Final answer:
Iced coffee is hot brewed coffee quickly chilled with ice; cold brew is steeped in cold water for 12-24 hours without heating; iced americano is made with espresso and cold water. All are served cold, but their preparation and espresso content differ.
Step-by-step explanation:
Distinguishing between iced coffee, iced americano, and cold brew can be done based on a few key factors: temperature, brewing time, espresso content, and milk content. Iced coffee is traditionally brewed hot and then cooled down with ice, making it a quick-to-make drink with a temperature that's chilled post-brewing.
In contrast, cold brew is made by steeping coffee grounds in cold water for an extended period, often 12-24 hours, resulting in a smoother and less acidic taste with no hot brewing process involved.
An iced americano consists of shots of espresso topped with cold water and ice, making it unique in its espresso content. Typically, none of these drinks inherently have milk content, but it can be added according to the drinker's preference. The temperature of each beverage is meant to be cold when served, but the methods of reaching that temperature differ significantly between the three.