8 Best Ground Coffee for Cold Brew At Home in 2024

This is our review of the best ground coffees for cold brew in 2024. 

I’m Tim, a coffee connoisseur. I make cold brew coffee weekly and know exactly how to make the perfect batch. 

Our number one choice of ground coffee for cold brew is Stone Street Cold Brew Coffee, Strong & Smooth Blend because it is perfectly blended for cold brew. It has a fantastic flavor, low acidity, and zero “watery” taste. 

Stone Street Cold Brew Coffee, Strong & Smooth Blend: Best Overall

• Roast: Dark
• Flavor profile:
  • Nutty, chocolate notes with low acidity
• Available In: 2 lb & 5 lb bags
• Grind size: Coarse
• Price: $$
• Origin: Single Origin, Columbia
• Organic: N/A

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That said, coffee preferences are subjective and vary a lot from person to person. One might prefer a darker roast or a brand with less caffeine.

That is why we compiled and evaluated a list of the top eight ground coffee products.

So continue reading to learn which option is best for you.

Top 8 Ground Coffees for Cold Brew

1. Stone Street Cold Brew Coffee, Strong & Smooth Blend – Best Overall for Cold Brew
2. Stumptown Coffee Roasters Holler Mtn. Coffee – Runner Up
3. Death Wish Ground Coffee – Most Caffeine
4. Cold Brew Organic Coarse Ground Coffee Dark Roast – Best Budget-Friendly 
5. No Fun Jo Decaf Ground Coffee – Best Decaf for Cold Brew
6. Kicking Horse Coffee, Smart Ass, Medium Roast – Best Certified Organic for Cold Brew
7. Pike Place – Best Starbucks Ground Coffee for Cold Brew
8. Kicking Horse Coffee, Grizzly Claw, Dark Roast– Best Dark Roast for Cold Brew

8 Best Ground Coffee for Cold Brew in 2024

Here are the reviews of the best ground coffee for cold brew.

1. Stone Street Cold Brew Coffee, Strong & Smooth Blend – Best Overall

Roast	Dark
Flavor profile	Nutty, chocolate notes with low acidity
Available In	2 lb & 5 lb bags
Grind size	Coarse
Price	$$
Origin	Single Origin, Columbia
Organic	N/A

The Stone Street Cold Brew Coffee, Strong & Smooth Blend ground coffee is our top choice for cold brew because it has a balanced, smooth taste with zero bitterness. 

It is single-origin– 100% Arabica coffee beans from Columbia– and is a dark roast that has notes of nuts and chocolate. 

It uses “supremo” classified Columbian beans, signifying it is made from the highest-quality and largest beans. This means you get the most delicious taste out of your brew. 

The flavor of this Stone Street ground coffee is perfect for cold brew– strong yet smooth. It’s bold, low-acid, balanced, and has a slightly sweet taste. Its nut and chocolate flavors taste great black and with cream or milk. 

The grind size for this ground coffee is coarse. Meaning it has a large surface area that won’t be able to pass through most cold brew filters and strainers. 

That said, some reviewers noted it is ground too small for French presses. However, this isn’t a problem if you’re buying it for cold brewing. 

It comes in a large 2-pound (32-ounce) or 5-pound (80-ounce) bag that has three layers and is lined with foil and a one-way vent valve to optimize its freshness. 

The downside is that this is a lot of coffee to consume after you open the bag. (It will start to go stale faster once you open it and expose it to air). 

Stone Street is a specialty, small-batch roaster and proud small business located in Brooklyn, NYC. 

This means that you have better control over the quality and get the added benefit of supporting small businesses when you purchase it. 

If the Stone Street Cold Brew Coffee, Strong & Smooth Blend doesn’t sound like your still, perhaps our runner-up will. 

2. Stumptown Coffee Roasters Holler Mtn. Coffee – Runner Up

Roast	Medium
Flavor profile	Full body with creamy & caramel flavors
Available In	12 oz & 18 oz bags
Grind size	Medium
Price	$$$
Origin	Multiple origins
Organic	USDA Certified Organic

Stumptown Coffee Roasters’ Holler Mountain Ground Coffee offers a balanced flavor profile perfect for everyday consumption.

