Guide · Beans and ground coffee
The best coffee for cold brew in the UK
Why cold brew needs a coarse grind, which UK supermarket ground coffees and beans fit, Starbucks' own cold brew ratio and steeping time, and prices checked on 3 Oct 2026.
The best coffee for cold brew in UK supermarkets is hiding in plain sight: there’s almost nothing labelled “cold brew”, but any coffee ground coarse for a cafetière will do the job. This guide explains why cold brew needs a coarse grind, picks ground coffees and beans that fit, and gives the ratio and steeping time from Starbucks’ own cold brew guide. Searching for the best coffee for cold brew UK shops sell mostly turns up ready-to-drink cans, so this guide sticks to coffee you brew yourself. We haven’t tested this in person. Picks are based on pack details and prices checked on 3 Oct 2026. Read how we compare.
Why cold brew needs a coarse grind
Cold brew steeps coffee in cold or room-temperature water for hours rather than minutes. Starbucks’ cold brew guide puts it simply: because the grounds are in contact with water for a longer time, the method calls for a coarse grind.
- Too fine, and the coffee over-extracts over 12 hours and is hard to strain, leaving sludge.
- Coarse, the same as a cafetière grind, strains cleanly through a press, cloth or paper filter.
That’s why the best supermarket match is a pack labelled for cafetières. Packs labelled for espresso or moka are ground too fine.
Who it isn’t for: anyone who wants iced coffee in minutes. Cold brew takes around 12 hours.
Best coffee for cold brew UK: ground picks
When we searched on 3 Oct 2026, Morrisons’ “cold brew coffee” results were all ready-to-drink, and Sainsbury’s showed cold brew lattes and liqueurs. So these are cafetière-grind packs instead.
Costa Dark Amazonian Blend ground for cafetière and filter, 200g. Sold specifically as cafetière and filter ground, dark roast, strength 5 of 6, rich and intense with caramel notes. £3.50 at Morrisons, checked 3 Oct 2026. The cheapest dark option here.
Taylors Rich Italian ground, 200g. Taylors says it’s best served in a cafetière or filter. Medium roast (roast 4) with dark chocolate and almond notes, 100% arabica. £5.75 at Morrisons, checked 3 Oct 2026.
Cafédirect Machu Picchu ground, 200g. Strength 4, medium-dark with dark chocolate overtones, Fairtrade and organic, and labelled for filter and cafetière. Check price at Morrisons.
Morrisons Anytime ground, 227g. Medium strength, labelled for all coffee makers, with cafetière instructions on the pack. £3.60 at Morrisons, checked 3 Oct 2026, the cheapest per kilo here at £15.86.
Who it isn’t for: anyone who wants a properly coarse grind. Supermarket “cafetière” coffee is often a medium-coarse all-rounder, so strain carefully.
Grinding your own beans
A grinder lets you go properly coarse, which suits cold brew best. A good value bean option:
Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference Single Origin Colombian, 1kg. 100% arabica, single origin. £16.50 at Sainsbury’s, checked 3 Oct 2026.
Cold brew uses a lot of coffee, so a 1kg bag makes sense. At Starbucks’ ratio (below), a litre of concentrate takes over 120g of coffee. Our best burr grinder under £100 guide covers grinders that go coarse, and our coffee beans hub has more beans.
Who it isn’t for: anyone without a grinder. Use a cafetière-grind pack instead.
Ratio and steeping basics
Starbucks at Home’s UK cold brew guides give a simple method:
- Ratio: 22g of coarse ground coffee (about 4 tablespoons) for every 180ml of water.
- Water: cold or room temperature. Stir gently once or twice to wet the grounds.
- Steep: 12 hours, lid on.
- Strain: press the plunger slowly if you’re using a cafetière, or strain through cheesecloth from a jar. Starbucks suggests a second paper filter for a smoother result.
- Serve: one part concentrate to one part water, over fresh ice. Add more or less water to taste.
Starbucks’ guide pairs this with its own Sunsera Blend ground coffee. We didn’t find that blend at Morrisons or Sainsbury’s on 3 Oct 2026.
Keep the concentrate in the fridge. Starbucks also suggests freezing leftovers as ice cubes. If you’re choosing kit, see our best cold brew coffee maker guide.
Who it isn’t for: anyone short on fridge space. A batch takes up a jug.
Which roast for cold brew?
The brand guide we read doesn’t name a roast. Dark and medium-dark blends such as Costa Dark Amazonian or Cafédirect Machu Picchu give chocolatey notes that suit milk. Single origins such as the Colombian give a lighter cup. Starbucks describes slow-steeped cold brew as smooth, so it’s worth trying the roast you already like hot.
Who it isn’t for: anyone who wants a definitive answer. It comes down to taste.
Downsides
- Almost nothing labelled “cold brew” in the supermarkets we checked.
- Uses a lot of coffee at Starbucks’ ratio.
- It takes planning. Cold brew steeps for hours, so make a batch the day before you want it and keep it in the fridge.
- We couldn’t check Tesco, Asda, Ocado or Waitrose, which blocked our checks.
FAQ
What grind is best for cold brew? Coarse, like a cafetière grind. Starbucks’ guide says the long contact time calls for a coarse grind.
How long should cold brew steep? Starbucks’ guide says 12 hours.
What’s the cold brew coffee to water ratio? Starbucks uses 22g of coarse ground coffee per 180ml of water, then dilutes the concentrate one to one with water.
Can you use espresso ground coffee for cold brew? It’s too fine. It will be hard to strain and can taste bitter. Choose a cafetière-grind pack.