two methods for you to consider.
My personal choice is mini-keg. Because I can make 2L at a single time, and then I can put it in the fridge and use it for about five days. It’s suitable for friends visiting, or I can take it on camping trips. It also looks very cool. Importantly, it’s cheaper than the Isi bottle.
But some of my friends say they prefer the simplicity of iSi Nitro. With the iSi Nitro 1L, they can still make perfect nitro drinks without having to put too much effort into setting up equipment like iKegger.
How about you?
If you want to buy a genuine iSi Nitro 1L, please check it out here. This is an Amazon affiliate link, I may receive a commission from Amazon if you make a purchase through the link. Grateful!
Tips and Trick
- I’ll share with you some tips and tricks in How to make cold brew nitro coffee:
- You should use cold coffee; it will taste better and look nicer than room temperature one. You can put ice in the bottle to cool it quickly.
- Mix coffee with different syrups or milk if you’re not worried about gaining weight.
- It would be best to clean the equipment right after use with warm water; don’t use soap because it might leave a smell. You should clean it with sodium percarbonate if there’s a lot of buildup.
- There is no best ratio for nitro cold brew, depending on your taste. I like cold brew made at a 1:6 ratio.
The amount of nitrogen-infused into the beverage doesn’t affect the drink’s taste. But it will also influence its texture and your wallet. If you’re the type of person who wants to optimize everything, then the iKegger 2.0 will be suitable for you. The iKegger Regulator features a pressure gauge and pressure adjustment knob. These two parts allow you to find the appropriate pressure to create your favorite drink. So you can optimize the amount of nitrogen infused.
- Choose a pint glass and pour it along the side of the glass while tilting it slightly. This will create the most beautiful cascading effect.
Why is cold brew nitro coffee so good?
Because it is an ideal combination of cold brew and nitrogen gas. Attempts to use CO2 and N2O in coffee have failed to deliver the same results.
CO2 dissolves in water, producing carbonic acid. Carbonic acid make an unwanted lemon/lime flavor that alters the coffee’s taste.
On the other hand, N2O makes a thicker and harder texture. Because one N2O charger releases 2.55 times more gas than an N2 charger.
This simple calculation can prove it. You can see in the clip below what happens when you add the second N2O charger to the 2L mini-keg. The pressure inside the keg will exceed the threshold, causing the safety valve to automatically release excess gas.. This incident doesn’t happen with N2.
Nitrogen bubbles will make best cascading effect when infused with cold coffee. So making cold brew an optimal base. The less bitter and smoother characteristics of cold brew complement nitro perfectly. Moreover, cold brew is suitable for making large batches and serving quickly.
Nitro Espresso Martini Recipe
This is an extremely simple and easy-to-make recipe with fantastic results. You just need to pour all of the following ingredients into the iSi Nitro whipper, charge it with a Nitro bulb, shake it a few times, then pour and enjoy:
- 600ml Regular Cold Brew Coffee
- 300ml Vodka
- 50ml Kahlua
- 50ml Vanilla Syrup
Alternative Choices
If you’re busy and need a break with a nitro coffee, heading to a coffee shop is an excellent choice. You’ll likely find superior quality, a pleasant atmosphere, and top-notch service. Plus, it’s an opportunity to network.
Or you can also buy canned nitro coffee from grocery stores or make an online order. It’s convenient, with numerous options of brands, coffee varieties and flavors . No equipment is needed—grab it and go wherever you want, whether camping or traveling.
Conclusion
Finally, no matter how you enjoy it, Nitro coffee will surely bring a fresh and exciting experience. So, go ahead and explore this unique beverage—you might discover a new passion in the world of coffee!
FAQ
Is nitro coffee stronger than cold brew?
Both are similar in strength.
Is nitro coffee safe?
Totally yes.
Is nitro cold brew healthy?
Yes, if you only use coffee without adding too much sugar or syrup.
Can I use CO2 and N2O instead of N2?
It’s not recommended. CO2 alters the taste of coffee, while N2O makes the texture too thick rather than smooth like N2.
Can I use espresso instead of cold brew coffee?
Yes, you can use espresso. But note that you should dilute it with water and chill it first.
Can I use French press coffee instead of cold brew?
Yes, you can use French Press coffee. But you should chill it first then filter your coffee to remove ground coffee.
Can I use a whipped cream dispenser or soda dispenser?
This depends on the brand of dispenser you’re using. For example, with iSi, you won’t be able to because N2 chargers won’t fit into whipped cream or soda dispensers. Some other brands might allow it.
