There’s no denying that one of the greatest luxuries in life comes in the form of the cold brew coffee roast. It’s incredibly hard to beat all the fantastic tastes and flavors you can treat your palette too. The health benefits can also not be denied.
With traits like low acidity levels, very little bitterness, fantastic at bringing out subtle flavors, and smooth as melted chocolate, is there nothing a cold coffee brew can’t do? With all this in mind, which cold brew coffee is best for you?
In the guide below, we’re going to explore ten of the most beautiful coffee bean blends out there, especially for cold brew dark roast and medium roast versions. As well as detailing our definitive buying guide so you can choose to spend your money on the brew that’s perfect for you!
View The Best Coffee Roast for Cold Brew Below
1. Death Wish Organic Whole Bean Coffee
Hailed and regarded by many to be the world’s strongest coffee, Death Wish is not a coffee to be messed with. Sure to keep you awake for those long nights of work or to really kickstart your day in the best possible way, Death Wish has around double the caffeine of typical coffee, and it will blow your mind.
Each batch of beans is very carefully selected for their caffeine content by experts and is then masterfully blended to ensure the flavor and outcome are the best they can be. When it comes to strong, punchy coffee, it really doesn’t get any better than this.
What’s more, when shopping with Death Wis coffee grounds, you can shop safe in the knowledge that you’re never going to be out of pocket. If you’re not happy with the taste, flavor profile, or experience, you can fully refund your order, no questions asked!
Pros:
+ One of the strongest coffee blends on the market
+ Comes packaged in innovative packaging that keeps the dark roast blend fresh
+ Full refunds, no questions asked, if you’re not entirely happy with your product
+ Available in 454g and 1kg versions
Why We Like It – To help ensure your coffee cold brew is always tasting its best and never stops being fresh, each packet is made using Death Wish’s own innovative package. This state-of-the-art technology locks in the flavor and the freshness, so it’s already ready when you are.
2. Koffee Kult Dark Roast Beans
By far, one of the most popular of all coffee bean blends, priding itself on over 3,200+ positive reviews averaging the five-star rating, this dark roast is one of the freshest. Made and sourced from 100% arabica coffee from some of the most renowned coffee countries, including Columbia, Sumatra, and Guatemala.
What makes Koffee Kult unique is the fact it’s a family-owned business that has been voted number one for Strong Bold flavors. This award-winning coffee is known for being smooth and boasting all the classic cold brew properties, including low acidity and a complete lack of bitter tastes.
Since this is a family business, you know that this coffee has so much care and attention gone into it to ensure it’s the best. What’s more, to ensure you’re never left out of pocket, you can get a full refund, no questions asked, if you’re not entirely happy with your Koffee Kult experience.
Pros:
+ Available in three unique sizes ranging from 12-ounce to 80-ounce to make cold drinks whenever you want
+ Runs as a family business, so you know care and attention has been placed into every aspect
+ An award-winning coffee voted number one for strong and bold flavors
+ 100% arabica and sourced from some of the most prestigious coffee countries in the world
Cons:
– Could be too expensive for some budgets
Why We Like It – So you can get the size for you and your family, this cold brew coffee is available in 12, 32, and 80-ounce variations. The bigger your order, the less you’ll pay per ounce. This means you can get as much coffee as you need for the most affordable price. It’s a win-win with this best coffee for cold brew!
3. Kicking Horse Coffee, Smart Ass
If you’re looking to enjoy fantastic tasting cold brew coffee but, on a budget, you may not need to look any further than Kicking Horse. Their Smart Ass coffee beans are perfect for iced coffee, cold brew as a light medium roast, and the fruity flavors are the best start to any day. There are also dark roasts available!
The beans are not single origin and are sourced in Africa, as well as Central and South America, and are registered as being Kosher, Fairtrade, Arabica, and shade-grown. 100% certified and official, there’s no doubt these are coffee beans you can trust.
The brewing process to get these roast beans to you is simple and beautiful. Hand-selected, roasted in the Canadian Rocky Mountains to enhance the chocolatey flavor, you really can’t go wrong!
