05.09.2025 | Coffee trends
In addition to trendy drinks such as Pistachio-Choc Latte and Matcha Latte, another favourite has established itself in recent years: Cold Brew Coffee. With its mild acidity, intense aromas and refreshing lightness, it has become a summer classic for coffee lovers. No wonder it is so popular in cafés and among baristas around the world.
This trendy drink is a special form of coffee preparation in which coffee powder is steeped in cold water for several hours. Unlike classic coffee, the extraction is achieved not by heat, but by time and cold. The result is a mild, aromatic coffee that is less acidic yet rich in flavour. We take a closer look at its origins, how it differs from other types of coffee and the reasons for its popularity. This will give you a comprehensive picture of this trendy drink.
Two cultures could be largely responsible for the emergence of Cold Brew. In Japan, cold coffee is said to have been prepared as early as the 17th century in order to enjoy a smooth and aromatic drink. The Cold Drip Method, also known as Slow Drip or Dutch drip, can be traced back to Dutch traders. On long sea voyages, it was difficult to boil water, so cold water was used and the extraction time was extended – to the benefit of the taste. This gave rise to a technique that today serves as the model for modern cold brew.
Many people confuse Cold Brew with iced coffee, but the two drinks are very different.
Iced Coffee is normally brewed hot – with espresso or filter coffee – and then cooled with ice cubes. This makes it taste like conventional coffee, but the melting ice can dilute it slightly and make it milder.
Cold Brew, on the other hand, is made by steeping coarsely ground coffee in cold water for 12 to 24 hours. The result is then served with water, milk or ice. Cold Brew has a smoother, less bitter and often more aromatic taste than iced coffee – a clear difference to the classic coffee experience.
Cold Brew is popular with coffee fans because it combines intense flavour with mild acidity. The long cold water extraction process ensures a particularly mild aroma that is easy to drink. In hot summer months, it is a refreshing alternative to hot coffee specialities. Last but not least, it is easy to prepare once you know the basic rules and offers scope for creative variations.
To prepare cold brew correctly, it is important to understand the basic principles of cold water extraction. The choice of beans, the correct grinding and the duration of the brewing time have a significant influence on the aroma. There are also different types of Cold Brew coffee preparation, each with its own advantages. Below, we present the differences between Cold Brew and Cold Brew Drip, explain which beans are suitable and provide step-by-step instructions.
Cold Brew coffee is made by pouring cold water over coarsely ground coffee powder, leaving it to steep for several hours and then filtering it. The name simply means ‘brewing coffee cold’. The big advantage is that no special equipment is required; all you need is a container and a sieve or filter. This makes cold brew the uncomplicated and cheaper method, perfect for use at home.
Cold Drip, on the other hand, is a little more complicated. Here, cold water slowly drips onto the coffee powder over many hours. The result is a particularly clear, intense and complex aroma. However, you need a special cold drip tower or dripper to prepare it, which makes it more expensive and complicated to produce. Cold drip brew is therefore considered the ‘premium variant’ among cold coffees.
Arabica or Robusta? Choosing the right Cold Brew coffee beans is crucial for the taste. Mild, low-acid varieties with natural sweet notes that develop their full aroma in cold water are particularly suitable. Arabica beans with a medium to dark roast are the most popular, as they bring out nuances of chocolate, nuts and caramel particularly well. A blend of Arabica and Robusta can also be interesting: Arabica provides delicate fruity notes, while Robusta adds more body and intensity.
To allow the ‘cold coffee’ to develop its full potential, the beans should always be freshly ground. Those who like to experiment can vary the roasts and discover their personal favourite coffee blend.
What you need:
• Coarsely ground coffee (preferably freshly ground)
• Cold water (ratio approx. 1:8)
• A large container or carafe
• French press (or a fine sieve/coffee filter)
• Optional: ice cubes, milk or syrup
What to do:
Step 1: Put the coarsely ground cold brew coffee into your French press or large container and pour cold water over it in the correct ratio.
Step 2: Stir the mixture briefly so that the coffee powder is evenly distributed.
Step 3: Leave the coffee to steep in the refrigerator for 12–18 hours – the longer it steeps, the more intense the flavour.
Step 4: Press the plunger of your French press down evenly. Or filter the cold brew through a fine sieve or coffee filter to remove the coffee grounds.
Step 5: Serve the finished cold brew neat, diluted with water or milk. For a summery treat, you can add ice cubes or a little syrup.
In just a few simple steps, you can create your own refreshing, aromatic trendy drink – perfect for hot days!
Small variations can create exciting taste experiences. Whether pure, as a tonic variant or with milk – our recipe offers the perfect starting point for every coffee enjoyment.
As already mentioned, Cold Drip is a special method in which water is dripped over the coffee powder. This allows the coffee to be extracted particularly intensely and clearly. The drip speed significantly determines the strength of the drink. Preparing the coffee requires a little patience, but it's worth it for a unique taste experience.
