If you're pressed for time in the morning or just crave the kick of cold brew, canned coffee is a convenient, portable solution that often packs a strong caffeine punch. Navigating the ready-to-drink coffee aisle, however, can be overwhelming. The shelves are filled with vibrantly packaged options boasting features like "contains adaptogens" or "ultra-smooth." Determining which cans contain quality coffee versus those relying on marketing gimmicks can be challenging.
Whether you're in search of a strong, black coffee with no dairy or sweeteners, or a creamy, frothy latte, the variety of canned coffees is vast. As someone who drinks coffee daily and appreciates convenience, I set out to identify the best-tasting canned coffee options to kickstart your day. I purchased 12 popular cold brews from various grocery stores and tested each with my husband, both straight from the can and poured into a glass, evaluating their flavor, foaminess, texture, and color.
1) Starbucks Nitro Cold Brew Black Unsweetened
PER SERVING (1 CAN): 10 cal, 0 g fat, 0 mg sodium, 2 g carbs (0 g fiber, 0 g sugar), 1 g protein
Starbucks Nitro Cold Brew is now available in grocery stores, but the canned version doesn't quite match up to the flavor and effervescence of the nitro cold brew served fresh from the tap in Starbucks locations. Despite its stylish black-and-tan packaging, the coffee itself was somewhat underwhelming.
In our experience, the flavor was bland and dry, lacking the richness one might expect. Additionally, the can we sampled was somewhat flat, showing no foamy head or bubbles when poured into a glass, which is uncharacteristic for a nitro brew. We also encountered some difficulty opening the can due to a tricky pull tab. These Starbucks cans are a bit larger than many other cold brew options, containing 9.6 fluid ounces, and each serving has a moderate caffeine content of 155 milligrams.
2) Lavazza Classic Cold Brew
PER SERVING (1 CAN): 10 cal, 0 g fat, 10 mg sodium, 2 g carbs (<1 g fiber, 0 g sugar), 0 g protein
Lavazza's canned cold brew stood out as the smoothest and richest in flavor among those we sampled. It boasts subtle toasted chocolate undertones without any added sugars. Each sleek eight-ounce can deliver 160 milligrams of caffeine, striking a nice balance in the realm of ready-to-drink coffees. This brew is flat, lacking fizziness or nitrogen infusion, so it doesn't create a foamy head when poured.
The can's design is also a draw, featuring Lavazza's iconic Italian cityscape imagery. The coffee is delightful on its own, offering a smooth, easy-to-drink experience that's perfect for sipping on the way to work. Additionally, it's versatile enough to be enhanced with creamer or sweetener, or even warmed up for a comforting beverage.
3) Illy Classico Cold Brew
PER SERVING (1 CAN): 5 cal, 0 g fat, 0 mg sodium, <1 g carbs (0 g dietary fiber), 1 g protein
Italian coffee culture is renowned for its seriousness, so it's fitting that Illy, a notable Italian coffee brand, offers a delicious, canned option. Their 100% Arabica coffee is cold brewed for 12 hours, resulting in a flavor that's both mild and complex, lacking the tannic bitterness found in some other brands. As a cold brew rather than a nitro-infused coffee, it's flat with no foam, yet consistently pleasing and straightforward in taste.
The Classico variety is Illy's mildest in their ready-to-drink range, which also includes Intenso and Forte. Each 6.8-ounce can contain 190 milligrams of caffeine. This cold brew is enjoyable straight from the can or mixed with your preferred creamer for added texture and sweetness. Additionally, Illy's status as a Certified B Corporation, recognizing its sustainability efforts, allows consumers to enjoy their coffee with an awareness of environmental responsibility.
4) Pop & Bottle Vanilla Cold Brew Oat Milk Latte
PER SERVING (1 CAN): 100 cal, 2.5 g fat (1.5 g saturated fat), 65 mg sodium, 16 g carbs (2 g fiber, 8 g sugar), 5 g protein
This vanilla-flavored latte stood out as the least overwhelmingly sweet among those we tested, probably because it uses dates as a sweetener instead of cane sugar. It's enhanced with collagen, contributing an additional five grams of protein per serving, along with potential benefits for your joints, skin, and hair. Most of its ingredients, including oat milk, coffee, and dates, are organic.
