Cold Brew Magic: The Coolest Coffee You’ll Ever Sip!
Cold brew is not just a drink. it’s like a best buddy you didn’t know you needed. On hot days, busy mornings, or chill afternoons, a cold brew makes everything better. It’s smooth, it’s strong, and it’s super cool (literally!). Let’s jump right in and find out why cold brew is stealing hearts everywhere!
Table of Contents
ToggleWhat Is Cold Brew?
Cold brew is coffee, but made in a different, slow way. Instead of using hot water, you mix coffee grounds with cold water and let them sit together for a long time — like 12 to 24 hours.
When you finally strain it, you get a coffee that’s super smooth, less bitter, and way more tasty. It’s not like iced coffee, which is hot coffee just poured over ice. Cold brew is cold from the start!
Cold Brew Sizes, Prices & Calories
💡 Note: Calorie counts can vary slightly depending on how much milk, syrup, or sweet cream is added.
Size | Price (USD) | Black Cold Brew (Calories) | With Milk + Syrup (Calories) | Sweet Cream Cold Brew (Calories) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Tall (12 oz) | $5.17 | 5 cal | 90–120 cal | 160–180 cal |
Grande (16 oz) | $5.72 | 5 cal | 120–150 cal | 200–220 cal |
Venti (24 oz) | $5.93 | 5 cal | 160–190 cal | 240–260 cal |
Trenta (30 oz) | $6.26 | 5 cal | 200–240 cal | 280–300 cal |
Note: Prices are based on the Starbucks location at Park Row and Beekman Street, New York City. Prices may vary by location check the Starbucks website or app for accurate local pricing.
Ingredients
Making cold brew is super simple. You only need:
- Coarse coffee grounds
- Cold water
That’s it!
If you want to make it fancy, you can add:
- Sugar or sweet syrups
- Milk or cream
- Ice cubes
- Cold foam (that fluffy stuff)
Recipe: How to Make Cold Brew at Home
Want to try making cold brew yourself? It’s really easy!
You’ll need:
- 1 cup of coffee grounds
- 4 cups of cold water
- A big jar
- A strainer (or cheesecloth)
Steps:
- Put the coffee grounds into the jar.
- Add the cold water.
- Stir it a little bit.
- Cover it and put it in the fridge for 12 to 24 hours.
- Strain it into a clean jar or bottle.
- Pour over ice and drink!
And just like that, you made your own cold brew! 🎉
Nutrition Info: What Are You Really Drinking?
The Cold Brew calories and nutrition depend on its size and milk choice. Here’s the nutrition breakdown for Short (8 oz), Tall (12 oz), Grande (16 oz) and Venti (20 oz):
Nutrition | Tall (12 oz) | Grande (16 oz) | Venti (20 oz) | Venti (30 oz) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Calories | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
Fat | 0 g | 0 g | 0 g | 0 g |
Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0 mg | 0 mg | 0 mg |
Sodium | 10 mg | 15 mg | 20 mg | 25 mg |
Carbohydrates | 0 g | 0 g | 0 g | 0 g |
Protein | 0 g | 0 g | 0 g | 0 g |
Caffeine | 155 mg** | 205 mg** | 310 mg** | 360 mg** |
** Caffeine is an approximate value.↩
Remember: Nitro cold brew has even more caffeine than regular cold brew!
Cold Brew vs. Iced Coffee – What’s the Difference?
Let’s break it down real quick:
Feature | Cold Brew | Iced Coffee |
---|---|---|
Brew Time | 12–24 hours | Few minutes |
Flavor | Smooth & less bitter | Sharper, sometimes bitter |
Caffeine | Higher | Lower |
Acidity | Low | High |
Price | Higher | Lower |
Winner?
Cold brew wins for taste and smoothness!
Iced coffee wins if you need coffee fast.
How Can You Customize Cold Brew?
One of the best parts about cold brew is that you can mix and match all you want! Try:
Milk: Oat milk, almond milk, regular milk
Flavors: Vanilla, caramel, mocha, pumpkin spice
Sweeteners: Honey, sugar, stevia
Toppings: Sweet cream, cold foam, cinnamon
You can make it taste just how you like it!
Fun Facts About Cold Brew
Cold brew has less acid, so it’s easier on your tummy.
It usually has more caffeine than regular coffee!
It stays fresh in the fridge for up to two weeks (if you don’t add milk yet).
The first cold brew was made in Japan over 400 years ago!
Nitro cold brew (the one that looks fizzy) is made by adding a little nitrogen gas — makes it creamy without adding milk.
What People Are Saying About Cold Brew
We looked around, and here’s what people say:
Emily R. says: “Cold brew tastes smoother and makes my mornings way better.”
David L. shared: “It’s super easy to make at home! I can’t believe how much money I save.”
Jasmine T. said: “Nitro cold brew is life. It feels fancy but still strong!”
Most people love how smooth and strong it is without being too heavy or sour.
Final Thoughts
Yes. A thousand times yes! If you love coffee but hate the bitter taste or tummy aches, cold brew is perfect for you. It’s tasty, fun to customize, easy to make at home, and super refreshing.
Next time you’re craving something cool and cozy, grab a cold brew and enjoy every sip.
Sophie Bennett
I’m Sophie Bennett, a food and coffee enthusiast passionate about exploring Starbucks' menu. With experience in blogging and digital content creation, I provide up-to-date insights on menu prices, new drinks, and expert recommendations. Stay tuned for the latest Starbucks updates!