In this article, you’ll learn:
- How popular canned nitro cold brew coffee is
- Which factors are most important for RTD cold brew formulation
- Why working with private label partners can be an effective strategy
The ready-to-drink (RTD) coffee category has rapidly evolved into one of the most commercially attractive segments in the coffee industry. Within it, canned nitro cold brew coffee has emerged as a premium format that combines convenience with specialty-grade coffee.
For roasters and drinks businesses, the opportunity for growth with canned nitro cold brew coffee is vast. However, launching your own drinks range, especially in RTD formats, requires a lot of work. Often, you need a clear understanding of market demand and the logistical requirements prior to launching.
To learn more about launching your own range of canned nitro cold brew coffee, I spoke to Chloe Maciver. She is the Operations Manager at Perky Blenders Coffee Roasters, a coffee business based in Walthamstow, London. Read on for her insight.
How high is the demand for canned nitro cold brew coffee?
Consumer demand for cold brew, and particularly RTD formats, is growing quickly across retail and hospitality channels. In the UK alone, 43% of consumers drink cold brew at least once a month, signalling its transition from a niche product into a mainstream staple.
The growth of canned nitro cold brew coffee is closely aligned with wider shifts in consumer behaviour. More than ever before, they look for convenience, with RTD formats enabling on-the-go consumption while maintaining a high perceived quality.
Chloe has seen this shift first-hand. “We’re seeing really strong demand for canned nitro cold brew, and it’s still growing fast,” she tells me. “More people want grab-and-go drinks, but they still expect high-quality coffee, without compromise. They’re also moving away from sugary energy drinks towards cleaner options, and cold coffee has become an all-year thing rather than just a summer brew.”
Nitro cold brew, in particular, aligns closely with these expectations. Its naturally smooth texture and perceived sweetness allow you to deliver a premium experience without added sugar or dairy. This positions it as both indulgent and functional, which is an increasingly important combination in today’s market.
“Cold brew brings that extra premium feel – a smooth texture, natural sweetness, and no fuss,” she adds. “This makes it really stand out in a crowded fridge, and keeps drawing new people into the category.”
These factors help explain the growing interest in canned nitro cold brew coffee across multiple channels. It’s no longer an emerging trend, but instead a high-growth segment with strong consumer pull across multiple channels.
In canned formats, nitrogen is typically introduced using a widget or dosing system that releases gas when the can is opened. This creates the characteristic cascading effect and creamy mouthfeel associated with nitro cold brew.
Where to start with releasing canned nitro cold brew coffee
The process of launching canned nitro cold brew coffee begins with a clear strategy. Before considering your formulation, flavour notes, or branding, you need to choose your target audience and route to market.
“After last year’s London Coffee Festival, we saw a clear opportunity to create our own cold brew,” Chloe says. “It had shifted from a niche curiosity to something widely recognised and asked for, and we wanted to move early rather than play catch-up.”
Market validation like this is essential for understanding how much demand exists for a new format or product – both in commercial and consumer-facing settings. While events are one good way to see which new drinks competitors are launching, consumer research and analysis of in-store demand can also be fruitful.
Determining whether to launch canned nitro cold brew is just one part of the equation, however. From there, you need to work on your formulation and target flavours.
It’s a process that requires a lot of testing and adjustment. “We did a lot of work in this area, and flavour was our absolute priority,” Chloe says. “We wanted it to be the best possible coffee we could put in a can, and aimed at the market we were going for.
“From there, we shaped the format and size, based on when and where people would actually be drinking it. Finally, we focused on branding that would really cut through and be instantly recognisable in a busy cold drinks display.”
The emphasis on flavour is particularly important in nitro cold brew, where texture and mouthfeel contribute significantly to the consumer experience. Perky Blenders’ approach to product development reflects this.
“We knew we wanted to base it around one of our resident blends, and Jazzy Max fitted perfectly,” she says. “We had one of our most popular coffees at the time, the Ugandan Bukonzo Dream, so we paired it with another Mexican coffee that was in season. We played around with the ratios, and once we were happy with the profile, we knew it would be a hit as a cold brew.”
Blend formulation is one important aspect, but the actual format of your canned nitro cold brew coffee is just as important. “We sized and formatted the cans for convenient drinking, making sure the branding was spot on and instantly recognisable as Perky Blenders,” she says.
Ultimately, the early stages of launching a canned nitro cold brew should focus on three core pillars: flavour integrity, market positioning, and logistical planning. From there, you can enter the market – but finding the most cost-effective and scalable production method can be difficult.
Should you work with private label manufacturers for canned nitro cold brew coffee?
One of the most critical decisions for any brand entering the RTD space is whether to produce in-house or partner with a private label manufacturer. For many roasters and coffee businesses, the latter offers a more efficient and scalable route to market. Building an in-house RTD facility requires significant investment in equipment, staffing, compliance, and logistics, which can limit your profit margins.
For Perky Blenders, working with existing manufacturers was a more efficient method. “As a roastery, our strengths are sourcing and roasting, so the key question was where we add the most value and where specialist partners are better equipped,” she says.
“Building a full RTD facility would have required huge investment and pulled focus away from what matters most to us: great coffee. Instead, we chose to work with experienced manufacturers for the brewing and canning, while we concentrated on the green coffee, roast profile and ratios.”
This division of expertise is a key advantage of working with private label or RTD manufacturing partners. Roasters themselves usually retain control over the flavour and branding, while the manufacturer handles the technical complexities of production, including canning and compliance.
Working with experienced partners also reduces risk. RTD drinks need to be shelf-stable, meaning they remain safe and consistent in flavour over weeks or months without refrigeration, which requires controlled processing and packaging. Without specialised knowledge or equipment, it can be hard for coffee businesses to get this right.
This is part of the reason why Chloe and Perky Blenders saw their private label manufacturer as a partner rather than a service. “Working with a partner who listened and worked with us to achieve this was of high importance,” she says.
Hardtank’s private label services are designed with this spirit of collaboration in mind. By offering both ready-made recipes and custom formulations, drink brands can choose the approach that best suits their goals.
Private label manufacturers allow coffee businesses to launch canned nitro cold brew coffee quickly and efficiently, so they can focus on what they do best: building a compelling product and connecting with customers.
Launching canned nitro cold brew requires careful coordination across product development, production, and distribution. As the space continues to grow, brands that combine strong product development with the right operational strategy will be best positioned to succeed.
Canned nitro cold brew coffee: Key takeaways
- Canned nitro cold brew coffee aligns with consumer demand for convenient, premium coffee they can drink on the go.
- You should start by choosing flavours and formats that are reflective of your existing coffees and brand identity.
- Working with private label partners helps manage compliance, shelf stability, and production complexity, allowing you to focus on product and brand.
Ready to launch your own canned nitro cold brew coffee? Learn more about our private label services here and contact the team to get started.
Canned nitro cold brew coffee FAQ
Is there strong demand for canned nitro cold brew coffee?
Yes, demand for RTD coffee is growing rapidly. In particular, it is rising in popularity because of the demand for convenient, on-the-go consumption.
What’s the biggest challenge when launching an RTD coffee product?
Factors like ensuring shelf stability and consistent quality are the most difficult to standardise. This is why working with private label manufacturers can be especially beneficial.
Should I produce canned coffee in-house or use a private label partner?
For most roasters, private label partnerships are more cost-effective and practical. They reduce upfront and startup costs, and are generally faster to go to market.
Want to learn more about our canned nitro cold brew coffee?
- Choose your flavours: Explore our shop-to-go recipes here.
- Discover the process: Read up on how our private label RTD services work.
- Speak to an expert: Contact the Hardtank team.
