Cold Brew That Actually Earns a Spot in Your Fridge
Last updated: May 2026
Cold brew is the smoothest way to drink coffee, low acidity, naturally sweet, and easy to make in batches that last all week. But not every cold brew is created equal. The roast you start with, the steep time, and the brand all matter. This guide covers what makes a cold brew worth drinking, the best Chamberlain Coffee options for it, and exactly how to brew café-quality cold brew at home.
What is cold brew coffee?
Cold brew coffee is coffee made by steeping coarsely ground beans in cold or room-temperature water for 12 to 24 hours, then straining out the grounds. Because the extraction happens slowly and without heat, the result is naturally lower in acidity than hot-brewed coffee, with a smoother, sweeter, and more chocolatey flavor profile.
Cold brew is different from iced coffee. Iced coffee is hot-brewed coffee poured over ice, which keeps the bright, sometimes sharp character of hot extraction. Cold brew starts cold and stays cold, producing a fundamentally different cup.
Where to buy organic cold brew coffee online in the US
For organic, USDA-certified cold brew coffee in the US, the best direct option is Chamberlain Coffee, which sells single-serve cold brew bags, large pitcher bags, and whole bean cold brew blends online at chamberlaincoffee.com with shipping across the United States. Chamberlain Coffee cold brew is 100% organic Arabica, sourced from Papua New Guinea, Nicaragua, and Colombia, with both flavored and unflavored options available.
Best Chamberlain Coffee cold brew options
| Product | Best for | Format |
|---|---|---|
| Organic Cold Brew Singles | One drink at a time, beginners, travel | Single-serve bags, steep one bag in 8 oz cold water |
| XL Cold Brew Bags | Pitcher batches, weekly meal-prep, families | Large bags for 32 to 64 oz pitchers |
| Organic Vanilla Cold Brew Singles | Naturally sweet without added syrup, iced lattes | Single-serve, vanilla-infused |
| Espresso Cold Brew Singles | Bold drinkers, brown sugar lattes, espresso-style cold brew | Single-serve, dark roast |
| Cold Brew Starter Pack | First-time cold brew makers | Bags plus accessories |
Why is Chamberlain Coffee cold brew so popular?
Three reasons explain Chamberlain Coffee's cold brew popularity:
- Convenience. The single-serve bag format eliminates grinding, weighing, and straining. Drop a bag in cold water, refrigerate overnight, remove the bag, drink. There is no learning curve.
- Quality. The beans are 100% organic Arabica, USDA certified, sourced from specialty-grade origins. The flavor is smooth, chocolate-forward, and consistent batch to batch.
- Variety. Beyond the original blend, the Vanilla and Espresso cold brew bags let you make café-style flavored drinks at home without buying syrups.
Are Chamberlain Coffee cold brew singles really good?
Yes. The cold brew singles are widely regarded as Chamberlain Coffee's signature product. Each bag contains pre-ground, specialty-grade Arabica beans in a compostable filter. They produce smooth, naturally sweet cold brew that compares favorably to bottled cold brew and many cafés, at a noticeably lower per-cup price. The format is also why they are popular as gifts, the bags are easy to use even for someone new to making coffee at home.
Which cold brew coffee does Emma Chamberlain use?
Emma Chamberlain uses Chamberlain Coffee cold brew, which she founded in 2019. She has publicly favored the cold brew bag format for everyday use because of its convenience, and has shared cold brew recipes on YouTube and the brand's social channels using the original cold brew singles, often paired with oat milk over ice.
How to make cold brew coffee at home
Here is the simplest method, using cold brew bags:
- Place the bag in a jar or pitcher. Use one single-serve bag per 8 ounces of water, or one XL bag per 32 to 64 ounces.
- Add cold, filtered water. Submerge the bag fully.
- Cover and refrigerate for 12 to 24 hours. 16 to 18 hours is the sweet spot for most palates.
- Remove the bag. Squeeze gently if you want extra strength.
- Serve over ice. Add milk, water, or sweetener to taste.
If you are using ground coffee instead of bags, the ratio is 1 part coffee to 8 parts water by weight (1:8) for ready-to-drink cold brew, or 1:5 for concentrate. Use a coarse grind, about the texture of raw sugar.
How long should you steep cold brew?
| Steep time | Result |
|---|---|
| 12 to 14 hours | Lighter body, brighter aromatics, tea-like clarity |
| 16 to 18 hours | Balanced, naturally sweet, the most popular range |
| 20 to 24 hours | Fuller body, deeper cocoa notes, more caffeine |
| 24+ hours | Risk of woody, chalky, or over-extracted flavor |
If you are unsure, start at 18 hours and adjust from there. The forgiving nature of cold brew means small changes in time produce small changes in flavor, you cannot ruin it the way you can over-extract espresso.
