If you’re a Cold Brew coffee addict like me, you know that making your own Cold Brew at home can provide you with the best taste while saving money.
And one of the keys to the perfect cup is using the right coffee. This also applies to Cold Brew coffee. But if you’re not a fan of dealing with grinding your own beans, then don’t worry – I’ve got you covered.
In this article, you can check out the 17 best pre-ground coffee for Cold Brew, tested and tried by the Coffee Geek.
First, you’ll also learn what factors to keep in mind when finding the best Cold Brew coffee for you.
What Ground Coffee Is Best For Cold Brew?
Type Of Coffee Beans
We recommend picking Arabica coffee beans over Robusta for their milder and sweeter coffee flavor profile.
You should also pick single-origin coffee beans over blends. Since they’re sourced from the same area, they share a more similar quality, ensuring that your Cold Brew coffee extraction would be consistent in taste, acidity, aroma, body, and more.
But, if you enjoy the balance that a blend offers (100% Arabica or Arabica & Robusta blend), feel free to go for it.
Like other factors on this list, all that matters is your personal preference. Still, if you’re not sure, start with our recommendations before wandering off experimenting on your own.
Roast Profile
Medium roast coffee beans should be able to cater to most coffee drinkers’ palates. They offer a balanced acidity, strength, sweetness, and body that’s suitable for the Cold Brewing method.
Some coffee experts also recommend using dark roasted coffee for a darker and richer taste, which should complement the Cold Brew extraction well.
Others may enjoy using light roasts to get a brighter cup of cold coffee with higher acidity.
However, due to the nature of Cold Brewing which involves steeping coffee grounds in cold water, it’s difficult to extract these complex coffee flavor compounds.
So, if you want to give it a try regardless, make sure to steep the light roasts a lot longer.
Grind Size
This is one of the most important factors you should keep in mind when it comes to Cold Brewing.
Make sure to use COARSE or EXTRA-COARSE coffee grounds.
Since the Cold Brew coffee brewing method requires steeping coffee grounds for 12 – 24 hours, using finer grinds will likely result in an undesirable bitterness and over-extraction.
And, it’s even worse if you’re making Cold Brew coffee via the Slow Drip method. The water will have a hard time making it through a coffee bed that’s too finely ground.
So, stick to the coarse grind. In fact, you can even get away with making tasty Cold Brew using whole bean coffee! Just make sure to steep the beans for longer to ensure a thorough brewing process.
17 Best Pre-Ground Coffee For Cold Brew
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Best medium-roasted Cold Brew coffee  |
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Best medium-dark-roasted Cold Brew coffee  |
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Best light-roasted Cold Brew coffee  |
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Best Coffee For Cold Brew – Medium Roast
Lifeboost Coffee Medium Roast Coffee
Want a low-acid coffee that’s healthy and balanced in both coffee flavors and body? Enjoy the top of the morning with a cup of medium-roasted Lifeboost Coffee.
These pure and natural beans are ethically sourced from high elevations in the mountains of Nicaragua in Central America.
Together with the Cold Brewing method, this results in an earthy flavor with no bitter aftertaste that will keep your taste buds satisfied!
The non-GMO coffee has a milder and sweeter flavor profile and is also low in acidity.
This makes it the perfect coffee for those who are looking to enjoy Cold Brews without having to deal with the harsh acidity and intense bitterness that many coffee drinkers may not enjoy.
In addition, these pre-ground beans are also certified USDA organic coffee grown in a bird-friendly area. It’s also 3rd party tested for mycotoxins, heavy metals, pesticides, and 400 other toxins.
So you can be sure that you’re getting a cup of coffee that is not only delicious but also safe to drink.
Feel free to make a cup of hot brewed coffee and pour it over ice to make iced coffee for those weekends you’re too busy to prepare the Cold Brew method.
Pros
Earthy, cocoa, berries
Cons
Mild, premium price
Cold Buzz Coffee Hazelnut Cold Brew Iced Coffee
If you’re looking for a deliciously sweet and nutty Cold Brew coffee, I would highly recommend the Cold Buzz Coffee Hazelnut Cold Brew.
