Cold brew coffee has taken the world by storm, providing coffee enthusiasts with a unique, smooth, and refreshing alternative to traditional hot coffee. As interest in this beverage grows, more and more cold brew brands have emerged, offering diverse flavors, packaging options, and brewing methods. In this post, we will guide you through the top 10 best cold brew coffee choices to find your perfect caffeine fix in 2023.
Understanding Cold Brew Coffee
Cold brew coffee is a unique type of coffee, made by soaking coarsely ground beans in cold or room-temperature water for 12 to 24 hours. This produces a mellow and smooth flavor that cannot be achieved with hot brewed coffee. This method yields various cold brews with distinct flavors and characteristics. Cold brew is known for its smooth taste, low acidity, and minimal bitterness. The result is a beverage with a full body and subtle hints of milk chocolate that can be enjoyed by all cold brew lovers, regardless of the brand or specific flavor of cold brew coffee.
Though cold brew coffee may appear akin to iced coffee, they vary greatly. Iced coffee is brewed hot before being poured over ice, often resulting in a diluted and bitter flavor. On the other hand, cold brew offers a rich, smooth, and less bitter taste, courtesy of its distinctive brewing technique.
Top Cold Brew Coffee Brands
Aiming to assist you in locating the finest cold brew coffee available, we present a compilation of ten leading cold brew coffee brands. Each brand is distinctive in terms of flavor, packaging, and pricing. We’ll give a detailed account of each brand, highlighting their unique features and reasons to consider them.
Bizzy Organic Cold Brew
Bizzy Organic Cold Brew is an organic, ready-to-drink cold brew with various flavors, renowned for its robust and delicate flavor notes, ethical sourcing, and affordable price. The light and bright roast of Bizzy Organic Cold Brew has increased caffeine content and a slightly more acidic taste, culminating in a smooth finish. The brand is committed to ethical sourcing, making it an excellent choice for environmentally conscious coffee drinkers.
The unique flavor profile of Bizzy Organic Cold Brew sets it apart from other brands on the market. With more caffeine and a slightly more acidic taste that finishes very smoothly, this cold brew offers a refreshing and invigorating experience for coffee enthusiasts, all while being ethically sourced and reasonably priced in comparison to other brands.
Wandering Bear Cold Brew
For those who enjoy variety, Wandering Bear Cold Brew offers an extensive selection of cold brew boxes, cartons, and bottles in various sizes and flavors. Among their delightful flavors are caramel, mocha, and decaf, providing options for every taste preference. Wandering Bear Extra Strong Organic Cold Brew Coffee is a distinct, earthy, and velvety cold brew coffee with minimal bitterness and a more intense flavor.
Despite its robust flavor and delightful taste, Wandering Bear Cold Brew is a tad pricier than other cold brew coffee brands, with a one-gallon size starting at $28.99. However, if you’re willing to splurge on a premium cold brew experience, Wandering Bear’s extensive selection and unique flavors might be well worth the investment.
Stok Cold Brew
Stok Cold Brew is an economical and accessible cold brew coffee brand renowned for its robust, smooth flavor and dedication to ecologically sound production practices. The flavors of this cold brew are quite mild and can be further enhanced with any of your preferred creamers. The 48-ounce container of Stok available at Target for $5.49 is a great value, equating to approximately $0.11 per ounce. For those who prefer a different option, Starbucks Cold Brew is also available in the market.
Stok is a B-corp brand, committed to upholding responsible business practices. Furthermore, we prioritize ecologically sustainable production methods for all our products. All of its Arabica beans are certified by Rainforest Alliance. This certification demonstrates that the beans have been sourced responsibly. By choosing Stok Cold Brew, you can enjoy a delicious and smooth coffee experience while supporting sustainable and ethical practices.
Rook Coffee
Rook Coffee has become well-known for its exquisite glass cold brew bottles. Variety of flavors such as:
New Orleans style
Mocha mint
Cinnamon Vanilla
Traditional
The New Orleans-style blend is highly acclaimed for its chocolatey notes and full-bodied chicory flavor, while the cinnamon vanilla blend is appreciated for its warmth and sweet, decadent notes reminiscent of a freshly baked sugar cookie.
While Rook Coffee delivers superior quality cold brew with a variety of flavors, its major drawback is its pricing. The cost details for Rook Coffee’s cold brew products are currently unavailable. However, if you’re looking for a premium cold brew experience and beautiful packaging, Rook Coffee might be worth considering.
Slingshot Cold Brew
Slingshot Cold Brew is a cold brew coffee solution that offers cold brew boxes, concentrate, and individual cans, catering to various coffee enthusiasts’ needs. The brand is known for its immaculate flavors, with reviewers noting floral and herbal undertones. The most cost-effective option for purchasing Slingshot Cold Brew is to buy a box.