Pros:
+ These cold brew coffee grounds are 100% certified as Kosher, Fairtrade, and Arabic
+ Sourced from key locations, including South America and Africa
+ Designed and blended to be used with cold brew drinks, iced coffee, and drip machines in mind
+ Considered by many to be one of the best coffee for cold brew
+ Go for light roasts or darker flavors
Cons:
– Only available in packet sizes up to 10-ounces
Why We Like It – On the hunt for a more unique flavor from your roast? Kicking Horse is available in multiple cold brew coffee varieties, not just their Smart Ass light Medium roast. Go for the light roasts or go darker flavors with your preferred blend with such classics as 454 Hose Power, Grizzly Bear, or Hola!
4. Stone Street Coffee Cold Brew
Backed by literally thousands of five-star reviews, and available in both ground and bean versions, this Stone Street Coffee cold brew line has been blended especially for cold brew drinks, and for many coffee lovers, it doesn’t get much better than this.
These 100% Arabica roast coffee beans have been sourced for critical suppliers in Colombia only, explicitly chosen for their bold flavors, dark roast grind level, medium roasts varieties, less acidic than traditional coffee, and smooth and sweet taste. This is precisely how cold-brewed coffee should be.
Due to popular demand, the availability of these cold brew beans can be limited in certain regions, but Stone Street is working on improving its inventory. When available, you can get this coffee in 1, 2, or 5-pound versions, ensuring you have the exact quantities you need!
Pros:
+ This cold brew roast coffee is available in multiple pound-bag sizes
+ 100% Arabica and sourced only from Columbia
+ Explicitly blended for cold drop coffee
Cons:
– Availability is limited due to popular demand
Why We Like It – The resealable, foil-lined pouch/bag this cold brew coffee comes in is easily one of the highlight features. Once you’re finished using it, simply reseal your bag to lock in the freshness and flavors, ensuring when you make cold brew cup of coffee from your batch, every cup of cold brew is just as good as the first!
5. Bizzy Organic Cold Brew Coffee
Another roast cold brew brand now specially blended and sourced for cold brew drinks, Bizzy is a hugely popular coffee brand that allows you to look after your health and wellbeing while enjoying coffee; however, you like it best.
As the title suggests, this coffee is 100% organic, USDA approved, and comes only from reputable coffee bean growers in iconic locations, including Peru and Nicaragua. The flavor of this cold brew is beautifully sweet and smooth, and changing how much water you add can make the coffee stronger or weaker; it’s entirely up to you!
Having been developed and blended for over five years, each cold brew batch comes in a 12-ounce resealable bag, giving you everything you need to enhance and optimize your cold brew experience to your personal taste.
Pros:
+ Registered as 100% organic and USDA certified
+ This cold brew blend has been perfected over the course of five years
+ Bizzy is proactive in teaching you how to cold brew to your preferred taste and flavor
+ This cold brew coffee is backed by thousands of five-star reviews from happy coffee lovers
Cons:
– None! It’s safe to say you won’t get any problems with this cold brew brand!
Why We Like It – If you’re a beginner to cold coffee brewing and you’re interested in mastering the craft, this is the cold brew coffee for you. Not only does it taste amazing, but all the instructions on how to brew and experiment with tastes and flavors are available on the bag and website. Bizzy will help you along every step of the way!
6. Inspired Coffee Co. French Vanilla Cold Brew Coffee
If you’re on the hunt to expand your horizons when it comes to flavors of your cold brew and you fancy something a little different, Inspired Coffee Co. is well worth your attention. While they have an extensive catalog, today we’re going to focus on their French Vanilla addition to the market.
If that didn’t get your mouth watering already, we don’t know what will. With nutty undertones, this 100% Arabica coffee sourced from Columbia is designed and blended with a cold brew in mind, meaning you’re only going to get the best taste results possible.
In short, this cold brew is one of the most delicious and easiest coffees to cold brew, and it’s ideal for both beginners and experienced brewers alike. If you’re looking for something a little different, this coffee is well worth your attention.