The Hazelnut Cold Brew coffee is made with 100% Arabica beans that are sourced from around the world, mainly Central and South America and Europe, to bring an interesting coffee experience.
Each medium-roasted coffee bag comes with 5 smaller pre-portioned packs of coffee grounds to easily make a batch of Cold Brews (or iced coffee).
All you have to do is soak them in cold water overnight and enjoy a refreshing cup in the morning.
Pros
Hazelnut flavor
Cons
Flavor-specific, limited versatility
Bones Coffee Company Flavored Coffee Beans S’morey Time
If you’re a coffee lover who doesn’t mind drinking flavored coffee, try preparing your next batch of Cold Brew with the Bones Coffee Company Flavored Coffee Beans S’morey Time.
As the name suggests, these beans are infused with the flavors of chocolate and toasted marshmallows with hints of sweet graham cracker to create a campfire-inspired flavor that goes surprisingly well with Cold Brewing.
In addition, the medium-roasted Arabica beans have a smooth and rich taste that is perfect for those who are looking for a full-bodied cup of coffee.
And, the low acidity level makes it a great coffee for those who are sensitive to acidity in their coffee.
You’d also be delighted to know that these Arabica beans ethically sourced from Brazil are keto-friendly, vegan-friendly, and dairy-free with no added sugar or carbs.
So you can enjoy your cup of flavored Cold Brewing Joe without the guilt!
Other than the cold brewing process, you can also use these tasty ground coffee beans to make hot coffee using a French Press or Pour-Over coffee maker.
Pros
S’mores flavor, smooth
Cons
Not for purists, sweet
Bizzy Organic Cold Brew Coffee Smooth & Sweet Blend
The rich flavor of Bizzy Organic Cold Brew Coffee Smooth & Sweet Blend is another great pre-ground coffee for making Cold Brew.
The beans are sourced from Peru, Nicaragua, and Guatemala, then roasted medium with notes of caramel and hazelnut. This gives the drink a smooth sweet taste that’s sure to please any palate!
This Certified USDA organic and Fair Trade blend also supports sustainable farming practices, so you can feel good about supporting Fair Trade practices without compromising your favorite morning cup o’ Joe drinking pleasure.
The brand recommends steeping the grounds in cold water for 14 – 20 hours to get the best result!
Pros
Caramel, hazelnut, smooth
Cons
Specific taste, sweet
Coffee Bros Cold Brew Blend
For coffee lovers looking for more medium roast coffee options, definitely consider the Cold Brew blend from Coffee Bros.
This high-quality blend of beans is sourced from Minas Gerais Brazil and Yirgacheffe Ethiopia then roasted in small batches to highlight the sweetness and avoid any over roasted or bitter notes.
The result is a delicious cup of Cold Brewed coffee with deep chocolaty and nutty notes, mixed berry, and brown sugar flavors.
You’ll also love the super-smooth finishing so you don’t have to deal with any lingering bitterness on your palate or down your throat.
Pros
Chocolaty, nutty, smooth
Cons
Unique blend, might be too rich
Tiny Footprint Coffee Organic Cold Brew Cold Press Elixir
If you’re an environmentally-conscious individual, you’ll be happy to learn of this coffee brand – Tiny Footprint Coffee.
This company has a coffee that is literally carbon negative. So, for every pound of this coffee that’s sold, they donate a portion of the proceeds to fund reforestation in Ecuador’s Mindo cloud forest.
The Organic Cold Brew Cold Press Elixir bag features 100% Arabica coffee that is organic and shade-grown in Ethiopia.
The flavor profile is sweet, and rich, with subtle bright fruit and floral tones infused in a cocoa-like base.
It’s a perfect medium-roast coffee to use for Cold Brew as the long steeping process will help bring out all the best flavors in this gourmet coffee.
