Last Updated on June 1, 2025 by Karen
Discover the 15 best ground coffee beans for cold brew. From dark roasts to fruity blends, find your perfect flavor for smooth, delicious cold brew at home.
There’s nothing quite like waking up on a hot summer morning and reaching for a glass of cold-brew coffee that’s been steeping overnight. The smooth, bold flavor, less acidity, and refreshing chill make it the perfect pick-me-up — especially if you’re not in the mood for a steaming cup of regular drip coffee.
Like many coffee lovers, I first discovered the cold brewing process during a visit to a local coffee shop. The barista handed me a glass of cold-brew coffee served over ice with a splash of oat milk, and I was instantly hooked. It was strong but never bitter, with a sweet flavor profile and perfect balance that regular coffee just couldn’t match.
That moment kicked off my obsession with learning to make my own cold brew at home. I started by buying pre-ground coffee from grocery stores, trying different roast levels and brands, and testing cold brew recipes using everything from a French press to a mason jar. I quickly realized that choosing the right coffee beans — whether whole beans or ground — makes a huge difference in the final flavor.
Whether you’re brewing a big batch in a large pitcher or just enough for your own cold brew in the fridge, the type of grind, the ratio of cold water to coffee, and your chosen brewing method can all impact the taste. The good news is, with a bit of time and the best beans for cold brewing, anyone can make a delicious cold brew coffee that rivals what you’d get at your favorite local shop.
In this post, I’ll walk you through 15 of the best ground coffee beans for cold brew — based on blind taste tests, roast quality, mg of caffeine, and more. Whether you prefer darker roasts, lighter roasts, or something in between, we’ll help you find the right beans to satisfy your taste buds and elevate your cold brew method.
Check out my favorite cold brew coffee recipe:
Blue Bottle Cold Brew Coffee Recipe
Emma Chamberlain Cold Brew Iced Coffee Recipe
Starbucks Copycat Chocolate Cream Cold Brew
Easiest Overnight Cold Brew Coffee
What is Cold Brew Coffee?
Cold brew coffee is a type of coffee made by steeping coarse ground beans in cold water for an extended period — usually between 12 to 24 hours. Unlike regular drip coffee or espresso, which use hot water to extract flavors quickly, cold brew uses time instead of heat. The result is a smooth, less acidic, and naturally sweeter coffee concentrate that can be served over ice or mixed with milk or cold water.
Because it doesn’t involve high temperatures, a lot of people claim that cold brew produces the best flavor from different coffee beans, regardless of the roast level. Cold brew preserves more of the coffee’s subtle flavors, making it a great option for people who find regular coffee too bitter. It’s also ideal for making a big batch in a large pitcher or mason jar, storing it in the fridge, and enjoying throughout the week. Whether you’re using a French press, cold brew maker, or even just a simple container with a coffee filter, cold brew is easy to make at home and customize to your taste.
From its mellow flavor to its versatility with milk alternatives like oat milk and almond milk, cold brew is a favorite for many coffee lovers — especially in warmer weather or for those who want a low-acid alternative to hot coffee.
What are the Key Components of Cold Brew Coffee?
Coarse Ground Coffee: A coarse grind is essential for cold brewing. It allows for optimal extraction and prevents over-extraction, which can lead to bitterness.
Cold or Room Temperature Water: Using cold or room temperature water ensures a smooth extraction process, highlighting the coffee’s natural flavors.
Extended Steeping Time: The long steeping time allows for a full extraction of flavors, resulting in a concentrated brew.
Top 15 Ground Coffee Beans for Cold Brew
1. Stone Street Cold Brew Reserve Colombian Supremo
Stone Street Cold Brew Coffee Reserve features 100% Colombian Supremo beans, roasted dark to bring out rich chocolate and nutty flavors. Its coarse grind is tailored for cold brewing, ensuring a bold, smooth, and low-acid cup. It’s a great option for those using a mason jar, French press, or large pitcher to make a big batch.
This blend is made specifically for cold brew methods, delivering consistent results and great taste. Perfect for coffee lovers who prefer a mellow, delicious cold brew coffee, it’s also ideal for pairing with oat milk or almond milk. Available online and at some grocery stores, this is one of the best cold brew coffee options on the market.
