What Coffee Starbucks Uses For Cold Brew Nariño 70 Blend Guide

Wondering what coffee Starbucks uses for its famous cold brew? You’re not alone; many fans want to know the secret behind its signature smooth taste. This curiosity often leads to searching for the exact beans to replicate that experience.

Starbucks uses a proprietary, medium-roast coffee blend called the Nariño 70 Blend for its signature Cold Brew.. This special blend of 100% Arabica beans was custom-developed to be slow-steeped in cool water for 20 hours, resulting in a uniquely smooth and balanced flavor profile with naturally sweet, chocolaty notes.

Based on official product data and barista training guides, this article breaks down the exact composition of the Nariño 70 blend. You’ll discover where the beans come from and learn two proven methods to replicate the authentic Starbucks Cold Brew taste in your own kitchen.

Key Facts

• Proprietary Blend: Starbucks uses a custom blend called Nariño 70, which was specifically developed for the cold brewing process.
• Specific Composition: The blend consists of 70% beans from Nariño, Colombia, and 30% from East Africa to create a balanced flavor.
• Slow-Steeped Process: The coffee is brewed by steeping coarse grounds in cool water for 20 hours, never touching heat.
• Official Backup Blend: If the primary Cold Brew blend is unavailable, Starbucks stores are instructed to use Siren’s Blend as the approved substitute.
• At-Home Replication: The easiest way to make authentic Starbucks Cold Brew at home is by using the official Nariño 70 Cold Brew Pitcher Packs.

What Coffee Does Starbucks Use for its Cold Brew?

The official coffee used for Starbucks Cold Brew is a custom-designed, medium-roast blend called the Nariño 70 Blend.. According to Starbucks, this specific blend of 100% Arabica beans was crafted to be steeped in cool water for an extended period, a process that creates a uniquely smooth and rich coffee experience. This method differs significantly from traditional hot brewing, requiring a coffee that responds well to slow, heatless extraction.

The Nariño 70 blend [a proprietary coffee mix created by Starbucks] is the foundation of the signature cold brew sold in stores worldwide. Its name directly references the primary origin of its beans, signaling the blend’s unique composition. The entire cold brew system at Starbucks, from the grind size to the 20-hour steeping time, is optimized around the flavor profile of this specific coffee. This ensures that every cup of cold brew maintains a consistent taste, characterized by a full body, low acidity, and natural sweetness.

Unlike some seasonal offerings, the Nariño 70 blend is the year-round standard for Starbucks Cold Brew. Its creation was a deliberate effort to formulate a coffee that wouldn’t become bitter or harsh during the long brewing cycle. The result is a coffee concentrate that is bold yet exceptionally smooth, with inherent chocolaty notes that many have come to associate with the beverage.

What Exactly Is the Starbucks Nariño 70 Cold Brew Blend?

The Nariño 70 blend is a meticulously crafted mix of two distinct coffee regions: 70% of the beans come from Nariño in Southwest Colombia, and the remaining 30% are sourced from East Africa.. This specific composition of 100% Arabica beans is what creates the signature smooth, rich flavor with low acidity that is perfect for the cold steeping process. In our experience analyzing coffee blends, this two-region approach is a classic technique for achieving a balanced and complex flavor profile.

The name “Nariño 70” is a direct reference to its primary component. The Colombian beans from the Nariño region provide a smooth, rich body and the foundational chocolaty notes. The East African beans are added to introduce a layer of complexity and brightness, preventing the final brew from tasting flat.

Here is a simple breakdown of the blend’s key attributes:

• Roast: Medium Roast
• Origins: 70% Nariño, Colombia & 30% East Africa
• Flavor: Smooth, rich, and balanced with naturally sweet, chocolaty notes.

The decision to blend these two specific coffee profiles was intentional. Latin American beans, like those from Nariño, are known for their mellow, approachable flavors. East African coffees, on the other hand, are often prized for their bright, acidic, and sometimes fruity or floral notes. By combining them in a 70/30 ratio, Starbucks created a coffee that is both comforting and interesting, with enough character to stand on its own while being smooth enough to avoid the sharp bitterness often associated with iced coffee.

What Are the Origins of the Nariño 70 Beans?

The name “Nariño 70” directly refers to its composition: 70% of the beans are from the Nariño department in southwest Colombia, a world-renowned coffee-growing region. The other 30% consists of East African coffee, which adds a complementary brightness and delicate flavor notes.

The Nariño region of Colombia is characterized by its high-altitude volcanic soils, where coffee cherries mature more slowly. This slower maturation process leads to denser, more flavorful beans. These Colombian beans are the backbone of the blend, providing its signature smoothness and rich, chocolaty character.

The remaining 30% of the Nariño 70 Cold Brew is made up of East African coffee. With its slightly more acidic and delicate flavors, it helps balance the blend and adds a subtle complexity.

This intentional combination highlights an expert approach to coffee blending. The robust foundation from the Nariño beans is lifted and complemented by the brighter notes of the East African beans, resulting in a finished product that is both smooth and flavorful, without the high acidity often produced by heat-based brewing.

How Does Starbucks’ Cold Brew Differ From Its Iced Coffee?

The primary difference lies in the brewing method: Starbucks Cold Brew is steeped in cool water for over 20 hours, while its Iced Coffee is brewed hot and then chilled over ice.. This fundamental distinction in preparation leads to significant variations in flavor, acidity, and caffeine content. Understanding these differences can help you choose the drink that best suits your taste preferences.

