Iced coffee, on the other hand, is just drip coffee that has been cooled and served over ice. Both iced coffee and cold brew are enjoyed over ice, but iced coffee requires heat to brew, while cold brew does not (hence the name). Despite being stronger, cold brew is generally less bitter than iced coffee. “It may also have a slightly sweeter flavor than brewed coffee,” registered dietitian Desiree Nielsen, R.D., says, “thanks to a small difference in acidity.” “Because cold brew requires more coffee grounds and a longer steeping time than regular coffee, it may have more caffeine per cup than a typical brew,” Nielsen says, “if you aren’t diluting it with cream or plant-based milks.” Regular-brewed coffee has also been proven to lower cardiovascular disease risks, depression,2 body fat, and type 2 diabetes. Less research has been conducted on cold brew. Anyone trying to limit their caffeine consumption, however, would be better off drinking iced coffee than cold brew. Those who are trying to cut down on caffeine altogether should keep these seven caffeine withdrawal symptoms in mind. The healthiest way to enjoy cold brew or iced coffee is by drinking it plain, without cream or sugar, Nielsen says, or with a dash of unsweetened plant-based milk, like oat, almond, or macadamia milk.
