13 Feb Some Like It Hot (But Most Like It Cold)
Is cold brew coffee just a trend or is it here to stay? Spoiler alert: It’s not going anywhere. What was once a niche indulgence has become essential for many, signaling a major shift in how people get their daily caffeine fix.
The U.S. Leads the Global Cold Brew Craze
Contrary to what you might think, cold coffee isn’t a passing trend. Think of it as a full-blown coffee revolution! Over the past five years, iced coffee sales have grown by an average of 8% annually, while production volume has increased by 5% each year. If you need more proof, just look at Starbucks: in fiscal Q3 of 2024, cold beverages made up a staggering 75% of their drink sales – a massive jump from just 37% in 2013.
The U.S. is at the heart of this movement, accounting for 90% of new product launches. And in North America, 31% of consumers reach for iced coffee when they need an energy boost – solidifying cold brew’s place in the daily routine of millions.
Finally, big brands are taking notice – and acting on it. Nescafé recently introduced its first-ever liquid espresso concentrate in the U.S., designed to deliver exactly what younger consumers crave: “cold, convenient, customizable, and premium,” in their words, but without the long café lines.
Simply put, cold brew is no longer a niche coffee indulgence, but a year-round necessity!
At-Home Cold Brew Innovations Are Changing the Game
As demand for cold brew grows, so does the need for easy ways to make it at home and work. While many office spaces haven’t fully jumped on the cold brew machine bandwagon just yet, it’s only a matter of time before these innovative appliances become more mainstream – especially in high-end breakrooms and executive suites. With more people enjoying cold brew at home, it is an increasingly desired offering at work.
Here are three cold brew machines currently on our radar:
- AstroBrew: No pods. No ice. No waiting 24 hours. AstroBrew is a futuristic countertop appliance, that automatically chills coffee to 32°F in just 20 minutes and keeps it fresh for up to 30 days. This fully funded Kickstarter project is set to start shipping preorders around March 2025.
- Cumulus Coffee: Nitro coffee at the touch of a button? It’s not too good to be true! Cumulus Coffee delivers three distinct cold coffee beverages: nitro cold brew, cold brew, and cold espresso. Its patent-pending technology even pulls nitrogen from the air to create a creamy, foamy nitro cold brew – no separate canisters required. And the best part? Each drink is served pre-chilled, eliminating the need for ice, and ready in under a minute.
- DRNX by BROOD: Possibly the most promising office coffee machine at this time is DRNX. Designed for both home and commercial use, DRNX by BROOD is the ultimate nitro cold brew machine. It flash-chills any liquid – coffee, tea, even mocktails – and infuses it with atmospheric nitrogen for an ultra-smooth, ice-cold pour. Unlike traditional nitro setups, this machine eliminates the need for bulky kegs and can pour five drinks per minute with its advanced cooling technology. (Yes, you read that right!)
Cold Brew: Coming to Your Office Soon?
The shift from hot to cold beverages is undeniable and workplaces will be next, especially in the U.S. Ready-to-drink coffee is on its way to becoming a household staple, so it’s only natural that cold brew innovations will make their way into office breakrooms soon. Employees want refreshing, high-quality, and convenient coffee options, and cold brew machines are shaping up to be the next big office perk.
If your workplace is ready to embrace the cold brew revolution, Coolbreakrooms can connect you with an Authorized Provider who can bring the freshest, most innovative coffee solutions to you.
Contact us today to upgrade your office coffee game!
