The Ultimate Guide to Low-Caffeine and Decaf Cold Brew Coffee Brands

For those who enjoy the smooth, rich flavor of cold brew coffee but are sensitive to caffeine or prefer a lower intake, numerous low-caffeine and decaffeinated options are available. Low-caffeine cold brew is a straightforward way to enjoy the taste of slow-steeped coffee without the jitters. These products provide the signature taste of cold brew without the intense buzz, ranging from true decaf to "half-caf" blends.

Why Choose Low-Caffeine Cold Brew?

Standard cold brew can have a high caffeine content, sometimes exceeding that of hot brewed coffee, due to the high coffee-to-water ratio used in its preparation. A typical cold brew can have 150–250 mg of caffeine per serving. For context, the USDA puts an eight-ounce cup of regular hot coffee at roughly 80–100 mg, while decaf usually lands between 2 and 15 mg. For individuals who are sensitive to caffeine, wish to enjoy coffee in the afternoon or evening, or are looking to reduce their overall caffeine consumption, low-caffeine and decaf cold brews are an excellent choice.

Understanding Decaffeination Processes

The method used to remove caffeine from coffee beans can affect the final taste of the beverage. Many of the top brands use natural, chemical-free processes to preserve the coffee's original flavor.

Swiss Water® Process: This is a popular, chemical-free method that uses only water, temperature, and time to gently remove 99.9% of the caffeine from green coffee beans while preserving the coffee's original flavor and aroma.
Sugarcane E.A. (Ethyl Acetate) Process: In this method, coffee beans are moistened with water, and an ethyl acetate solvent, often naturally derived from sugarcane, is used to extract the caffeine. The beans are then steamed to remove any residual solvent.
Water Process: A general term for methods that use water to extract caffeine, often similar to the Swiss Water Process.

Low-Caffeine & Decaf Cold Brew Brand Comparison

The following table provides a comparison of several leading brands, covering a range of formats from ready-to-drink cans to concentrates and grounds for home brewing.

Low-Caffeine & Decaf Cold Brew Options
Brand	Product	Format	Caffeine Content	Serving Size	Key Features & Flavor Notes	Decaffeination Process
STōK	Not-Too-Sweet Decaf	Ready-to-Drink	0 mg	12 fl oz	Caffeine-free and lightly sweet. Bold, smooth, not bitter.	Not specified
Bizzy	Decaf Cold Brew	Ground Coffee	0 mg	Per serving	100% Arabica beans. Smooth and balanced with notes of chocolate, melon, caramel, and hazelnut.	Water Process
Explorer Cold Brew	The Daydreamer (Decaf)	Concentrate	0-2 mg per 1 oz	1 oz concentrate	Organic Peruvian Arabica. Earthy, low-acid, full-bodied with notes of Toblerone, dark chocolate, umami, and a sweet chicory finish.	Swiss Water® Process
Grady's Cold Brew	Decaf Bean Bags	DIY Kit	3.4 mg per 4 oz concentrate	4 oz concentrate	New Orleans-style blend with chicory and spices. Velvety-smooth and subtly sweet.	Swiss Water® Process
Quivr	Nitro Decaf Cold Brew	Ready-to-Drink	4-8 mg	12 fl oz can	Premium Arabica. Sweet caramel, dense chocolate, spice, and dried fruit with a syrupy-smooth body.	Select Water Process
Wandering Bear	Decaf On Tap Box	Ready-to-Drink (Box)	<8 mg (or 7.5 mg per 6oz)	12 fl oz (or 6 oz)	USDA Organic Peruvian Arabica. Shelf-stable bag-in-box. Bold, strong, and surprisingly smooth.	Swiss Water® Process
Java House	Decaf 4:1 Concentrate	Concentrate	15 mg	8 fl oz prepared	True decaf flavor. Mix 1 part concentrate to 3 parts water.	Not specified
Stone Street Coffee	Cold Brew Swiss Water Decaf	Ground Coffee	Decaffeinated	Per serving	100% Mexican Arabica. Smooth, balanced, bold, low-acid, and slightly sweet.	Swiss Water® Process
Ferris Coffee & Nut Co.	Nitro Cold Brew Low Caffeine	Ready-to-Drink	42 mg	Per can	Naturally sweet with a chocolatey flavor and low acidity.	Not specified
Trader Joe’s	Cold-Brew Concentrate	Concentrate	≈50 mg	12 fl oz prepared	Budget-friendly half-caf option when diluted (e.g., 1 oz concentrate + water).	Not specified
Orbital Coffee	Half-Caff Concentrate	Concentrate	≈50% of regular coffee	8 fl oz prepared	Blend of regular and Swiss-Water decaf beans. Preserves brightness and aroma.	Swiss Water® Process
Joy Ride	Half-Caff Concentrate	Concentrate	≈50% of regular coffee	8 fl oz prepared	Blend of regular and Swiss-Water decaf beans. Notes of chocolate and molasses.	Swiss Water® Process
Savorista	Panorama / Barely Buzzed Half Caf	Whole Beans	Half the caffeine	Per serving	Specializes in low/no caffeine beans. Panorama: blackberries, brown sugared pecans. Barely Buzzed: walnut, baker's chocolate.	Swiss Water® Process
RISE Brewing	Oat-Milk Nitro Latte	Ready-to-Drink	80 mg	7 fl oz can	Dairy-free, zero added sugar. Nitrogen-infused for a creamy texture.	Not specified
Pop & Bottle	Oat-Milk Latte (Double Shot)	Ready-to-Drink	120 mg	8 fl oz can	Organic and naturally sweetened with dates.	Not specified

How to Choose the Right Cold Brew for You

When selecting a low-caffeine cold brew, consider the format and details that best suit your lifestyle and preferences for convenience and customization.