2. Bizzy Organic Cold Brew Coffee
Bizzy Organic Cold Brew Coffee is USDA-certified organic and made from 100% Arabica beans. With tasting notes of chocolate and caramel, it offers a smooth, low-acid cold brew that’s perfect for a daily pick-me-up. Its pre-ground coarse texture is ideal for cold water brewing methods like a French press or large container.
This Bizzy Cold Brew coffee blend is an excellent choice for beginners or those brewing a batch of cold brew first thing in the morning. Its smooth flavor profile works well with plant-based milks or a splash of sweet cream. Many people love its convenience, delicious results, and the fact that it works with simple equipment — no need for special equipment to enjoy this good iced coffee.
3. Peet’s Coffee Big Bang
Peet’s Coffee Big Bang is a vibrant medium roast made with a blend of Ethiopian, Kenyan, and Latin American beans. It brings bright, fruity flavors like citrus and berry into your cold brew, offering a refreshing break from darker roasts. This blend balances sweetness with acidity, perfect for the adventurous coffee drinker.
Although originally crafted for hot coffee, it shines in cold brewing thanks to its clean, fruit-forward taste. If you’re experimenting with different coffee beans, Big Bang gives a unique flavor that stands out in blind taste tests. Use a coarse grind and steep with cold or room temperature water to enjoy its full potential.
4. Death Wish Coffee Ground Coffee
Famous for its extremely high mg of caffeine per serving, Death Wish Coffee delivers a bold, dark roast flavor that’s surprisingly smooth. Made from USDA-certified organic and fair-trade beans, this coffee is ideal for strong coffee drinkers who want a real boost with their cold-brew coffee.
Despite its intensity, Death Wish is low in acidity and works great with cold brew methods, especially in a French press or with a coffee filter setup. Pair it with your favorite milk — whole milk, coconut milk, or even oat milk — for a delicious cold brew with a creamy texture and serious energy punch.
5. Hugo Roasters Coffee Cold Brew
Hugo Roasters’ Cold Brew Blend is a dark roast with hints of chocolate, nuts, and subtle vanilla. Ethically sourced and full-bodied, this blend was designed to give you a smooth, robust cold brew without bitterness or harsh acidity.
It’s perfect for brewing large batches with a coarse grind in larger containers or a cold brew pitcher. The sweet flavor profile shines with just cold water and time — no need for hot water or complex brewing methods. It’s also a great bet for those who shop local, as Hugo Roasters supports social causes with every purchase.
6. Stack Street Organic Cold Brew Coffee
Stack Street’s dark roast blend is crafted for cold brewing with 100% organic Arabica beans. It offers a well-balanced flavor with a touch of natural sweetness and very low acidity — ideal for making your own cold brew at home with a coarse grind and just a bit of time.
Whether you’re filling a large pitcher or doing a small batch in a mason jar, Stack Street is easy to work with and yields delicious cold brew coffee every time. Many cold brew recipes recommend this blend for its simplicity, smooth taste, and great pairing with both dairy and non-dairy options.
7. Jo Coffee STONE COLD JO Cold Brew Coffee
STONE COLD JO is a specialty-grade dark roast designed for cold brewing. Its bold notes of toffee, caramel, and chocolate make this blend a favorite among cold brew enthusiasts looking for rich flavor with low acidity and a velvety texture.
Use this blend for your next batch of cold brew concentrate, especially if you enjoy experimenting with different brewing methods like French press or immersion. Jo Coffee consistently ranks as one of the best coffee beans for homemade cold brew, giving a perfect balance between strong flavor and drinkability.
8. La Colombe Nizza
Nizza by La Colombe is a versatile medium roast that works beautifully in both hot coffee and cold brew. With notes of caramel and chocolate, it offers a smooth, balanced flavor that many find to be the best of both worlds.
Cold brewing this blend brings out its naturally sweet flavor, making it ideal for those who like to enjoy their morning cup of coffee black or with a splash of milk. The coarse ground beans are perfect for use with a drip coffee maker or a manual immersion setup.
9. Stumptown Hair Bender
Hair Bender is one of the most iconic blends from Stumptown Coffee Roasters. This medium-dark roast features a complex flavor profile with notes of chocolate, cherry, and toffee, making it ideal for a nuanced cold brew.
Although originally created for espresso, it has gained a huge following among cold brew lovers for its strong, sweet, and balanced flavor. It’s a great option for a coffee lover looking to break away from lighter roasts and try something deeper and more complex using simple steps.