Pros
Sweet, rich, organic
Cons
Flavor may be subtle
Stumptown Coffee Roasters Medium Roast Hair Bender
Here’s another top-quality pre-ground coffee for your next batch of Cold Brew. You can’t go wrong with the Stumptown Coffee Roasters Medium Roast Hair Bender if you’re craving a full-bodied cup.
This delicious coffee is actually the very first blend of the brand and still remains a big fan favorite today.
It’s made from a blend of Arabica beans sourced from different regions (Indonesia, Latin America, and Africa).
The resulting brew is a complex flavor combo with bright-tasting notes of citrus, a deeper dark chocolate undertone, and sweet hints of caramel.
It’s a perfect choice for those who want a well-balanced cup of Cold Brew with a little something extra.
What’s more, if you can’t get around to using them right away, Stumptown beans can still remain fresh for up to 90 days as long as you keep the package sealed. And make sure to use them all up within the first 2 weeks after opening for the best quality and freshness.
Pros
Citrus, dark chocolate
Cons
Complex flavor profile
Dr. Mojo Cold Brew Coffee Beans Medium Roast
If you enjoy lighter roast coffee with brighter acidity, the Dr. Mojo Cold Brew Coffee Beans are the perfect way to start your day.
Dr. Mojo often sources high-quality beans from popular coffee-growing regions that are near the equator with a beneficial tropical climate such as Costa Rico, Brazil, Colombia, Ethiopia, and Vanuata.
These beans are medium to light roast so they boast a lot more of the original compounds, including more complex flavor notes that are often lost in darker roasts.
You can enjoy a balanced flavor with exquisite notes of citrus, stone fruit, and an aromatic vanilla bean finishing touch.
They’re very easy to brew and make a great cup of strong cold coffee or iced coffee.
Pros
Citrus, vanilla notes
Cons
Lighter roast, specific taste
Peet’s Coffee Baridi Blend
Peet’s Coffee Baridi Blend is another medium-roasted coffee option that’s perfect for those who love a crisply bold flavor in their cold brew.
It is made of 100% Arabica coffee beans that are sourced from East Africa and Latin America.
This blend features a smooth body with a nutty toffee undertone, bright floral hints of white flower, and Seville orange.
There’s very little bitterness and an extremely clean finish at the end to welcome the next sip in the best way possible.
What’s more, Peet’s Coffee is a big name, so there are more ways to access its specialty coffee than on Amazon.
You may have already been a fan even. And, if you haven’t given their coffee a try, just pop down to your local grocery store and grab a bag of medium roast Baridi Blend and test it out with a cup of Cold Brew.
Pros
Bold, nutty-toffee notes
Cons
Specific flavor profile
Kicking Horse Coffee Smart Ass Medium Roast
Kicking Horse Coffee Smart Ass Medium Roast is a great pre-ground coffee for those who want a well-rounded and delicious cup of Cold Brew.
This coffee is made from 100% Arabica beans that are ethically sourced from sustainable farms in Africa, Central & South America to support the sustainable practice of coffee cultivation.
These certified Organic and Fair Trade beans are roasted in the Rocky Mountains of Canada to a balanced medium profile to produce a coffee with rich milk chocolate notes, a rounded honeyed berry body, and a bright and clean finish.
You’ll also enjoy the flavors of tart red currant and sweet notes of sugar cone that are reminiscent of the surrounding landscape where the coffee was grown and how the beans were processed.
The result is a Cold Brew that is both flavorful and refreshing, perfect for those mornings when you need an extra boost.
Pros
Chocolate, honeyed berry
Cons
May be too bright
Best Coffee For Cold Brew – Medium-Dark Roast
Cold Brew Lab Organic Coarse Ground Coffee
If you’re looking for an amazing cup with just enough body and complexity without any bitterness or astringency, I would highly recommend the Cold Brew Lab Organic coarsely ground coffee.
This coffee is made with 100% Colombian Supremo Arabica beans that are ethically sourced and USDA certified organic.
This blend of medium and dark roast coffee is slow-roasted to perfectly extract the rich flavors of the beans with low acidity and a smooth and heavy body.
Plus, the coarse grind size is perfect for making Cold-Brewed coffee, so you don’t have to worry about over-extraction or bitterness.
