Starbucks is currently quietly testing iced cold brewed coffee. It’s a very small test in one district (in the Boston area) and the test is only slated to run for a few weeks. Partners are brewing core Ethiopia in a Toddy-system for cold brewing coffee. When it runs out for the day, they put stickers on the in-store signage saying that it’s out for the day. Like most traditional cold brew methods, it takes 24 hours to brew the coffee. As many people know, the New England region of the United States tends to have higher iced coffee sales than the rest of the country.
I mention this test largely because I’d love to see it expanded. I love a great cold brewed coffee. I’ve even featured cold brewed coffee recipes on this blog before. I’m a little pessimistic about the test expanding: One large limitation is that it’s hard to scale. You can’t quickly re-brew the coffee. Nonetheless, I see cold brewed coffee as part of an elevated coffee experience. I’ve often mentioned that it would be interesting for Clover – Reserve stores and/or Evenings store to have elevated coffee offerings, and this could be part of that. I’m thinking out loud here, but the bottom line is that this is an interesting test. I’m crossing my fingers, despite that I’m pessimistic about the test’s expansion. The person who wrote me said that their iced cold brewed coffee is doing very well. She’s hearing from customers that they love it.
If you like reading about Starbucks tests, click through this category here. Please keep in mind, Starbucks is constantly testing things and they’ll test many more things than what actually makes it to a national product lunch.
Would you want a cold brewed iced coffee at Starbucks?
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Melody can you be more specific re location? All of the SB in Boston area?
@Purple1 – I was intentionally a little vague. One district, so it would be 10 to 13 stores all relatively close to each other in Boston.
I only found about the test a few days ago and I’ve yet to get down that way for a try. Definitely an iced coffee fan, so this is right up my alley!
No, no, and no. More work for what? More complaints and no raise. No thanks.
I would probably pick one up routinely, I really like iced coffee but don’t like the flavor and so I normally drink hot coffee (very tasty, but takes a long while to cool to drinkable temperatures).
I agree Mel…I think this is one of those types of product offerings better off for stores that offer a more elevated coffee experience, such as Clover.
I love cold-brew – I love iced coffee but find it bitter most of the time. With cold brew I often only need one packet or so worth of sugar for it to be in my butter zone.
I’d love to see a cold-brewed coffee take off at Sbux. I learned about cold brew when I was researching making a less-acidic coffee. I drank it that way at home for several weeks but finally gave up because it was a bit of a hassle without a cold-brew system, which I don’t have. I made up my own. I’ve heard that cold-brew reduces the acidity by 70%, give or take. Oh, well. Just my thoughts.
I too would love to see this expanded. It’s hard to find a chain where I can reliably pick up a cold brew. Caribou does, but we don’t have them out west and Seattle’s Best may or may not, but those are spotty. I usually get a beverage from Starbucks about once a month…if they started selling cold brewed coffee, I’d go at least a couple times per week.
I really like cold-brewed coffee, make it at home fairly often. I’d like to see it at Starbucks!
Sorry this is totally O.T. but wanted to put it out there. I seldom accept my receipt (when it’s offered…) except during treat receipt times. Yesterday, when purchasing a ‘treat receipt’ drink, I just happened to say yes when offered my receipt after paying (with my card) for the drink. I intended just to quickly check my balance. Ironically my treat receipt hadn’t been used and I was charged full price. I politely asked the barista if he used the treat receipt as I showed him the receipt (where clearly, it had not been used) He corrected it, of course. My point here is: I think maybe it’s a good idea to accept those receipts at least most of the time…..by the time I’d check my transactions (maybe) online, it’d be a much more involved process to get it corrected. Just a little FYI…..
I was in a Starbucks in Glenview, Illinois last Saturday and asked for a cold brew upon which it was given to me. It was not on the menu board and tasted WAY better than their usual iced coffee.
Doesn’t Caribou do a cold brew? I love their iced coffee.
Side note: I subscribe to MistoBox (I initially saw them on Shark Tank), and when I get my box every month I grind up the beans (you get 4 different samples from different roasters) and put them in mason jars and cold brew them that way. While I love my core Starbucks roasts, it’s cool to try out different varieties, and they provide you with the growing region and some taste notes. (I put the link in my name if you want to check it out.)
@purple1 The SB at Cleveland Circle has this, so it’s probably Allston/Brighton (maybe Brookline?). I didn’t realize it wasn’t everywhere yet!
[…] to a blog Starbucks Melody, a sequence began ‘quietly’ portion a ‘core Ethiopian’ iced coffee prepared […]
Does anyone know where the test stores will be for the maple latte? I read Ohio and Florida might have them but would like to know for sure as this sounds really good.
I love this. I actually did my Coffee Master tasting today comparing Cold-Brew/Hot Brew Kati-Kati. IT was delicious. I love making a concentrate when i cold brew, basically using a 1/2lb of coffee per liter of water. makes a thick viscous kinda liqueur type drink.
@Joe Bed….. where in Glenview? I am very nr Glenview. Thanks.
Waukegan Road an Lake Street I believe, in front of the Trader Joe’s.
@Joe B….Thanks. I’ve been to that one many times. (one yr a woman ran her car right into that store……there’s that parking right in front with no cement blockers….just a few feet from the door. I always thought that would happen one day. luckily no one seriously hurt)
I guess I didn’t know Starbucks didn’t cold-brew their iced coffee – how do they make it now? I greatly prefer an iced Americano over their iced coffee, so maybe that’s why.
I make cold brewed coffee on a regular basis at home (and it doesn’t take 24 hours, but maybe that’s a personal preference).
[hate to mention the name, but last I asked, DD’s iced coffee is cold-brewed]
I get one every morning on the way to work! I’m bummed to read that the test is limited. I don’t wanna go back to regular-brew iced coffee! This cold-brew version is AWESOME. I love the flavor. I’ve literally never had a better iced coffee.
I usually have a Toddy of something every week. This week is an 18-hour Brezza Blend.
This is really neat that they’re testing this. I think they stole the idea from my instagram. :p But Ethiopia has not been my favorite Cold Brew. Of course, I’m wildly a fan of Kenya… usually a 14-16 hour brew. Sooo good!
[…] is currently quietly testing iced cold brewed coffee. It’s a very small test in one district (in the Boston area) and the test is only slated to run […]
Didn’t they used to cold brew years ago? I swear I’ve heard them tell me their iced coffee is cold brewed. But more recent years, I knew it wasn’t. Anyway, cold brewing is my favorite method of making iced coffee. Make a big batch, in an air tight container or dispenser & leaving it in the fridge. It’ll last for at least a week & just add additions to each cup as you drink it. More smooth, less acidic, less butter, more smoky, what’s not to like?
Melody in test area now interesting went to one SB was not doing test and they opened recently a new SB a few miles away and they had the cold brew coffee. Still had it late in the day. Not a true coffee drinker but got it and enjoyed it. Everyone in group thought it would work nationally.
Subtle qualities are lost when cold-brewing for iced coffee. No matter what coffee is used, the flavour profile is the same. Starbucks should use leftover ground coffee at the end of the day to make iced coffee for the next day.
I disagree, Liz. I’ve cold brewed many different varieties and brands and can tell the difference.
On the other hand, coffee that is originally hot brewed, then iced, is so acidic that for me it masks the differences in flavor profile.
One of the test stores happens to be my local. I was pleasantly surprised at how good it is.
San Francisco is testing cold brewed coffee now. From what I’ve seen, all company stores in the city of San Francisco have it (until it runs out), but other cities in the SF market don’t.
We just got out Toddy brewer today! I can’t wait to set up a batch tomorrow!! I’ll let you know what we think 🙂