Shoppers comparing sugars
If cold coffee is going alongside winter snacks or desserts, compare total sugars on the nutrition panel. A drink labelled “no added sugar” can still contain sugars.
Who is choosing cold brew?
Caffeine-conscious coffee drinkers
Look for a decaffeinated product when limiting caffeine is the priority. For a caffeinated drink, check the amount stated on its label alongside other sources you consume.
Shoppers avoiding dairy
An oat-based latte offers a different format from black coffee, but dairy-free wording does not establish whether it is suitable for someone with coeliac disease or a wheat allergy.
What should you check?
Start with the distinction that matters to you—total sugars, caffeine or ingredients—then check whether the pack size suits how you will use the drink.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Total sugars | Read the sugars line, not just a “no added sugar” claim. Compare the same amount of drink: Nolo lists 4.8g per 250ml, while Tesco Finest concentrate lists 0g per prepared 200ml glass. | I want to know the sugars in the drink I will actually serve, including anything I add to black coffee. |
| Caffeine | Look for an explicit decaffeinated description if that is your preference. For caffeinated cold brew, check whether caffeine is stated per 100ml or per serving. | If I am keeping track of caffeine, the drink needs to fit alongside the tea, coffee and other sources I have that day. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Check whether the latte contains milk or oat, then read the current allergen statement. M&S says its oat cold brew is not suitable for coeliacs or people with a wheat allergy. | A dairy-free drink appeals to me, but I still need to check whether its other ingredients are suitable. |
| Use after opening | Check the preparation instructions and the pack’s refrigeration and use-after-opening directions. Do not assume a concentrate and a ready-to-drink latte keep for the same period. | For an occasional drink, I would rather choose a format I can use within its stated storage window. |
Common label and storage mistakes
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Reading “no added sugar” as zero sugars
Milk- and oat-based lattes can list sugars even when no sugar has been added. Nolo’s decaf oat latte, for example, lists 4.8g sugars per 250ml.
Check total sugars on the nutrition panel and compare products on the same serving basis.
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Using dairy-free and lactose-free interchangeably
These descriptions answer different ingredient questions. M&S states that its dairy-free oat cold brew is not suitable for coeliacs or people with a wheat allergy; a lactose-free milk drink is not automatically suitable for a milk allergy.
For an allergy, read the current ingredients and allergen statement for the specific product.
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Assuming cold brew is caffeine-free
Cold brewing does not itself make a drink decaffeinated. Nolo describes its oat latte as water-decaffeinated, whereas the Sandows black cold brew listing states that it contains caffeine.
Choose a product explicitly described as decaffeinated when that distinction matters, and check caffeine information on caffeinated drinks.
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Overlooking storage after opening
An opened concentrate and an opened ready-to-drink latte can have different refrigeration and use-by instructions. A larger format is less convenient if it will remain unfinished beyond its stated window.
Check the pack before choosing between repeat servings from a concentrate and a single-serve drink.
Brand and retailer references
These examples illustrate different cold-brew formats and label checks; a retailer reference does not mean the drink is its own-brand product.
Tesco finest
Its unsweetened cold-brew concentrate is a black-coffee option for shoppers who want to dilute the drink and choose any additions themselves.
- Tesco lists 0g sugars per prepared 200ml glass.
- Adding milk or a plant drink changes the finished drink’s nutrition and allergen information.
Nolo
Its decaf oat cold-brew latte is a ready-to-drink, dairy-free format for shoppers who also want to consider caffeine.
- Nolo describes the latte as water-decaffeinated, with no added sugar or sweeteners.
- The 250ml drink still lists 4.8g sugars and contains oat.
M&S
Its oat cold-brew latte provides a chilled, dairy-free latte format rather than black coffee.
- The product lists 1.5g sugars per 100g.
- M&S states that it is not suitable for coeliacs or people with a wheat allergy.
Waitrose
Waitrose lists branded chilled coffees, including Emmi Caffè Latte Skinny; Emmi is not a Waitrose own-label drink.
- The Emmi listing states 80mg caffeine per cup and describes the drink as having no added sugar.
- It still lists naturally occurring sugars and contains sweeteners.
Sandows
Its ready-to-drink black cold brew is an alternative to a milk- or oat-based latte.
- The Coffee Friend UK listing describes it as made from coffee and filtered water, with 0g sugars per 100ml.
- It contains caffeine, so it does not serve the same need as a decaffeinated latte.
Cold brew options on Joybuy
This black cold-brew coffee liquid is an option for shoppers comparing declared sugars and deciding what, if anything, to add to their drink.
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J.ZAO Extra-Strong Americano Cold Brew Coffee Liquid, 25ml × 10 pouches
For a black coffee whose additions you choose yourself, this 10-pouch pack is described as having 0g sugars. Check the pack’s serving basis before using its calorie information for a comparison, and check the caffeine information if you need to track your intake.
Cold brew questions
Does “no added sugar” mean cold brew has no sugars?
No. Check total sugars on the nutrition panel: Nolo’s no-added-sugar decaf oat latte lists 4.8g per 250ml. Tesco Finest concentrate, by contrast, lists 0g sugars per prepared 200ml glass before any additions.
What should I choose if I want to limit caffeine?
Look for a specifically decaffeinated product rather than relying on the words “cold brew”. Nolo describes its oat latte as water-decaffeinated; for other drinks, check the stated caffeine amount. NHS guidance says pregnant people should not have more than 200mg caffeine a day from all sources.
Is a dairy-free cold-brew latte suitable for coeliacs?
Not necessarily. Dairy-free does not establish gluten or wheat suitability: M&S explicitly says its Oat Latte Cold Brew Coffee is not suitable for coeliacs or people with a wheat allergy. Check the current product’s ingredients and allergen statement.
How should I store cold brew once it is open?
Follow the instructions for the particular drink. Tesco says to refrigerate its opened concentrate and consume it within four weeks, while Nolo says to refrigerate its opened oat latte and consume it within 24 hours.