Lowkey Coffee enters ready-to-drink market with decaf cold brew
The brand is selling shelf-stable organic decaf cold brew online and through select Philadelphia and New Jersey Shore locations.
By Maya Lindqvist · Senior Technology Correspondent
2 min read
Lowkey Coffee has launched a ready-to-drink decaf cold brew, entering a canned coffee category where many products are built around high caffeine content. The brand is positioning the shelf-stable drink for Gen Z and health-conscious consumers seeking lower-caffeine options without added sugar or calories.
The line includes USDA certified organic black and vanilla-flavored unsweetened cold brew in grab-and-go cans. The product is made with decaffeinated organic coffee and is intended to serve consumers who want the routine and flavor of cold brew with less caffeine than regular coffee.
Ready-to-drink coffee has become a crowded retail category, with canned lattes, cold brews and energy-coffee hybrids competing for refrigerator and pantry space. Lowkey is entering through a narrower lane: decaf cold brew that can be stored at room temperature and sold both online and in local food-service locations.
Adriana Gindlesperger, co-founder of Lowkey Coffee, said the brand was created for consumers who want “all the flavor, ritual, and enjoyment of great coffee without the caffeine tradeoffs.” She said the company sees the future of coffee as “better decaf,” rather than more caffeine.
The launch comes as low- and no-caffeine beverages draw more attention from younger shoppers and wellness-focused consumers. Bloomberg recently reported that sales of refrigerated ready-to-drink decaffeinated coffee and tea increased nearly 15% over the past year, while beverages labeled decaf rose almost 37% in dollar sales during the same period.
Lowkey uses the Swiss Water Process, a decaffeination method that relies on water, temperature and time rather than chemical solvents. The company is using that process as part of its pitch to consumers who scrutinize ingredients and production methods in bottled and canned drinks.
The product’s shelf-stable format gives the brand a different route to buyers than refrigerated cold brew, which often depends on chilled distribution and cooler space. That could matter for smaller beverage brands trying to sell through e-commerce while also testing placement in cafes, markets and prepared-food shops.
The shelf-stable organic decaf cold brew is available online and at ANEU Kitchens locations in the Greater Philadelphia region and along the New Jersey Shore. Lowkey said it plans to add more retailers after launch, though it did not name additional stores or timing.
The company is not trying to replace regular coffee for consumers who want a caffeine lift. Its launch instead reflects a broader split in the beverage aisle, where some brands are selling stronger functional drinks while others target people cutting back on stimulants, sugar or calories.