Slingshot Cold Brew’s versatility in packaging and delightful flavors make it an attractive option for those who prefer a cold brew with more unique flavor notes. Whether you’re enjoying it straight from the can or mixing it with bourbon and maple syrup, Slingshot Cold Brew offers a refreshing and satisfying coffee experience.
Trader Joe’s Cold Brew
Trader Joe’s offers a variety of cold brew coffee options, including a coffee concentrate crafted with medium-roast arabica beans, a ready-to-drink cold brew, and an instant cold brew powder. With a price of just $0.17 per fluid ounce, Trader Joe’s ready-to-drink cold brew is an affordable option for those who enjoy cold brew on a budget.
The concentrate from Trader Joe’s is the most cost-effective and flavorful option of the three products, providing a versatile base for creating your perfect cold brew experience. Whether you’re looking for a convenient ready-to-drink option or a customizable concentrate, Trader Joe’s offers budget-friendly cold brew options for every preference.
Chameleon Cold Brew
Chameleon Cold Brew offers a variety of cold brew coffee options, including all the cold brews you could desire:
One-gallon box of cold brew concentrate (yields up to 250 cups)
32-ounce bottles of cold brew concentrate in flavors such as Heavenly Mocha and Vanilla
10-ounce, single-serve bottles in the same flavors
However, reviewers have found the taste of Chameleon Cold Brew to be lackluster and weak, more akin to an iced coffee than a robust, concentrated cold brew.
If you’re looking for a cold brew with a more subtle flavor and a wide range of packaging options, Chameleon Cold Brew might be a suitable choice. However, if you prefer a more robust and concentrated cold brew experience, it may be worth exploring other brands on this list.
Jot Ultra Concentrate
Jot Ultra Concentrate is a premium cold brew ultra-concentrate brand boasting a strong, pungent flavor. With a full-bodied flavor profile featuring notes of hickory and chocolate, this ultra-concentrate provides a bold and intense coffee experience. At an estimated cost of $1.85 per serving, Jot Ultra Concentrate is a more expensive option, but its unique flavor and strength might be worth the investment.
If you’re seeking a high-end cold brew option with a powerful flavor, Jot Ultra Concentrate could be the right choice for you. With its simple brewing process, all it takes is a quick mix with cold or hot water or milk, and you’re ready to enjoy a delicious cup of cold brew coffee.
High Brew Coffee
High Brew Coffee is an ethical, direct-trade cold brew brand that provides single-serving cans with unique flavors, perfect for enjoying at your favorite local coffee shop. The available flavors include:
double espresso
Mexican vanilla
dark chocolate mocha
black-and-bold
Although these cans offer a convenient and flavorful cold brew experience, the packaging presents challenges in terms of both opening and ergonomics.
Despite the packaging drawbacks, High Brew Coffee’s commitment to ethical sourcing and unique flavors make it a desirable choice for those who prioritize sustainability and social responsibility in their cold brew coffee selection.
Grady’s Cold Brew
Grady’s Cold Brew is a premium cold brew coffee brand known for its New Orleans-style coffee concentrate, made with a special blend of coffee, chicory, and spices that are cold brewed for 20 hours. This process results in a velvety-smooth cup of cold brew coffee with a unique flavor profile. Grady’s Cold Brew concentrate should be kept refrigerated prior to opening.
At the time of publication, a case of six Grady’s Cold Brew concentrates is priced at $69, making it a more expensive option. However, for those who appreciate the distinctive taste of New Orleans-style cold brew, Grady’s Cold Brew might be the perfect choice.
Cold Brew Flavors You Need to Try
Beyond the traditional black cold brew coffee, an array of flavors awaits exploration. From brown sugar oat milk to toasted coconut and lavender, cold brew coffee flavors can be as diverse as your imagination. The unique flavors of cold brew coffee are developed through the process of steeping coarsely ground coffee in cold water, which reduces acidity and enhances natural sweetness and complex flavor notes.
One way to find your perfect cold brew flavor is to experiment with different ingredients, such as flavored coffee beans or homemade fruit syrups. By doing so, you can create your unique flavor profiles, making your cold brew experience truly one-of-a-kind. With so many flavors available, the sky’s the limit when it comes to discovering your personal favorite cold brew coffee.
Nitro Cold Brew: A Creamy Alternative
If you desire a smoother, creamier variant of the conventional cold brew coffee, nitro cold brew could be your go-to option. Nitro cold brew is a nitrogen-infused coffee with a velvety texture and higher caffeine content, making it a popular choice among coffee enthusiasts.
