Cold brew coffee is a type of coffee made by steeping coffee beans in cold or room temperature water for up to 24 hours. Show
It can be a refreshing alternative to hot coffee, especially on a hot day. Cold brew typically offers a smoother, richer flavor than regular coffee. It’s also less acidic and tends to have a longer shelf life. There are several factors to consider when picking the right cold brew coffee for you, including any added ingredients, the flavor, and the possible content of sugar and caffeine. Here are the 15 best cold brew coffees.
The many available varieties of cold brew coffees can be enough to make your head spin. It’s a popular drink that typically features a smooth, slightly sweet coffee flavor. Plus, it might give you some pep in your step, thanks to a caffeine boost. To pick the best of the best, we considered these criteria:
Best overallStumptown Chocolate Cold Brew with OATLY
This high quality cold brew offers a clean, rich, and complex flavor with subtle hints of chocolate. Made with Oatly oat milk, this option is 100% vegan. The bottle offers 150 mg of caffeine, which is approximately the same amount you’ll get from 1.5 cups (355 mL) of drip coffee (1). Keep in mind, though, that due to the oat milk, this may not be the best option if you have an allergy to gluten. Best organicChameleon Cold Brew
Made using organic coffee concentrate containing 0 grams of added sugar, Chameleon cold brew is a great option for health-conscious consumers. With its smooth, bold taste and rich aroma, each serving provides around 200 mg of caffeine. There are several flavors available, including mocha, vanilla, maple, and dark chocolate. Best nitro cold brewRise Brewing Co. Oat Milk Mocha Nitro Cold Brew
This nitrogen-infused cold brew drink is made with oat milk, giving it an irresistibly smooth and creamy taste. However, this may also mean it’s not the best option for those with a gluten allergy. In addition to being dairy-free, it’s certified organic and contains 80 mg of caffeine per serving. It’s also 70% less acidic than regular coffee, making it a good choice for those with a sensitive stomach. Best nitro concentrateLucky Jack Triple Black Nitro Cold Brew Coffee
Infused with an extra shot of espresso, this nitro cold brew beverage is great for those who need an extra kick of caffeine. Not only does it offer 320 mg of caffeine per serving, but it’s also certified organic, sugar-free, and vegan. The coffee is made with high quality coffee beans that are hand-roasted to maximize the flavor. Best concentrateCalifia Farms Concentrated Cold Brew
For a rich and full-bodied cup of Joe, this concentrated cold brew coffee definitely delivers. Besides boasting a smooth and delicious flavor, it contains 180 mg of caffeine per serving. What’s more, it’s kosher, vegan, gluten-free, unsweetened, and made without genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Chameleon Cold Brew Concentrate
With just 2 simple ingredients and 15 calories per serving, this cold brew concentrate can be easily mixed with water or milk for a refreshing way to start your day. Like other Chameleon products, it’s certified organic. There are several other varieties available, including caramel, mocha, vanilla, and espresso. Best vanillaWandering Bear Vanilla Cold Brew
This cold brew on tap doesn’t require refrigeration prior to opening, making it a great shelf-staple option to keep at hand. Each serving contains 150 mg of caffeine and is sugar-free, dairy-free, and organic. It also features a natural vanilla flavor for a smooth, strong, and indulgent cup of coffee Best protein-richHigh Brew Coffee Creamy Cappucino + Protein
Boasting 12 grams of protein and 3 grams of fiber per serving, this cold brew cappuccino can help curb cravings and keep you feeling full between meals (2, 3). Plus, it contains 140 mg of caffeine in every serving, which can help provide a quick jolt of energy first thing in the morning. All High Brew products are also made using direct trade coffee beans, meaning that they’re purchased directly from the growers. Best flavoredChristopher Bean Hawaiian Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cold Brew
With a subtle macadamia nut and chocolate taste and no added sugar, this cold brew has just enough extra flavor to make it special. One bottle provides enough concentrate to make 120 ounces (3.5 liters) of coffee. Being free from GMOs, fat, and sugar, this brew checks a lot of boxes that many of us are looking for. Best espressoStōk Protein Espresso
This cold brew pairs 120 mg of caffeine per serving with a whopping 16 grams of protein. Made with cow’s milk and milk protein, it also contains a good amount of calcium and potassium in every serving. Plus, the coffee is sourced from UTZ-certified farmers, a program focused on promoting sustainable farming practices for coffee and cocoa. Best veganStarbucks Cold Brew Multi-Serve Concentrate
Starbucks lovers can easily whip up a cup of cold brew coffee from the comfort of their own kitchen with this convenient cold brew concentrate. Best of all, there are no hidden ingredients or additives, making it a vegan-friendly morning beverage. Simply combine the concentrate with some water and your choice of sugar, coconut milk, or almond milk to instantly ramp up the flavor. Best unsweetenedLa Colombe Single-Origin Cold Brew
