Summer in Atlanta calls for something cold in your cup — but should you reach for cold brew or iced coffee? They’re both refreshing, both served cold, and both delicious… but they’re not the same thing.

At Bellwood Coffee, we love them both for different reasons. So let’s break down cold brew vs. iced coffee, how they’re made, and how to pick your perfect summertime sip.

Cold Brew Coffee

How it’s made:
Cold brew is brewed with cold or room‑temperature water over a long period of time — usually 12 to 24 hours. Instead of heat, time does the work, slowly extracting flavor from the coffee grounds.

Flavor profile:
Cold brew tends to be smooth, naturally sweet, and low in acidity. It’s easy‑drinking and often has chocolatey, nutty, or caramel notes — especially if you start with a medium or dark roast.

Best for:

• Coffee drinkers who like mellow, sweet coffee without bitterness

• People looking for a low‑acid option that’s easier on the stomach

• Anyone who wants a concentrated coffee they can mix with milk or water

Iced Coffee

How it’s made:
Iced coffee is simply hot coffee that’s brewed double‑strength and then cooled down over ice. The hot brewing process extracts different flavor compounds, which gives it a brighter and more vibrant taste.

Flavor profile:
Iced coffee is crisp, refreshing, and often more acidic than cold brew — in a good way. It’s great for highlighting fruity, floral, or citrusy coffees, especially lighter roasts.

Best for:

• Coffee drinkers who enjoy bright, lively flavors

• Fans of fruity or floral single‑origin coffees

• People who want a cold drink that still has that “freshly brewed” taste

Which One Should You Choose?

It all comes down to flavor and feel:

• Cold brew is smooth, sweet, and mellow — like a chill summer afternoon.

• Iced coffee is bright, crisp, and refreshing — like a cool breeze on a hot day.

If you’re still not sure which you prefer… try both. We won’t judge if you end up keeping them both in your fridge.

Bellwood’s Take

We love both cold brew and iced coffee at Bellwood, and we know coffee lovers have different moods. Some days call for the smooth chocolatey comfort of cold brew; other days, you want the zing of iced coffee made with Kick the Can or a vibrant seasonal single origin.

If you’re making it at home, we’ve got freshly roasted beans that work beautifully for both methods — just ask us what’s tasting best right now.