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The cold brew old fashioned at Hood Famous next to a glass bottle of barrel-aged maple syrup
The cold brew old fashioned at Hood Famous
Hood Famous Cafe and Bar/Instagram

8 Sensational Shops to Get Cold Brew in Seattle

A refreshing alternative when the temperatures rise

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The cold brew old fashioned at Hood Famous
| Hood Famous Cafe and Bar/Instagram

Cold brew coffee has become enormously popular all-year round for its ability to produce smooth and approachable flavors, but summer is when it shines the most. While not every cafe in Seattle has its own cold brew (rather than simply serving iced coffee), many have gone all-in on the highly caffeinated concoctions, refining their processes to create a better beverage. The shops listed below — from north to south — all have their own unique preparation methods, with styles from glass-dripper to nitro, that can help beat the heat.

The latest CDC guidance for vaccinated diners during the COVID-19 outbreak is here; dining out still carries risks for unvaccinated diners and workers. Please be aware of changing local rules, and check individual restaurant websites for any additional restrictions such as mask requirements. Find a local vaccination site here. Studies indicate that there is a lower exposure risk when outdoors, but the level of risk involved with patio dining is contingent on restaurants following strict social distancing and other safety guidelines.

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Sip House

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This Vietnamese coffeehouse in the U District serves an array of iced coffees, but the cold brew is a true standout. Lighter in body than most others in town, Sip House’s version comes lightly sweetened with cane sugar. First-timers should also check out the shop’s popular Cold Brew Crema (with a frothy cheese cap).

Fuel Coffee

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The independent shop (with three locations in Seattle) uses the sci fi-sounding Kyotobot (a robotic glass dripper) to make its cold brew (though it’s called “iced coffee” on the menu). Customers can order it black or mixed with one of the cafe’s seasonal flavors — the current lineup includes a drink made with rose syrup and another with vanilla-spiked heavy cream.

Analog Coffee

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The cold brew at this modern Capitol Hill coffee shop method produces a rich drink, with flavors of molasses. Compared to other cafes, Analog has a bit of a stronger cup with a heavier body — but if one is sensitive to caffeine, it might be best to ask for the smallest 8-ounce version (with ice taking up some volume, too). Those who want to stock up should consider the custom and refillable 32-ounce growlers available.

Fulcrum Café

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This esteemed roaster based out of SoDo emphasizes peak freshness for its cold brew brewed and canned onsite, with a nitro available on draft at its downtown cafe. The latter gives a textural experience similar to draft beer, where nitrogen bubbles create a thick foamy layer on top of the drink. Non-nitro options within the same company include the Urban City (darker roast) and Silver Cup (medium roast) varieties.

Porchlight Coffee & Records

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The coffee shop and record store along the Pike/Pine corridor near First Hill serves a no-frills cold brew that’s an easy drinker. Those who like a lighter-bodied brew may appreciate the caramel flavor profile. It’s open for takeout only at the moment, but there’s also an online shop for those looking to pair great tunes with a growler or two.

URL Coffee

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Capitol Hill recently landed this slick-looking cafe on Broadway, serving up a smoky, earthy cold brew made with a glass dripper. The bright shop comes from wife and husband duo Zoey Jung and Ethan Choi — the latter used to be a furniture collector, which comes through in the attention to design detail and meticulously crafted beverages.

Hood Famous Cafe and Bar

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While this Filipino shop in the Chinatown International District made its name from its famed ube cheesecake, the drink menu is also spot-on. It’s serving a barrel-aged cold brew old fashioned (without alcohol) made with Woodinville Whiskey’s maple syrup, Kalsada cold brew coffee from the Philippines, and aromatic bitters. A harmonious blend of flavors.

Caffe Vita

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This well-known Seattle roaster sources beans from a more than century old Guatemalan farm for its cold brew. The drink is made through a technology that uses “vacuum cycles” to remove air from organic elements and extract the most flavor. Fancy methods aside, customers can snag an entire two-liter box for home, akin to boxed wine — it’s good for 2-plus weeks after opening.

Sip House

This Vietnamese coffeehouse in the U District serves an array of iced coffees, but the cold brew is a true standout. Lighter in body than most others in town, Sip House’s version comes lightly sweetened with cane sugar. First-timers should also check out the shop’s popular Cold Brew Crema (with a frothy cheese cap).

Fuel Coffee

The independent shop (with three locations in Seattle) uses the sci fi-sounding Kyotobot (a robotic glass dripper) to make its cold brew (though it’s called “iced coffee” on the menu). Customers can order it black or mixed with one of the cafe’s seasonal flavors — the current lineup includes a drink made with rose syrup and another with vanilla-spiked heavy cream.

Analog Coffee

The cold brew at this modern Capitol Hill coffee shop method produces a rich drink, with flavors of molasses. Compared to other cafes, Analog has a bit of a stronger cup with a heavier body — but if one is sensitive to caffeine, it might be best to ask for the smallest 8-ounce version (with ice taking up some volume, too). Those who want to stock up should consider the custom and refillable 32-ounce growlers available.

Fulcrum Café

This esteemed roaster based out of SoDo emphasizes peak freshness for its cold brew brewed and canned onsite, with a nitro available on draft at its downtown cafe. The latter gives a textural experience similar to draft beer, where nitrogen bubbles create a thick foamy layer on top of the drink. Non-nitro options within the same company include the Urban City (darker roast) and Silver Cup (medium roast) varieties.

Porchlight Coffee & Records

The coffee shop and record store along the Pike/Pine corridor near First Hill serves a no-frills cold brew that’s an easy drinker. Those who like a lighter-bodied brew may appreciate the caramel flavor profile. It’s open for takeout only at the moment, but there’s also an online shop for those looking to pair great tunes with a growler or two.

URL Coffee

Capitol Hill recently landed this slick-looking cafe on Broadway, serving up a smoky, earthy cold brew made with a glass dripper. The bright shop comes from wife and husband duo Zoey Jung and Ethan Choi — the latter used to be a furniture collector, which comes through in the attention to design detail and meticulously crafted beverages.

Hood Famous Cafe and Bar

While this Filipino shop in the Chinatown International District made its name from its famed ube cheesecake, the drink menu is also spot-on. It’s serving a barrel-aged cold brew old fashioned (without alcohol) made with Woodinville Whiskey’s maple syrup, Kalsada cold brew coffee from the Philippines, and aromatic bitters. A harmonious blend of flavors.

Caffe Vita

This well-known Seattle roaster sources beans from a more than century old Guatemalan farm for its cold brew. The drink is made through a technology that uses “vacuum cycles” to remove air from organic elements and extract the most flavor. Fancy methods aside, customers can snag an entire two-liter box for home, akin to boxed wine — it’s good for 2-plus weeks after opening.

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