Two hands holding Starbucks iced coffees in see-through cups next to each other.

A Breakdown Of Starbucks’ Iced Coffee Types

NEWS

By TIM FORSTER

A woman holding her phone and a Starbucks iced coffee.

Iced (Filter) Coffee

Starbucks’ iced coffee, essentially the chilled version of their standard brewed coffee, is brewed hot and then poured over ice for a stronger flavor.
A person holding the straw and cup of their Starbucks iced coffee.
Made with medium-roast coffee, the only other variation of this classic beverage on the menu is iced coffee with milk. However, it can be customized with flavored syrup.
Hand pouring milk into iced coffee.

Iced Espresso

Starbucks’ iced espresso drinks form the majority of their cold beverage offerings, all starting with fresh espresso shots pulled into a cup filled with ice.
A Starbucks caramel macchiato under a Starbucks logo.
From the basic iced espresso to variants like the iced caramel macchiato, these drinks can be customized with various ingredients, like milk, syrups, and additional flavorings.
A Starbucks iced coffee on a table.

Cold Brew

Introduced around 2015, Starbucks’ cold brew is brewed entirely in cold water. It takes approximately 20 hours to steep and offers a more mellow and citrusy flavor.
A Starbucks iced coffee against a blurred background.
Starbucks serves its cold brew over ice and with various ingredients like vanilla syrup and chocolate-flavored cream, providing around nine options on its cold brew menu.
Glasses of nitro cold brew next to loose coffee beans.

Nitro Cold Brew

After introducing cold brew, Starbucks launched nitro cold brew, infused with nitrogen to create a creamy head and smooth consistency, resembling a tap beer.
A Starbucks iced coffee.
The limited nitro cold brew options include a regular and upscale reserve version, both served without syrup or add-ons, as well as flavored choices like cinnamon caramel cream.