Why There’s a sudden rise of Cold Brew Coffee in India

In India's coffee culture, cold brew and cold coffee are becoming more and more popular, especially among younger customers searching for cool substitutes for regular hot coffee.  Ten years ago, there were very few options available in the cold coffee industry. However, consumers of coffee now have a wide variety of options to select from, including ready-to-drink (RTD) products, nitro cold brew, and flash brew.

Thus, it stands to reason that the RTD coffee industry is becoming more and more competitive as more and more roasters enter it. It's getting more and harder to stand apart, and one of the biggest parts of this is utilizing the latest innovations in beverages.

Because coffee has so much caffeine, individuals are depending on it more and more as their level of mental tiredness rises daily. Not everyone is able to drink hot coffee with milk on the move, and on hot days, many prefer cold options like cold coffee.

Best Option for Calorie Conscious Individuals

Due to its sugar composition, cold coffees are also replaced by cold brews due to their extremely low calorie point. A regular cold coffee can be 750 calories where a cold brew glass can be only of 4 calories. So, a calorie deficit person can prefer cold brew glass rather than a cold coffee.

Market size

The size of the cold brew coffee market was estimated at USD 2.59 billion in 2023, and it is anticipated to increase at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 22.67% from USD 3.16 billion in 2024 to USD 16.22 billion by 2032. With a 35.52% market share in cold brew coffee in 2023, North America led the global market. And the industry is still changing. The value of the worldwide cold coffee market is projected to reach around US $1.4 billion by 2027, growing at a rate of 22% annually, with the RTD segment experiencing the most growth.

Rise in Market Acceptance

 “We all know coffees are brewed fresh, but the trend of packaged cold coffees and cold brews is also on a rise as the market acceptance is increasing. Brands like sleepy owl are doing an amazing job in providing packaged coffees. Not just that, in India, coffee shops are expanding exponentially, and a good glass/ cup of coffee is now more and more accessible. Emerging trends are now of manual brew where people try different origin coffees and try them with different brewing technologies. This trend is arriving due to more and more acceptance of coffee’s profile and the very developed palette of its consumers in Indian markets,” said Saksham Garg, Chef & founder, Camiano Patisserie who explained that the new acceptance market is looking at next innovations in Bubble teas and Matcha.

Innovations in Cold Brew Coffee

Explaining about the evolution of cold brew coffee, Prashant Gupta, Head Barista and Assistant Manager at Grounded Café said, “Cold brew coffee has revolutionized the coffee industry in India, and we're thrilled to be at the forefront of this trend at Grounded Cafe. We've seen a significant increase in demand for cold coffee beverages, particularly among younger generations. As consumers become more adventurous, we've introduced innovative flavors and formats, such as Orange Coldbrew & Sparkling ginger ale Coldbrew and coffee-based mocktails. The future of cold coffee looks promising, with emerging trends like sustainable and eco-friendly packaging, functional ingredients, and unique brewing methods. We're committed to staying ahead of the curve and providing our customers with the best cold coffee experience possible.”

 “We’re thrilled to witness the rapid rise of cold coffee options in the beverage industry. As a specialty café renowned for our exquisite Yemeni coffee, we take pride in offering a unique twist on this trend. Yemeni coffee is celebrated for its naturally sweet and rich flavor, which results in a smoother, less bitter experience compared to many other coffee varieties. This distinctive profile enhances the appeal of our cold brew offerings, making them even more refreshing and enjoyable. Cold brew coffee, known for its smooth, rich flavor and lower acidity, has become a staple in many coffee lovers’ routines,” commented Abbas Aziz, Co-Founder, Aqeeq Café.

He added, “The market for cold coffee beverages is expanding, driven by consumers’ increasing preference for refreshing; high-quality options that offer a unique taste experience. Looking ahead, we anticipate continued growth in this segment, with emerging trends highlighting a focus on sustainability and artisanal crafting. We’re committed to embracing these trends, offering an extensive variety of cold coffee creations that showcase our dedication to both tradition and innovation. Whether you’re a seasoned enthusiast or new to the world of cold coffee, promise an exceptional experience with every sip.”

Rich flavours available

Umesh Bajaj, Partner-Director at Grey Soul Coffee Roasters explained, “As urban centers embrace global food and drink trends, cold coffee beverages are quickly gaining ground, a chilled brew hits just right. This shift has spurred a wave of innovation at Grey Soul Coffee Roasters, charged with its specific roast profiles for cold brew. At Grey Soul Coffee Roasters we have expanded its beverage menu to include a range of cold coffee drinks that have resonated well with the customers. Our cold brew is crafted with high-scoring, specialty Arabica beans, offering a smooth, less acidic profile that has become a favorite for those seeking a rich, yet refreshing coffee experience. Our nitrogen cold brew is another standout, boasting a creamy texture and cascading froth that elevates the cold coffee experience to a new level.’’

“Other popular drinks at Grey Soul include the iced cappuccino and iced matcha latte, both offering a delightful balance of coffee and indulgence,” said Bajaj who elaborated that Berry Tonic from our “Fizz” menu offering is another fan-favorite, and is also seeing an increasing number of orders, as customers appreciate its signature taste mixed with tonic water.

Ashish Bharvirkar, Founder of 729 Grams Coffee said, “Consumers are moving beyond traditional options like frappes and espresso-based drinks. Cold brews are becoming the preferred choice, often brewed overnight or through slow drippers, with many customers enjoying a shot before workouts. At 729 Grams, Vietnamese cold coffee and Spanish lattes, made with condensed milk and coffee brewed from a traditional Vietnamese Phin filter, are among our best sellers. It's exciting to see more people getting educated about Vietnamese coffee culture and moving away from espresso shots to the authentic phin brewing method.”

“Packaging innovation also plays a significant role in driving this trend. We've introduced traditional Chikmagalur filter coffee served cold, which has been well-received, showing that even classic flavours can adapt to the cold coffee market. We also have whiskey-fermented cold brew, made from coffee cherries aged in whiskey barrels, which offers a distinct taste with notes of whiskey and grapes, adding to the premium cold coffee experience, he added that cold brews paired with strawberry purée and mosambi, introduced by us at 729 Grams Coffee, were welcomed very positively by customers.