Iced Coffee vs Cold Brew: What's the Difference?

Walk into any Skimos Coffee location on a hot Las Vegas day, and you'll see plenty of customers ordering cold coffee drinks. But there's often confusion about the difference between iced coffee and cold brew. Let's break it down!

The Quick Answer

Iced Coffee = Hot brewed coffee that's been cooled down and poured over ice
Cold Brew = Coffee that's been steeped in cold water for 12-24 hours

But there's much more to the story...

How Iced Coffee is Made

At Skimos Coffee, our iced coffee process is simple but effective:

1. Brew hot coffee using our specialty blend
2. Cool it down quickly to preserve freshness
3. Pour over ice when you order
4. Add your customizations - milk, sweetener, flavorings

The Flavor Profile

Iced coffee tends to be:

• Brighter and more acidic
• More pronounced coffee notes
• Lighter body
• Familiar coffee taste - just cold

How Cold Brew is Made

Cold brew is a different beast entirely:

1. Coarse grind specialty coffee beans
2. Steep in cold water for 12-24 hours
3. Strain to remove grounds
4. Dilute and serve over ice

The Flavor Profile

Cold brew characteristics:

• Smooth and mellow
• Less acidic (up to 67% less acid!)
• Naturally sweet
• Full-bodied and rich
• Chocolatey notes

Which Should You Choose?

Choose Iced Coffee If:

• You love traditional coffee flavor
• You want something bright and refreshing
• You're watching your budget (it's typically less expensive)
• You like to customize with lots of milk and sugar

Choose Cold Brew If:

• You have a sensitive stomach (lower acidity)
• You prefer smooth, mellow flavors
• You want to taste the coffee's natural sweetness
• You're looking for a stronger caffeine kick

The Caffeine Difference

This surprises many people! Cold brew typically contains MORE caffeine than iced coffee. Here's why:

• Longer steeping time extracts more caffeine
• Higher coffee-to-water ratio in the concentrate
• Concentrated serving even after dilution

At Skimos Coffee, a 16oz cold brew has approximately 200mg of caffeine, while our iced coffee has around 150mg.

Skimos Coffee Recommendations

Summer Favorites

For Iced Coffee Lovers:

• Classic Iced Americano
• Iced Vanilla Latte
• Iced Mocha

For Cold Brew Fans:

• Pure Cold Brew (black)
• Cold Brew with Sweet Cream
• Vanilla Cold Brew

Pro Tips from Our Baristas

1. Don't wait too long - Iced coffee dilutes faster as ice melts
2. Try it black first - Especially cold brew, to appreciate its natural sweetness
3. Ask for light ice - Get more coffee, less dilution
4. Customize boldly - Both drinks are perfect canvases for flavor additions

The Best of Both Worlds

Can't decide? Many of our Henderson and South Strip regulars alternate based on their mood:

• Morning rush? Iced coffee for a quick, bright start
• Afternoon slump? Cold brew for smooth, sustained energy
• Weekend leisure? Experiment with both!

Try Them at Skimos

The best way to understand the difference is to taste them side-by-side. Visit either of our locations and ask our baristas to help you compare. We love talking coffee and helping customers find their perfect drink!

Find us:

• Henderson Sunset - 1370 W Sunset Rd
• South Strip - 6950 S Las Vegas Blvd

Stay cool, Las Vegas! ☕️❄️