Nitro coffee has become a favorite among coffee enthusiasts, offering a smooth, creamy texture and a rich, velvety taste that’s irresistible. While nitro coffee is often associated with café culture, you can easily make it at home or in your coffee shop using a coffee keg. In this guide, we’ll show you how to create nitro coffee at home with a coffee keg and provide a few helpful tips for getting the best results.
What You Need to Make Nitro Coffee in a Coffee Keg
Before we dive into the process, let’s go over what you’ll need to make delicious nitro coffee brew using a coffee keg:
- Cold Brew Coffee: Cold brew is ideal because it’s less acidic, making it the perfect base for nitro infusion. You can either make it yourself by steeping coarsely ground coffee in cold water for 12-24 hours or buy it from a store.
- Coffee Keg (Nitro Coffee Keg): A specialized keg designed for carbonating coffee.
- Nitrogen Gas Charger: Non-threaded N2 cartridges are used to infuse nitrogen into the coffee.
- Nitrogen Regulator: Allows you to control the nitrogen pressure for optimal infusion.
- Tap System: A dispensing mechanism to pour the finished nitro coffee.
Step-by-Step Guide to Make Nitro Coffee Brew Using a Coffee Keg
Step 1: Prepare Your Cold Brew Coffee
Start by brewing a strong batch of cold brew coffee. For best results, use a coffee-to-water ratio of about 1:4. Grind your coffee coarsely and steep it in cold water for 12-24 hours. After steeping, strain the coffee through a fine filter or cheesecloth to remove any grounds.
If you prefer, you can buy pre-made cold brew coffee from your local store.
Step 2: Fill Your Coffee Keg
Pour the cold brew coffee into your coffee keg. Fill the keg to about 1-2 inches below the top to allow room for the nitrogen infusion. It’s important not to overfill the keg, as this can lead to increased pressure and make it harder to carbonate properly.
Step 3: Attach the Nitrogen Charger
Attach a nitrogen gas charger to the gas post on the coffee keg. Make sure that the connection is secure to avoid any leaks.
- Tip: Make sure you’re using N2 cartridges, as these provide a smoother, creamier texture compared to CO2.
Step 4: Set the Pressure and Infuse Nitrogen
Set your nitrogen regulator to around 30-40 PSI. This is the ideal range for infusing nitrogen into your cold brew coffee. Once you have set the pressure, slowly open the valve on the nitrogen tank to allow nitrogen to flow into the keg.
- Tip: Keep an eye on the pressure gauge to ensure it doesn’t exceed the recommended pressure. Excess pressure could cause the keg to over-carbonate or become unstable.
Step 5: Shake the Keg for Proper Infusion
After attaching the nitrogen charger and setting the correct pressure, gently shake the keg for about 15-20 seconds. This will help the nitrogen dissolve into the cold brew and create that signature smooth texture. You may want to repeat the shaking process a few times to achieve the desired level of carbonation.
Step 6: Let the Keg Sit for 2-3 Minutes
After shaking, allow the keg to sit for 2-3 minutes. This gives the nitrogen time to fully infuse the cold brew and creates the creamy, velvety texture that’s characteristic of nitro coffee.
Step 7: Dispense and Serve
Now it’s time to serve your nitro coffee! Connect your tap system to the liquid post of the keg and gently pour the coffee into a glass. Nitro coffee has a distinctive cascading effect, which is part of the charm of this beverage. The coffee should pour smoothly with a thick, creamy head, similar to a draft beer.
- Tip: Use a glass with a tulip shape or wider rim to better showcase the cascading effect.
What Makes Nitro Coffee Special?
The key difference between regular cold brew and nitro coffee is the nitrogen infusion. While cold brew is smooth and less acidic than regular coffee, the addition of nitrogen creates a creamy, rich texture that’s similar to a stout beer. The nitrogen also enhances the natural flavors of the coffee, providing a more velvety mouthfeel without the need for cream or milk.
Nitro coffee is perfect for those who enjoy a coffee that’s rich but not overly bitter. The creamy texture and smoothness make it a refreshing option, especially for warmer weather.
5 Best Nitro Cold Brew Coffee Makers to Consider
If you're looking to invest in a high-quality coffee keg for making nitro coffee, here are five top-rated nitro cold brew coffee makers to consider. Each one is designed to help you infuse nitrogen effectively and dispense your nitro coffee with ease.
**1. TMCRAFT Nitro Coffee Keg
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Why You Should Have It: The TMCRAFT Nitro Coffee Keg is a great option for both home and commercial use. Its durable, food-grade stainless steel construction ensures longevity, while the double-walled insulation helps maintain a stable temperature. It’s designed specifically for nitro coffee brewing, making it a reliable choice.
**2. GrowlerWerks uKeg Nitro Cold Brew Coffee Maker
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Why You Should Have It: This portable and stylish keg system is perfect for home use. The uKeg comes with a built-in nitrogen charger and pressure gauge, allowing you to create nitro coffee anywhere. It also features a handy carrying handle, making it ideal for on-the-go coffee lovers.
**3. Kegco Nitro Cold Brew Coffee Keg (5 Gallon)
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Why You Should Have It: This large-capacity keg is perfect for coffee shops or anyone who needs to serve nitro coffee in larger quantities. The Kegco 5-gallon keg offers excellent durability, a built-in handle for easy pouring, and precise nitrogen control for the perfect brew every time.
**4. TapLab Nitro Coffee Keg
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Why You Should Have It: TapLab’s Nitro Coffee Keg is designed for ease of use and optimal nitrogen infusion. It’s a smaller, compact keg that’s perfect for home brewers or small coffee shops. Its durable construction and smooth tap system ensure a hassle-free experience.
**5. NitroBrew Nitro Cold Brew Coffee Maker
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Why You Should Have It: NitroBrew's device is designed to infuse nitrogen into cold brew coffee with a high level of precision. It’s perfect for anyone who wants a high-quality nitro brew without the hassle of using a full-sized keg. It’s also compact and easy to clean, making it ideal for home users.
Conclusion
Making nitro coffee at home or in your coffee shop using a coffee keg is a fun and rewarding process. With the right tools and techniques, you can enjoy the rich, creamy texture of nitro coffee anytime. Whether you’re looking for a compact home setup or a larger commercial-grade system, the coffee kegs and nitro coffee makers listed above will help you brew delicious nitro coffee to serve and enjoy.