Cold Brew Isn’t a Fad. Retailers Should Be Watching.

Ready-to-drink (RTD) coffee has moved well beyond convenience fridges and petrol stations. What was once viewed as a niche or impulse product has evolved into a fast-growing, premium beverage category attracting serious attention from retailers, cafés and foodservice buyers across Australia.

Within this shift, cold brew coffee has emerged as a standout performer. Its smooth flavour profile, lower perceived acidity and versatility across retail and hospitality settings are driving sustained demand, particularly among consumers seeking quality coffee without preparation time.

For trade buyers, the question is no longer whether RTD cold brew belongs in their range, but how to choose the right product and supplier to support long-term category growth.

Why Cold Brew Is Driving RTD Coffee Growth

Cold brew differs fundamentally from traditional iced coffee. Brewed slowly using cold water rather than hot extraction, the process produces a smoother, more rounded coffee with reduced bitterness. This has broadened its appeal beyond traditional coffee drinkers to include consumers who previously avoided coffee due to sharpness or acidity. In fact, some consumers admit to having been ‘converted’ to coffee, even though they were not particularly drawn to traditional hot coffee formats.

From a commercial perspective, cold brew aligns strongly with current consumer behaviours:

• Demand for premium beverages with minimal preparation
• Growth in grab-and-go consumption across retail and workplace settings
• Increased interest in consistent flavour and product reliability

These factors make cold brew particularly attractive for cafés, offices, convenience retailers and hospitality venues looking to expand beverage offerings without adding operational complexity.

What RTD Cold Brew Means for Retailers and Foodservice Buyers

For retailers, RTD cold brew represents an opportunity to trade customers up within the chilled drinks category. Positioned correctly, it sits comfortably alongside premium juices, kombucha and functional beverages, appealing to shoppers who prioritise quality and taste over price alone.

For cafés and foodservice operators, cold brew offers excellent flexibility. It can be sold as a bottled or boxed takeaway option, used as a base for signature drinks (including cocktails), or supplied in bulk formats that reduce labour and ensure consistency during peak service periods.

Wholesale buyers are increasingly seeking products that:

• Deliver reliable, consistent flavour across every batch
• Reduce preparation time and staff training requirements
• Support both retail and hospitality applications
• Offer scalable formats suitable for different business sizes

Cold brew meets all of these criteria when sourced from a specialist producer.

The Importance of the Right Wholesale Partner

As the RTD coffee category grows, so too does competition. Not all cold brew products are created equal, and buyers are becoming more discerning about sourcing, production methods and format flexibility.

Australian producers such as Kirra Cold Brew illustrate how local manufacturing and category focus can support wholesale buyers. By specialising in cold brew for retail, cafés and foodservice operators, suppliers are better positioned to deliver consistency, adaptable packaging options and dependable supply chains.

For buyers, working with a cold brew specialist rather than a general beverage producer can make a meaningful difference to product performance and customer satisfaction.

Why RTD Coffee Is a Long-Term Category, Not a Trend

RTD coffee continues to attract investment, innovation and shelf space because it aligns with broader shifts in how and where people consume coffee. Flexible work environments, time-poor consumers and changing retail habits all contribute to sustained demand.

Cold brew, in particular, delivers both quality and convenience, a combination that’s continued to perform well across changing economic conditions.

For retailers, cafés and foodservice operators evaluating their beverage range, RTD cold brew is not a novelty add-on. It’s a strategic category that can drive incremental sales, improve customer experience and strengthen overall beverage positioning.

Related trade insight

Kirra Cold Brew supplies wholesale cold brew coffee solutions for retail and hospitality, including ready-to-drink formats and bulk options right through to 20L kegs, designed for consistent performance across foodservice environments.

Self-proclaimed ‘Brew Boss’, Kaz Hand of Kirra Cold Brew says the biggest factor in working with a cold brew specialist is consistency. “Cold brew looks simple on the surface,” she says, “but it’s actually quite technical. Brew time, grind size, filtration, water quality, food safety controls, they all have a huge impact on the final product. Most cafes don’t have the space, equipment, or staff capacity to produce cold brew at scale, let alone keep it consistent day after day.”

Kaz tells us about the long queues of customers lining up outside a café in Tweed Heads for their Kirra Cold Brew on tap. Serving up signature flavoured cold foams atop cold brew, a cult following has developed.

“Customers are looking for colder, cleaner, more refreshing coffee options, especially younger consumers who gravitate toward RTD beverages,” Kaz explains. “Cold brew fits neatly into that behaviour: it’s convenient, consistent, and feels like a natural extension of the broader shift toward premium, ready-to-drink products. It’s not replacing espresso, it’s becoming a staple alongside it.”

Kaz says that outsourcing to a specialist means cafés can offer a high‑quality product without tying up labour or dealing with the variability that comes from brewing in‑house.

“It also removes the food‑safety risk that comes with storing and handling large volumes of brewed coffee. We have approached some cafes that have tried brewing it themselves but have realised that it is harder than it looks and especially to get the right flavour.”

HOW TO MAKE YOUR WHOLESALE COLD BREW COFFEE ENQUIRY

To request samples or place an initial order, reach out to Kirra Cold Brew today by filling out the form below or calling. They'd love to know that you heard about them via Fine Food Wholesalers so drop it into the conversation!