Pros:
+ Comes in a resealable, free-standing bag
+ 100% Arabica flavors and sourced from a single location in Columbia
+ A uniquely gorgeous flavor with nutty undertones
+ Specifically designed and sourced for cold brew drinks, cold drip coffee, and iced coffee
Cons:
– Coarsely ground, not available in cold brew bean versions
Why We Like It – The stand-up, resealable bag is one of the best features of this cold brew coffee, ensuring it stays fresh and flavorsome for weeks and even months to come and makes storage a breeze. No more having to decant to a coffee pot, or risk it all spilling out everywhere after a small knock!
7. Real Good Coffee Co Whole Bean
Seattle is renowned for its great-tasting cold brew coffee. This whole bean pouch is such a great addition to any coffee lover’s collection who wants to experience this iconic taste in their own time, whenever they want; however, they want.
This particular medium roast coffee is sourced from the Real Good Coffee and Donut store and has the same classic sweet taste that it’s known for throughout the world. Made from quality Arabica beans and roasted fresh in the Seattle shop itself, you can use these beans for anything, including cold brewing, drip machines, or a French Press if you have one.
Of course, if you want to spice things up, you can also try the other varieties and flavors, which include Dark Roasts, Blend Light, and Organic Dark, but to kick things off, this Donut Shop Medium is perfect in so many ways.
Pros:
+ The blending company has over 30 years of experience in the coffee business
+ The brewed coffee beans can be used for all applications, including drip machines and cold brewing
+ Available in multiple different varieties
+ 100% Arabica coffee beans for a reputable source
Cons:
– Can be considered quite expensive compared with other brands
Why We Like It – When it comes to cold brew coffee, experience is vital because it showcases just how popular and refined the blending process is. With this in mind, Real Good Coffee Co has over 30 years’ experience with cold brew coffee, ensuring this is a blend you can trust!
8. Starbucks Cold Brew Coffee
Starbucks is easily one of the biggest coffee brands in the world, and easily one of the most iconic, so when it comes to cold brew coffee, you know you’re going to get a taste and experience like no other; and you’re sure to enjoy this from start to finish.
This cold brew coffee prides itself on being super-smooth and can be easily made at home. Just drop two packs into cold water for 24-hours, and you’re good to go! What’s more, once it’s made, you can keep your coffee fresh in the fridge for up to seven days!
Each purchase of cold brew beans comes with three boxes, which is more than enough to make six full pitchers. Inspired by the high-street coffee store and their legendary flavors, you can enjoy these now all in the comfort of your own home.
Pros:
+ Incredibly easy to make and use, even when creating exclusive recipes
+ Comes with three packs to brew, enough to brew six pitchers full
+ Can store made coffee you brew in the fridge for up to one full week
+ Designed and blended by one of the most well-known coffee companies in the world!
Cons:
– It takes a couple of days to ship
Why We Like It – We love just how versatile these cold brew blends are, and the fact you can use them for anything, allowing you to really enjoy your coffee your way. There are even recipes, including with your purchase and on the Starbucks website, to you keep inspired! How do Mocha Ice Cubes and Vanilla Creamers brew drinks sound?
9. Cold Brew Lab ORGANIC COARSE GROUND Coffee
Another organic entry now from Cold Brew Lab, this specific blend has been custom-made exactly for cold brewing, and every step of the creation process has been followed with this in mind. From sourcing to roasting to blending, every aspect of the brewing process has been perfectly crafted and fine-tuned.
As standard, these beans are 100% Arabica and have been sourced from the single origin of Colombian Supremo. The contents are a mix of both medium and dark roasted beans that creates a genuinely unique flavor you won’t find with other blends.
Available in a sizeable 2-pound bag or a smaller 1-pound bag, this coarse grind is everything you’ll need and more. Due to popular demand, availability can be limited from time to time, but it’s well worth it once you can get your hands on it.
Pros:
+ 100% Arabica and sourced from a reputable Columbian source
+ USDA approved dark roasts flavors, organic, and completely chemical-free
+ These brewed coffee beans are available in blends of multiple sizes
+ Designed specifically with cold brewing, french press devices, and iced coffee in mind
Cons:
– The brewing coffee bag isn’t resealable
– Availability can be limited from time to time due to popular demand
Why We Like It – Your wellbeing is well looked after with these best coffee grounds, and you’ll be treating yourself well by drinking it. Every Cold Brew Lab blend is USDA-approved, 100% pesticide-free, and certified as being organic and completely free from chemicals. If you have a french press or cold brewing facilities – you will love this french press and cold brew-friendly roast.
