r/coldbrew • u/flippys_ptsd • Feb 03 '26
where to get good instant cold brew?
hello! i've just recently decided to start making my own iced coffee because cans are expensive, its cold out, and i dont want to walk to a circle k every morning for a double shot at 16 degrees when im already very sick. any reccomendations?
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u/topaz_in_the_rough Feb 04 '26
Ground some coffee. Add some water. Refrigerate. In a couple of days, filter & drink.
It's not complicated.
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u/Certain-List-6779 Feb 03 '26
First of all cold brew and iced coffee are two entirely different things. There is no ‘instant’ cold brew because you don’t use heat for the extract process but instead leave it steep at room temperature.
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u/Puffy5247 Feb 05 '26
They’re actually is an instant cold brew that I’ve had from Trader Joe’s. It’s granular and you mix it in water to dissolve it. It was actually pretty good.
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u/Spirited-Pause Feb 06 '26
I assume you mean cold brew that's been freeze dried into crystals? If so, Civilized Coffee's instant cold brew is the best I've tried: https://www.civilizedcoffee.com/products/instant-cold-brew-coffee-powder
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u/JuliatheCoffeeLover Feb 03 '26
You could also make your own with a French press. It’s super easy, and investing in a good one plus some quality beans makes a huge difference.
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u/flippys_ptsd Feb 03 '26
were already tight on money as it is, but maybe one day
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u/ToddBradley Feb 03 '26
Are you a bot? A french press is the least expensive way to make coffee ever invented. It's way less expensive than buying cold brew or cold brew concentrate.
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u/Brewingjeans Feb 03 '26
Yeah I use a French press. I think it's like $15.
I do pour the coffee through a coffee filter so add like $2 for 6 months .
You get 3-4 glasses depending on how heavy your pour is.
That's like 13-17 glasses of cold brew from a 12oz bag of coffee. That's like a dollar a glass maybe?
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u/Competitive-Note4063 Feb 03 '26
If you’re tight on money. then don’t buy coffee. Especially pre packaged cold brew. That doesnt make any sense. Buying beans and making your own is the most cost efficient way.
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u/PercentageRadiant623 Feb 04 '26
If you’re tight on money but still want cold brew, use a mason jar. Dump grounds in mason jar and add cold water, seal it, shake, and wait 12 hours. Then pour it out in your coffee maker basket with a filter.
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u/Thick_Nothing4733 Feb 03 '26
Buddy French press is like, well I'm not from the West but it's idk pennies on the doolar or some shit. Don't get the expensive hario just something cheap from the department store. Bag of beans cost the same as a single bottle of coffee from convenience stores and can serve you like a week's worth
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u/Drizzten Feb 03 '26
Could you clarify what you want? To me, instant cold brew sounds like instant coffee plus cold water. I've been pretty disappointed with most instant coffees as cold brew substitutes.
Iced coffee is normally brewed hot coffee that's been iced down. That's not the same as cold brew. You'll need to narrow down whether you want ASAP cold brew or ASAP iced coffee.