Starbucks Launches Cold Brew in 19 Reserve Stores in China

When summer heat makes hot coffee feel like a challenge, many coffee drinkers look for something cooler—without sacrificing flavor. That’s where cold brew comes in: a slow-steeped coffee that skips heat entirely and builds complexity through time and cold water pressure.

Starbucks now offers cold brew at 19 of its Reserve stores across China. Made using the brand’s own 20-hour cold drip method, it’s available daily in limited quantities, served in Tall (360ml) and Grande (480ml) sizes for 44 RMB and 49 RMB respectively.

What Is Cold Brew—and Why the Hype?

Cold brew isn’t just iced coffee. Unlike hot coffee poured over ice or quick-chilled espresso drinks, cold brew is made by steeping coarsely ground coffee in cold or icy water for hours—often 12 to 20—using time instead of heat to extract flavors. The slow infiltration of water through coffee grounds produces a smoother, less acidic cup with distinct sweetness and body. This method requires special equipment and patience, but many coffee professionals consider it ideal for highlighting a coffee’s inherent qualities without harshness.

Starbucks’ Approach: A Global Product, Local Launch

Starbucks introduced its cold brew product to the U.S. market four months prior to rolling it out in China, billing it as a “20-hour masterpiece.” In North America, a 450ml cup costs $3.25—60 cents more than a standard iced americano. Less than a month later, the same product hit 19 Starbucks Reserve stores in China. These locations serve a version brewed using the company’s global cold brew recipe, but with beans sourced specifically from its Reserve line.

The Coffee Bean Behind the Cup: Peru Amazon

In China, Starbucks Reserve stores are using a single origin coffee bean certified by the company’s global coffee R&D team as one of five ideal for cold brew. The chosen bean for the Chinese market is the Starbucks Reserve “Peru Amazon.” This single origin highlights characteristics well-suited to cold extraction. While the article does not detail tasting notes for the Peru Amazon specifically, Starbucks’ global selection process focuses on beans that perform exceptionally under extended cold water infusion.

Why Now? China’s Coffee Evolution

Starbucks’ quick move to bring cold brew to China reflects more than seasonal demand. The brand sees China not only as its most important global market but also as one where consumer understanding of specialty coffee is maturing. Chinese coffee drinkers are increasingly willing to explore new brewing methods and premium products, making it the right time to introduce a slow-brewed, premium-priced offering like cold brew.

How Cold Brew Works: Key Variables

Cold brew’s unique profile depends on several factors:

• Brew Time: Typically 12–20 hours, as with Starbucks’ 20-hour method.
• Water Temperature: Cold or ice water throughout the process.
• Grind Size: Coarse, to reduce over-extraction and bitterness during long steeping.
• Coffee-to-Water Ratio: Though not specified by Starbucks here, typical cold brew ratios range from 1:4 to 1:8.
• Bean Selection: Light to medium roasts often highlight fruit and floral notes; medium to dark roasts can add chocolatey or caramelized depth.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Starbucks cold brew and how is it different from iced coffee?

Starbucks cold brew is made by steeping coarse coffee grounds in cold or icy water for around 20 hours, extracting flavor slowly without heat. Unlike iced coffee, which is usually hot-brewed coffee poured over ice, cold brew avoids high temperatures and results in a smoother, less acidic cup with a heavier body and sweeter notes.

Where can I buy Starbucks cold brew in China?

Starbucks cold brew is available at 19 Reserve stores across China. It is offered in limited daily quantities and is not available at regular Starbucks locations.

How much does Starbucks cold brew cost in China?

In China, a Tall (360ml) cup of Starbucks cold brew costs 44 RMB, and a Grande (480ml) costs 49 RMB. This is slightly more expensive than the equivalent iced americano.

What kind of coffee bean is used in Starbucks China’s cold brew?

Starbucks Reserve stores in China use the Peru Amazon single origin bean for their cold brew. This bean was selected by Starbucks’ global coffee R&D team as suitable for cold brew preparation, though specific tasting notes for this bean are not detailed in the article.

How long does cold brew take to make?

Cold brew typically requires 12 to 20 hours of steeping time. Starbucks uses a 20-hour cold drip method for its cold brew in both the U.S. and China markets.

Why did Starbucks launch cold brew in China now?

Starbucks launched cold brew in China due to the country’s growing coffee sophistication and demand for premium, novel products. As its largest global market, China is seen as ready for a slow-brewed, higher-priced coffee experience like cold brew.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Cold Brew

For making cold brew at home, FrontStreet Coffee recommends three beans ideal for this method. Their Kenya Little Tomato, processed with 72-hour water washing, offers bright, juicy acidity with notes of green tomato and grapefruit—perfect for a crisp, clean cold cup. The PWN Golden Mandheling, a classic medium-dark roast, delivers deep chocolate, caramel, and toasted bread notes after 24 hours in the fridge with ice, balancing sweetness and slight bitterness. Finally, the Ethiopia Humbera features bright floral and stone fruit aromas with a soft milk tea-like sweetness and layers of tropical fruit, evolving beautifully in cold water. All three beans have been tested and perform exceptionally well as cold brew. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.