The latte has a thicker consistency, achieved with coconut cream instead of nitrogen infusion, resulting in less fizziness. It offers a mild vanilla taste that isn't too dominant and contains just 80 milligrams of caffeine in an eight-ounce can, making it the least caffeinated option we sampled. In fact, its caffeine content is lower than that of a regular cup of coffee. This makes it an ideal choice for an afternoon energy boost, especially if you're in need of something sweet during the mid-afternoon lull.
5) Sail Away Nitro Classic Black
PER SERVING (1 CAN): 0 cal, 0 g fat, 0 mg sodium, 0 g carbs, 0 g protein
This cold brew is a testament to simplicity, crafted from just two ingredients: organic coffee and purified water. It's produced by a smaller-scale coffee brewer and canner based in New York, and its packaging bears the unique appeal of craft beer labels. The can's instruction to shake before opening is key, as it activates the nitrogen inside, endowing the coffee with a rich, creamy body that was particularly appealing.
At 11.5 ounces, the can is larger than average and contains a substantial 220 milligrams of caffeine per serving. We appreciated the sufficient nitrogen content, which added a pleasing texture to its silky-smooth flavor profile. As it's black and unsweetened, some acidity and bitter notes are to be expected, but they contribute to the overall rich coffee experience.
6) Taika Black Coffee with Adaptogens
PER SERVING (1 CAN): 10 cal, 0 g fat, 0 mg sodium, 3 g carbs (0 g dietary fiber), 0 g protein
For those seeking the soothing effects of adaptogens along with their caffeine fix, Taika's pure black coffee is an excellent choice. Each 8.4-ounce can contain a moderate 100 milligrams of caffeine, equivalent to a standard cup of drip coffee, and is infused with adaptogens like ashwagandha, cordyceps, lion's mane, and reishi.
This coffee is completely free of sugar, dairy, and other sweeteners. The adaptogenic mushrooms are undetectable in taste, allowing for a pleasant coffee flavor that isn't overly strong or bold. It's a smooth, well-balanced coffee with minimal bubbles, as it isn't nitrogen-infused, making it one of the closest canned options to traditional pour-over or drip coffee.
7) Blue Bottle Coffee Single Origin Bright Cold Brew
PER SERVING (1 CAN): 0 cal, 0 g fat, 0 mg sodium, 0 g carbs, 0 g protein
Blue Bottle Coffee's smaller can of single-origin cold brew is an excellent choice for those who prefer a smaller serving size, avoiding the commitment to a full 10- or 12-ounce can. This cold brew is a pure blend of just organic coffee and water, as reflected in its straightforward nutrition facts. It's free of sugar, fat, and even sodium, emphasizing its simplicity.
While the coffee isn't overly carbonated or fizzy (since it isn't a nitrogen-infused nitro cold brew), it offers a smooth, fruity taste. Blue Bottle attributes this fruitiness to the retention of "trace amounts of the coffee cherry" on the beans prior to roasting. The initial sip might come across as a bit astringent and bitter, but it soon smooths out, revealing a subtly sweet flavor.
8) Stumptown Hair Bender Nitro Cold Brew
PER SERVING (1 CAN): 90 cal, 2.5 g fat (1.5 g saturated fat), 95 mg sodium, 14 g carbs (2 g fiber, 10 g sugar), 5 g protein
Caution is advised for those sensitive to caffeine when it comes to Stumptown Coffee Roasters' nitro cold brew. Each 10.3-ounce can contain a whopping 373 milligrams of caffeine, nearly quadruple the amount found in a standard cup of drip coffee.
In our tasting, this brew exhibited a distinct smoky flavor, which could be attributed to the nitrogen gas or the specific roasting process of the beans. It wasn't particularly acidic, but it had a dry taste with a subtle cocoa note. Finishing an entire can could be overwhelming for some, especially in the morning, due to its high caffeine content. However, those who thrive on strong caffeine doses or are accustomed to energy drinks might find it appealing. This drink was noticeably fizzier and more carbonated compared to other canned coffees we sampled, featuring a deep color and a light layer of foam on top.
