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Finding the best flavored coffee brand is a massive undertaking. After brewing and sipping over 15 brands and 30 flavors, we're confident that these picks are truly the best quality and bang for your buck.
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As a bona fide bean fiend, I’ve tried dozens—if not hundreds—of flavored coffees. From Mackinac Island fudge to strawberry shortcake, the best flavored coffee takes a cup of Joe from boring to tantalizing. The best part? No sugary coffee syrups or high calorie creamers required!
While the best coffee brands usually offer some flavored options, more unique flavors are often found in niche brands, turning the hunt for the best flavored coffee into an actual quest. With a wealth of brands out there, narrowing down the options takes a lot of tasting.
In my search for answers, I spoke to Cortney Kern, coffee roaster, latte artist and owner of Whimsical Woods Coffee. He says that flavored coffee is especially appealing to “people with diabetes, heath conscious individuals and those who prefer a more simplistic way of consuming things.” He notes that many people prefer coffee without creamer or non-dairy alternatives, but still want a burst of flavor. When it comes to roast level, go with your gut—literally. “Many prefer a darker roast with flavored coffees because they still wanna taste some of the coffee flavor,” he says.
Finding the best flavored coffee brands took hours of work—from sourcing and researching to brewing and tasting. A whopping 15 brands and 30 flavors later, I feel confident that these are truly the best flavored coffee brands for ever palate. From traditional flavors like Irish cream to funkier finds like cereal milk and tiramisu, you’re bound to find a flavor and blend that tickles your morning taste buds. Here are some of the best coffee flavors we brewed.
Bones
Pros:
- 30 delicious flavors
- Smooth taste, not artificial
- Beautiful packaging
- Easy-open pull tab and resealable zipper
- Whole bean or ground
- Affordable
Cons:
- Flavors not recognizable upon blind taste test
With their claim of being “immortally delicious,” Bones Coffee Company has a lot to live up to. We’re happy to report that we agree, earning them a spot as the overall best flavored coffee brand. I’ve been drinking Bones Coffee for years now, ever since they drew me in with their fun, edgy advertising and absolutely gorgeous bag art. However, what keeps me stocking them in my at-home coffee bar is their incredible selection of ever-changing and uncommon flavors and the quality of their beans.
Over 30 mouth-watering options like cookies and cream and cereal milk truly taste exactly as intended, as do the more traditional flavors like vanilla and Irish cream. There are also frequent collaborations with other brands and franchises (including video games like Fallout and flicks like Tim Burton’s Nightmare Before Christmas) that introduce new, limited-time flavors almost monthly. We’re talking truly new flavors, too—not just old options repackaged.
While testing, I especially loved the resealable packaging that keeps my beans and grounds fresh for weeks. The flavors aren’t always recognizable (for instance, the strawberry cheesecake flavor felt more strawberry than cheesecake), but they’re almost always delicious. Out of all the flavors I’ve tried throughout the years, there’s only been one I wasn’t crazy about. However, my husband really enjoyed it, so I think that comes down to personal preference.
Even better, the coffees are never artificial-tasting or acidic, and there’s zero added sugar. Overall, if you’re a coffee lover looking for a great-tasting brew that still feels like coffee, Bones is your best bet.
Taste of Home Shopping Writer Barbara Bellesi Zito sampled Maple Bacon. “The gorgeous scent hits you as soon as you open the bag,” she says, noting that it does indeed smell like maple syrup drizzled over crisp bacon strips. Normally, she adds a healthy glug of half-and-half to her coffee with a bit of sugar, but she enjoyed her cup without anything added. “I’m honestly shocked,” Barbara says. “But that’s how smooth and flavorful it is. I’m always hoping to find a flavored coffee that can help me kick the sugar habit. This one could take it a step further and turn me into a black coffee drinker!”
Volcanica
Pros:
- USDA organic
- 26 distinct flavors
- Whole bean or three grind settings
- Beans are oily and aromatic
- Sleek packaging with pull-tab and resealable zipper
- Low acid (perfect for sensitive tummies)
Cons:
- Not budget-friendly
Our pick for the best organic flavored coffee brand is none other than Volcanica. From the moment I started scrolling through their mouthwatering selections to my first sip, I was expecting nothing but quality. In addition to boasting over 150 coffees from volcanic mountain regions along with 26 distinct flavored options, Volcanica is certified as both USDA organic and Kosher. Plus, their brews also boast low acidity—a saving grace for sensitive tummies.
