In this article, you’ll learn:
- What a nitro brew coffee machine is and how it’s different
- The benefits of using a nitro brew coffee machine
- What you need to know before investing in nitro cold brew equipment
For coffee shops, your equipment needs to constantly evolve. After all, consumer demands aren’t static, so the tools you need to meet their requests will never stay the same for long. One such example is a nitro brew coffee machine, which has gone from a premium luxury for a small number of operators to an industry-wide essential.
Nitro brew coffee machines are capable of producing and then dispensing cold brew or nitro cold brew. Both drinks are increasingly popular, but nitro is considered a further premium option, renowned for its creamy texture, cascading visual appeal, and subtle sweetness. Before investing in a nitro brew coffee machine, though, you need to know how the equipment works and what makes it different.
To learn more about the benefits and differences of a nitro brew coffee machine, I spoke to Maya Rozwadowska. She is a Coffee Quality Consultant for Java Republic, a roaster based in Dublin, Ireland. Read on for her insight.
What is a nitro brew coffee machine and how is it different?
Cold brew equipment and nitro dispensing tools are different pieces of equipment. While both are necessary for preparing cold brew and nitro cold brew, they each serve a purpose in the production and delivery chain.
“A nitro machine serves cold brew with nitrogen, which makes it creamy and smooth, almost like a pint of stout,” Maya says. This foamy mouthfeel makes it a more premium product, which can often command higher prices than regular cold brew.
Nitro brew coffee machines, like the Hardtap, change the sensory profile of cold brew entirely. It draws nitrogen from atmospheric air, then pumps it through cold brew and other drinks as you use the tap. This creates tiny microbubbles that give the drink a velvety mouthfeel, slightly sweetens the perceived flavour without sugar, and delivers the iconic cascading effect that draws customers in.
This distinction matters because you can’t get that effect from a cold brew machine alone. Instead, the nitro effect requires either atmospheric nitrogen infusion or an external keg to infuse the drink.
Unlike nitro brew coffee machines, cold brew machines such as the Baby Hardtank or Hardtank 20 are designed to extract coffee at cold or ambient temperatures over a controlled period of time.
Hardtank systems use patented recirculation technology that significantly accelerates the process of steeping cold brew. It takes the production time to just 45 minutes, compared to the traditional 12- to 24-hour steeping cycle. This means you can adjust production volumes on the fly and experiment with new flavour infusions without long lead times.
For foodservice and hospitality businesses, understanding this distinction helps you to avoid costly equipment incompatibility. Buying a brewing system thinking it will deliver nitro coffee, for example, is a common mistake – and one that can delay menu rollouts and require further investment.
What are the benefits of a nitro brew coffee machine?
The main benefit of a nitro brew coffee machine is that it allows you to serve a range of in-demand beverages. However, it also increases efficiency and allows for higher margins.
Now is the ideal time for businesses to explore cold brew and similar drinks. Cold brew demand rose by 22.1% from 2023 to 2024 – and within that category, nitro cold brew is one of the fastest-growing segments. In the UK, up to 43% of coffee consumers now drink cold brew at least once a month. Offering it and its nitro variety is important to stay ahead of trends.
With equipment that quickly and efficiently serves nitro cold brew, you can add this fast-growing drink to your menu with just one machine. It means no additional investment outside of the equipment itself, but still tapping into a hugely popular section of takeaway coffee.
Another key benefit of a nitro brew coffee machine is the efficiency. With the Hardtap, for example, you can serve up to 80 litres of nitro cold brew or other drinks per hour. It vastly increases your service capabilities while avoiding common problems like spillage.
“It’s easier and faster,” Maya explains. “The coffee stays chilled, it’s consistent every time, and staff don’t need to pour it manually.” With modern nitro brew coffee machines like the Hardtap, you can select from four pre-determined dosing sizes for repeatable portions. It minimises concerns around over-pouring and waste, as well as spillages that may occur by manually pouring from a nitro cold brew tap.
This consistency is key in high-volume environments. With a nitro dispensing setup like the Hardtap, you can serve drinks all day without the signature cascading effect or mouthfeel dulling as the machine works. The system also maintains an optimal serving temperature, ensuring that the drink tastes exactly as intended. This is good for your reputation and may encourage happy customers to return.
There’s also the potential for higher profit margins with a nitro brew coffee machine. Due to its distinctive mouthfeel and look, nitro cold brew generally commands a higher price – often costing up to $2 more than standard cold brew. If your equipment can prepare and pour it efficiently throughout the day, you can offset the investment with increased revenue and higher margins.
In addition, nitro cold brew’s visually appealing presentation means customers are more likely to post it on social media. Research shows that 76% of consumers research a business online before visiting and making a purchase. Therefore, offering high-quality, “Instagrammable” nitro cold brew can attract new customers to your business.
How to integrate a nitro brew coffee machine for maximum ROI
For businesses looking to add a nitro brew coffee machine to their setup, there are a number of factors to consider beforehand.
Firstly, you need to determine whether your existing cold brew system is compatible with your nitro brew coffee machine. Otherwise, you may invest in a new machine that doesn’t work with your cold brew workflows. You can check with manufacturers to determine this: the Hardtap, for example, is compatible with both Hardtank systems and any other cold brew system you may have.
Next, make sure you have adequate storage and transport solutions for nitro cold brew. For a full solution, the Hardtap works directly next to a Baby Hardtank machine for countertop solutions. For larger brewing volumes, you may need to connect it in line with larger machines, kegs, or storage tanks in your back room.
Finally, you can use your nitro brew coffee machine not only to dispense nitro cold brew, but a range of other drinks, too. For example, you can also infuse cocktails or iced tea with nitrogen for unique, premium menu additions. With a dual-tap system, you can use machinery like the Hardtap to serve nitro cold brew with one tap and something entirely different with the other.
Once you’ve taken all of these factors into account, coffee shops, bars, and restaurants can be incredibly agile with their drink menu. You can produce a single batch of cold brew and serve it in multiple ways – over ice, sweetened, or nitro-infused – using the same equipment.
In conclusion, combining cold brew equipment with a nitro brew coffee machine greatly expands your capabilities. You can not only prepare cold brew quickly and efficiently, but also serve it in a way that elevates the customer experience and commands higher prices.
To learn more about the Hardtap nitro dispenser and Hardtank brewing systems, get in touch with the team today.
Key takeaways:
- Nitro brew coffee machines are used to dispense nitro cold brew or other nitrogen-infused drinks.
- They must be combined with a cold brew machine that prepares the drink and stores it prior to dispensing.
- Nitro cold brew is a premium product that can command higher prices in coffee shops, bars, and restaurants.
- Be sure that your nitro dispenser is compatible with your existing cold brew system before investing.
Ready to add premium nitro drinks to your menu? Explore the Hardtap dispenser or schedule a free consultation with our team.
FAQ
What is the difference between a nitro brew coffee machine and a cold brew machine?
A cold brew machine extracts coffee at cold or ambient temperatures to prepare cold brew. Nitro brew coffee machines don’t brew coffee, but infuse pre-made cold brew with nitrogen gas to create a creamy texture and cascading effect.
Can one machine make both cold brew and nitro cold brew?
Most setups require two units: one to make cold brew (e.g. Baby Hardtank or Hardtank 20) and one to infuse it with nitrogen and dispense it (e.g. Hardtap).
How much more can I charge for nitro cold brew?
Due to its premium texture and appearance, nitro cold brew is often priced at $2 higher than regular cold brew.
