In this article, you’ll learn:
- Why a nitro cold brew system is worth the investment
- Which key features to look for
- How a nitro cold brew system can be beneficial for coffee shops
Over the past decade, nitro cold brew has gone from a niche offering to a staple on coffee shop menus. As more consumers embrace lower-sugar and perceived “cleaner” drinks, the demand is rising further. Coffee shops and other foodservice businesses relying on manual methods to prepare and serve nitro cold brew face a huge challenge as customer expectations evolve.
For a preparation method that requires significant time, hands-on attention, and storage space, inefficiencies can quickly surface when nitro cold brew production is scaled. This can make it harder for coffee shops to meet customer expectations around speed, consistency, and convenience.
To find out how a nitro cold brew system can be a profitable and future-proof investment in overcoming these challenges, I spoke to Polly Xu. She is the Marketing Manager at XBrewLab, a manufacturer of nitro drink dispensers like the EverNitro. Read on for her insight.
Is a nitro cold brew system worth the cost?
A nitro cold brew system is worth the investment because it helps coffee shops meet the rising demand for nitro cold brew without increasing operational complexity.
Manual methods of preparing and dispensing nitro cold brew can be time-consuming and inefficient. To start with, it takes from 12 to 24 hours to prepare a batch of cold brew. For nitro service, you need to use external nitrogen kegs that take up storage space and require consistent investment when you run out.
With a nitro cold brew system that combines a fast cold brew maker alongside a nitro tap, you can avoid these pitfalls while also serving a popular, high-margin drink.
“The ‘worth’ is increasingly defined by operational efficiency rather than just the trend itself,” Polly tells me. “Nitro cold brew is no longer a niche product. It’s now a staple for businesses looking to ‘premiumise’ their menu. Consumers are willing to pay a higher price point for the velvet, creamy texture that nitro provides.”
Alongside higher profit margins, a nitro cold brew system also removes the need for external nitrogen tanks and the drawbacks that come with it. For instance, this means less waste and expenditure on nitrogen canisters. Polly highlights this as one of the key operational barriers associated with draught and nitro systems.
“Historically, the ‘investment’ included not just the machine, but the logistical headache of bulky gas tanks and high recurring costs for single-use cartridges,” she says. If you’re already short on space, such equipment will end up taking up a lot of your valuable storage area, too.
Given the increased demand for nitro cold brew, if you run out of nitrogen gas, it can translate to lost sales and unhappy customers. Keg-free technology, such as the Hardtap dispenser, uses atmospheric nitrogen infusion to remove these challenges while unlocking more efficiencies. That means one less piece of equipment to purchase, manage, and maintain, making nitro coffee even more profitable.
“You can extract nitrogen directly from the air,” Polly explains. “The ROI is significantly accelerated by eliminating gas refills and simplifying the supply chain. It transforms nitro coffee from a high-maintenance luxury to a high-margin standard.”
The key features to look for in a nitro cold brew system
The minimum expectation of a nitro cold brew coffee system is the ability to prepare and dispense nitro coffee effortlessly without sacrificing quality or consistency.
“The soul of a nitro drink is the cascade and the quality of the micro-bubbles,” Polly explains. “We look for precision-engineered systems that can deliver café-quality texture consistently, drink after drink, regardless of the operator’s skill level.”
Precision-engineered systems like the Hardtapmake this possible through digital dosing control. You can pre-set specific volumes into the system for automatic, consistent pours. Customers return not just for a good coffee, but because they know they will receive the same precise serving of high-quality nitro cold brew every time.
Automated service also means reduced spillage and over-pouring, leading to minimised waste and higher profits. It also frees up your staff to focus on other tasks, such as connecting with customers.
Functionality and versatility are also important. “In a professional setting, space is at a premium,” Polly says. “A machine should offer multi-functionality, allowing businesses to diversify their offerings without cluttering the bar.”
This is why your nitro cold brew system should be able to dispense drinks other than just nitro cold brew. The Hardtap, for instance, can also serve still cold brew, iced tea, lemonade, cocktails, and mocktails.
Beyond performance, ease of cleaning is vital for both convenience and hygiene. Hardtank’s self-cleaning cold brew systems simplify the entire process, from preparation to serving, without compromising the high hygiene standards required for cold brew.
For coffee shops, bars, and other hospitality venues, these factors should be the standard when considering your nitro cold brew system. The right equipment should consistently deliver foamy, creamy beverages with rich mouthfeel on demand. It allows you to diversify your menu as needed and remain convenient and adaptable as your business evolves.
What are the key benefits of nitro cold brew systems for coffee shops?
The main benefit of a nitro cold brew system for coffee shops is the operational efficiency it offers. You can serve drinks that are traditionally complex to make and store with ease and speed, without sacrificing flavour. “Efficiency in high-traffic environments is where advanced equipment truly shines,” Polly says.
This starts right from the setup, which should be simple and straightforward to save time. “Traditional nitro setups require complex installations with external gas lines,” she explains. “Modern, self-contained units allow for instant setup and a ‘press-and-serve’ workflow, which is crucial during peak hours.”
The Hardtap, for instance, is compact and compatible with most nitro cold brew systems, including Hardtank. Simply plug it in, connect your beverage line, and start serving nitro coffee, iced tea, and other compatible drinks anywhere.
Among its advanced features is the ability to extract nitrogen directly from the air, which Polly identifies as a major benefit for many businesses that offer nitro coffee. “A significant portion of service time is often lost to managing gas tank levels, changing regulators, or running out of nitrogen mid-shift,” she says. “Removing the need for gas tanks entirely ensures that the service never has to pause.”
The instant infusion of nitrogen in the advanced systems also means baristas are able to pull a tap and serve a perfectly nitro-infused drink in seconds, without a multi-step process for each order. “This eliminates the need for pre-charging or shaking, allowing baristas and bartenders to focus more on customer engagement and less on manual preparation,” she concludes.
In conclusion, a nitro cold brew system can be an incredibly valuable investment for coffee shops and other foodservice businesses. It allows you to serve a high-margin, premium-positioned drink with ease and without additional equipment. As a result, you can increase your profits, diversify your drinks menu, and meet customer expectations of quality.
Nitro cold brew system: Key takeaways
- Nitro cold brew equipment significantly increases your service speed, allowing you to prepare and dispense a batch of nitro cold brew in under an hour.
- A nitro cold brew system allows you to efficiently serve high-margin drinks that support premium pricing models.
- You can also use it to serve drinks like iced tea and cocktails, allowing you to diversify your drinks menu.
Ready to invest in your own nitro cold brew system? Learn more about the Hardtap here or speak with a member of the team.
Nitro cold brew system FAQ
How does nitro cold brew equipment speed up service?
Modern systems like the Hardtank allow you to prepare cold brew in much less time, so you can brew to customer demand and efficiently serve drinks.
Do I still need nitrogen tanks for nitro cold brew?
Not necessarily – it depends on the system you use. The Hardtap, for instance, uses atmospheric nitrogen infusion to extract nitrogen from the air, eliminating the need for external gas tanks.
Is nitro cold brew more profitable than regular cold brew?
Generally yes, nitro cold brew is sold at a higher price than standard cold brew. Other factors like automated, waste-free dispensing help to preserve your margins.
Want to learn more about our nitro cold brew system?
- See it in action: Watch our Hardtap product demonstration.
- Explore the Hardtap: Browse the product page.
- Speak to an equipment specialist: Contact the Hardtank team.
