For the busy New Yorker dashing to the subway or the remote worker needing a midday lift: don't settle for mediocre gas station sludge. We've tasted the best (and worst) so you don't have to.
After blind-tasting over 50 brands at our Chelsea HQ, these four contenders rose to the top.
Midnight Origin Flash Brew
Incredibly clean with notes of dark chocolate and zero bitterness. The flash-chill method preserves aromatics perfectly.
Velvet Pour Cold Brew
The cascade effect upon opening is mesmerizing. Offers a Guinness-like mouthfeel with a naturally sweet finish.
OatMazing Macchiato
Zero gums or stabilizers. Just pure oat milk and high-elevation Arabica. Texturally identical to a dairy latte.
Ethos Cycle
Pioneering a 100% biodegradable paper bottle. The coffee is sourced from Fair Trade cooperatives in Peru.
Gone are the days when RTD meant "leftover beans." Look for terms like "Single Origin" or "Specialty Grade". If the can doesn't explicitly state the country of origin (e.g., Ethiopia, Colombia), it's likely a commodity blend designed to be masked by sugar. At Nimbus Brew, we favor brands that transparency listing the farm or co-op.
The ingredient list should be short. For black coffee: water and coffee. For lattes: look for clean milk sources (dairy or plant). Be wary of "Natural Flavors," which can mask low-quality beans, and gums like carrageenan used to thicken thin textures. We prioritize "clean label" products that rely on brewing prowess rather than chemical engineering.
Aluminum cans are infinitely recyclable, making them the gold standard for eco-conscious consumption. Glass is heavy to transport, increasing the carbon footprint. Tetra-paks, while convenient, are difficult to recycle in many New York municipalities. If you're drinking daily, the packaging material matters.
Nitrogen-infused coffee isn't just a gimmick. The N2 gas bubbles are much smaller than CO2 bubbles, creating a thick, creamy mouthfeel without adding dairy or fat. It also reduces perceived acidity, making the coffee taste sweeter without added sugar—perfect for health-conscious connoisseurs.
Last Friday, the Nimbus Brew editorial team and 500 community members opened 10 different cans simultaneously. It was chaotic, caffeinated, and insightful. Members can stream the full breakdown now.
Watch the Replay