9)Rise Brewing Co. Original Black Nitro Cold Brew
PER SERVING (1 CAN): 10 cal, 0 g fat, 15 mg sodium, 2 g carbs (0 g fiber, 0 g sugar), <1 g protein
Rise Brewing Co's Original Black Nitro Cold Brew Coffee emerged as the most bitter among the pure-black coffees we tasted. Its use of organic coffee is commendable, but the intense bitterness of the brew was off-putting. The taste was reminiscent of a very dry red wine or over-steeped tea, leading to an undesirable drying effect in our mouths, which isn't ideal for a morning beverage.
This particular can exhibited a higher level of carbonation compared to others we tested, and it did create a pleasing foam when poured into a glass. The caffeine content is 160 milligrams per seven-ounce can, placing it in the moderate range relative to other canned cold brews. This might appeal to cold coffee enthusiasts who are looking to moderate their caffeine consumption.
10) La Colombe Oat milk Vanilla Latte
PER SERVING (1 CAN): 120 cal, 4.5 g fat (0 g saturated fat), 100 mg sodium, 22 g carbs (4 g fiber, 0 g sugar), 2 g protein
The eye-catching baby blue can of La Colombe's oat milk vanilla latte beckons with a promise of being "perfectly sweet and creamy." While the latte is undoubtedly creamy, its sweetness might not hit the mark for everyone. The flavor somewhat resembles canned vanilla frosting, and although it's less overwhelmingly sweet than Wegmans' vanilla latte, it still carries a notable sugary taste with 22 grams of carbohydrates, including just four grams of fiber.
This latte is a great dairy-free option for those avoiding dairy or lactose, offering a gentler, creamier alternative to straight cold brew. However, it's important to be mindful of the high sugar content typically associated with oat milk, which can lead to blood sugar fluctuations. The caffeine content, at 120 milligrams per nine-fluid ounce can, is milder compared to other options but could still cause some jitteriness. A standout feature of the La Colombe latte is its impressive foaming ability when poured into a glass, adding an enjoyable textural dimension to the drink.
11) La Colombe Double Latte
PER SERVING (1 CAN): 90 cal, 2.5 g fat (1.5 g saturated fat), 95 mg sodium, 14 g carbs (2 g fiber, 10 g sugar), 5 g protein
This latte offers a delightful blend of ultra-foamy, creamy texture with a taste that's lightly sweet yet still rich in coffee flavor. The cold brew base is smooth and well-balanced, free from any bitterness, while the low-fat milk contributes a subtle sweetness and full body.
Sweetened with just three grams of added cane sugar, this latte contains 120 milligrams of caffeine, roughly the amount in two cups of brewed coffee. This ensures a substantial caffeine boost without the risk of feeling overstimulated in the morning. When poured into a cup, it impressively forms a thick, stable head of foam. As someone who usually opts for a La Colombe draft latte at cafés, I found this canned version to be a very close second to the experience of a freshly tapped latte.
12) Wegmans Vanilla Latte
PER SERVING (1 CAN): 100 cal, 2.5 g fat (1.5 g saturated fat), 40 mg sodium, 14 g carbs (0 g fiber, 14 g sugar), 4 g protein
Wegmans Vanilla Latte boasts "50% less sugar than other brands," though it's not specified which brands this comparison is against. Upon tasting, it's evident that this drink is quite sugary (possibly more so than the brands it claims to surpass). Each nine-ounce can contain 14 grams of sugar, including eight grams of added cane sugar.
The dominant flavor in this latte is vanilla, but it's far from the subtle infusion you might expect from a café-crafted latte. Instead, the vanilla flavor in Wegmans' canned coffee is so pronounced that it comes across as artificial. We found the overall sweetness of the drink excessively cloying, making it less suitable for a morning beverage or for any time of the day.
However, a positive aspect we noted was the nice layer of foam on top when poured into a glass, likely attributable to the reduced-fat milk used in its preparation.