Coffee enthusiasts seeking a rapid method for preparing iced coffee can now benefit from advanced coffee machines that replicate the taste of traditional cold brew in mere minutes. Cold brewing offers a unique flavor profile by extracting sweeter compounds from coffee beans while minimizing bitter notes, resulting in a smoother beverage. Traditionally, cold brew requires extensive preparation time, often necessitating an overnight steeping of ground coffee in cold water. Fortunately, modern machines equipped with dedicated cold-brew modes are changing the game.
These innovative devices use cold water and high pressure to produce cold-extracted espresso, delivering a taste reminiscent of classic cold brew without the lengthy wait. For those eager to enjoy chilled coffee at home quickly, three standout options currently dominate the market.
Sage Luxe Brewer Thermal: The Affordable Classic
The Sage Luxe Brewer Thermal, known as Breville in many regions, has emerged as the top drip coffee maker tested in 2023. This versatile machine excels not only at brewing excellent hot coffee but also prepares cold brew in the traditional manner by steeping grounds in cold water overnight.
One significant advantage of the Luxe Brewer Thermal is its precise brewing timer, which alerts users when their coffee is ready. Additionally, the machine’s insulated carafe maintains the temperature of freshly brewed coffee for extended periods. During testing, it successfully kept half a carafe hot for over two hours. When ice is added to cold brew, it remains perfectly chilled for a longer duration, offering an easy, mess-free preparation experience.
The Luxe Brewer Thermal stands out for its simplicity, providing essential customizable settings without overwhelming users. It allows adjustments for bloom volume, bloom time, brew temperature, and flow rate when brewing hot. At a competitive price point, it remains the most affordable choice among the reviewed machines.
De’Longhi La Specialista Touch: Compact Yet Powerful
For those who desire authentic chilled coffee quickly without extensive investment, the De’Longhi La Specialista Touch is an excellent option. This compact coffee maker is ideal for smaller kitchens while delivering remarkable performance.
Despite its smaller footprint, the La Specialista Touch excels in guiding users through the espresso-making process. It assists in selecting the optimal grind size, measuring the coffee dose, tamping, and timing shots to ensure proper extraction. The cold-brew function, while slightly slower than producing hot espresso, yields a flavor closely resembling that of traditional overnight cold brew.
While it doesn’t quite match the depth of flavor found in the Jura J10, the La Specialista Touch is significantly more budget-friendly. However, it’s important to note that it lacks the ability to froth cold milk, limiting options for iced lattes or cappuccinos without the use of a separate milk frother.
Jura J10: Premium Performance for Iced Coffee Lovers
For those willing to invest more for a premium experience, the Jura J10 sets a high standard for cold-extracted espresso. In blind taste tests, the J10’s cold americano was indistinguishable from coffee steeped overnight, showcasing its excellent brewing capabilities.
The J10 utilizes innovative technology, employing pulses of high-pressure water to extract flavors from freshly ground beans. This method produces a fuller-bodied coffee compared to other machines, demonstrating a significant advantage over the De’Longhi model.
Additionally, the Jura J10 features a versatile milk frothing system that can handle both hot and cold milk, allowing users to craft iced latte macchiatos and other specialty drinks easily. The SweetFoam system infuses flavored syrup into the milk while frothing, enhancing the overall coffee experience. However, this quality comes at a steep price, making the J10 one of the more expensive options on the market.
In conclusion, these three coffee makers represent the forefront of home brewing technology, each catering to different preferences and budgets. Whether users prioritize affordability, compact design, or premium quality, there is a machine to suit every iced coffee lover’s needs.
