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Here’s how Starbucks, Dunkin’, Wendy’s, and Chick-fil-A stack up.
In the last decade, cold brew has become nearly as ubiquitous as lattes and drip. You can get it over ice at your local coffee shop, in a jug at the grocery store, or a single-serve can at any corner market. You can even make it at home from scratch or with a concentrate, combining it with water or milk to your desired strength.
However, during the times when you need the bold, extra-strong caffeine boost most — in the morning rush to work, on a road trip, or at the airport — fast-food chains have some of the most accessible and convenient options.
There are only a handful of major, nationwide chains that serve cold brew. But which ones are worth drinking? We tasted cold brew from Chick-fil-A, Dunkin’, Starbucks, and Wendy’s side by side in a brand-concealed taste test to find out. Here’s how they rank, from worst to best.
Related: What’s the Difference Between Cold Brew and Iced Coffee?
4. Chick-fil-A
Our editors unanimously agreed that Chick-fil-A’s cold brew was far too intense. “It’s like they’re trying to prove something by having the biggest, boldest flavor, but it just feels like they’re compensating for something,” said Editorial Director Dylan Garret. At $4.13 for a large cup, it was the least expensive cold brew we tried.
Made from a concentrate, the Chick-fil-A cold brew was so sour that we had trouble drinking more than a few sips. Some of our editors even suspected that it was burnt. Restaurant Editor Erika Adams was the only taste-tester willing to go to bat for this cold brew, arguing that it was the only one out of the four that really committed to the classic astringent flavors — although she was grimacing as she sipped, too.
To be fair, Chick-fil-A’s cold brew might not be designed to be enjoyed black. The standard order comes with 2% milk and cane sugar. Perhaps the sweetness and dairy would help mellow that aggressive flavor, but ultimately, a good cold brew should be good enough to drink on its own.
3. Wendy’s
Wendy’s cold brew, which cost us $4.19, is made with Indonesian coffee beans and was utterly satisfactory. We noticed that it smelled a bit artificial, with strong notes of vanilla and chicory. But when it came to the taste, our editors felt like there was too much going on. “It has such an odd flavor,” said Social Media Editor Bianca Trinidad. “It’s a mix of nutty, smoky, but also bacon-y.”
It’s possible that the distinct flavor is better suited for Wendy’s Frosty Cream Cold Brew, the signature drink made with Frosty creamer and vanilla, chocolate, or caramel syrup. Still, no matter what it’s mixed with, this cold brew is good enough to drink when you’re desperate for a caffeine boost.
2. Dunkin’
Dunkin’ cold brew is exactly what we’d want and expect from a big coffee chain: strong, roasty, and inoffensive. Steeped for 12 hours, this coffee lacks the acidic, complex backbone of many premium cold brews that jerk your body awake, but the majority of our editors didn’t mind it — especially considering it only cost $5.29 for a large.
“It’s well balanced,” said News & Trending Editor Merlyn Miller. “If you want something that tastes a little like cocoa and a dark roast, I think this is a good choice.” Dunkin’ cold brew is consistent and reliable, whether you drink it black, stir in some cream, or top it with strawberry cold foam.
Best overall: Starbucks
At 20 hours, Starbucks’ cold brew is steeped longer than any of the other contenders. We could taste the difference. It was just acidic and strong enough to deliver complexity without making you feel like you’re going to have a heart attack after three sips. “This is quite good,” said Associate Director of Digital Production Elsa Säätelä. “It feels smooth and not bitter, easy to drink, and has that ‘cold brew’ feel.”
For the price (we spent $5.45 on a 20-ounce venti), it’s about the closest you can come to premium cold brew — and you can buy it nearly anywhere in the world.
Read the original article on Food & Wine
