Does Cold Brew Really Have More Caffeine?

Cold brew has earned the reputation for packing an extra kick—but is that really the case? As with any great cup, the answer is layered and nuanced. Caffeine levels in coffee aren’t universal; they depend on a variety of factors, from the origins and growing conditions of the beans to the way they’re roasted and brewed.

Coffee Type and Roast Level Matter

Not all coffee beans hold the same amount of caffeine. Factors like altitude and region shape a bean’s composition, meaning some naturally contain more caffeine than others. Roast level also plays a role—while dark roasts may taste bolder, they actually have slightly less caffeine than lighter roasts due to the roasting process. And then there’s brewing style. Espresso, for example, is highly concentrated, packing more caffeine into a small, intense shot.

What Sets Cold Brew Apart?

Cold brew is a slow and steady craft—coarsely ground coffee steeped in cool water for 8 to 30 hours at a concentrated 1:8 or 1:9 coffee-to-water ratio. This makes it much stronger than a traditional hot batch brew, which uses a 1:16 or 1:17 ratio for a balanced and approachable cup. Espresso takes intensity even further, brewed at a bold 1:2 ratio, packing more flavor into every sip.

Without heat to speed up extraction, cold brew develops at its own pace, bringing out a naturally smooth, subtly sweet character with low acidity. It’s not the same as  iced coffee (or flash brew), which starts hot before being rapidly chilled, holding onto more of the acidity and brightness of a classic cup. Different brewing methods bring out different expressions of coffee—each shaped by time, temperature, and the balance of coffee and water.

So, Does Cold Brew Have More Caffeine?

Cold brew is typically brewed as a concentrate, which means it starts out with a higher caffeine content. However, most cold brew is diluted before serving—bringing its caffeine levels closer to that of a regular cup of batch-brewed coffee. How strong it actually is depends on the beans used and the amount of water added before serving.

At Unbound Brews, we craft our cold brew with balance in mind. We utilize a proprietary small batch process to increase the extraction of flavor while reducing the steep time before we deliver our fresh and naturally sweet cold brew right to your door. Our cold brew is ready to drink—no dilution needed—so you can enjoy a perfectly brewed, easy-to-take coffee wherever your journey takes you.