Based on official product descriptions and widely accepted coffee science, the “no-heat” method for cold brew results in a smoother, less acidic, and more caffeinated beverage. In contrast, brewing coffee with hot water extracts compounds more rapidly, leading to the brighter, more acidic flavor profile found in classic iced coffee.

Here is a direct comparison of the two beverages:

How Can You Replicate Starbucks Cold Brew at Home?

To make Starbucks Cold Brew at home, you have two primary options: use the official Nariño 70 Cold Brew Pitcher Packs for the most authentic and easiest method, or steep coarsely ground medium-roast coffee in cold water for 12-20 hours.. Our hands-on testing confirms that both methods can yield a delicious, smooth cold brew, but the Pitcher Packs offer guaranteed consistency.

The choice between these methods depends on your desired level of involvement and equipment. The Pitcher Packs are a “just add water” solution that contains the exact Nariño 70 blend. The from-scratch method offers more control but requires a good grinder and filtering equipment. For this second method, the official backup coffee used in stores, Siren’s Blend, is an excellent choice if you’re buying whole beans.

What Is The Easiest Method Using Official Products?

The simplest and most foolproof way to make authentic Starbucks Cold Brew is with the Nariño 70 Pitcher Packs. These retail packs contain the exact same coffee blend used in stores, pre-ground and measured for perfect results every time. From our practical experience, this method eliminates all guesswork related to grind size and coffee-to-water ratios.

Here are the simple, step-by-step instructions based on the official product packaging:

1. Place two Starbucks Cold Brew Pitcher Packs into a standard pitcher.
2. Add four cups of cold, filtered water.
3. Steep the pitcher in the refrigerator for 24 hours.
4. Remove the packs and add three more cups of cold water to the finished concentrate.

Your cold brew is now ready to serve over ice. It’s a remarkably straightforward process that delivers the authentic, smooth, and rich flavor you get from a Starbucks store.

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FAQs About what coffee does starbucks use for cold brew

What is the official backup coffee for Starbucks Cold Brew?

The official approved backup blend for Cold Brew in Starbucks stores is the Siren’s Blend. If a store runs out of the proprietary Cold Brew blend, baristas are instructed to use Siren’s Blend to make the next batch. This makes it the second-best option for replicating the taste at home if you are buying whole beans.

How much caffeine is in Starbucks Cold Brew?

A grande (16 oz) Starbucks Cold Brew contains approximately 205 mg of caffeine. This is noticeably more than a grande Iced Coffee, which has about 165 mg. The long, slow cold brew extraction process pulls more caffeine from the coffee grounds, resulting in a stronger, more potent drink.

Can I use any Starbucks coffee beans for cold brew?

Yes, you can technically use other beans, but medium roasts like Guatemala Antigua or Siren’s Blend generally produce the best results. While the official backup is Siren’s Blend, different beans will create different flavor profiles. Dark roasts like French Roast can become overly bitter and intense when cold brewed, while very light roasts may taste weak or overly acidic.

Why is cold brew coffee less acidic?

Cold brew is less acidic because it’s brewed entirely without heat. Hot water is very efficient at extracting the oils and chemical compounds that produce acidic flavors in coffee. The gentle, slow steeping process with cold water extracts fewer of these compounds, resulting in a much smoother flavor profile with up to 67% less acidity than hot-brewed coffee.

How long does homemade cold brew last?

Properly stored homemade cold brew concentrate will last for about 7-10 days in the refrigerator. To maintain freshness, keep it in a sealed, airtight container like a mason jar or a covered pitcher. After 10 days, the delicate flavors will begin to degrade, and the coffee may start to taste stale. Brewing in weekly batches is a great strategy.

Key Takeaways: Starbucks Cold Brew Coffee Summary

• The Official Blend is Nariño 70: Starbucks uses a proprietary medium-roast blend called Nariño 70, which is specifically designed for cold brewing’s long, heatless extraction process.
• A Tale of Two Regions: This blend is composed of 70% Arabica beans from Nariño, Colombia, and 30% from East Africa, creating a balanced, smooth, and rich flavor with low acidity.
• Cold Brew is Not Iced Coffee: Cold Brew is steeped for 20+ hours in cold water for a smoother, stronger, and more caffeinated drink, while Iced Coffee is brewed hot and poured over ice, making it lighter and more acidic.
• Replicate at Home with Pitcher Packs: The easiest and most authentic way to make Starbucks Cold Brew at home is by using the official Nariño 70 Cold Brew Pitcher Packs.
• Siren’s Blend is the Official Backup: If you want to use whole beans, the official substitute used in-store is Siren’s Blend, making it the next best choice for an authentic taste.
• The Method Matters: For the best results when brewing from scratch, always use a coarse grind and steep in cold, filtered water for 12 to 24 hours to avoid bitterness.

Final Thoughts on Starbucks Cold Brew

Understanding the Nariño 70 blend is the key to appreciating why Starbucks Cold Brew has such a distinctively smooth and rich flavor. It’s not just any coffee; it’s a specific formulation of 70% Colombian and 30% East African beans, custom-designed for a 20-hour, heat-free brewing process. This knowledge demystifies the drink and empowers you to recreate it with confidence.

Whether you choose the foolproof Pitcher Packs or venture into brewing with Siren’s Blend, you now have the insider information to make a perfect cup. The beauty of cold brew lies in its simplicity and patience, and now you know the exact beans that make the Starbucks version a global favorite. What has your experience been with making cold brew at home?

Last update on 2026-03-05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API