The best coffee for cold brew
Brew it at home with our air roasted beans, or grab a ready-to-drink can made with our beans.
The best coffee for cold brew is a fresh medium or medium-dark roast with chocolate, caramel or nutty notes, ground coarse. Gigawatt Coffee Roasters air roasts every batch in small batches outside Chicago, and our canned cold brew is made with our own beans, so we know what holds up in cold water. For brewing at home, Kite & Key Blend is the coffee our customers reach for most.
- 3,000+ five-star reviews
- Air roasted in small batches in Bensenville, IL
- Canned cold brew made with our beans
- Ships in 1–3 days
Tell us how you like it. We’ll point you to the one bag to try first.
Pick yours by how you drink it
These are tasting notes from the bean itself, not added flavors. Choose the French Press grind if you don't grind at home: it's the coarse grind cold brew needs.
Kite & Key Blend
Medium dark. Dark chocolate, walnut and caramel. The bean our customers use most for cold brew.
“This blend is PERFECT for cold brew.”Jim S., verified buyer
“This is my go to for making cold brew.”Jan M., verified buyer
Live Wire Espresso Blend
A bold, dark espresso blend. Holds its own against milk, cream or a splash of syrup.
“Great in the French press or makes spectacular cold brew!”Jacob R., verified buyer
Luminosity Breakfast Blend
Medium roast. Milk chocolate, citrus and apple.
“The first time I made cold brew from this, even I could not miss the amazing chocolate notes!”Aaron B., verified buyer
Half Caff Combo
One bag of Kite & Key and one of Static Resistor Decaf. Mix them to the strength you want.
“Makes an excellent half caff cold brew!!!”Jan M., verified buyer
Cold Brew Coffee in cans
Coffee and water, shelf stable for a year unopened. $4.99 a can or $49.99 for 12.
“This cold brew nitro coffee has a bold taste without being bitter.”Joseph H., verified buyer
How we make cold brew at home
The same recipe we give at the market booth. All you need is a Mason jar and a strainer.
- Grind coarse. Use the coarsest setting on your grinder, or order your bag with the French Press grind.
- Combine 1 cup of grounds with 8 cups of cold water in a jar or pitcher, and stir so no dry clumps float on top. That makes cold brew you can pour straight over ice.
- Optional hot bloom: before the cold water, pour a couple ounces of hot tap water (about 150°F) over the grounds and wait 30 seconds. It brings out more flavor.
- Steep 16–24 hours in the fridge.
- Strain through a fine mesh strainer (add a paper filter for an extra-clean glass), then keep it in a sealed jar in the fridge for 5–7 days.
Like it stronger, to cut with milk? Use 1 cup of coffee to 4 cups of water and dilute to taste. If it tastes bitter, grind coarser or steep closer to 16 hours. If it tastes weak, steep closer to 24 hours or use a little less water.
Full step-by-step guide, with a ratio calculator for your jar →
Common questions
What is the best coffee for cold brew?
A fresh medium or medium-dark roast with chocolate, caramel or nutty notes, ground coarse. Kite & Key Blend, our medium dark roast with dark chocolate, walnut and caramel notes, is the coffee our customers use most for cold brew.
What roast is best for cold brew?
Medium to medium-dark. Those roasts bring out chocolate and caramel in cold water. Very light roasts can taste thin in cold brew, and very dark roasts work best with milk.
What grind should I use for cold brew?
Coarse, like raw sugar rather than sand. If you buy ground coffee from us, choose the French Press grind.
Can I use espresso beans for cold brew?
Yes. An espresso blend makes a bold, chocolatey cold brew that stands up to milk. Our Live Wire Espresso Blend is a customer favorite for it.
What's the best ratio for cold brew?
Use 1 cup of coarse-ground coffee to 8 cups of cold water and steep 16 to 24 hours in the fridge. That makes cold brew you can drink straight over ice. For a concentrate to cut with milk or water, use 1 cup of coffee to 4 cups of water.
Why does my cold brew taste bitter?
Usually it steeped too long or the grind was too fine. Try a coarser grind and a shorter steep. Scorched beans taste bitter in any brew, which is why we air roast.
Can I make decaf or half caff cold brew?
Yes. Use Static Resistor Decaf, or mix our Half Caff Combo (one bag regular, one decaf) to the strength you want.
Do you sell ready-to-drink cold brew?
Yes. Our Cold Brew Coffee comes in 12 oz cans with two ingredients, coffee and water, and keeps for a year unopened.