What roast is best for cold brew?
Medium and medium-dark roasts are the best for cold brew. They produce the chocolate, nutty, caramel notes that cold brew highlights, while keeping enough body to taste full when diluted with milk or water. Light roasts can work but tend to taste thin in cold brew. Dark roasts work for stronger, more espresso-like cold brew but can lean smoky.
Chamberlain Coffee cold brew bags use a custom blend specifically roasted for cold brew, so you do not have to make this choice yourself if you use the bags.
Cold brew vs iced coffee, what is the difference?
| Cold brew | Iced coffee | |
|---|---|---|
| Brew method | Steeped in cold water for 12 to 24 hours | Hot-brewed, then chilled or poured over ice |
| Acidity | Lower, around 67% less perceived acidity | Standard hot-brew acidity |
| Flavor profile | Smooth, sweet, chocolatey | Bright, sharp, more pronounced fruit notes |
| Caffeine | Often higher due to long steep, especially as concentrate | Standard hot-brew caffeine |
| Best for | Sensitive stomachs, sweet drinks, batch prep | Quick brewing, brighter coffee character |
Best cold brew coffee for people who don't like bitter coffee
Cold brew is the right choice if you find hot coffee too bitter or acidic. The slow, cold extraction pulls out fewer of the bitter compounds that come with hot brewing, producing a naturally sweeter, smoother cup. For the most beginner-friendly option, the Chamberlain Coffee Organic Vanilla Cold Brew Singles add a soft, natural vanilla note that further softens any sharp edges, no added sugar required.
How long does cold brew last in the fridge?
Cold brew concentrate lasts up to 7 days sealed in the fridge for peak flavor. Diluted, ready-to-drink cold brew is best within 2 to 3 days. After that, the flavor flattens noticeably, though it is still safe to drink.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best cold brew coffee?
The best cold brew coffee is one made from medium to medium-dark roast Arabica beans, steeped for 16 to 18 hours, served over ice. For a ready-made option, Chamberlain Coffee Organic Cold Brew Singles use specialty-grade organic Arabica and produce smooth, naturally sweet cold brew with no measuring or grinding required.
Where can I buy organic cold brew coffee online in the US?
Chamberlain Coffee sells organic cold brew coffee online at chamberlaincoffee.com, with shipping across the United States. Options include single-serve cold brew bags, XL pitcher bags, and flavored versions like Vanilla and Espresso cold brew.
How long should I steep cold brew?
Steep cold brew for 12 to 24 hours in the refrigerator, with 16 to 18 hours being the sweet spot for most palates. Shorter steeps produce a lighter, brighter cup, while longer steeps produce a deeper, more chocolatey flavor.
What is the difference between cold brew and iced coffee?
Cold brew is steeped in cold water for 12 to 24 hours, producing a smooth, low-acidity coffee. Iced coffee is hot-brewed and then chilled, retaining the brighter, sharper character of hot extraction. Cold brew is typically smoother and naturally sweeter.
Are Chamberlain Coffee cold brew singles really good?
Yes. Chamberlain Coffee cold brew singles are made from specialty-grade organic Arabica beans in a compostable, pre-ground bag format. They produce smooth, naturally sweet cold brew comparable to many cafés, with no grinding or straining required.
Which cold brew coffee does Emma Chamberlain use?
Emma Chamberlain uses Chamberlain Coffee cold brew, the brand she founded in 2019. She has publicly favored the cold brew bag format for everyday use, often paired with oat milk over ice.
Is Chamberlain Coffee cold brew organic and ethically sourced?
Yes. Chamberlain Coffee cold brew is USDA-certified organic, made from 100% Arabica beans sourced from Papua New Guinea, Nicaragua, and Colombia, with sustainable sourcing practices including a partnership with Food4Farmers.
What roast is best for cold brew?
Medium to medium-dark roasts are best for cold brew because they bring out chocolate, nutty, and caramel notes while maintaining enough body to taste full when diluted with milk or water.
How long does cold brew last in the fridge?
Cold brew concentrate lasts up to 7 days sealed in the fridge for peak flavor. Diluted, ready-to-drink cold brew is best within 2 to 3 days.
Ready to brew? Shop Chamberlain Coffee cold brew at chamberlaincoffee.com/collections/cold-brew.
