Cold Brew on Tap vs. Cold Brew Concentrate: Which Fits Your Routine?

Quick answer

If you want grab-and-go simplicity and a perfectly balanced cup every time, choose ready-to-drink cold brew. If you prefer to control strength and stretch each bottle further, cold brew concentrate is the better value. Your routine and taste preferences decide the winner.

Cold brew has become a kitchen staple, but the shelf is crowded with options. Two of the most popular are ready-to-drink cold brew and cold brew concentrate. Both deliver that smooth, low-acid flavor, but they serve different routines. Here’s how to decide which fits yours.

We’ll compare La Colombe’s Cold Brew and Cold Brew Concentrate side by side, looking at strength, convenience, and cost. You’ll know exactly which one to grab for your morning commute or your home coffee bar.

What’s the difference?

Ready-to-drink cold brew is brewed and bottled at the perfect strength. You open the bottle and pour—no mixing, no measuring. La Colombe’s Cold Brew is described as 'pure gold,' perfected over three decades at their cafés, with attention to roasting temperature, brewing time, and coffee-water ratio. It’s straight-up perfection in a bottle.

Cold brew concentrate, on the other hand, is a bold base that you dilute. La Colombe’s Cold Brew Concentrate is 'pure, undiluted' and 'punches way above its weight.' The brand recommends mixing 1 part concentrate with 3 parts water. That means one bottle gives you multiple servings, and you control the strength.

• Ready-to-drink: open and pour, no prep.
• Concentrate: mix with water or milk to your taste.

Strength and flavor control

If you like your cold brew strong and consistent, ready-to-drink is foolproof. The recipe is dialed in, so every sip tastes the same. You don’t have to worry about over-diluting or ending up with a bitter batch.

Concentrate gives you flexibility. You can mix it 1:3 for a standard cup, or add less water for an extra-strong iced coffee. You can even use it in recipes like cold brew lattes or baking. The trade-off is that you have to do the mixing yourself, which adds a step to your routine.

• Ready-to-drink: consistent strength every time.
• Concentrate: customizable strength, but requires measuring.

Cost and value

At first glance, the concentrate seems pricier, but it’s actually more economical. La Colombe’s Cold Brew Concentrate is listed at $14.00, while the ready-to-drink Cold Brew is $17.00. Since the concentrate is diluted 1:3, one bottle yields more cups than a single ready-to-drink bottle.

If you drink cold brew daily, the concentrate will save you money over time. If you only have it occasionally, the ready-to-drink might be worth the extra cost for the convenience. Consider how often you reach for cold brew and how much you value a no-fuss pour.

• Concentrate: more servings per bottle, better value for daily drinkers.
• Ready-to-drink: higher per-cup cost, but zero prep.

Convenience and portability

Ready-to-drink cold brew is the ultimate grab-and-go. It’s perfect for tossing in your bag on the way to work, keeping in the fridge for a quick afternoon pick-me-up, or serving at a picnic. No measuring cups or stirring required.

Concentrate requires a bit more planning. You need to mix it before drinking, which means having a glass, water, and a spoon handy. It’s less portable, but you can mix a batch ahead of time and store it in the fridge for the week. If you’re a meal-prepper, the concentrate fits your routine beautifully.

• Ready-to-drink: ideal for on-the-go and instant gratification.
• Concentrate: great for batch prep and home use.

The trade-offs at a glance

• Convenience: Ready-to-drink wins for zero prep. Concentrate requires mixing, but you can batch-prepare. Choose ready-to-drink if you value speed over control.
• Strength control: Concentrate lets you adjust strength to your taste. Ready-to-drink is fixed. Choose concentrate if you like to customize your brew.
• Cost per cup: Concentrate offers more servings per bottle, lowering cost per cup. Ready-to-drink is pricier per serving. Choose concentrate for daily drinking on a budget.

Product facts at a glance

• Cold Brew: Brewed bold. Crafted cold. Pure gold. Stay stocked on our signature Cold Brew—perfected at our cafés, perfect for any occasion. We put in the work and fine-tuned the recipe over three decades at our cafés, sweating every detail, from roasting temperature to brewing time to coffee-water ratio. This is straight-up perfection. You get a perfectly balanced, ready-to-drink cold brew with no guesswork. Ideal for those who want café quality without any prep.
• Cold Brew Concentrate: A bold base for coffee creativity. Our rich, smooth, signature Cold Brew in its pure, undiluted form—perfect for any cold coffee creation. This bottle punches way above its weight, so mix it with filtered water (we recommend 1 part concentrate to 3 parts water), and get to making. You control the strength and stretch each bottle further. Perfect for customizing your cup or experimenting with recipes.

Which one fits your routine?

Best for

• Busy commuters who want grab-and-go cold brew without any prep.
• Occasional cold brew drinkers who value simplicity over cost.

Not for

• Daily drinkers who want to save money and don’t mind a quick mix.
• Home baristas who like to experiment with strength and recipes.

Both La Colombe’s Cold Brew and Cold Brew Concentrate deliver smooth, café-quality cold brew. The right choice depends on your routine: grab the ready-to-drink for instant satisfaction, or the concentrate to stretch your dollar and customize your cup. Whichever you pick, you’re getting a brew perfected over decades.