Brown sugar cold brew coffee has become an increasingly popular drink in recent years. As cold brew coffee continues to grow in popularity, many coffee shops and consumers are experimenting with different flavor combinations and add-ins. Brown sugar is one of the most common sweeteners used to enhance the flavor of cold brew. But what exactly does adding brown sugar to cold brew coffee taste like?
The flavor profile of brown sugar cold brew
The addition of brown sugar brings a touch of sweetness and richness that complements the natural flavor of cold brew coffee. Here are some of the main tasting notes you can expect from brown sugar cold brew coffee:
- Smooth and slightly sweet – The brown sugar helps round out the acidity of the cold brew, making it taste smoother and less bitter. The sugar adds a subtle sweetness without being overly sugary.
- Caramel and molasses notes – Brown sugar has distinctive caramel and molasses flavors that come through in the cold brew. These darker, richer notes enhance the chocolate and nutty notes often found in coffee.
- Full-bodied – The brown sugar gives the cold brew a more viscous, syrupy texture, contributing to a fuller mouthfeel.
- Long-lasting sweetness – While white sugar can sometimes make cold brews taste artificially sweet, the molasses in brown sugar provides more depth and longer-lasting sweetness as you drink it.
The amount of brown sugar added will impact the flavor intensity. Usually 1-2 tablespoons per 8-12 oz of cold brew concentrate is enough to balance out bitterness and add sweetness and flavor complexity. More brown sugar will make it taste sweeter, almost like a dessert drink.
How brown sugar complements cold brew coffee
There are a few reasons why brown sugar works so well in cold brew coffee:
- Masks bitterness – Cold brew is known for its smooth, less bitter taste. But it can still have some astringency, especially if made from darker roasts. The brown sugar counters this bitterness.
- Enhances chocolate and nutty notes – Many cold brew coffees feature tasting notes like chocolate, nuts, and caramel. The molasses flavor of the brown sugar naturally brings out these flavors.
- Adds texture – Brown sugar helps give cold brew a thicker, richer mouthfeel.
- Slow-release sweetener – The molasses in brown sugar means the sweetness dissipates more slowly than plain white sugar.
Additionally, brown sugar contains trace minerals like calcium, potassium, iron, and magnesium that some feel may complement the health benefits of coffee.
How to make brown sugar cold brew
Making brown sugar cold brew at home is very simple. Here are two easy methods:
Cold brew method
- Brew a batch of cold brew coffee concentrate. Use around 1/2 cup coarsely ground coffee per 2.5 cups filtered water.
- Let the grounds steep at room temperature or in the fridge for 12-24 hours.
- Strain out the grounds through a coffee filter or fine mesh strainer.
- To serve, stir 1-2 tablespoons of brown sugar into 6-8 oz cold brew concentrate until dissolved.
- Add ice and enjoy!
Hot bloom method
- Add coarse ground coffee to a French press or brewing container.
- Bloom the coffee by pouring a small amount of hot water over the grounds and letting sit for 30 seconds.
- Break up any clumps then add cold or room temperature water to the rest of the way.
- Let steep for 12-24 hours then press and strain out the grounds.
- Add brown sugar to taste and serve over ice.
The hot bloom helps extract flavor from the beans while still achieving a smooth cold brew. This method reduces steeping time to as little as 4 hours.
Brewing tips for best results
Here are some tips for making delicious brown sugar cold brew:
- Use a medium or dark roast – Choose a coffee with chocolate, nutty, or caramel notes to complement the brown sugar
- Grind coffee coarse – As with regular cold brew, a coarse grind helps extract flavor slowly
- Use filtered water – This will result in a purer, better tasting brew
- Reduce steeping time – If using a hot bloom, you can steep for as little as 4 hours
- Store in an airtight container – Prevent oxygen from staleing the coffee
- Skip plain sugar – Brown sugar gives a more complex sweetness
- Add just a splash of milk or cream (optional) – This enhances the nutty notes
You can also experiment with adding other mix-ins like a dash of cinnamon or vanilla for extra flavor complexity.
Suggested brown sugar amounts
The amount of brown sugar you use will impact the sweetness and flavor intensity. Here are suggested amounts based on serving size:
| Beverage Size | Brown Sugar Amount |
|---|---|
| 8 oz | 1 tablespoon |
| 12 oz | 1.5-2 tablespoons |
| 16 oz | 2-3 tablespoons |
| 20 oz | 3-4 tablespoons |
Keep in mind brown sugar packs more sweetness per teaspoon compared to white sugar. Start with less and add more to suit your taste preferences.
Other sweeteners to try
While brown sugar is a popular choice, you can experiment with other sweeteners in your cold brew as well:
- Maple syrup – Adds notes of caramel and vanilla
- Honey – Traces of pollen and wildflower nectar provide subtle floral tones
- Agave nectar – Neutral flavor that blends smoothly into the cold brew
- Cane sugar – Very similar to brown sugar but with a lighter color
- Coconut sugar – Hints of caramel and maple
- Demerara sugar – Large sparkling grains with a delicate toffee flavor
Substitute an equivalent amount of your chosen sweetener for the brown sugar. Taste and adjust the quantity based on your preferences.