This coffee is a medium roast– it has lower acidity than a dark roast but a stronger flavor than a light roast. As is typical of medium roasts, it is not excessively robust or bitter.

This coffee’s citrusy notes are amplified by cold brewing and may not appeal to all palates. But most cold brew drinkers love it. 

For those who prefer medium roasts, you should find the Holler Mountain ground coffee enjoyable in your cold brew due to its caramel and hazelnut notes. These flavors complement milk or creamer well.

The coffee is ground to a medium size, which works for almost all cold brewing methods. Outside of cold brewing, you can use it in traditional drip coffee machines and pour overs too. 

Stumptown Coffee Roasters Holler Mountain ground coffee is priced higher than other comparable options in the market. So it may not be the best choice for those seeking an affordable option.

Stumptown Coffee Roasters clearly labels the roast date on their packaging to ensure maximum freshness. 

The Holler Mountain grounds are available in two sizes: 12 oz and 18 oz, which you can easily buy through Amazon, various other online retailers, and local grocery stores.

Additionally, it is certified USDA organic, meaning no harmful pesticides or GMOs.

The Holler Mountain ground coffee is a dark roast but is not strong enough for a small percentage of people. 

If that sounds like you, the Death Wish Dark Roast Ground Coffee may be a better option.

3. Death Wish Dark Roast Ground Coffee – Most Caffeine 

Roast	Dark
Flavor profile	Chocolate and cherry
Available In	1 lb bag
Best for	Drip coffee, pour-over
Grind size	Medium
Price	$$$
Origin	Multi-origin
Organic	USDA Organic

The Death Wish Dark Roast ground coffee is a dark roast that is ideal for those who prefer a strong cup of cold brew with bold flavor.

This dark roast coffee contains more than double the caffeine of most other dark roast coffees. The high caffeine content in Death Wish coffee is a result of a unique roasting process and the use of specialty coffee beans.

And since cold brewing extracts more caffeine from the coffee grounds than hot brewing methods, a cold brew of this Death Wish coffee will give you even more caffeine. 

This dark roast coffee has a robust and full-bodied flavor with notes of cherry and chocolate. It is not bitter or overly acidic, making it a good choice for those who prefer bolder coffee.

The grind size of Death Wish coffee grounds is medium-coarse, making it great for cold brewing, pour-over brewing methods, and drip machines.

The product is packaged in a 16 oz bag and has a clear label indicating the roast date for freshness. Additionally, it is both USDA Organic and Fairtrade. 

Some people may enjoy the added caffeine in Death Wish coffee, but it may not be suitable for those who are sensitive to caffeine. So stay away from this coffee if you don’t like too much caffeine. 

Another drawback is that Death Wish Dark Roast is more expensive than other similar roasts, but its strong caffeine content and pleasant flavor may justify the cost for some individuals.

If this Death Wish coffee is too expensive or lots of caffeine isn’t your style, the Cold Brew Organic Coarse Ground Coffee, might be.

4. Cold Brew Organic Coarse Ground Coffee Dark Roast – Best Budget-Friendly 

Roast	Dark
Flavor profile	Chocolate and nut notes
Available In	1-pound and 2-pound bags
Grind size	Extra coarse
Price	$
Origin	Columbia
Organic	USDA Organic Certified

The Cold Brew Organic Coarse Ground Coffee by Cold Brew Labs is an affordable ground coffee explicitly crafted for cold brewing.

It is made with 100% Arabica, Colombian Supremo coffee beans and is a dark roast with subtle notes of chocolate and nuts with a smooth texture.

It is coarse-ground coffee, which works well for all cold brewing methods, including French press (AKA plungers) extractions, mason jars, and pitchers paired with a coffee filter. 

Additionally, this Cold Brew Labs coffee is certified USDA organic. It comes in 16 oz and 32 oz nitrogen-sealed bags and is affordable compared to other brands.

