In the land Down Under, where the sun blazes and the coffee flows, a quest was undertaken to discover the finest bottled iced coffee available in Australian supermarkets.
A mixed crew of Sydney-based coffee connoisseurs and a seasoned bottled coffee drinker were enlisted to sip, savour, and score 20 different iced coffee products. The panel rated each drink out of 10 for overall enjoyment and assessed the strength of the coffee flavour, in search for the best supermarket stand-in.
The contenders were taste-tested and judged by the panel according to three main categories: unsweetened iced latte lookalikes, sweetened sips that were more like dessert than coffee, and caffeinated protein versions.
Top unsweetened brew
With a 7.5/10 rating, Hunt and Brew Australia Coffee reigned in the unsweetened iced latte imitator category.
For less than $5, you can enjoy the 400ml bottle and get 248mg of caffeine. It’s the iced latte you grab when you’re short on time – not the best you’ve ever had, but it’ll do in a pinch. With a caffeine content that gives you a bang for your buck, it’s a solid choice for those seeking a less-sweetened caffeine fix.
Top sweetened brew
Dare Double Espresso reigned the best in the sweetened category with a 7/10 rating. ‘Dare tastes like that coffee – extra-sweet, caramelly and delicious in the most basic way, like milky, liquefied Fantales,’ said one of the panellists.
With a stronger coffee presence than its regular counterpart because of its unique blend, it’s a crowd-pleaser for those who like their iced coffee with a side of dessert.
It is also mixed with fresh milk that delivers a smooth coffee flavour with a real coffee kick.’
Top dairy-free brew
Scoring a 4.5/10 and priced at $3.60 for 330ml, Vitasoy’s entry was crowned the best under the dairy-free/caffeinated protein category.
‘The only reason it sits on this podium is due to the other contestants failing so spectacularly (First Press Iced Coffee Oat Milk and OMG Coffee PrOATein both scored 2.5/10),’ the review read.
Special mentions
In the same review, Farmdale’s Australian Milk Iced Coffee Flavour was recognised as the supermarket iced coffee with the best value. ALDI’s offering, at $4.49 for a 2L bottle, scored 5.5/10.
The panellists described its taste as ‘caramelly, wheaty and like ice cream’. They also added that ‘despite its sweetness, at least it did not taste artificial.’
As for the rest, they were cups of surprises for the taste testers. From Boss Iced Latte’s nostalgic plunger coffee-making equipment aura to Oak’s dessert-like sweetness and Ice Break’s cereal undertones, the remaining options were a diverse bunch.
Farmers Union’s sugary sip reminded one taster of breast milk – a comparison as unexpected as it is unforgettable. Starbucks Doubleshot Espresso brought the strongest coffee flavour, but not necessarily the best.
Meanwhile, one reviewer wrote that Toby’s Estate Iced Latte is ‘How I imagine Pringles would taste without salt.’
This goes to show that there is an iced coffee out there for every preference and price point.
Our YourLifeChoices readers, have you tried any of these supermarket iced coffees? Do you agree with our panel’s findings, or do you have your own favourite to recommend?
Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below – we would love to hear which iced coffee gets you through the sweltering summer days!
Also read: Why coffee prices are set to rise: What this means for your daily brew