Consider the Format:
- Ready-to-Drink (RTD): Canned or bottled cold brews (like STōK, Quivr, RISE) are convenient for on-the-go consumption.
- Concentrate: Requires dilution with water or milk, allowing you to control the strength and flavor. (e.g., Explorer, Java House, Trader Joe's).
- Grounds/Beans/Kits: For those who prefer to brew at home (e.g., Stone Street, Bizzy, Grady's), this method provides the most control over the final product.
Check Actual Milligrams: "Decaf" may still carry up to 15 mg of caffeine, while "half-caf" often sits near 40–70 mg. Look for specific numbers if you are sensitive.
Mind the Concentration: For concentrates, the listed caffeine is often per ounce. Remember that dilution significantly affects the final caffeine content in your cup.
Watch for Added Sugar: Many flavored or latte-style decaf cold brews add sweeteners. Unsweetened options exist if you prefer to avoid sugar or control sweetness yourself.
Check Storage Needs: Shelf-stable boxes (e.g., Wandering Bear, Java House) can save fridge space, while ready-to-drink bottles and cans will need refrigeration.

Works Cited

Allrecipes. “Typical decaf coffee 2–15 mg per cup.”
Amazon. “Java House – Decaf Cold Brew 4:1 Concentrate,” caffeine 15 mg.
Amazon. “RISE Oat-Milk Nitro Latte, 80 mg caffeine.”
Amazon. “Pop & Bottle Oat-Milk Latte, 120 mg caffeine.”
Amazon listing. “Wandering Bear Decaf On Tap, <8 mg caffeine.”
BevNET.com. (2024, June 17). Explorer Cold Brew Expands Portfolio With Caffeine Conscious Ready-to-Drink Cold Brew Collection.
Bizzy Coffee. (n.d.). Decaf Medium Roast.
DecafLife. (n.d.). The Daydreamer Decaf Cold Brew Concentrate (1:4).
eBay. (n.d.). Bizzy Cold Brew Coffee | Decaf Blend | Water Process | Coarse Ground Coffee.
Explorer Cold Brew. (n.d.). FAQ.
Explorer Cold Brew. (n.d.). Specialty Cold Brew Concentrate | 4 Caf Levels | 32oz | Makes 20 Cups.
Explorer Cold Brew. "The Daydreamer."
Ferris Coffee & Nut Co. (n.d.). Nitro Cold Brew Low Caffeine | Smooth & Refreshing.
Grady's Cold Brew. (n.d.). FAQs.
Grady's Cold Brew. (n.d.). Grady's Cold Brew Decaf Iced Coffee Bean Bag Can, New Orleans Style (4 count, 8 ounces).
Grady's Cold Brew. "Cold Brew Kit (Decaf)."
IBSPOT. (n.d.). Stone Street Cold Brew Decaf Coffee Beans, Swiss Water Process, Low Acid, 100% Arabica, Gourmet Coffee, Medium Roast, Whole Bean, 2 LB.
Java House. “Decaf On Tap (caffeine-free) details.”
Joy Ride. “Half-Caff Concentrate product page.”
Orbital Coffee. “Half-Caff Concentrate, 50 % caffeine.”
Philly Fair Trade. “Half-Caff coffee ≈50 mg per cup.”
Publix. "Bizzy Coffee, Decaf, Medium Roast, Cold Brew."
Quivr. (n.d.). Frequently Asked Questions.
Quivr. (n.d.). Nitro Decaf Cold Brew Coffee.
Reddit. (2025, March 20). Stok Decaf Un-Sweet : r/coldbrew.
Reddit. “Trader Joe’s confirmed 50 mg per ounce of concentrate.”
Savorista Coffee. (n.d.). Panorama Half Caf.
Savorista Coffee. "Low Caffeine Cold Brew Coffees."
Sprudge. (2021, February 21). Coffee Design: Savorista Coffee.
Stone Street Coffee. "Cold Brew Swiss Water Decaf."
STōK website. “Not-Too-Sweet Decaf, caffeine-free.”
STōK. (n.d.). STōK Not Too Sweet Black Decaf Cold Brew Coffee.
Sucafina. "Sugarcane Decaf."
Swiss Water. "Swiss Water."
Target. (n.d.). SToK Decaf Unsweetened Cold Brew Coffee - 48 fl oz.
Target. "SToK Unsweetened Decaf Cold Brew Coffee."
Wandering Bear. (n.d.). Product.
Wandering Bear Coffee. (n.d.). Decaf Cold Brew on Tap (96oz).
Wandering Bear. "Caffeine Content."
WebstaurantStore. (n.d.). Wandering Bear Bag in Box Organic Straight Black Decaf Cold Brew Coffee 96 fl. oz. - 3/Case.
We Got Groceries. (n.d.). Grady's - Decaf Bean Bag Coffee Concentrate, 8oz.