11 Canned coffee drinks I actually reach for on the go

11 Tasty canned coffee drinks (Best options for on-the-go)

There are a lot of canned coffees that are loaded with added sugar and additives, but some of the best canned coffees are actually low-sugar and low-calorie canned coffees.

After tasting through these cans, these are the ones I kept coming back to when I wanted something lighter without feeling thin or watery.

1. Sail Away Nitro Unsweetened 

The saying at Sail Away is “Get Buzzed,” and that’s exactly what the brand’s Nitro Cold Brew canned coffee will do to you.

The first time I drank one, I understood why the caffeine count matters. At 220 milligrams per can, I treat it like a full-strength coffee rather than something to sip casually.

What stood out to me most was how little sharpness it had.

According to the brand, its cold brew cans are 60% less acidic than a standard cup of hot coffee, and that lines up with how smooth it feels if hot coffee usually hits you as harsh.

Another unique thing about the company is the nitro brewing method. During the brewing process, Sail Away infuses their signature cold brew coffee with nitrogen .

The nitro gives it that cascading, creamy feel, and the finish is smoother than I expected from a canned black coffee.

2. Boss Coffee Flash Brew  

Next up on the list of best canned coffees is the Boss Coffee Flash Brew.

Boss is the #1 brand of canned coffee in Japan, and the company uses beans that are sourced from the best Colombian and Brazilian growing regions in the coffee belt.

It is brewed and canned in Japan by Suntory, and that production detail comes through in how polished it tastes to me.

Boss canned coffee is available as unsweetened Black coffee or Cafe Au Lait, and the Black coffee option contains only 10 calories, 0 grams of sugar, and 140 milligrams of caffeine.

The flash brewing method starts hot and then chills the coffee quickly before canning.

What I notice in the cup is a bolder flavor with less bitterness at the end.

Get This Coffee Delivered To Your Door!

3. High Brew Cold Brew Coffee 

The High Brew Cold Brew coffee cans have a signature look that most people are familiar with, but the thing that really makes this company stand out is the robust flavor that comes in every High Brew coffee drink.

Speaking of flavor, this cold brew is available in 10+ different flavors, ranging from classic Black & Bold to rich Dark Chocolate Mocha.

That is what makes it feel like a practical cold brew to keep in the fridge when I want coffee without much fuss.

If you choose the Black & Bold option, you get 0 grams of sugar, dairy-free coffee, and 140 milligrams of caffeine.

The cans are small, but I have always liked that about this one. It feels straightforward, concentrated, and easy to fit into a lighter coffee routine.

Stock Your Fridge With This Cold Brew Beverage!

4. Rise Brewing Co. Oat Milk Nitro Cold Brew Latte 

If you’re the type of person that just can’t get behind black coffee, then you might consider the Nitro Cold Brew Oat Milk Latte from Rise Brewing Company.

These creamy, rich canned lattes are completel y dairy-free and made from a combination of oat milk and nitro cold brew.

Rise uses clean ingredients that are certified organic, non-GMO, and plant-powered in their canned lattes.

The oat milk gives it more body than the black options in this list, and that extra creaminess makes it easier to drink when I want something softer.

Rise also makes canned black cold brew plus flavours like vanilla, mocha, and London Fog if you want to move between simple and sweeter cans.

Start Your Mornings Off Right With This Drink At Home!

5. UCC Hawaii Kona Blend Coffee With Milk 

Hawaiian coffee is thought to be some of the greatest on Earth, and the Kona Blend canned coffee from UCC exemplifies that.

These cans come with milk and added sugars, so they’re not ideal if you’re looking for a non-dairy, sugar-free canned coffee.

I would not call this one subtle, but if you are comfortable with a little sweetness, it is easy to enjoy.

It is made in Japan, and you can buy it in a 24-can case online if you want to stock up.

I also like that it works hot or cold. If I am in the mood for something warmer, I pour it into a mug and heat it gently.

Always Have Kona Coffee Cold Brew On Hand!

6. Starbucks Double Shot Energy Coffee 

Among Starbucks canned coffee options, the Double Shot Energy Coffee is the one I see most often.

The name is accurate, because this is very much a can I reach for when I want a stronger-feeling drink.

Each can contains 135mg of caffeine from the double espresso, so the effect is closer to a drink I would plan around than a casual afternoon sip.

There are four flavours, each blended with Starbucks' signature brewed coffee.

You can get the traditional Coffee flavor or spice things up with Mocha, Vanilla, or White Chocolate.

If I am buying in bulk, I would look online, but these cans also turn up in convenience stores and gas stations more often than I expect.

I would not put it in the lowest-sugar group on this list.

It does contain a fair amount of sugar, even if less than some other Starbucks drinks, and it comes in at about 200 calories per can.

Don't Have Time To Stop At Starbucks? Grab This On-The-Go!