Here are some key features of nitro cold brew:
Smooth and creamy texture
Higher caffeine content
Nitrogen-infused for a unique taste
A popular choice among coffee enthusiasts
A tall serving of Nitro Cold Brew from Starbucks contains 5 calories, according to the nutrition facts.
The unique texture and increased caffeine content of nitro cold brew make it an appealing option for those who enjoy a little extra kick in their coffee. With its smooth, rich flavor, nitro cold brew is sure to please even the most discerning taste buds.
Finding the Perfect Cold Brew Concentrate
Cold brew concentrate is a versatile and customizable option for those who enjoy experimenting with the strength and flavor of their coffee. When choosing the perfect cold brew concentrate, consider factors such as:
Strength
Quality
Brewing method
Taste profile
Price
Ultimately, personal preference is the most important factor, so don’t be afraid to try different brands and varieties to find the cold brew concentrate that best suits your taste buds. By exploring your options and experimenting with various brewing methods, you can find the perfect cold brew concentrate to satisfy your caffeine cravings.
Sustainable and Ethical Cold Brew Brands
With environmental consciousness gaining prominence, many cold brew aficionados are opting for brands that emphasize sustainability and ethical sourcing procedures. Sustainable and ethical cold brew brands emphasize environmentally friendly operations and responsible sourcing from growers. Some examples of such brands include:
La Colombe Dark/Medium Roast Cold Brew
Grady’s NOLA Cold Brew Concentrate
Starbucks Black Unsweetened Cold Brew Coffee
High Brew Coffee
Choosing a sustainable and ethical cold brew brand guarantees that the coffee is procured in an environmentally and socially responsible manner. By supporting these brands, you can enjoy a delicious and smooth coffee experience while making a positive impact on the environment and the lives of those involved in the coffee production process.
DIY Cold Brew: Making Your Own at Home
For DIY enthusiasts who derive joy from a hands-on coffee-making process, brewing cold brew at home can prove to be an enjoyable and satisfying endeavor. To make your cold-brew coffee, follow these steps:
Start with coarsely ground coffee beans.
Steep the coffee grounds in cold water for 12-24 hours.
Use a ratio of 1:4 or 1:5, translating to 1/4 to 1/5 cup of coffee grounds for each cup of water.
By making your cold brew at home, you have complete control over the strength, flavor, and brewing method. Experiment with different beans, steeping times, and water ratios to create a cold brew coffee that perfectly suits your taste preferences.
Pairing Cold Brew with Dairy and Non-Dairy Options
Enjoy cold brew coffee as is, or pair it with a range of dairy and non-dairy creamers and sweeteners for an enhanced flavor and texture. Some options to consider include:
Regular milk
Almond milk
Cashew milk
Boxed coconut milk
Oat milk
These options can add a creamy and smooth texture to your cold brew, mellowing out any bitterness and creating a more balanced and slightly sweeter flavor profile.
For those who prefer non-dairy alternatives, oat milk, and soy milk are excellent options for cold-brew coffee. By experimenting with different dairy and non-dairy options, you can find the perfect pairing to elevate your cold brew coffee experience to new heights.
Summary
In conclusion, the world of cold brew coffee offers a diverse range of flavors, brands, and brewing methods to suit every taste preference. From the top 10 best cold brew coffee brands to the unique flavors and sustainable options available, there’s a cold brew coffee for everyone. By exploring different brands, flavors, and brewing techniques, you can discover the perfect cold brew coffee to satisfy your caffeine cravings and elevate your coffee experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What brand of cold brew is good?
Chameleon Organic Cold-Brew is the Editor’s Choice and makes a great cup of coffee. It is light-to-medium-bodied, with mild bitterness and low acidity, making it smooth and delicious.
2. What is the best coffee to make cold brew?
For the best cold brew, choose medium to dark roast coffee beans with low acidity and full-bodied flavor notes like chocolate, brown sugar, hazelnut, and molasses.
3. What are the main differences between cold brew and iced coffee?
Cold brew is made by steeping coffee beans in cold water for 12-24 hours, while iced coffee is made with hot coffee poured over ice. Cold brew is generally smoother and lower in acidity and bitterness compared to iced coffee.
4. What factors should I consider when choosing a cold brew coffee concentrate?
When choosing a cold brew coffee concentrate, take into account its strength, quality, brewing method, taste profile, and price. Finding the one that best suits your preferences is key, so try out different brands and varieties to find the perfect blend for you.
5. Are there any sustainable and ethical cold-brew coffee brands?
Yes, there are sustainable and ethical cold brew coffee brands available, including La Colombe Dark/Medium Roast Cold Brew, Grady’s NOLA Cold Brew Concentrate, Starbucks Black Unsweetened Cold Brew Coffee, and High Brew Coffee.