An apparatus for cooling food, in particular water-based beverages, includes a cold accumulator (6) that contains a phase transition material. A conduit (8) for a water-based liquid that is to be chilled is guided through the cold accumulator (6). Also provided is a device (2) for dissipating heat from the cold accumulator (6). In order to make such an apparatus less expensive, easier to produce, and more effective, the cold accumulator (6) is made from a composite material containing expanded graphite and a phase transition material that undergoes a solid-liquid phase transition at or above 273 K.