Pros
Smooth, bold, organic
Cons
Specific to cold brew
Best Coffee For Cold Brew – Dark Roast
Stone Street Cold Brew Coffee
Stone Street Cold Brew Coffee is great for those who are looking for a dark and rich cup of cold coffee.
This Cold Brewing coffee is made with 100% gourmet Arabica coffee beans sourced from Colombia (Colombian Supremo).
The dark roasted profile of the Cold Brew Reserve beans perfectly draws out the robust flavors with low acidity and chocolate and nutty notes to create the best Cold Brew cup with its signature strength and depth.
Plus, the coarse grind size is perfect for making Cold Brew coffee, so you don’t have to worry about over-extraction or bitterness.
And, you’ll also enjoy the resealable design of the packaging. It’s perfect for keeping your Cold Brew pre-ground beans fresh for future use.
Pros
Rich, low-acid
Cons
Very dark roast
Koffee Kult Dark Roast Ground Coffee
If you brew with dark roast often, you must have heard of Koffee Kult Dark Roast, which has a cult-like following of its own.
You’ll too also enjoy this bag of dark roast coffee that’s artisan roasted in small batches to best preserve the freshness, which is insanely important when it comes to pre-ground Joe.
The bag contains a blend of Arabica beans from big coffee-growing regions in Latin America (Colombia, Guatemala, and Brazil) and Indonesia.
So you can expect a rich and robust cup with a heavy body, a long finish, and aromatic hints of cinnamon when brewing cold coffee.
If you have an espresso machine, these dark roast beans are perfect for making a cup of hot coffee as well. In fact, I also rank this as one of the best coffee beans for the espresso brewing process.
Who knows? You may also end up joining the “cult” as well.
Pros
Heavy body, aromatic
Cons
Quite intense
Death Wish Coffee Ground Coffee Dark Roast
If you’re looking for high-quality coffee beans that are insanely strong for your next batch of Cold Brewing Joe, I would highly recommend the Death Wish Coffee Dark Roast.
This coffee is made with a blend of Arabica and Robusta beans that are carefully selected and roasted to perfection to create a bold and flavorful cup.
This way, you can enjoy a smooth cup of Joe with a deep chocolate undertone and crazily high caffeine content to snap out of drowsiness and into focus.
But, be warned, this coffee is not for the faint of heart! If you’re sensitive to caffeine, I would recommend avoiding this coffee or at least drinking it in moderation.
Bonus info for environmentally-conscious coffee lovers: Death Wish coffee is Fair Trade and USDA certified organic so you can drink your cup of coffee guilt-free!
Pros
High caffeine, rich flavor
Cons
Very strong
Cafe Du Monde Coffee Chicory
Originating from New Orleans, Louisiana, Cafe Du Monde Coffee Chicory is a blend of coffee and chicory.
This unique blend has been served at the Cafe Du Monde, the Original French Market Coffee Stand, for many years.
This dark-roasted coffee can offer you a rich and smooth cup of coffee with a light body that pairs great with the Cold Brewing method.
The addition of chicory gives this coffee a unique flavor while helping cancel out the bitterness of the brew.
Pros
Unique chicory flavor
Cons
Specific taste profile
Black Rifle Coffee Ground CAF Medium
Black Rifle Coffee Ground CAF Medium is the perfect option for those who want a rich, smoky flavor in their Cold Brew.
It’s made for professional coffee drinkers and will never disappoint. However, it’s important to note that caffeine can be dangerous in high doses, so be sure to drink responsibly.
This is a dark roast blend of Brazillian and Colombian coffee. The resulting brew will be strong in both the flavor and caffeine profiles with a smooth body and little bitterness to match the long steeping Cold Brew method.
What’s more, this coffee is supplied by a veteran-owned company that roasts and ships its beans from within the USA. So, you’ll be supporting the military service members with every cup.
