In a recent study of top-searched coffee orders by state, cold brew tied with cappuccino as the second-most-searched coffee order in five states.
Curious about cold brew? VinePair tasted nearly 50 cold-brew coffee labels from more than a dozen brands, all available in cans, bottles, and, in one case, cardboard carton. Whether you like your coffee black, light and sweet, rich and chocolaty, or horchata-flavored, get ready to sub out your snooze-button-and-Keurig routine for these ready-to-drink cold brews.
BEST BLACK COFFEES
6. Crosscut Coffee Co. Premium Iced Coffee
Hudson, NY
A solid cup of coffee in a can. It has earthy aromas and a silky, light-bodied texture with mild acidity, followed by a bitter finish that’s a little less bold than a regular black coffee – like drinking a strong iced coffee after some of the ice has melted. (Note: This is a different product than Toronto’s Crosscut Coffee Co. cold brew, which is not available in cans.) Price: $3.99
5. Nitro Beverage Co. Cold Brew Coffee Original
Asbury Park, NJ
This New Jersey-brewed, nitrogen-infused cold brew is USDA certified organic, fair trade, and single origin. Its 24-hour cold steep yields notes of dark chocolate and graham cracker on the nose, followed by a smooth, creamy roast flavor and a balanced finish. “A simple but tasty nitro cold brew from a can,” one taster said. Coconut devotees may also like Nitro Beverage Co.’s Coconut Cold Brew, which is available summer 2019. Price: $4
4. Chameleon Cold-Brew Black Coffee
Austin, TX
Baker’s chocolate and a whiff of chicory lie beneath a strong coffee aroma. “You can really get a sense of the roast on this,” one taster said. “It’s nice, comfy with a whisper of blueberry lurking on the edge.” On the palate, this coffee is a bit bitter, but low acidity helps ease the intensity, especially when served ice-cold. Price: $3.87
3. Sail Away Coffee Co. Nitro Unsweetened Cold Brew Coffee
Deer Park, NY
Toasty aromas, light mouthfeel, and mild bitterness make this easy-drinking cold brew “a good one to chug when you’re thirsty and tired,” one panelist wisely stated. Sail Away also makes a sweetened version with natural cane sugar, and tasters agreed both would be an ideal pairing with a breakfast pastry, like a blueberry muffin or Nutri-Grain bar. Price: $4-4.50
2. Rise Brewing Co. Nitro Cold Brew Coffee Original Black
New York, NY
Cocoa powder and vanilla ice cream aromas complement soft, smooth, slightly acidic black coffee in this creamy nitro coffee. “It goes down easy, and the small can is the perfect pick-me-up,” one taster noted (Rise is in 7-ounce cans). Another panelist felt it was “a little astringent on the finish, more like regular cold brew than nitro.” Price: $2.99
1. La Colombe Coffee Cold Brew Brazilian
Philadelphia, PA
Our tasters found this to be the best black coffee of the bunch, with notes of stout, dates, raisins, and baking spices preceding an earthy brew that’s “slightly tannic, like black tea,” one taster said. It has medium-light mouthfeel and fresh flavor. Price: 2.99
BEST FLAVORED & MILK COFFEES
9. Chameleon Cold-Brew Vanilla Coffee
Austin, TX
This “bitter and liqueur-like,” vanilla-flavored cold brew is lightly sweetened with organic sugar. Panelists agreed it’s most suitable for a midday coffee, and “like a gas station coffee in the best way.” “It has the vanilla flavor of Starbucks Frappuccino in a bottle, but not nearly as sweet, and not like drinking straight half-and-half,” said another. One taster compared its roasty vanilla flavor to a “low-ABV vanilla stout, with caffeine.” Price: $3.98
8. High Brew Triple Shot Espresso With Milk and Sugar
Austin, TX
This cold-brewed espresso “is a perfect trio of coffee, milk, and sugar,” light-bodied and sweet with a dark-roast kick. One taster was transported to her parents’ house, where “during the summer, I’d wake up to coffee that had been sitting in the pot, and I’d pour it over ice and skim milk to bring it, and myself, back to life.” Price: $2.99
7. Vivic Original Sparkling Coffee
Sonoma, CA
Seltzer-like carbonation and subtle sweetness make this sparkling cold brew “surprisingly refreshing,” one panelist said. It is made with direct-trade Salvadorian coffee, licorice root, and organic cane sugar. It’s slightly tannic. “It’s a good one to crush at a picnic,” another taster said. Vivic also offers sarsaparilla and lavender flavors. Price: $2.99
6. Sail Away Coffee Co. Nitro Horchata
Deer Park, NY
This horchata-spiced black coffee “smells like straight cinnamon powder, and tastes like it, too,” one taster said. Thankfully, it’s “not too thick or too sweet.” This brew had a thinner mouthfeel than other nitro options, and its light body made it more refreshing than expected. It emerged as the favorite of the horchata-flavored brews. Price: $4-$4.50
5. Rise Brewing Co. Nitro Cold Brew Coffee Mocha Latte
New York, NY
“Swiss Miss hot cocoa, but cold, like a frozen hot chocolate,” was one panelist’s take on this thick, creamy, not-too-sweet cold brew. “It’s like a Burger King chocolate milkshake with a shot of espresso,” another taster said. Have it your way. Price: $3.09
4. La Colombe Mocha Draft Latte
Philadelphia, PA
Sweet and fluffy from the first sip, this mixture of cold-pressed coffee, reduced-fat milk, cocoa, and sugar reminded one taster of Nesquik, “with a fuller body, and a hint of coffee.” Sweet and fluffy with subdued roast flavor, this one’s for milk chocolate lovers. A lingering oily finish turned off some tasters, but a few ice cubes could easily fix this. Price: $2.99
3. Chameleon Cold-Brew Coffee With Whole Milk, Mexican
Austin, TX
Cinnamon and nutmeg on the nose continue to the palate in this creamy, dessert-like brew that reminded one taster of “liquid churros.” An excellent option for those who like their iced coffees light, sweet, and spiced, “like drinking dessert.” Price: $7.99 (46-ounce bottle)
2. Blue Bottle Coffee New Orleans Iced Coffee
Oakland, CA
Inspired by New Orleans iced coffee, this option blends creamy whole milk, organic chicory, and organic cane sugar into a short, stout, ready-to-drink carton. Best served poured over ice, this blend was the most balanced of the creamy, sweet options. “This would be divine over ice on a hot summer afternoon,” one taster said. Price: $3.99
1. Rise Brewing Co. Nitro Cold Brew Coffee Oat Milk Latte
New York, NY
“Breakfast is served,” one taster said, noting this aroma of stone-ground oats. “It’s like eating oatmeal with an iced coffee on the side,” one taster said. With more flavor than Rise’s regular-milk latte, this was the favorite of Rise’s latte options. Price: $2.99