One downside of this coffee is that its subtle flavor can be too easily overpowered by milk or cream. So unless you drink it black or only add a small amount of cream, you may find it lacking in taste.

Additionally, the Cold Brew Organic Coarse Ground Coffee is made with Columbian Sumpremo beans, which are specialty, high-quality beans. 

Overall, this ground coffee is a great budget choice for cold brewing. 

But perhaps you’re looking for something with little to no caffeine. In that case, we recommend the No Fun Jo Decaf ground coffee. 

5. No Fun Jo Decaf Ground Coffee – Best Decaf for Cold Brew

Roast	Medium-dark
Flavor profile	Sweet blueberry and milk chocolate
Available In	12 oz bag, 2 lb pack
Grind size	Medium
Price	$$
Origin	Multi-origin
Organic	USDA Organic

No Fun Jo Decaf Ground Coffee is a decaffeinated medium-dark roast, making it suitable for those who prefer their cold brew without the stimulating effects of caffeine.

The coffee beans No Fun Jo uses are both certified USDA organic and Fairtrade certified. To remove the caffeine, the company uses the Swiss Water Process, a chemical-free method that uses water, time, and temperature to remove 99.9% of the caffeine from the beans.

As a result, this coffee contains an even lower amount of caffeine compared to other “decaf” coffees.

Plus, it has no additives, sweeteners, or flavorings.

The 12 oz bag of No Fun Jo Decaf Ground Coffee has sweet blueberry and milk chocolate notes, as well as a smooth texture.

It has a medium-coarse grind, which is perfect for cold brewing in French presses (plungers), other cold brew methods, and hot pour-over coffee brewing methods.

The No Fun Jo Decaf Ground Coffee has a higher price point compared to other decaf ground coffees, but its lower caffeine content, quality, and flavor justify the cost.

The No Fun Jo Decaf Ground Coffee is a great option for those seeking a tasty, caffeine-free cold brew.

But if you need a caffeine fix, but nothing too extreme, look at the Kicking Horse Coffee, Smart Ass, Medium Roast Coffee Grounds.

6. Kicking Horse Coffee, Smart Ass, Medium Roast – Best Certified Organic for Cold Brew

Roast	Medium
Flavor profile	Tart red currant, sugar cane, and milk chocolate
Available In	10 oz bag
Grind size	Medium
Price	$$
Origin	Multi-origin, Africa, Central America, South A
Organic	USDA Organic

Kicking Horse Coffee’s Smart Ass, Medium Roast Grounds is a certified-organic and delicious cold brew option.

This medium roast has a complex flavor profile with notes of tart red currant, sugar cane, and milk chocolate. You can enjoy its smooth taste and honeyed berry body with or without milk or creamer.

The coffee is available in a 10 oz bag with medium grind size, making it suitable for drip coffee, pour-over, and some cold brew methods (but may be too small of a grind for the French press extraction method).

Kicking Horse Coffee’s Smart Ass Medium Roast Grounds are both USDA organic and Fairtrade certified, indicating adherence to ethical and environmental standards during production.

If sustainably, fair trade, and ethical farming practices are important to you, strongly consider Kicking Horse for your cold brew. 

The price of this ground coffee is comparatively lower than other brands, making it a budget-friendly option. The packaging is clearly labeled with the roast date, providing information on its freshness.

Kicking Horse Coffee obtains Arabica beans from various regions in Africa, Central America, and South America, resulting in a diverse flavor profile.

That said, if you like simple flavor profiles, this coffee likely isn’t for you. In that case, choose a single-origin coffee for your cold brew. 

One downside is that this coffee bag only contains 10 oz of grounds, which is less than other brands offering 12-16 oz sizes. However, the smaller quantity of grounds may be beneficial in terms of freshness and usage.

The Smart Ass medium roast has a sweet syrup and vanilla bean aroma and tasting notes. However, it may not be suitable for everyone as some online reviewers find it too bitter.

Perhaps Kicking Horse coffee isn’t mainstream enough for you. In that case, Starbucks ground coffee is never a bad choice.