Pros
Strong, high caffeine
Cons
May be too robust
Best Coffee For Cold Brew – Light Roast
Lifeboost Coffee Light Roast Coffee
If you’re looking for a light roast that’s ethically sourced and low acid, I would highly recommend the Lifeboost Coffee Light Roast.
This light roast coffee is made with 100% Arabica beans shade-grown in the mountains of Nicaragua to create a smooth and balanced cup of coffee.
In addition, the light roast profile preserves the delicate flavors of the beans while still giving you a kick of caffeine to start your day.
And, the low acidity levels make it a great coffee for those who are sensitive to acidity in their coffee. So you can enjoy your cup of Cold Brewing Joe without stomach discomfort or teeth issues!
Again, Lifeboost Coffee is USDA certified organic and 3rd party test for mycotoxins, heavy metals, pesticides, and 400 other toxins. So you can drink your cup of coffee safely and soundly.
Pros
Low-acid, smooth
Cons
Light flavor
The Final Verdict
Out of the 17 options that I gave you, I’ve found the best pre-ground coffee for Cold Brew to be the Lifeboost Coffee Medium Roast.
On top of the smooth and balanced body thanks to Arabica beans, the roast profile preserves the delicate flavors of the beans while still giving you a kick of caffeine to start your day.
And, the low acidity levels make it a great coffee for those who are sensitive to acidity in their coffee. So you can enjoy your cup of Cold Brewing Joe without stomach discomfort or teeth issues!
How To Make Cold Brew Concentrate
Once you’ve picked out your version of the best coffee for Cold Brew, let’s learn how to make Cold-Brewed coffee at home. There are 2 ways:
- Immersion Method
The Immersion method is definitely more approachable for home baristas as it doesn’t require complicated coffee gear to pull off.
All you need is a large enough container or jar. I personally usually use a French Press.
Another pro of this brewing method is that you only have to put in the work in the preparation stage at the beginning and the straining stage at the end.
The majority of the time you just let the coffee steep in cold water and extraction happens on its own without any necessary human intervention.
That means you can be out and about the whole day and come back to a well-done extraction.
- Prepare coarse coffee grounds.
- Add the grounds and cold water to a French Press or a container and gently mix them.
- Let it steep for 12 – 24 hours at room temperature or in the fridge.
- Strain it with a strainer to get the Cold Brew concentrate.
Want more detailed instructions? Check out my in-depth article on how to make Immersion Cold Brew with a French Press.
- Slow Drip Method
The Slow Drip method is a lot more difficult to pull off and should be enjoyed at a coffee shop rather than at home.
First, you need to invest in a pretty pricey glass slow cold drip tower.
Although it’s a sight for sore eyes, it’s also a pain in the a** to care for and clean up if you accidentally knock it off because it’s so vulnerable.
This method only requires 6 – 12 hours to finish. But, the entire time you have to be near it to adjust the drip rate every other hour.
So it takes a lot of scheduling and skills. That’s why I much prefer enjoying this type of Cold Brew made by a professional to save money, time, and energy.
FAQs
Can You Use Pre-Ground Coffee For Cold Brew?
Yes, you can use pre-ground coffee to make Cold Brew. Like other coffee brewing methods, there’s a market for this because it’s more affordable and convenient than grinding fresh coffee beans each time you make a batch or cup of coffee. However,…
Is Fresh Ground Coffee Better For Cold Brew?
Yes, freshly ground coffee is always preferred over pre-ground coffee because it’s so much more flavorful, and that includes Cold Brew coffee as well. With that said, Cold Brew is one of the best brewing methods to work with lower quality coffee beans and still produce a decent cup of Joe.
Can You Use Regular Ground Coffee For Cold Brew?
Yes, you can use regular coffee for Cold Brew. Feel free to make a batch with your favorite bag of regular coffee beans. Just make sure that they’re coarsely ground for the best result.
What Kind Of Coffee Does Starbucks Use For Cold Brew?
Starbucks recommends using Starbucks® Cold Brew Coffee Pitcher Packs to recreate, containing 100% Arabica grounds sourced from Latin America and Africa to recreate the Starbucks Cold Brew experience at home.