I Tried 10 Store-Bought Cold Brew Coffees and This Is the Only One Worth Buying

How you take your coffee can be very unique to you. Some people might enjoy a plain, hot cup of black coffee, while others may stop by their favorite coffee shop for a macchiato or elaborate seasonal beverage. Personally, I’m the type of coffee drinker who will order an iced coffee or cold brew even in subzero temperatures. 

I’ve always thought cold coffee tasted better and while many at-home coffee machines have started offering “over ice” brewing options, there’s nothing more convenient than store-bought cold brew. Whether it’s ready to drink out of the bottle, or is a concentrate that requires a little water dilution, store-bought cold brew coffee makes enjoying coffeehouse-level drinks easier (and cheaper) than ever.

There are many store-bought cold brew options to choose from, many with claims that they’re richest, boldest, and smoothest on the market. So, I put 10 cold brew coffees to the test to determine which one is actually worth skipping the drive-thru for.

How I Chose the Cold Brew Coffee

I opted for cold brew coffees from multiple national and private label brands. Additionally, when available, I chose ready-to-drink cold brew rather than a concentrate; however, some brands only sell concentrate.

How I Tested the Cold Brew Coffee

Along with a panel of three fellow testers, I tasted the cold brew coffees as is—measuring out any concentrate, according to package instructions—as well as with milk. We based our rankings on overall taste, smoothness, bitterness, and strength.

The Best Cold Brew Coffee, Ranked

10th Place: Califia Farms Pure Black Medium Roast

I won’t harp on this brand’s flaws, but Califia Farms’ cold brew was unanimously in last place for its poor flavor. Testers said the cold brew tasted stale and not like coffee at all—one tester described the flavor as tasting non-edible, like packing peanuts or wet cardboard.

9th Place: Trader Joe’s Ready To Drink Cold Brew Coffee

Trader Joe’s cold brew coffee is not super powerful. The coffee itself is watery and there is little-to-no flavor at all—meaning, as soon as you add any milk, the coffee is lost completely. The flavor profile is a little too mild when compared to the boldness of the rest of the group.

8th Place: Good & Gather Black Medium Roast Cold Brew Coffee

Target’s Good & Gather cold brew is pretty mild in strength, and testers didn’t enjoy the overall flavor. While the coffee was described as having a “sweet” and “fruity” flavor, testers said the flavor is overpowered by a bitter and slightly stale taste.

7th Place: Dunkin’ Cold Brew Concentrate

Much like a coffee at a Dunkin’ café, reviews were mixed among the testers. Some found the cold brew to be bitter and acidic, while others felt it had a fruity, well-rounded coffee flavor that went down smoothly. The one thing all testers agreed on, however, is that the at-home Dunkin’ cold brew is much stronger than the cold brew you get at the drive-thru, likely due to the fact that the customer can control how much water is added at home since it’s a concentrate.

6th Place: Starbucks Cold Brew Concentrate Signature Black

If you like the cold brew and iced coffee that Starbucks serves in its cafés, then you’ll enjoy this cold brew. Testers felt the flavor was just fine, but did describe Starbucks’ coffee as being slightly bitter with a not-so-great aftertaste. However, once milk was added, the coffee became a tasty, well-rounded cup of joe.

5th Place: Pop & Bottle Medium Roast Concentrate Instant Cold Brew

This cold brew was defined as “just fine” and “tasting like coffee,” which is what earned it its middle spot. Pop & Bottle’s cold brew doesn’t have a distinctive flavor, but it is smooth, yet slightly acidic, so milk helps balance it out. This cold brew could easily get lost in the pack, but, if it were served to the testers again, we would happily consume it.

4th Place: Stok Un-Sweet Black Cold Brew Coffee

Stok’s cold brew was a slightly divisive option. While all testers enjoyed its smooth taste, some weren’t on board with its signature sweetness (even in the Un-Sweet variety). However, once milk was added, all testers agreed that it was a good cup of coffee and thoroughly enjoyed the creaminess.

3rd Place: Stumptown Original Cold Brew

Stumptown’s Original Cold Brew is perfect if you like a bold, dark roast. The coffee has a roasty, toasty, slightly chocolaty flavor that makes it taste pretty strong, but still smooth and balanced. If you’re a black coffee drinker, this would be the best option for you.

2nd Place: Wandering Bear Cold Brew Coffee Straight Black

If you’re looking for a café-level cold brew that will work as the base to your favorite coffee drinks, we all loved Wandering Bear’s Straight Black coffee. The ready-to-drink coffee is just the right level of bold, while remaining smooth and tasting great when mixed with milk. We all agreed that Wandering Bear is a great choice in cold brew, but it just couldn’t beat our winner in flavor.

1st Place: La Colombe Cold Brew Concentrate

La Colombe’s unique, bold, fruity, almost cherry-like flavor is what crowns its cold brew as No. 1. The coffee has a sweet, roasted aroma that transfers to its flavor for an all-around delicious cup of coffee. While the cold brew is quite strong, because it’s a concentrate, you can choose your own adventure with how much water you add to deliver your perfect coffee experience every time.