"Cold brew" describes how coffee is brewed, not what else goes in the can or bottle. Some black cold brews list only coffee and water. Others add natural flavor, chicory root fiber, phosphates or nitrogen. This guide shows a few labels as each brand publishes them and explains what the common ingredient terms mean.
What's in a can of Bare Brew
No sugar. No dairy. Bare ingredients, a special blend of coffee and water. Each 12 fl oz can lists filtered water and Honduran Arabica coffee, with 320mg caffeine, 0g sugar, 20 calories and 5g total carbohydrate. Bare Brew is our own product.
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Three Labels Side by Side
These figures come from each brand's own product page, checked October 30, 2026. Formulas change, so the label on the product in your hand is the one that counts. Bare Brew is our own product.
| Product | Ingredients (as listed) | Calories | Sugar | Caffeine | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bare Brew Cold Brew, 12 fl oz can | Filtered water, Honduran Arabica coffee | 20 | 0g | 320mg | Bare Brew |
| STōK Unsweetened Black, 48 fl oz bottle (per 12 fl oz serving) | Coffee (Filtered Water, Coffee), Natural Flavor | 15 | 0g total sugars, 0g added sugars | Not stated in page text | STōK, checked Oct 30, 2026 |
| La Colombe Cold Brew, 9 oz can | Coffee (Water, Coffee), Chicory Root Fiber, Trisodium Phosphate, Disodium Phosphate, Nitrogen | 15 | Page says "No sugar added" | 160mg (page notes this is a new, reduced level) | La Colombe, checked Oct 30, 2026 |
Many brands also sell sweetened versions of their cold brew, so check which product a label belongs to before comparing. For more brands, see what's in your canned cold brew and our canned cold brew guide.
What the Ingredient Terms Mean
Natural flavor
"Natural flavor" is a defined term in US food labeling rules. Under 21 CFR 101.22, it covers essential oils, extracts, distillates and similar products derived from plant or animal sources "whose significant function in food is flavoring rather than nutritional." The same rule lets a label declare these simply as "natural flavor" or "artificial flavor," so the ingredient list won't tell you which specific compounds were used.
Added Sugars
The Nutrition Facts label shows Total Sugars and, separately, Added Sugars. The FDA explains that Added Sugars include sugars added during processing, and sets the Daily Value for added sugars at 50 grams per day on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Other ingredients
Chicory root fiber, phosphate salts and nitrogen each appear on at least one label above. The ingredient list names them but doesn't say why each was added. If that matters to you, the brand's customer service is the place to ask.
Caffeine
The FDA says caffeine must be listed as an ingredient when it's added, but stating the amount is voluntary (FDA). In black coffee, caffeine comes from the coffee itself, so it doesn't appear as a separate line. FDA says up to 400mg a day is an amount not generally associated with negative effects for most healthy adults.
What to Look For on a Cold Brew Label
- Read the ingredient list. It tells you more than the front of the package.
- Count the ingredients. And know what each one is.
- Check the Added Sugars line. Grams per serving, and servings per container.
- Look for a caffeine figure. It's voluntary, so not every label has one.
- Check the serving size. A large bottle may hold several servings.
For a longer checklist, see canned cold brew: what to look for.
Frequently Asked Questions
What ingredients are in black cold brew?
It varies by brand. Of the labels above, Bare Brew lists filtered water and Honduran Arabica coffee; STōK Unsweetened Black lists coffee (filtered water, coffee) and natural flavor; and La Colombe Cold Brew lists coffee (water, coffee), chicory root fiber, trisodium phosphate, disodium phosphate and nitrogen.
What does "natural flavor" mean on a label?
Under 21 CFR 101.22, it's a flavoring derived from plant or animal sources whose main function is flavor rather than nutrition. Labels can list it simply as "natural flavor" without naming the specific compounds.
How much caffeine is in Bare Brew?
Each 12 fl oz can has 320mg of caffeine. For other brands, see how much caffeine is in cold brew.
Related reading:
- Zero Sugar Cold Brew: How to Read the Ingredient Label
- Unsweetened Cold Brew
- Cold Brew vs Iced Coffee
Sources:
- STōK Unsweetened Black Cold Brew Coffee product page (checked October 30, 2026).
- La Colombe Cold Brew product page (checked October 30, 2026).
- Electronic Code of Federal Regulations. 21 CFR 101.22.
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. "Added Sugars on the Nutrition Facts Label."
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. "Spilling the Beans: How Much Caffeine Is Too Much?"
This article is general information, not medical advice. Bare Brew is a coffee drink, not a treatment for any condition. Each 12 fl oz can has 320mg of caffeine. It's not recommended for children, people who are pregnant or nursing, or anyone sensitive to caffeine. If you take medication or have a health condition, talk to your doctor about caffeine.