7. Pike Place – Best Starbucks Ground Coffee for Cold Brew

Roast	Medium
Flavor profile	Cocao and rich praline
Available In	28 oz bag
Grind size	Medium
Price	$$$
Origin	Mutli-origin, Asia Pacific and Latin America
Organic	N/A

Starbucks Pike Place ground coffee is a good choice for individuals who casually enjoy cold brew coffee on a regular basis. It is the standard hot coffee and cold brew that Starbucks locations serve.

It is the company’s signature blend, named after the street of their location. It is a medium roast with a balance of smooth and rich flavors.

Pike Place coffee grounds work well for cold brewing and traditional drip coffee making.

However, since this specific product is pre-ground to medium grind size, it won’t work too well with the Frech press extraction cold brew method. Instead, use a mason jar or pitcher to cold brew, then pour the liquid through a coffee filter. 

Or you can buy Pike Place whole beans instead, take them to any Starbucks location, and ask them to coarse-grind them. (They’ll do it for free). Or you can grind it yourself. 

The price of this ground coffee falls within a reasonable range and is not excessively expensive.

Starbucks uses 100% ethically-sourced Arabica beans from Latin America, but it is a mass-produced coffee brand.

This blend is a safe bet, lacking any distinctive qualities, but ideal for those seeking a familiar taste akin to their regular Starbucks order.

A potential drawback is the limited size option, as the 28 oz bag may be too large for some to use all the grounds before they become stale.

Pike Place pre-ground coffee is available for purchase online, at Starbucks, and in local supermarkets (Walmart, Target, Meijer, etc.). However, Pike Place whole-bean coffee is also an option for optimal freshness.

For those who prefer a deeper flavor, consider trying the best dark roast ground coffee.

8. Kicking Horse Coffee, Grizzly Claw, Dark Roast- Best Dark Roast for Cold Brew 

Roast	Dark
Flavor profile	Rich, dark chocolate, cacao nibs, brown sugar, and roasted hazelnut
Available In	10 oz bag
Grind size	Medium
Price	$$
Origin	Multi-origin, Central and South America
Organic	USDA Certified Organic

The Grizzly Claw ground coffee by Kicking Horse is a great dark roast option for cold brews or using a French Press to make your coffee. 

​​Like other Kicking Horse Coffee products, Grizzly Claw is moderately priced and offers great quality, making it a worthwhile purchase.

Additionally, it is certified organic by USDA, indicating high quality and sustainable farming methods used in its production. And it is Fairtrade certified, which means it uses farms that invest in the local community.

This coffee is a dark roast with a rich taste that includes notes of cacao nibs, dark chocolate, roasted hazelnut, and brown sugar. It has a smooth texture and is not bitter, making it a good option for those who prefer a strong cup of coffee.

The taste of Grizzly Claw coffee is a matter of personal preference. While some find it slightly bitter, many others, including myself, enjoy it. 

One disadvantage of the coffee bag is its difficulty to open due to the strong adhesive used to seal it. Some individuals may need scissors to get to the grounds.

How to Pick The Best Ground Coffee For Cold Brew

Here are the top considerations when you are looking for ground coffee to purchase for cold brewing. For additional information, see our complete coffee-buying guide. 

Roast

The coffee grounds’ roast level (dark, medium, light, blonde) is an important consideration when selecting one for cold brewing. Most cold brew drinkers, including me, recommend darker roasts. 

Dark roasts have more intense, bolder flavors, perfect for cold brews. 

That said, use your personal preference for which roasts you like the best for cold brewing.

Grind size

When choosing your coffee grounds for cold brew, it’s important to consider the grind size. This will impact the speed at which the water and coffee mix during brewing and the rate at which flavor is extracted from the beans.

For cold brew, medium to coarse grinds are ideal. Medium and medium-coarse grounds work best for cold brewing in mason jars and pitchers with a coffee filter, while coarse grounds work better in French presses.  

Learn more details about this in our coffee grind size guide. 

