In this article, you’ll learn:
- What a nitro cold brew tap is
- The range of drinks you can serve with a nitro cold brew tap
- How a nitro cold brew tap helps businesses become more agile and future-proof
Cold brew coffee is a popular drink in its own right, but nitro cold brew is quickly becoming just as trendy with modern consumers. This means cafés, restaurants, and bars need to rethink their tap systems to provide customers with the drinks they crave. Adding a nitro cold brew tap is, therefore, a hugely beneficial operational decision.
That said, while this equipment is designed with nitro cold brew in mind, its functionality doesn’t stop there. Originally just used to pour one drink, the best nitro cold brew taps have evolved into multifunctional tools that transform your menu.
To learn more about the other drinks you can serve with a nitro cold brew tap, I spoke to Steve Silha. He is the President of the F&B Innovation Group, a consultancy project that helps brands enter new markets. Read on for his insights.
What is a nitro cold brew tap?
A nitro cold brew tap is a piece of countertop equipment that dispenses nitro cold brew. “This process begins with cold brew, which is then infused with nitrogen through a pressurised system,” Steve tells me. “The result is a rich, smooth coffee with a creamy mouthfeel and a foamy head, similar to a stout beer.”
Unlike carbon dioxide, which creates a sharp, fizzy mouthfeel, nitrogen produces ultra-fine bubbles that result in much smoother drinks. For coffee shops, it often increases the value of the drink, with nitro cold brew generally costing more than regular cold brew.
There are two main ways to infuse cold brew with nitrogen. Traditionally, businesses would have an external nitrogen tank linked to their nitro tap, releasing nitrogen as the drink is poured to achieve the unique texture.
Increasingly, though, nitro cold brew taps like the Hardtap pull atmospheric nitrogen from the air. “The latter method is where a nitro brew coffee machine comes into play,” Steve says.
Modern nitro cold brew taps go further than just infusing and dispensing, however. Designed specifically for foodservice and hospitality businesses, equipment like the Hardtap is engineered for versatility, consistency, and ease of use. It features dual taps, allowing you to serve both still and nitro drinks at the same time, from the same unit.
Such equipment is an increasingly important investment opportunity for coffee shops, restaurants, and bars. The global market for nitro-infused beverages is expected to reach USD $395 million by 2030. As such, investing in specialised equipment is both a present-day decision and a future-proof operational strategy.
Which drinks can you serve with a nitro cold brew tap?
While cold brew coffee is the flagship use case, a well-designed nitro cold brew tap system can accommodate a far wider spectrum of beverages. After all, the core functionality of dispensing a liquid and infusing it with nitrogen applies to a near-endless number of drinks outside of coffee. “Nitro taps can be used for a wide range of creative and flavoursome beverages beyond basic cold brew,” Steve says.
One incredibly accessible option is nitrogenated iced teas. Using the same method as nitro cold brew, it’s a refreshing and low-sugar alternative to traditional soft drinks. By simply swapping out ingredients in your system’s filter basket, you can experiment with a number of flavours. Popular fruit infusions include hibiscus, peach-infused black tea, and jasmine green tea – all of which are suitable for nitro taps.
“With flavoured nitro infusions, you can also add seasonal flavours such as pumpkin spice,” Steve says. This allows you to be agile with your drinks menu, swapping drinks in and out as they become popular throughout the year.
He also suggests “nitro cold brew lemonade – a twist on the Arnold Palmer, combining lemonade and nitro cold brew.” For bars, you can also pour nitro cold brew to then prepare an espresso martini or a range of other coffee-based cocktails.
The same goes for alcohol-free mocktails, especially as younger demographics reduce their alcohol consumption. You can use a nitro tap to prepare Cold Brew Old Fashioneds or Hibiscus Spritzes, offering a luxurious mouthfeel and distinctive appearance without the alcohol.
However, you can take this even further when considering the fast-growing functional drink sector. You can use your tap, with nitro on or off, to dispense matcha, yerba mate, or herbal infusions. It gives the drinks a smoother mouthfeel and distinctive effervescence that establishes a more premium reputation.
The nitro feature elevates the drinking experience, giving you a valuable revenue stream and profit opportunity. Due to the versatility of modern cold brew systems and nitro taps, you can easily adjust to these developing trends without investing in new equipment.
Not just drinks: How a nitro cold brew tap helps businesses become more efficient
In a competitive market where consumers have a vast array of options, nitro taps need to do more than just expand your menu. It’s just as important that they’re a long-term investment; something you can rely on in the long term. By carefully choosing the right nitro cold brew tap for you, the benefits are enormous.
Flexibility is the main initial benefit. “These systems infuse more than just coffee, but a variety of beverages,” Steve explains. The ability to serve a wide range of beverages from the same unit gives coffee shops, bars, and foodservice venues a strategic advantage. You can seamlessly switch from nitro cold brew in the morning to mocktails in the afternoon without needing separate systems for each drink.
From an operational standpoint, nitro cold brew taps like the Hardtap also deliver efficiency. It eliminates the need for external kegs, separate taps, or staff training thanks to its automated dose settings. The Hardtap’s compact footprint and compatibility with all cold brew systems make it suitable for seamlessly adding to your countertop without making concessions.
Nitro cold brew taps also open up the potential to charge more for your drinks. Nitrogenated beverages are generally considered a premium product, meaning they can command higher prices. If your drinks convey quality, customers will pay more to justify it. This allows you to increase prices without higher ingredient or labour costs, potentially increasing your profits.
Beyond profitability, a visually engaging dispenser can also benefit your business’ reputation. With a well-designed and appealing nitro cold brew tap, customers may film and share videos of its operation on social media. This turns every pour into a marketing opportunity that can attract new customers and enhance your brand image.
Nitro cold brew taps such as the Hardtap open up these possibilities by providing consistently high-quality pours without the need for barista-level training. With dual-tap capability for still and nitro beverages simultaneously, you can serve a wide array of drinks while maintaining control over quality and presentation.
In conclusion, the hospitality industry is constantly evolving, and consumer tastes never stay the same. With a nitro tap that does more than just coffee, you can deliver a curated, premium drinks experience that is agile, profitable, and efficient.
Nitro cold brew taps: Key takeaways for hospitality businesses
- Nitro cold brew taps infuse a drink with nitrogen to create a smooth, creamy mouthfeel and visually appealing cascading effect.
- While designed for coffee, a nitro cold brew tap can also serve iced teas, lemonade, cocktails, mocktails, and functional drinks.
- Modern taps like the Hardtap include atmospheric nitrogen infusion, pulling it from the air.
- Investing in a nitro cold brew tap allows you to meet growing market demand and adjust your drinks menu with ease.
Ready to see how a nitro tap could transform your menu and margins?
Download the product brochure, watch the product demo, or schedule a consultation with our team to learn more.
Nitro cold brew tap FAQs
Can a nitro cold brew tap only serve coffee?
No! A nitro cold brew tap can also serve iced teas, lemonade, cocktails, mocktails, and functional drinks such as matcha.
Do I need a separate nitrogen tank?
Not necessarily. It depends on the model of nitro cold brew tap you choose. The Hardtap, for example, extracts nitrogen from atmospheric air to eliminate the need for external tanks.
Can nitro cold brew taps increase profits?
Yes! Nitro beverages are often considered a premium, meaning you can charge more while using the same equipment and techniques.
Want to learn more about nitro cold brew taps?
- Learn more: Read about the Hardtap and how it works here.
- See it in action: Watch our product presentation here.
- Book time with the team: Have questions or want to enquire? Schedule a free appointment.