Sleek packaging with a pull-tab and resealable zipper contains some of the oiliest, most fragrant beans I’ve ever enjoyed. The packaging looks similar across the board, meaning that finding flavors at a glance in the pantry isn’t as easy as other brands. However, that’s a small price to pay for an above-average brew. While I opted for whole bean, the brand provides three different grind settings for each offering.
My s’mores cup brewed up beautifully, boasting a recognizable marshmallow-y and base with rich chocolate notes and a graham cracker finish. The blend of flavors, high-quality beans and thoughtful packaging boost the price up a bit, but for an organic brand that offers gourmet flavors, I found each bag well worth the cost.
Joffrey's
Pros:
- 33 flavors
- Disney-themed options
- Whole bean and ground
- Delicious scent while brewing
- Flavors are very recognizable
- Affordable
Cons:
- Wire arm closure isn't as secure as a zipper
As the official coffee brand of Disney Parks, it’s no wonder that Joffrey’s Coffee Company has an excellent reputation. More than 30 core flavors make them a standout for sheer number of options. And the flavors aren’t forgettable, either—think banana’s foster and toasted s’mores, plus an array of Disney-themed options like a Hocus Pocus bag boasting caramel apple notes. They’d make an excellent addition to a coffee gift basket, thanks to the pretty packaging, too.
Each flavor comes as both whole bean or ground, meaning more flexibility for budding baristas. My bananas foster flavor smelled deep and delicious while brewing. I easily picked up on each note, from the buttery banana to the rich rum. This impressive performance carried over to the cup, too—each sip delivers a balanced flavor that’s recognizable and complex.
Don’t let the Disney partnership fool you, either. The coffee is delicious in its own right, and it’s available at a super affordable price. The only thing I don’t love about the brand is that, while visually striking, the bags have a wire arm closure that really doesn’t keep out oxygen as well as a zipper seal. Other than that, I highly recommend trying a bag or two if you’re a mocha maniac who wants a little variety in their cup.
Crazy Cups
Pros:
- Several unique flavors with decaf options
- K-cup options available
- Delicious flavor without artificial aftertaste
- Recognizable flavors
- Affordable
Cons:
- Package opening is narrow for most coffee scoops
- Some flavors hard to find
With a name like “Crazy Cups,” it’s no surprise that the brand boasts a whole host of uncommon coffee flavors, from blueberry cobbler to cinnamon French toast. Enjoying each option is like having your own barista at home, only without the tipping and to-go cups. What’s more, the brand’s brews don’t have that terrible artificial aftertaste found in a lot of flavored coffee, making them a perfect first foray into—well—crazy cups.
Apart from the exhaustive selection of K-Cup and ground coffee flavors, Crazy Cups really sold us on their decaf options. Finding good decaf is difficult enough, and finding a good flavored decaf is even harder. Not only does Crazy Cups deliver on the flavor front, but the cinnamon French toast decaf flavor I tried is virtually indistinguishable from their caffeinated version. I enjoyed the cinnamon-forward flavor, followed by a rich maple aftertaste that lingered on the tongue.
Each cup brims with personality and an enticing aroma that carries over to taste. While there are no whole bean options and the resealable opening is a bit too narrow for a coffee scoop to fit through, these are negligible when compared to the quality for the price.
Fire Department Coffee
Pros:
- Affordable
- Variety of delicious flavors
- Available in whole bean and ground coffee
- Spirit Infused Coffee Club offers new blend each month
- Company gives back to the community
Cons:
- Aroma might be too intense as morning brew
- Not available in decaf
Coffee and spirits pair well for an evening cocktail (espresso martini, anyone?) or dessert drink, like an Irish coffee. You can even indulge responsibly in the morning—well, you can if it’s Fire Department Coffee in your cup, that is.
First, a little about the company: Fire Department Coffee was created in 2016 by retired firefighter/paramedic and US Navy vet Luke Schneider. In addition to its retail business, the company gives back to the community. It sends its Fire Department Coffee Rosenbauer America Disaster Relief Fire Truck to visit areas affected by natural disasters and give out aid and cups of coffee to residents, first responders and other workers.
Now to the business side of things: Fire Department Coffee has an impressive selection of both ground and whole bean coffees. While the company produces some everyday blends, like Donut Shop Coffee, we zeroed in on the spirit-infused blends. And oh boy, were we in for a treat! Barbara’s first brew was with the Black Cherry Bourbon, a medium roast blend. The aroma sent her husband, a wine and spirits sales representative, rushing in to ask why their kitchen smelled like a distillery. After assuring him that their pot of coffee merely smelled potent, she poured each of them a cup.