The right type for your beverage

When selecting ground coffee for cold brews, you’ll want to consider the what is best for it. In general, medium to dark roast coffee grounds taste the best with cold brewing. Although you can make cold brew with any roast level. 

Additionally, you’ll want to choose a grind size between medium and extra coarse. If you’re using a French press extraction method (i.e. making cold brew in a French press), use at least a coarse grind.

If you’re using a cold brew filtration method, you can use a medium grind size just fine. Also, be aware that cold brewing extracts more flavor and caffeine than traditional hot brewing methods. 

This means you may have to dilute your cold brew with water to avoid caffeine jitters and an overly strong taste. 

Also, if you want a decaf coffee, you’ll need to look for a decaffeinated brand.

Certifications

When choosing cold brew coffee grounds, you need to take into account certifications such as organic or Fair Trade. 

This guarantees that your coffee is grown and harvested sustainably, supporting the farmers who cultivate it.

USDA-certified organic coffee indicates that it does not contain artificial flavors, colors, preservatives, or other additives.

If you want to ensure that your coffee is free of additives and aligns with health and environmental standards, seek out this certification.

Price/Budget

When purchasing ground coffee, it is important to consider both price and quality, as they can vary. Determine your budget before making a selection.

The price of ground coffee for cold brew varies between $8 and $25, depending on the quantity and quality. For instance, you can buy a 30-oz container of low-quality coffee grounds for less than $10, while a 10-oz bag of high-quality can cost you $15.

Single-origin vs. Multi-origin

When selecting ground coffee, it is important to consider whether single-origin or multi-origin beans are preferred.

Multi-origin coffees are produced using beans from various sources, creating a combination of tastes and most often leading to a less expensive coffee.

On the other hand, single-origin coffee is produced using beans from one origin only, which can be a country, region, or farm. This results in distinct features that differentiate it from other types of coffee, and it is often priced higher.

Single-origin coffee and multiple-origin coffee offer different tasting experiences. Single-origin has a more consistent flavor, while multiple-origin coffee may have several different tasting notes.

For more info, read Single-origin vs. Multi-origin.

Packaging date

When choosing ground coffee for cold brewing, it’s important to look at the packaging date. For optimal taste, I recommended selecting coffee that has been freshly roasted and packaged, so checking the packaging date on the bag is a good idea.

When purchasing coffee online, checking the packaging date is impossible. However, contacting the seller can guarantee the freshness of the product instead of receiving one that has been stored for an extended period.

Best brands

When choosing ground coffee for cold brew, it is important to take into account the leading brands. Some of the top brands for cold brew ground coffee are Starbucks, Cold Brew Labs, Peet’s Coffee, Kicking Horse, and Death Wish.

Starbucks offers a range of single-origin coffees with distinct flavor profiles, emphasizing medium and dark roasts perfect for cold brewing. While only Pike Place is on our list, their medium to dark roasts selection is extensive.

Our Verdict

The top three ground coffees for cold brew are Stone Street Cold Brew Coffee, Stumptown Coffee Roasters Holler Mountian Coffee, and Death Wish Ground Coffee. All three have excellent tasting notes and roast levels for cold brews. 

• Our top choice, the Stone Street Cold Brew Coffee, Strong & Smooth Blend, is a fantastic dark roast specifically formulated for cold brews that casual to experienced coffee drinkers will enjoy.
• The Stumptown Coffee Roasters Holler Mtn. Coffee is a safer alternative with a full body and caramel-tasting notes, making it a great option for casual cold brew drinkers. 
• Lastly, the Death Wish Dark Roast Ground Coffee has over twice the caffeine of other dark roasts with a bold taste that won’t disappoint. The perfect choice for caffeine junkies. 

Stone Street Cold Brew Coffee, Strong & Smooth Blend: Best Overall

• Roast: Dark
• Flavor profile:
  • Nutty, chocolate notes with low acidity
• Available In: 2 lb & 5 lb bags
• Grind size: Coarse
• Price: $$
• Origin: Single Origin, Columbia
• Organic: N/A

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