Shoppers looking for a fizzy coffee
If carbonation is the reason you want sparkling cold brew, check the individual drink rather than assuming that cold brew in a chilled-drinks range is fizzy.
Who is this for?
Shoppers weighing convenience against preparation
A chilled latte is ready to drink; a concentrate needs mixing. Decide which format fits your first shop before choosing a product.
Shoppers checking dairy or alcohol
A milk-based cold-brew latte, a vegan concentrate and a coffee liqueur are different purchases. Read the ingredients and product category for the particular drink.
What should you check?
Start with carbonation and drink format, then check ingredients and whether the product fits the way you plan to serve it.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Carbonation | Look for “sparkling” or “carbonated” on the individual drink. Check whether it is a ready-to-drink beverage or a base you would mix with sparkling water. | I want bubbles in the drink I buy, not just cold brew listed alongside fizzy drinks. |
| Preparation | Check whether the drink is ready to serve or needs diluting. Tesco describes its sweetened cold brew as a concentrate to mix with cold water; M&S describes its Classic Latte Cold Brew Coffee as ready to drink from the fridge. | For a drink straight from the shop, I would choose a ready-to-drink format. If I can mix one at home, a concentrate is another option. |
| Ingredients | Read the ingredients and nutrition panel for the exact variant. M&S’s Classic Latte contains semi-skimmed milk; Tesco’s sweetened concentrate contains demerara sugar. | I need to know whether my coffee contains milk or added sugar rather than making assumptions from “cold brew”. |
| Drink category | Check whether the product is a coffee drink or a liqueur, and inspect the alcohol information where relevant. Sainsbury’s lists Tia Maria Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur among liqueurs and spirits. | When shopping for a non-alcoholic coffee, I do not want a cold-brew liqueur substituted for a soft drink. |
Buying mistakes to avoid
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Assuming cold brew in a chilled-drinks range is sparkling
M&S lists fizzy drinks and cold brew within its wider chilled-drinks range, but its Classic Latte Cold Brew Coffee is described as a milk-based drink.
Check the individual pack or product description for explicit carbonation wording.
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Expecting a concentrate to be ready to drink
Tesco’s sweetened cold-brew concentrate has dilution instructions, so it does not serve the same grab-and-go purpose as a chilled drink.
Read the preparation directions and check stock before relying on a concentrate for your first shop.
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Assuming cold brew is dairy-free or unsweetened
M&S’s Classic Latte contains semi-skimmed milk, while Tesco’s vegan sweetened concentrate contains demerara sugar.
Check the ingredients and nutrition information on the exact product you intend to buy.
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Confusing coffee liqueur with a soft drink
A cold-brew name can also appear on an alcoholic product: Sainsbury’s lists Tia Maria Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur in its liqueurs and spirits range.
Check the full product category and alcohol information before checkout.
Brand and retailer references
Tesco Finest
Tesco lists a 500 ml sweetened cold-brew coffee concentrate, rather than describing that product as a sparkling ready-to-drink coffee.
- The concentrate is made with Arabica coffee and has directions for mixing it with cold water.
- It contains demerara sugar and requires preparation; check current stock before planning to buy it.
M&S
M&S’s Classic Latte Cold Brew Coffee is a chilled, ready-to-drink coffee made with semi-skimmed milk.
- It can be drunk straight from the fridge without dilution.
- It contains dairy and is not described as a sparkling coffee; check local availability for a planned shop.
Sandows
Comunicaffe International reported Sandows’ launch of Citrus and Spice sparkling cold-brew coffee sodas in March 2018.
- The reported sodas combined cold-brew coffee with a sparkling format.
- A 2018 launch does not establish whether those drinks are available for a shop now.
Joybuy cold-brew option
This portioned cold-brew concentrate is an option for making a fizzy coffee with sparkling water at home, not a ready-to-drink sparkling coffee.
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J.ZAO Extra-Strong Americano Dark Roast Cold Brew Coffee Liquid, 10 × 25 ml pouches
For a fizzy drink, mix this concentrate with sparkling water; the pouches themselves are not ready-to-drink sparkling coffee. The listing describes ten 25 ml pouches and preparation with hot or cold water. Check availability for your shop and inspect the pack if alcohol status matters to your choice.
Frequently asked questions
Does “cold brew” mean a coffee is sparkling?
No. “Cold brew” does not confirm carbonation: Tesco’s sweetened product is a concentrate to dilute, and M&S’s Classic Latte Cold Brew Coffee is a milk-based drink. Look for “sparkling” or “carbonated” on the particular drink.
Can I make a first-shop coffee drink from concentrate?
Yes, if you are happy to prepare it. Tesco gives cold-water dilution instructions for its sweetened concentrate; follow the directions on the bottle and check stock before depending on it for your shop.
Is M&S Classic Latte Cold Brew Coffee dairy-free?
No. M&S describes its Classic Latte Cold Brew Coffee as containing semi-skimmed milk. Check the ingredients on the pack if avoiding dairy is important to you.
Is cold-brew coffee liqueur a sparkling soft-drink alternative?
No. Sainsbury’s lists Tia Maria Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur among liqueurs and spirits, not as a non-alcoholic sparkling coffee. Check the category and alcohol information when selecting a drink.
What should I read on a packaged coffee drink label?
Check the ingredients, including allergens, as well as the quantity and date marking. UK government food-labelling guidance identifies these as information to display on pre-packed food and drink; the ingredients can help you check for milk, while the product description should confirm whether the drink is sparkling.