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- Cold brew coffee is naturally sweet and less acidic, making it easier to drink than hot brewed coffee that's poured over ice.
- The taste of cold brew coffee comes from its extraction process, which uses cold water over a long period of time.
- These ready-made cold brew coffees and coffee concentrate are sublimely smooth and rich in taste, conveniently available in your kitchen fridge.
Looking to quench your thirst for cold brew coffee without going to the coffeehouse or starting the long process of making it at home? You don't have to: There are plenty of great-tasting options for ready-made cold brew drinks and concentrates that you can stash in your fridge — ready to be poured at a moment's notice.
Cold brew coffee is usually served over ice and, if preferred, milk of choice. However, you can also make a hot beverage by pouring cold brew concentrate into hot water. That's because "cold brew" describes a process, not the temperature of the beverage. Indeed, cold brew coffee can also be used to make cocktails, carbonated drinks, and other beverages.
Like all coffee, cold brew starts the same way: with beans that have been grounded. However, it is then put through a slow extraction process using cold water. Unlike iced coffee that's made from regular brewed coffee, cold brew has a smoother and less acidic taste. The extraction process also brings out a natural sweetness, which is why many cold brew fans drink it without adding sweetener. It also has more caffeine, if that's what you're after.
Our picks are based on brands that are highly regarded by experts and drinkers as well as our own testing. Many also come from well-known brands. We checked their nutritional info to ensure they aren't overloaded with sugar or fat. Taste is subjective, however, so what you like may differ from others. But we think the options below will satisfy any cold brew craving.
If you'd rather use your favorite coffee beans and make your own cold brew, check out our buying guide to the best cold brew coffee makers.
Here is the best cold brew coffee you can buy:
- Stok Not Too Sweet Black Cold Brew Iced Coffee
- Chameleon Cold Brew Coffee Concentrate
- High Brew Cold Brew Coffee
- La Colombe Nitro Cold Brew Shandy Lemonade
- Starbucks Cold Brew Black Unsweetened Coffee
- Grady's Cold Brew Bean Bags
Updated on 4/9/2020 by Les Shu. We added new recommendations based on new research and testing. Our favorite cold brew, from Blue Bottle Coffee, is currently unavailable online. Prices and availability are current at time of posting, but due to a retailer shortage of coffee products, some products may be out of stock when you read this.
Stok Not Too Sweet Cold Brew
If you like to drink cold brew slightly sweetened and without dairy, Stok's Not Too Sweet is ready right out of the bottle.
The Not Too Sweet Black Cold Brew Iced Coffee from Stok, as the name suggests, hits the right balance of sweetness. The only qualm is that the carb level is a bit high for our liking — the sodium is low, however, which is commonly high in cold brew — but nonetheless, it's a great-tasting ready-made coffee drink.
If you prefer to add your own sweetener or none at all, Stok also makes unsweetened cold brew, as well as vanilla- and mocha-flavored options.
Check price at Walmart Check price at TargetChameleon Cold Brew Concentrate
One 32-ounce bottle of Chameleon Cold Brew Coffee Concentrate yields eight servings of potent coffee.
You aren't supposed to drink Chameleon Organic Cold Brew Coffee Concentrate from the bottle. Instead, you pour equal parts of the "syrup" into water. Depending on your taste preference, you can adjust it less or more, but know that cold brew has a higher caffeine punch than brewed coffee. Overall, the taste isn't super-strong, but some drinkers have told us they prefer to water it down a bit.
Because it's not a premade drink, you can experiment. Try it hot, or use it in a mocktail. If you can't have dairy, mix it with almond or oat milk. Chameleon's concentrate tastes great, but you're free to make it taste even better.
If you want convenience, Chameleon also sells ready-to-drink cold brew.
Check price at Amazon Check price at TargetHigh Brew Cold Brew
High Brew Cold Brew Coffee comes in a variety of flavors, as well as ones packed with extra protein and caffeine.
High Brew's cold brew comes in 8-ounce cans and in a variety of flavors and sweetness levels: Double Espresso, Dark Chocolate Mocha, Creamy Cappuccino, Bourbon Vanilla Latte, Salted Caramel, Toasted Coconut Latte, and Mexican Vanilla, to name a few. This is a good option for those who like flavored coffee; we recommend trying the sample pack to find your favorites.
Insider Reviews contributor Steven John finds Double Espresso to be the least sweet, while Mexican Vanilla tastes like drinking a coffee milkshake. In addition to flavors, High Brew makes some without dairy, some with extra protein or caffeine, and one without added sugar (Black and Bold). If you have strict dietary restrictions, you're not without options.
