L.A.'s Absolute Best Cold Brews
It’s too hot outside for drip, and life’s too short to drink bad coffee. These shops make our favorite ice-cold coffees in town.
One could argue that cold brew season is year-round in Los Angeles. Some mornings, however, are chillier than others, and no mornings are chilly right now. We’ve entered the dead of summer. And knowing where to get a top-notch, ice-cold coffee is crucial to a summertime well-lived.
Unfortunately, there’s a lot of mid-to-bad cold brew around town, which can ruin your day if you let it. A crisp, flavorful, and potent cold brew, on the other hand, hits like nothing else on an 85-degree morning when the sun is beating down through your windshield.
If you’re paying $6 for a cold brew (the going rate these days), you shouldn’t have to feel like you’re working through it or that it needs to be washed down with water or food. You should enjoy it. We feel strongly about this, which is why we’ve sought out the best cups of cold coffee in L.A.
I’m addicted to caffeine, and I like for things to taste great. I also love a cold, hard-hitting cup of coffee on a hot day. David is a coffee snob who appreciates the coffee-making process. He enjoys cold brew not for the jolt but for the flavor. He taught me that black is the only way to drink cold brew, that if you can’t enjoy it pure, it sucks. Together, we’ve compiled a list of the best cold brews in Los Angeles based on the following criteria.
The Criteria
Clarity. Is the cold brew drowned out by cloudiness or astringency? We like a clean, crisp cold brew where you can taste the flavor of the bean in each sip.
Body. Is it weak and watery, or thick and sludgy? Both are bad. We want a balanced brew with a silky and substantial body.
Flavor. Did the brewer allow the flavor of the roast to come through? Fruity or chocolatey, whatever the notes may be, your cold brew should taste like something. When the beans are incorrectly brewed, your palette can be subject to yucky sourness, searing acidity, or overwhelming bitterness.
Ice. The bigger the ice cube, the less quickly your coffee will dilute. 1x1-inch square cubes are our favorite and the most preferred ice cube amongst the coffee shops that make our favorite cold brews. Crushed iced is cute, but unfortunately, it's a no-go.
The List
These are the shops whose cold brews made the cut. Rest assured, we’ve traversed the city in search of the best. That said, if your favorite cold brew is missing from the list, shout it in the comments.
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