Some like it hot, some like it not. For the cold brew enthusiast, there is no substitute. Steeped for a minimum of 12 hours, cold-brew coffee is known for its naturally sweet flavor, courtesy of a cold-water seeping process that results in lower acidity. Not to be confused with iced coffee (brewed hot, then cooled), cold brew has a cleaner flavor; it can taste chocolaty with a velvet texture, and can tame even the boldest of beans. That said, it’s not boring — just different. Some have a difficult time swallowing the two-week shelf life and the fact that the bean-to-brew ratio makes it expensive, but if you give it time, the flavor will win you over, every time.
Cold-brew coffee is brewed without heating the coffee bean. Because certain flavors in coffee beans are activated by heat, cold brew coffees have different flavor profiles from coffees brewed hot: less acidic and often less caffeinated, but no less complex. While they’re certainly good on a hot day, increased interest from craft brewers, mixologists and a year-round demand from people like us has meant that craft cold brews are more prolific than ever. These are five of our (mostly local) favorites.
Red Thread Good Cold Brew
New York City-based coffee makers Red Thread Good makes a variety of cold brews. We’re partial to their Purist and Dreamy concentrates. They fully embrace the idea of cold-brewed coffees, so there’s no perceptible bitterness in their offerings. Their organic Dreamy concentrate has rich chocolate undertones, while their Purist concentrate is a more traditional coffee-like offering that gives the more subtle flavors in Red Thread’s beans the spotlight.
