This post may include affiliate links, and I'll earn a commission if you shop through the links on this page. Go here to see my full disclosure policy! With temperatures well into the triple digits, South Texas summers can make you feel like you’re camping out on the surface of the sun. The excessive heat can leave even the most dedicated hot coffee drinker questioning their choices, and traditional iced coffee isn’t for everyone.
Enter Starbucks’ Nitro Cold Brew in a can. Convenient and refreshing in the heat of the summer, the nitro cold brew is infused with nitrogen gas. Check out the inside, bottom of the can and you can see the nitrogen cartridge… science is cool!
It’s the infusion of nitrogen gas that gives nitro coffee a velvet texture. The cold brew method, as opposed to iced coffee, cranks-up the sweetness of the coffee beans while dialing down the acidity.
Starbucks’ offers the following nitro cold brew flavors in a can: black, dark caramel, and vanilla sweet cream (reviewed).
I am partial to the vanilla sweet cream. The vanilla mellows the coffee’s acidity even more, while the sweet cream adds the perfect amount of sweetness. The cream further smooths and thickens the cold brew’s texture, adding a perfect compliment to the nitrogen gas.
Taste isn’t everything, and for full disclosure, Starbucks’ Nitro Cold Brew in a can is not cheap.
Depending on where you source the frothy beverage, a 9.6 oz. can of nitro cold brew generally costs up to $3.50 each (although Amazon Fresh does currently have the caramel version for just $3 right now).
Compare this to the average $3.95 tall (12 oz.) in a Starbucks’ store, and the can, though convenient, is not necessarily the better value.
In consideration of the cost of the nitro cold brew, it’s worth noting the quality and taste of the canned beverage is comparable to what you get in the Starbucks’ stores. I was pleasantly surprised when I tasted the store bought vanilla sweet cream side-by-side with the canned version.
Texture was the biggest difference, as the canned version is marginally thinner. That being said, Starbucks spends over $1,500 to install the nitro systems in the stores, and the nitrogen gas cartridge in the cans simply can’t compete.
Overall, if you are craving coffee, but can’t bring yourself to drink a hot beverage on a sweltering summer day, then I highly recommend the Starbucks’ Nitro Cold Brew in a can. Regardless of which flavor you prefer, the nitro cold brew will deliver a smooth, refreshing, and caffeinated experience from the convenience of your own home. Cheers!
Heather McVea is a best-selling author of urban fantasy books, including a 5-book paranormal series set in San Antonio, Texas! Check out more of her work at heathermcvea.com.