Check price at High Brew CoffeeLa Colombe Nitro Shandy Lemonade
For a twist from the ordinary, try this lemon-infused nitro cold brew from La Colombe.
Like Blue Bottle, Stumptown, and Intelligentsia, La Colombe started as a small-scale coffee roaster that's since amassed a big following. In addition to its cafes, you can find its ready-made cold brew coffee drinks and concentrates at food retailers. But what we find unique about La Colombe is its Nitro offerings that infuse single-origin Colombian cold brew coffee with citrus (lemon and grapefruit) to create a non-alcoholic but super-caffeinated shandy.
Nitro refers to cold brew that's been charged with nitrogen, which gives the beverage the look and texture of stout beer. But before you dismiss the matrimony of coffee and lemonade as unholy, know that adding lemon to coffee is a very common practice with roots that trace back to Algeria by way of France. You'll find it at the fanciest of coffee shops stateside.
We recently stocked some La Colombe Nitro Cold Brew Shandy Lemonade in the Business Insider kitchen and let's just say it's an acquired taste. But if you're looking for a twist to your cold brew, it's worth a try.
Check price at La ColombeStarbucks Cold Brew
For those who love Starbucks, this ready-to-drink cold brew satisfies the craving when you can't make it to a cafe.
Hear that? That's the crescendo of a thousand groans. Despite its detractors, Starbucks is popular with many, and believe it or not, its Cold Brew Black Unsweetened Coffee isn't bad. While Starbucks' Colombian blend isn't the best, I find it pleasantly palatable and perfectly suitable for a quick fix.
With 15 calories, zero fat, zero carbs, and 1 gram per serving, it's also a good option for those looking for a healthier option. I do prefer it with a light splash of half-and-half and a squeeze of liquid stevia, but you do you.
Because it's Starbucks, you're likely to find this at more retailers than our other picks.
Check price at TargetGrady's Cold Brew Bean Bags
If you have time (12 hours to be exact), whip up a pitcher by using Grady's Cold Brew Bean Bags.
Grady's was one of the first mass-market cold brew brands I saw on shelves. If you prefer not to have bottles shipped to your door, you can opt for Grady's bean bags. It's not as convenient as our other picks in terms of ready-to-drink, but you can store it away in your pantry until it's needed.
Drop a bag or two into a pitcher of water, let it brew for 12 hours in the fridge, and your cold brew is ready. Grady's cold brew is New Orleans-style, which contains chicory and spices that create an herbal, woody taste (Cafe du Monde fans will appreciate). I don't think the flavor is as strong — I may need to adjust the amount of water, let it brew for longer, or use more bags — but it's a nice option to have when I don't feel like grinding beans and setting up my cold brew contraption.
Check price at Sur La TableIf you want to brew your own cold brew, check out our guide to the best cold brew coffee makers
The best cold brew coffee makers you can buy
A top-quality cold brew coffee maker produces a large quantity of full-bodied and flavorful concentrate, is easy to use, and can withstand years of regular use.
While researching the best cold brew coffee makers, we looked at hundreds of ratings and reviews of countless cold brewers from both experts and buyers. The ones included in our guide are durable, user-friendly and, most importantly, produce cold brew concentrate that is smooth and full of flavor. See more: the best cold brew coffee makers you can buy.
Les Shu Deputy Editor, Insider Reviews Les is the Deputy Editor for Insider Reviews, primarily overseeing the Tech Reviews sub-vertical, which includes reviews and explainers of consumer electronics, streaming, gaming, and entertainment products and services. Previously, he led Insider Reviews' Style and Beauty, Tech and Electronics, Health, Fitness, and Outdoors, and Travel teams. He works with Insider Reviews leadership on strategy for all of Insider Reviews. Previously, he was the editor of the many expert product-buying guides that Business Insider and INSIDER recommend. In addition, he covers photography and printing products for the Tech section.Having started his career in print magazines, Les is a journalist with nearly 20 years of experience as a writer, editor, and researcher. Prior to joining Insider, he was a senior editor at Digital Trends (DT), covering photography and in-depth features as well as leading DT's NYC bureau. His byline has appeared in publications including Computer Shopper, Men's Journal, and Men's Fitness.While his specialty is in consumer technology, he's a versatile writer who has covered various topics, including men's lifestyle, health and fitness, outdoors, travel, women's interests, automotive, photography, toys, and more.Originally from California, Les lives in New York City and is obsessed with all things Ikea and Lego.Learn more about how our team of experts tests and reviews products at Insider here. Read more Read lessYou can purchase logo and accolade licensing to this story here.
Disclosure: Written and researched by the Insider Reviews team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at reviews@businessinsider.com.
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