7. Vivic Sparkling Coffee  

Sparkling coffee is not for everyone, but Vivic is the can I would try if I wanted something a little brighter and more unusual.

Vivic Sparkling Coffee comes in 5 flavor options – Sarsaparilla, Lavender, Original, Raspberry, and Zero Sugar – and each flavor is contained in an easy-to-drink 9.5-ounce can.

The sparkling water gives the cold brew a bubbly lift that changes the whole first sip.

It is 100% plant-based, and each can has roughly the same amount of caffeine as 1.5 shots of espresso.

8. Black Stag Espresso With Cream Canned Coffee 

Most canned coffees are cold brewed or flash brewed, but Black Stag does things differently.

The Black Stag Canned Espresso with cream uses real espresso made from 100% Arabica medium-roasted beans.

After the espresso is brewed, real cream is added, and the result feels fuller and smoother than a plain cold brew.

The cans are small at 6.5 ounces, which suits this style of drink. I have always thought of it as more of an espresso-forward can than a long sipper.

If you prefer cold brew in a can, Black Stag also makes an unsweetened version.

Like the espresso with cream, it is convenient, bold, and built around simple ingredients.

9. illy Ready-to-Drink Caffè 

illy is one of those brands most coffee drinkers recognise right away.

This Italian family business was founded in 1933, and its ready-to-drink cans are an easy extension of the brand's usual polished style.

Each illy Ready-to-Drink Coffee comes in an 8.5-ounce can and is made with 100% Arabica blended beans.

If you want no-sugar, low-calorie coffee, the Classico Cold Brew is the one I keep coming back to. It has no preservatives, no sugar added, and just 5 calories per serving.

In the ready-to-drink range, illy also offers canned cappuccino and canned latte macchiato.

The cappuccino is balanced and smooth, while the latte leans silkier and richer, so I can see why people switch between the two.

Try This Classic Cold Brew At Home!

10. La Colombe Caramel Draft Latte 

La Colombe Draft Lattes are flavored with caramel and use cold-pressed espresso and a frothy layer of milk to create a rich and creamy drink that you wouldn’t expect from a can.

Each grab-and-go can has 110 calories, 5 grams of protein, and caffeine roughly equivalent to 2 freshly brewed double espresso shots.

Even with milk and sugar in the latte, it still feels like a reasonable convenience drink rather than something heavy.

La Colombe uses nitrous oxide to create a thick, silky texture, and the sip-thru lid does make the drink feel consistent from the first sip to the last.

Get This Ready-To-Drink Option Delivered!

11. Peet's True Iced Espresso Black & White  

Peet's is another major coffee brand, and the canned drinks feel like they were made for easy sipping on the move.

The Peet’s True Iced Espresso Black & White cans are just 8 ounces in size, but each one will satisfy your taste buds.

The Black & White coffee drink was inspired by one of the top-selling espresso drinks at Peet's coffee bars, with rich single-origin Colombian espresso, natural sweetness, and creamy milk.

Each can contains 100 calories, 12 grams of sugar, and 5 grams of protein.

Start Your Day With Peet's RTD Coffee!

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Benefits of ready-to-drink canned coffee (Is it any good?)

The biggest reason to buy bulk canned coffee drinks is the convenience.

There is nothing easier than opening the fridge and grabbing a caffeinated drink from a variety pack before a morning commute, especially if you compare it with pour-over, drip machines, or French press.

There are, though, more reasons I keep canned coffee around than convenience alone.

The better cans now taste close enough to coffee I would make at home that I stop thinking of them as a backup plan.

That improvement matters, because the better roasters are paying more attention to flavour, packaging, and the way people actually drink coffee on the go.

Health factors are also essential to think about.

Older canned coffees often leaned hard on cane sugar, sweeteners, flavour additives, and preservatives, but many newer options are much closer to a simple coffee label.

I still check the label, though, because a can that looks light on paper can be very different once you read the nutrition facts.

That quick scan usually tells me whether a can fits the lighter side of my coffee routine.

FAQs

How is canned coffee made?

Canned coffee is made by cold brewing coffee with room temperature water or by flash brewing, and each roaster uses a different bean blend to create its own flavour profile.

How do you store canned coffee?

When I store canned coffee, I follow the manufacturer's recommendations. Many products are shelf-stable and do not need refrigeration before opening, but some do need to stay in the fridge.

Can brewed coffee be canned?

Yes, brewed coffee can be canned. Everything you find in a can has gone through some kind of brewing process, usually cold brewing or flash brewing.

Can you heat canned coffee?

Yes, you can heat canned coffee. Most are meant to be enjoyed cold, but you can pour them into a microwave-safe mug and warm them up.

Grab one to go today!

Some of the best pre-made coffee drinks now come in cans, so if you want a convenient on-the-go option, the list above is a good place to start.

Sail Away, Boss, and La Colombe are the ones I kept coming back to for richer, stronger coffee, but the canned coffee worth buying again is still the one you actually finish.