Cold Brew vs Cold Drip
Cold Brew and Cold Drip are two different methods for making coffee with cold water. They sound similar, but they lead to noticeably different results in the cup.
Cold Brew: steeping
Cold Brew is coarsely ground coffee left to steep in cold water for 12 to 24 hours. This long, slow extraction usually produces a coffee that's smooth and slightly sweet. Cold Brew tends to bring out fruit and chocolate notes, and comes across as less acidic and less bitter than hot-brewed coffee.
Cold Drip: dripping
With Cold Drip, cold water flows very slowly, drop by drop, through the ground coffee. This typically takes three to five hours. Because the water flows continuously through the grounds and the coffee doesn't sit in its own extract the whole time, the result often comes across as clearer and more vibrant – with brighter acidity and more distinct individual aromas.
What does that mean for you?
| Cold Brew | Cold Drip | |
|---|---|---|
| Principle | steeping | dripping |
| Duration | 12–24 hours | 3–5 hours |
| Character | smooth, round, slightly sweet | clear, vibrant, delicate |
| Effort | minimal | equipment and patience |
Neither method is better than the other. They answer different questions: Cold Brew, if you simply want an easy carafe for the week. Cold Drip, if you're curious how much detail a bean can reveal when brewed cold. We are United by Coffee – cold as much as hot.
Continue reading in Coffee Knowledge: Cold Brew with Hario · V60-Anleitung · Specialty Coffee · Arabica · Our coffee beans
Frequently asked questions about Cold Brew and Cold Drip
What's the difference between Cold Brew and Cold Drip?
Cold Brew is immersion: the coffee sits in cold water for 12 to 24 hours. Cold Drip is percolation: cold water runs drop by drop through the ground coffee. Same water, same temperature, two very different cups.
Which of the two tastes more intense?
Cold Drip usually comes across as clearer, more aromatic, and with more pronounced acidity. Cold Brew comes across as rounder, sweeter, and softer. Which one tastes better to you is a matter of taste, not a question of quality.
Which method is easier?
Cold Brew. All you need is a vessel, coffee, water, and time. Cold Drip requires a drip tower and patience when setting the drip rate.
What grind size do you need?
For Cold Brew, coarse, similar to French Press. For Cold Drip, a bit finer, because the water only passes through once – but not as fine as for espresso.
Can I make both with the same bean?
Yes, and that's actually the most interesting experiment: the same bean once as Cold Brew and once as Cold Drip shows you the difference between the methods more clearly than any description could.
How long do the finished drinks keep?
Refrigerated and sealed, we stick to two to three days for both. That's our own practice, not a manufacturer's guideline.