Ready-to-drink bottled options
For a convenient brown sugar cold brew you don’t have to make yourself, there are some bottled options to try:
- Blue Bottle – Sweetened with raw cane sugar for a hint of caramelized sweetness
- Califia Farms – Contains a touch of brown sugar along with almond milk for creaminess
- Chameleon Organic Cold-Brew – Brown sugar provides light sweetness to their classic black cold brew
- High Brew – Their Mexican Vanilla flavor uses vanilla and cane sugar for subtle sweetness
- Kohana – A dairy-free latte cold brew with brown sugar and coconut milk
- La Colombe – Textured, oat milk-based draft latte with a brown sugar syrup
Check the ingredient list to confirm the use of brown sugar versus plain cane sugar. The brown sugar will be noticeable in the flavor notes described.
Is brown sugar healthy in cold brew?
While brown sugar does add more nutrients than plain white sugar, it should still be consumed in moderation as part of a healthy diet. Here are some things to consider regarding the health effects of adding brown sugar to cold brew coffee:
- High caloric density – Brown sugar is approximately 15 calories per teaspoon, so larger amounts can add calories.
- Blood sugar spikes – The sucrose in brown sugar is broken down quickly, which can spike blood glucose.
- Nutrient benefits – Brown sugar does provide small amounts of nutrients like potassium, calcium, and iron lacking in white sugar.
- Antioxidants in coffee – Cold brew retains the polyphenol antioxidants found in coffee, which are beneficial.
Enjoying the occasional brown sugar cold brew is unlikely to have negative health effects. But limiting quantities of added sugar and sticking to unsweetened coffee more often is ideal for health.
Should you add milk/cream?
Whether to add dairy or non-dairy milk or creamer to brown sugar cold brew comes down to personal preference. Here are some considerations:
- Dilutes sweetness – Milk or cream can help cut down excessive sweetness from the brown sugar.
- Boosts texture – Adding a splash of milk or cream contributes a smooth, creamy texture.
- Enhances flavors – Milk complements and enhances the caramel and chocolate notes in the coffee.
- Non-dairy options – Almond, oat, soy, and coconut milk can provide creaminess without the dairy.
- Watch added calories – Full-fat milk and cream add more calories. Opt for lower fat versions if concerned.
Some people enjoy brown sugar cold brew just as is, while others like to add a small amount of milk, cream, or non-dairy alternative. This comes down to personal preferences around sweetness, texture, and flavor.
Cold brew concentrates
Cold brew coffee is often brewed in a concentrate form for convenience and customizability. The concentrate can be diluted to taste:
- Brew a regular or brown sugar concentrate – Steep for 12-24 hours then strain out grounds
- Dilute 1:1 with water or milk – Mix equal parts concentrate and water/milk over ice
- Dilute 1:2 with water or milk – For lighter concentration, do 1 part concentrate to 2 parts water/milk
- Adjust sweetener – Add more or less brown sugar to taste after diluting
Concentrate allows you to easily tweak the strength and sweetness. It also allows making a large batch that lasts for multiple servings over time.
Drawbacks of brown sugar in cold brew
While brown sugar cold brew has a delicious taste, there are a few potential drawbacks to consider:
- Added calories from sugar – Brown sugar adds 15 calories per teaspoon.
- Not ideal for restrictive diets – The added sugar makes it unsuitable for low-carb, keto, or low glycemic diets.
- May cause blood sugar spikes – The high sucrose content of brown sugar can rapidly impact blood glucose.
- Less healthy than plain cold brew – Unsweetened cold brew avoids extra calories and carbs.
- Sugar settles to the bottom – The brown sugar can sink and collect in the last sips.
- Not always available when purchased – Pre-made bottled options don’t always contain brown sugar.
For these reasons, brown sugar cold brew may not be the best choice for every health condition, diet, or taste preference. But enjoyed occasionally, it can be a delicious cold coffee treat.
FAQs
Why is it called brown sugar?
Brown sugar gets its name and distinctive color from the presence of molasses. Molasses is added back into refined white sugar, or sugar cane juice is boiled less to produce sugar with residual molasses and a brown color.
Is brown sugar just white sugar with molasses?
Essentially, yes. Brown sugar consists of white granulated sugar with added molasses. The molasses provides the brown color and supplies deeper, caramelized flavor notes.
Is brown sugar healthier than white sugar?
Brown sugar does contain trace amounts of some minerals like potassium, calcium, and iron that white sugar lacks. But it is still approximately 99% sucrose. So while marginally healthier, brown sugar should still be eaten in moderation.
Can you use raw sugar instead?
Yes, raw sugar or turbinado can be substituted for brown sugar in cold brew recipes. Raw sugar is less processed so it retains some molasses content to provide a hint of caramel sweetness.
Does it have to be cold?
No, you can also enjoy brown sugar’s flavor contribution to hot coffee. The brown sugar will dissolve readily in piping hot coffee. Just stir it in to taste after brewing.
Conclusion
Brown sugar cold brew strikes an ideal balance of sweetness, richness, and complexity of flavor. The molasses notes from the brown sugar complement the natural tasting profile of cold brew coffee. Adding just a couple tablespoons to a cold brew concentrate results in a smooth, caramel-flavored chilled coffee drink. Brown sugar cold brew makes for an indulgent special treat. But be mindful of added sugars and enjoy in moderation as part of a healthy lifestyle.