10. Bottleshot Cold Brew Coffee (12-pcs)
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The final brewing coffee blend we’re going to be sharing with you today comes in the Bottleshot pack. This is a New Orleans-styled coffee available in both black and Oat Milk variations, both of which are included in these mixed packs.
However, what sets these brewing roast packs apart from the rest is the ultra-high caffeine content. If you want to kickstart your day as though you were ingesting rocket fuel, this is the brewing coffee for you. Each can have about as much caffeine as two espressos, which we’re sure you’ll agree will be enough to get any day off to the best start.
Moreover, the Bottleshot company is always there for you. If you have any questions or queries, or you have something specific you want to know about using the beans and blends, Bottleshot is always on hand whenever you need them.
Pros:
+ Each can of blended coffee has double the caffeine of an espresso
+ The Bottleshot customer service is always on hand for anything you need
+ Each blend is mixed with Oat Milk and New Orleans variations
+ The can is 100% recyclable!
Cons:
– None! This is considered one of the most popular and tasteful blends around!
Why We Like It – To make things even more universal, there are plenty of perks to drinking this coffee. There’s no dairy involved whatsoever, no added sugars, and it’s less acidic than traditional dark roast coffees, meaning that anyone can enjoy it, even if you have specific dietary requirements!
Coffee Roast for Cold Brew Buyer’s Guide
As you can see, there are plenty of fantastic options out there when it comes to cold brew coffee grounds, but which one is the one for you? Sure, you could go through them one-by-one until you really find your favorite, but there’s a way to save money by knowing exactly what you need to be looking at.
In our buying guide below, we’re going to explore all the considerations you’ll want to bear in mind when looking into brewed coffee beans to make your dream cold brew.
Coffee Strength
Just like traditional roast coffees, cold brew coffee blends can vary in their caffeine intensity and how strong they are, and this will vary depending on which brand you buy and what your personal preference is. Some coffees have next-to-no caffeine in them; others will have a boatload; it’s up to you.
Of course, the best way to judge this is dependent on how you drink your coffee and your reasons why. Are you someone who wants to enjoy coffee, drink it gradually, and want to enjoy the flavors, or are you someone who wants a lot of caffeine to rocket-start your day? It’s up to you!
Taste
When you cold brew a cup or pitcher of roast coffee grounds, the process involved naturally reduces the acidity levels of the drink, which is one of the main reasons why people drink it. This, of course, changes the taste, so you’ll want to think about what kind of flavor you’re interested in.
You can determine this by looking at what beans are used, whether they’re Arabica and Robusta, and then looking at what kind of natural taste they have. Are they nutty, smooth, sweet, or bitter? Always read the product descriptions to find out and to figure which one is bested suit to you.
This will be a combination of experience and trial and error.
Flavors Available
The flavors of your coffee are very different from the taste. Many coffee beans nowadays, especially some of the brands we’ve listed above, are made with lots of different flavors to suit your personal taste. Some of these will include citrus flavors, chocolate flavors, vanilla, and other varieties that take the single origin of nuts or milk.
Again, it’s trial and error and experience that will show you what you like and don’t like, so give some a go. Of course, if you have a certain kind of flavor you enjoy, the chances are you’ll enjoy the coffee version of it as well. You can also look for single origin cold brew coffee beans to make the flavors more consistent.
Budget
There are plenty of different coffee brands out there that are made to suit and fulfill particular niches, and it’s all up to you. Some brands are iconic and considered premium brands, whereas others are budget-friendly. No matter how much you want to spend, they’ll be a coffee to match.
How to Use
Some coffees can be more time-consuming to make, so if you’re looking for coffee to get you going quickly in the morning, you’re not going to want a coffee blend takes a long time to brew. For example, some combinations require you to add ice and milk, whereas others you’ll just need to add water. Just consider convenience for your own benefit.
Possible Storage
The final consideration you need to think about is how you’re going to store your coffee. The best way is to get a bag that can stand by itself and is resealable to lock in flavor and keep it fresh.