To ensure a strong, smooth flavor, this cold brew coffee is steeped in steel wine tanks, brewed overnight, and double-filtered. It’s free from added sugar and gluten. Plus, it’s made without preservatives and is vegan. It’s available in packs of 4, 12, 16, and 24, with 180 mg of caffeine in each serving. Stōk Un-Sweet Cold Brew Coffee
For fans of full-bodied black coffee, this unsweetened cold brew is sure to satisfy. It’s formulated without any milk, cream, or sugar and is brewed low and slow to amp up the flavor and aroma. Each serving provides 95 mg of caffeine, which is the equivalent of about 1 cup of coffee. Best New Orleans styleGrady’s Cold Brew
This bold, medium-dark roast coffee blend is mixed with chicory root and spices to help get your morning off on the right foot. Simply steep in cold water for 12–24 hours, strain, and enjoy. One bag yields about 96 ounces (2.8 liters) of coffee. Not only is each cup low calorie, sugar-free, and non-GMO, but it’s also lower in caffeine than other cold brew varieties. Best cold brew oat milk latteLa Colombe Oatmilk Double Latte
Oat milk is a popular dairy alternative, and rightfully so. This plant-based milk can elevate your coffee thanks to its creaminess. La Colombe Oatmilk Double Latte takes advantage of this quality in their ready-to-drink cold brew oat milk latte. Ready to grab whenever a craving strikes, this drink is a great choice both for those who avoid dairy, and those who don’t. Just keep in mind that the oat milk may not be suitable if you do not consume gluten. Cold brew and iced coffee may appear similar but they are quite different. While both are enjoyed over ice, they’re prepared differently. This gives the beverages some distinct differences. Iced coffee is generally made by hot-brewing coffee before chilling it. Meanwhile, cold brew coffee is made without heat. To make it, ground coffee is steeped in cool, filtered water for hours. This results in a caffeinated drink that is less acidic and fuller-bodied than coffee made with heat. There are several factors to consider when selecting the right cold brew coffee for you. Checking the ingredient list is especially important. Some varieties contain additives or preservatives you may wish to avoid. Certain types also contain high amounts of added sugar, which can increase the calorie and carb content of your beverage. Organic varieties are also available. When you opt for this variety of coffee, the beans are not grown with synthetic fertilizers or synthetic pesticides. Some data shows that regular and frequent consumption of organic products generally reduces the risk of overweight and obesity, both for women and men, as well as non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in women (4). If you have any food allergies, it’s also essential to avoid products that contain your allergy triggers. Some may also be manufactured in facilities that also process common food allergens. What is cold brew?Cold brew coffee is a drink made by steeping ground coffee in cold filtered water, generally for 12–24 hours. It results in a lower acid and full-bodied caffeinated beverage. What is the difference between cold brew and regular coffee?Cold brew coffee is prepared using cold water, while regular coffee uses almost boiling. Iced coffee is medium-bodied, while cold brew is full-bodied. Is cold brew stronger than iced coffee?Cold brew typically has a richer body and more caffeine than iced coffee. Is cold brew stronger than espresso?Espresso is typically stronger than cold brew, although this varies based on preparation methods. There are many different varieties of cold brew coffees on the market. You can choose between flavored, unsweetened, vegan, and concentrate options. In other words, there’s bound to be one or many versions you’ll enjoy. When picking a product, pay close attention to the ingredient label, added sugar content, and whether or not it’s organic to find the right fit for you. How much caffeine is in my cold brew?Cold brew is a type of coffee made by steeping ground coffee beans in cold or room temperature water for 8–24 hours. It usually contains around 200 mg of caffeine per 16 ounces (473 mL), but the caffeine content can vary based on many factors.
How much caffeine is in a 12 ounce cold brew?Cold brew. A 2017 study found that a 12-oz cup of cold brew coffee can contain between 153–238 mg of caffeine. Cold brew coffee is made without heat. To make it, a person needs to steep coffee grounds in water at room temperature for 8–24 hours .
How much caffeine is in 8 oz of cold brew concentrate?A coldbrew concentrate can have over 500mg of caffeine per 8oz of liquid, while a hot brew of equal volume usually has about 100mg. However, the resulting mixture is not a ready-to-drink beverage like the hot brew method.
How much caffeine is in 16oz of cold brew?ICED COFFEE: A typical 16-oz. iced coffee has ~165 mg of caffeine. COLD BREW: A typical 16-oz. cold brew has ~200 mg of caffeine.
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