Nitro coffee is cold brew that’s been charged with gas to give it a smooth, almost creamy body and a cascading foam head — no milk, no sugar. Cafés pour it from a nitrogen tap. At home you can get surprisingly close with a whipped cream dispenser and a cream charger. Here’s how it works and how to make it.
Nitro coffee vs plain cold brew
Cold brew is coffee steeped in cold water for 12 to 18 hours. The slow, cold extraction pulls out flavour without much of the acidity you get from hot brewing, so it tastes smoother and slightly sweeter. Nitro coffee is that same cold brew charged with gas just before serving. The gas softens the mouthfeel, builds a tan foam head, and gives you that slow cascade in the glass.
A quick note on the gas
Commercial nitro taps use nitrogen (N2). A cream charger uses nitrous oxide (N2O), which dissolves more readily and adds a touch of natural sweetness and a thicker foam. It isn’t identical to a nitrogen tap, but for a home cup it gives you the creamy body and the cascade that make nitro coffee worth the effort.
What you’ll need
- Chilled cold brew — concentrate diluted to taste, or a strong batch, grounds filtered out
- A whipped cream dispenser (0.5L or 1L)
- One 8g cream charger
The method
Filter your cold brew so there are no grounds left — anything solid can block the nozzle. Fill the dispenser no more than two-thirds with the chilled coffee, then seal it. Load one charger, and shake hard for about 30 seconds to work the gas in. Turn the dispenser upside down over a glass and dispense slowly. Let the cascade settle for a few seconds before you drink it.
Tips
Keep everything cold — gas dissolves better into cold liquid, and a warm base gives a flat result. One charger is plenty for a dispenser of coffee; more won’t improve it. And don’t overfill: the empty space above the liquid is what lets the gas do its job.
The gear
A standard cream whipper is all you need — the Skywhip Pro 500ml whipper handles a couple of cups at a time. Pair it with any food-grade charger from our cream chargers range. New to dispensers? Our guide on choosing a whipped cream dispenser covers sizes and materials.
Frequently asked questions
Can I really use a cream charger for nitro coffee?
Yes, at home. It uses N2O rather than the nitrogen a café tap uses, so the result is a little creamier and sweeter, but you still get the foam head and the cascade.
Do I need a special dispenser?
No. A standard whipped cream dispenser works. Just make sure the coffee is filtered and the dispenser is only two-thirds full.
How many chargers per batch?
One is enough for a dispenser of cold brew. If you make it often, a nang tank is cheaper per serve.