“I won’t lie—it’s an unusual way to start the morning with your kitchen smelling like happy hour,” Barbara said. “But this is one great cup of coffee. The blend promised and delivered tart black cherry notes with a hint of vanilla from the bourbon.” Her husband drank it black, but she added a splash of half-and-half like she normally does, and it removed the trace of bitterness.
Barbara also tried the buttery-tasting Salted Caramel Bourbon and what became her favorite, the deliciously smooth Vanilla Bean Bourbon. “I love anything with caramel or vanilla in it, especially coffee, and these two blends from Fire Department Coffee deliver incredibly rich flavors. Since these ingredients are what I enjoy in ‘regular’ coffee blends, I found the aromas of these two bourbon-infused blends to be better for my morning cup,” she said. “That said, this is some of the best-tasting coffee flavors I’ve ever had. I will gladly brew some of the more ‘potent’ blends like the Black Cherry Bourbon, the Irish Whiskey and the Strawberries and Cream Rum for lazy weekend mornings and after-dinner coffee,” she said. The Spirit Infused Coffee Club also offers the chance to try a new blend every month.
Grounds & Hounds Coffee Co.
Pros:
- Delicious, smooth flavor
- Beautiful packaging that’s easy to open and reseal
- Vegan friendly and gluten-free options
- Available in whole bean, ground and pods (varies by flavor)
-
Portion of proceeds go toward a great cause
Cons:
- Not available in decaf
Next up is another coffee brand that gives back to the community, although this time, it’s the canine community. Grounds & Hounds sells organic and eco-friendly specialty coffees, with 20 percent of the company’s profits going to support dog rescue initiatives.
Barbara, a rescue dog mama and flavored coffee lover, couldn’t wait to brew her first cup. She admits that she’s a sucker for a good coffee and donut combo, so she had high expectations for the Glazed Donut blend, a medium-dark roast with notes of toasted vanilla, caramel and yes, you guessed it, glazed donut.
The brew did not disappoint. Barbara said it tasted like she was dunking a glazed donut into a cup of really good coffee. “It felt indulgent without actually indulging,” she said, noting the coffee is sugar- and gluten-free, plus vegan friendly. “I have such a sweet tooth in the morning that I typically put a little bit of sugar in my coffee. Not this time. I just needed a splash of half-and-half to enjoy the rich, smooth flavor.” The cheery pink packaging—which reseals well to lock in flavor—features a cartoon drawing of Doug the pug wearing a glazed donut (with sprinkles!) around his middle. All in all, it’s a great way to start the morning or enjoy as an afternoon pick-me-up.
Donuts aren’t the only treats on the coffee menu at Grounds and Hounds. Other delectable, bakery-inspired flavors include Brownie A La Mode, Cinnamon Roll, Blueberry Crumble and a limited edition Red Velvet Cupcake. They’re available in ground or whole bean bags, and you can even get the Glazed Donut in individual pods. Either way, your kitchen will smell like a bakery every time you brew.
Coffee Beanery
Pros:
- 40 unique flavors
- Coffee beans oily and flavorful
- Several grind choices
- Detailed brew instructions
- Gluten-free and Kosher
Cons:
- Resealable tape difficult to re-stick
- Flavors on the weaker side
As a Michigander, I had to include one of my personal favorite Michigan-based brands—especially since they’re one of the best flavored coffee brands on Amazon. Established in 1976, Coffee Beanery offers a small business feel blended with the quality of a big brand. From their Mackinac fudge flavor to the fresh and fruity aroma of strawberry white chocolate, each offers distinct tasting notes that don’t verge on bitter.
Detailed brew instructions on the bag, plus myriad flavors (we’re talking over 40) make this one of my go-to coffee gifts. As a bonus, each flavor comes in several grind options including whole bean, medium, fine and extra-fine. That’s uncommon for most coffees found on Amazon, let alone the flavored ones. While the flavors err on the weaker side, some may find that a perk as oftentimes more flavor equals more artificial aftertaste. That said, my white chocolate strawberry brew was pleasantly fruity, slightly creamy and perfectly balanced overall.
One area I’m not crazy about is their packaging. I’m simply not a fan of bags that use resealable tape, since I can never quite get it to stick right. However, storing the beans or grounds in an airtight pantry storage container easily solves that issue. But given the freshness of the beans and range of flavors, it’s definitely something I can live with.
Barnie's Coffee Co.
