Cold brew season… the time when suddenly everyone in the street is happily sipping coffee in clear plastic cups filled with ice and dreaming of the summer mornings that aren’t too far away. Though, as any budget-conscious coffee addict knows all too well, regularly shelling out five bucks for a 16-ounce fix can leave you penniless and sleepy by June. That’s why we dug up eight different cold brew coffee products perfect for feeding your needs all season long—without draining your checking account.
1. Chameleon Cold-Brew Organic Vanilla Coffee Concentrate
A touch of slightly sweetened natural vanilla flavor really makes this Texas-born certified USDA Organic cold brew sing while its markedly low acidity level helps it go down nice and smooth with or without cream. Unlike some other brands, these distinctive 32-ounce bottles come stocked with undiluted coffee concentrate potent enough to hold its own when watered down, giving you quite a bit of buzz for your buck. ($10.79; jet.com)
2. HyperChiller Instant Iced Coffee Maker
Like something out of the Jetsons, this inconspicuous little machine can make a hot cup of java turn frosty faster than you can say “I’m not a morning person.” Pour a steamy, freshly brewed batch into the pre-chilled vessel and watch as the liquid drops from 190°F to 60°F in a mere minute. Fellow coffee fiends, the future is now. ($29.99; amazon.com)
3. Wandering Bear Cold Brew on Tap
What’s better than a cup of delicious cold brew? A whole box of the stuff kept fresh as a daisy in your fridge and with a convenient, airtight spout for whenever you feel the urge. Taking a cue from the wine world, this ambitious start-up claims to be the first to sell bag-in-box coffee, and the fully recyclable packaging gives its rich fair trade, organic Arabica brew a much longer shelf life than its bottled forefathers. Just be careful—at 25 milligrams of caffeine per ounce, you’ll want to keep your pours in check. ($28; wanderingbearcoffee.com)
4. High Brew Cold Brew Creamy Cappuccino + Protein
These slim cans pack two times the amount of caffeine found in a regular cup of coffee into eight creamy ounces, along with 12 whole grams of protein and three grams of fiber thanks to healthy doses of milk protein isolate and calcium caseinate. Chicory root extract, monk fruit, and a bit of cane sugar are also in the mix, creating a pleasant, balanced flavor that rounds out the satisfyingly velvety sips. ($25 for 12; amazon.com)
5. Toddy T2N Cold Brew System
Sometimes the simplest option is, in fact, the best. That’s the case when it comes to creator Todd Simpson’s OG cold brew machine, which has been improving mornings with its potent, refreshing batches since 1964. The straightforward slow-steep system results in 67 percent less acidity than a classic hot brewed cup and can be made ready to drink or concentrated for extended use.($32.85; amazon.com)
6. Osaka Glass Cold Brew Coffee Maker
It’s no secret that the Japanese love them some iced coffee, and this eye-pleasing number is case in point. The Toddy-adjacent design is foolproof—dump your grounds into the pitcher’s cylindrical metal filter, add water, and let it sit for 12-24 hours until it’s ready to pour. The airtight design keeps it fresh and tasty for over a week, and it looks damn good on a shelf too. ($19.99; amazon.com)
7. Grady’s Cold Brew Bean Bag Can
This Brooklyn-based company’s adorable little bean bags aren’t exactly fit for a game of cornhole, but they do make one hell of a cup of coffee. Each packet is stuffed with a specifically designed amount of its famously bold, New Orleans-style coffee, ground chicory, and spice blend. Soak one of these puppies in water overnight, stir in some cream and simple syrup, and fill your kitchen with the intoxicating scent of Bourbon Street (in a good way). ($12; gradyscoldbrew.com)
8. Mr. Black Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur
To get a different kind of buzz going, try this sleekly designed small-batch (only 300 bottles made at a time!) Australian liqueur. Loaded with half the sugar and 10 times the real-deal coffee of similar, more traditional picks, it drinks like actual cold brew, making it equally suitable for straight-up sunset porch sipping or an upgraded espresso martini.($39.96; Astor Wines)
