I love cold coffee, but what style will give me the best caffeine boost? Iced or Cold Brewed Coffee?

Cold brew has more caffeine than iced coffee due to how it is made. Cold-brewed coffee is steeped for around 12 to 24 hours, which gives it a higher concentration and so you get more caffeine. On the other hand, iced coffee is brewed like a regular coffee but is then poured over ice to chill.

What about cold-brewed coffee’s brewing method makes it so strong? How much does iced coffee compare to cold brew? Is there any way for iced coffee to measure up to the stronger cold brew?

Keep reading to find the answers to these questions and find out how the brewing methods make all the difference.

What Is The Difference Between Cold Brew and Iced Coffee?

At first glance, there doesn’t seem to be much of a difference between the two. However, what separates them is the brewing method.

In order to make iced coffee, you would need to brew a regular pot of hot coffee then cool it down and pour it over ice.

Cold brew coffee on the other hand uses no heat in its brewing process. Coarse ground coffee is steeped at room temperature or cold water for 12 or more hours. Once steeping is done, the grounds are filtered out and the liquid is mixed with water or milk to make a cold brew coffee.

Does Cold Brew Taste Different From Iced Coffee?

Cold brew will have a smoother taste and is not very acidic. It is naturally on the sweeter side with hints of chocolate. This makes it a mild and flavorful treat that can also be served to those who may have more sensitive stomachs.

Iced coffee has a sharp and acidic flavor profile. It is generally a little bitter and on the thinner side. However, its flavor is also full-bodied and refreshing. It is essentially your favorite coffee, but cold.

How Long Does Iced Coffee Last Compared to Cold Brew?

Iced coffee, like most coffee, is best served as soon as it’s made. It doesn’t store well as the flavors and oils will become watered down.

Cold brew, if stored properly will last up to two weeks, but is best consumed earlier than later.

How Much Caffeine Does Cold Brew Coffee Have?

Beyond the many differences in coffee drinks and preferences, most folks are often united in the search of the beloved caffeine buzz.

When comparing the amount of caffeine between a serving of cold brew and iced coffee, the cold brew will have more caffeine due to how long the coffee is steeped in cold water.

By using brewing methods that immerse coffee grounds in water, some people will leave the coffee steeping for up to 24 hours to create a very strong coffee concentrate.

This concentrate is mixed with water or milk, ice is also sometimes added to help tone down the strength.

A 16 oz. serving of cold brew coffee can have up to 200 mg of caffeine.

The strength of the coffee is determined by how much liquid is mixed with the coffee concentrate, normally it’s a ratio of half coffee to half water/milk but will vary depending on tastes.

How Much Caffeine Does Iced Coffee Have?

Iced Coffee is more or less regular coffee that is served with ice. While the ice makes it cool, it also dilutes the coffee as it melts.

So, the average 16 oz. iced coffee yields around 165 mg of caffeine.

Generally, this amount may deviate depending on how the hot coffee is brewed.

Can I Make My Iced Coffee Stronger?

People may prefer iced coffee for several reasons, but one of the biggest is that it’s quick and easy to make, unlike cold brew which takes hours. But how do you get over iced coffee’s smaller amount of caffeine?

One way is to brew double the amount of coffee grounds before pouring ice. Another trick is to make a little extra coffee, pour it into an ice cube tray, and freeze it overnight.

This way, you’ll have a way to cool off your coffee without diluting the flavors while adding more caffeine.

While cold brew coffee will generally have more caffeine than iced coffee due to its brewing method, the differences between the two regarding flavor and strength will fall upon your own preferences.

Cold brew has more caffeine, iced coffee takes significantly less time to make. Thankfully, there are many factors you can manipulate to make either suit your caffeine craving or your palette; such as the variety of grounds, and the amount of water, milk.