Cold Brew also goes perfectly with tonic water. The sparkling carbon dioxide meets the gentle coffee aroma to create a refreshing summer drink. Fresh citrus notes or herbs such as rosemary are ideal as additional flavours. A real trend for anyone who wants to rediscover coffee.
Cold Brew coffee is not only appealing because of its taste, but also because of its health benefits. It is also versatile and can be varied as desired.
Thanks to cold water extraction, Cold Brew contains up to 70% less bitter compounds and acidity than hot-brewed coffee. This is easier on the stomach and makes the coffee more digestible. At the same time, the aromas of the coffee beans are particularly pronounced. Cold Brew is therefore ideal for sensitive coffee drinkers.
Whether Cold Brew is ‘healthier’ depends on the definition. Less acidity often means better tolerance, and the long brewing time allows some antioxidants to be extracted more intensively. At the same time, the caffeine content can be higher, which increases the stimulating effect. The dosage is important – those who enjoy it in moderation will reap the benefits.
In direct comparison to hot-brewed coffee, ‘cold coffee’ usually contains more caffeine, as the long brewing time extracts a particularly large amount of ingredients from the coffee powder. While a classic filter coffee or espresso often provides a quick, intense caffeine kick, the effect of Cold Brew is gentler and more even. Many find this effect more pleasant and longer lasting.
Cold Brew takes a long time to prepare – time that we often don't have in our flexible everyday lives with our mobile coffee bar. Since we prepare our coffee specialities fresh and directly for our guests, we offer a refreshing alternative in summer: the Iced Latte. We combine our certified organic espresso beans with chilled milk and ice cubes to create a creamy, cool treat. This allows us to offer our guests a drink that is quick to prepare, tastes delicious and perfectly matches the summer mood.
At Coffee-Bike, we use certified organic 100% Arabica coffee beans, which are ideal for Cold Brew preparation thanks to their fine, balanced aromas. Equally popular are our espresso beans with 70% Arabica and 30% Robusta, which provide a more intense taste experience thanks to their stronger body and light crema note. This gives you two ideal varieties for easily making Cold Brew at home – mild and fruity or full-bodied and strong, depending on your taste. And if you're not keen on this trendy drink, you can of course use the same beans to make a classic cappuccino or latte macchiato. Our beans are the perfect basis for any coffee variation – including iced versions, of course.
At Coffee-Bike, quality is always our top priority – and that starts with the selection of our beans. For our coffee specialities at Coffee-Bike, we exclusively use espresso beans from our own brand, Caferino. Gentle, slow roasting at low temperatures allows the fine aromas to develop optimally without any bitter flavours dominating. But it's not just about taste, it's also about responsibility: with every pack of Caferino espresso sold, we donate 10 cents to the children's rights organisation Terre des Hommes – strong children – fair world. This organisation campaigns worldwide for equal opportunities and against child labour. So with every cup of coffee, we not only combine genuine enjoyment with a contribution to a better world.
Our Caferino organic coffee beans are made from 100% select Arabica beans from the highlands of Peru and Central America. These special growing conditions give the beans a multifaceted aroma – full-bodied, balanced and with soft, fruity notes. The traditional long-term roasting process emphasises these flavour nuances even more intensely, while the coffee remains mild and pleasant to drink. Arabica beans also contain less caffeine than Robusta, which makes them particularly popular with many coffee lovers and therefore the perfect coffee beans for Cold Brew!
Here we answer the most frequently asked questions about this trendy drink. So you can clear up any uncertainties and get started right away. From the basics to preparation tips, we offer a wealth of knowledge for beginners and professionals alike.
What exactly is Cold Brew?
Cold Brew is coffee that is steeped in cold water for several hours. Unlike iced coffee or filter coffee, it is not heated. The result is a mild, aromatic coffee with less acidity and bitterness.
Is every coffee suitable for Cold Brew?
In principle, any coffee can be used, but medium to dark Arabica beans are best. They provide balanced flavours without too much acidity.
How long does Cold Brew keep?
Cold Brew stays fresh for up to two weeks when stored in the refrigerator. It should be sealed airtight. The longer it stands, the more intense the flavour can become, but the freshness decreases.
Can Cold Brew also be drunk warm?
Yes, Cold Brew can be gently warmed, but it loses some of its typical smoothness. For warm coffee, we recommend heating it carefully without boiling it. This keeps the flavour mild and pleasant.
Even though we cannot offer Cold Brew, coffee fans do not have to forego refreshing summer drinks. The Coffee-Bike is flexible on the road and brings you fresh coffee specialities directly to your location. Thanks to our high-quality Caferino Beans, we combine exceptional taste with sustainability and responsibility. For events, company parties or weddings, you can easily book Coffee-Bike as a caterer and surprise your guests with a wide variety of coffee creations. This is how we make coffee enjoyment mobile, individual and always a little bit special.
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