Quixotic Coffee in St. Paul has tapped into the burgeoning chilled-coffee trend with its Nitro! Cold Brew ($4). Not for the light-of-palate (we’re looking at you, Frappuccino lovers), this robust-yet-smooth, nitrogen-infused coffee is poured from a tap like a pint of craft beer.
The nitrogen in this cold brew produces a caramel color and a creamy, stoutlike texture as the beverage is pushed through the tap and served clean (not over ice). In addition to creating a velveteen texture, the process yields a drink without the bitterness usually associated with cold coffee. The beans themselves are imported from Brazil and lightly roasted by the Blackeye Roasting Company.
Quixotic Coffee also offers a nitro cold brew solution for those craving a sweeter beverage. The White Lighting ($5) is a creamy blend of nitro cold brew, half-and-half, and homemade vanilla simple syrup. This combo cuts the strength of the coffee without totally masking its flavor. With the addition of the sweet and creamy elements, however, the importance of the nitrogen infusion lessened; this was still a delicious drink, but it could have been just as good with regular cold brew coffee.
Quixotic Coffee, 769 Cleveland Ave S, St. Paul; 651.699.5448