10. Intelligentsia Black Cat Classic Espresso
Though marketed for espresso, Black Cat Classic Espresso makes a surprisingly rich cold brew. Its medium roast creates a creamy, smooth coffee with a sweet backbone, perfect for those looking for something bold but not overly intense.
For best results, steep this blend with a proper ratio of water in a French press or filter basket overnight. The result is a cold brew with a velvety mouthfeel that’s great on its own or enhanced with coconut milk or brown sugar.
11. Counter Culture Coffee Apollo
Apollo by Counter Culture Coffee is a lighter medium roast with bright citrus notes and a clean, refreshing finish. Made with African beans, this blend is excellent for those who love cold brew options with a bit more acidity and fruit-forward flavor.
It’s a favorite for cold brew fans who enjoy experimenting with single origin beans and appreciate clarity in taste. Whether you’re brewing in a mason jar or a more advanced cold brew system, Apollo delivers a sweet spot of flavor and complexity.
12. Lifeboost Organic Light Roast Coffee Beans
Lifeboost’s Light Roast is hand-picked, shade-grown, and spring water washed. It’s low in acidity and rich in antioxidants, making it a clean and health-conscious choice for your cold brew method.
Its light roast brings out floral and citrusy notes when steeped in cold water, offering a sweet flavor profile that’s easy to sip and gentle on the stomach. Ideal for anyone looking to cut down on acidity while still enjoying their favorite coffee bean.
13. Volcanica Coffee Cold Brew Blend
Volcanica’s Cold Brew Blend is a bold combination of Arabica and Sumatra beans. It’s low in acidity and full of deep flavor, making it one of the best cold brew coffee options for coffee lovers on a budget.
It works well for those making a batch of cold brew in larger containers or experimenting with cold brew coffee recipes at home. Its flavor stands up well to ice cubes and favorite milk add-ins like almond milk or soy milk.
14. Cameron’s Coffee Vanilla Hazelnut Cold Brew Blend
This flavored light roast offers sweet notes of vanilla and hazelnut, creating a dessert-like experience in your cold brew. Best steeped for a shorter time to avoid bitterness, it’s a fun twist on your usual cold brew lineup.
It’s the perfect blend for those looking to mix up their cold brewing coffee routine with a flavored option. Add it to a cold brew concentrate or a regular brew for a new take on your morning cup.
15. Maud’s Tall Dark & Handsome
A dark roast that lives up to its name, Maud’s Tall Dark & Handsome is bold, rich, and aromatic. With hints of toasted nuts and a smooth texture, it’s an easy choice for cold brew drinkers looking for depth and sweetness.
Its coarse ground beans are perfect for brewing in a French press or large pitcher, delivering a strong coffee with low acidity. It’s a great way to explore darker roasts while still maintaining balance and the perfect temperature in your drink.
Brewing Your Cold Brew
To make a delicious cold brew at home, follow these simple steps:
1. Choose Your Coffee: Select one of the recommended ground coffee beans above.
2. Measure the Coffee: Use a ratio of 1 cup of coffee grounds to 4 cups of cold or room temperature water. Adjust based on your desired strength.
3. Combine and Stir: In a large container or mason jar, combine the coffee grounds and water. Stir gently to ensure all grounds are saturated.
4. Steep: Cover the container and let it steep in the refrigerator for 12 to 16 hours.
5. Filter: After steeping, strain the coffee through a fine mesh strainer or coffee filter to remove the grounds.
6. Serve: Pour the cold brew concentrate into a glass over ice cubes. Add your favorite milk, such as oat milk, almond milk, or coconut milk, to taste.
Tips for the Best Cold Brew
Use Coarse Ground Coffee: A coarse grind prevents over-extraction and bitterness.
Steep Longer for Stronger Flavor: Adjust steeping time based on your taste preference.
Dilute as Needed: Cold brew concentrate can be strong; dilute with water or milk to achieve your desired strength.
Store Properly: Keep your cold brew in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
Selecting the right coffee beans is crucial for crafting the perfect cold brew. Whether you prefer a bold dark roast or a smooth medium roast, the options above offer a range of flavors to suit your taste. Experiment with different beans and brewing methods to find your ideal cold brew recipe. Enjoy your refreshing cup of homemade cold brew coffee!