Pros:
- Budget-friendly (under $10 per bag)
- 13 distinct flavors
- Decaf options available
- Helpful brewing instructions
- Very inspired, whimsical packaging
- No added sugar
- Smells delightful while brewing
Cons:
- A little acidic
- No whole bean options
Calling all espresso enthusiasts on a budget! Barnie’s Coffee Co doesn’t just offer a solid, flavorful cup—they also ring up at under $10 a bag, making them the most affordable flavored ground coffee option of the bunch. While that does mean they’re a bit more acidic than the other brands and don’t come in whole bean options, Barnie’s makes up for that with inspired, whimsical packaging and 13 distinct and delicious flavors.
My cup of café mocha truffle was delightfully aromatic, with just a touch of chocolate flavor. It smelled so good while brewing that my husband emerged from his office to see what I was baking in the kitchen. Imagine his surprise when I handed him a cup of chocolate-flavored coffee instead of a cookie or brownie!
Another bonus of the brand is that there’s zero added sugar, which is preferable for many bean aficionados. More thoughtful touches—like detailed brew instructions and a trusted 40 year history of professional beaning—make Barnie’s the best budget pick around. As for the acidity, adding a splash of milk (or liqueur past five o’clock!) easily cuts through that.
What to Look for When Shopping for the Best Flavored Coffee Beans or Grounds
When looking for the best flavored coffee, there are a lot of considerations you wouldn’t have to think about with something like the best cold brew. First, no matter whether you’re opting for flavored coffee or regular blends, decide whether you’d prefer whole bean or ground. The benefits of buying whole bean coffee are that it’s fresher and you can customize the grind for pour-overs or your morning espresso. However, ground coffee is already prepped and ready for a drip coffeemaker, so it’s easier for those trying to beat the morning rush.
Cortney also suggests finding roasters that use the highest-quality essential oils. Another tell is a company that roasts the coffee before mixing in the flavored oil. He notes that many flavored coffees on the market are actually average coffees, which are then flavored with artificial flavors to hide the fact that the coffee isn’t very good. Looking for brands that offer high-quality, unflavored roasted coffee in addition for the flavored varieties is key.
Why You Should Trust Us
I’ve tested dozens of foods and drinks for Taste of Home, informing pieces like the best coffee concentrates and the best coffee delivery services. Not only am I Taste of Home’s resident food and drinks expert, but I’m also a total java junkie. Sure, I like looking at roasts, regional sources and aromas. But at the heart of things, I just really love a good cup of coffee. While some folks may find flavored coffee blasphemous, I disagree. In my experience, there are plenty of great flavored coffee brands out there, each with their own distinct flavor offerings and personality. It’s just a matter of finding them and harnessing their delicious magic into my cup.
To inform this piece, I also spoke to Cortney Kern, coffee roaster, latte artist and owner of Whimsical Woods Coffee.
Barbara Bellesi Zito, Taste of Home Shopping writer, tested additional flavored coffee brands for this story.
How We Found the Best Flavored Coffee Brands
In order to find the best flavored coffee brands, we took into consideration our own experience with flavored coffee, noting any brands that particularly stand out. From there, we researched other popular and under-the-radar options that looked like a great fit and boasted excellent reviews. We picked a variety of flavors, opting to try two flavors for each brand. When possible, we tried to snag a recognizable flavor like vanilla or caramel along with an exotic flavor, like cookie dough or cotton candy. Overall, we tested a whopping 17 brands and over 30 flavors before narrowing down our results to the eight best flavored coffee brands.
Testing Process
During testing, we looked at the following criteria for each brand:
- Packaging/Shipping: For this category, we took note of the condition of the packaging upon arrival, how easy it was to open and reseal the bag and any artwork or other fun packaging perks. We also tried using the aroma vents on the packaging to get a whiff of the coffee before opening, noting how well we could pick up the product’s scent.
- Variety/Quality: We tried focusing on brands that offer a variety of flavors, but quality also factors into this consideration. There’s no use having 50+ flavors if they don’t taste nice or recognizable. We also looked at the number of grind options, whether decaf flavors are available and the different packaging sizes available. We snagged a bag of whole bean when we could to look at the bean freshness, too.
- Brewing: If the brand offered their own brewing instructions, we followed those. Otherwise, we brewed each option as a single cup using a pour over, 6oz filtered water and 2 tbs of coffee grounds. We ground any whole bean options to a medium coarseness. Smell (of both the beans and during brewing) along with scent freshness also factor into this category.
- Flavor: Probably the most important aspect of flavored coffee is—of course!—the flavor. We rated flavor based on several considerations. We looked at whether the flavor is weak or strong, the underlying coffee notes (acidity and bitterness), how recognizable the flavor is, whether it tastes natural or artificial and how fresh the coffee tastes. We brewed two flavors from each brand to get a nice, rounded picture, since taste is generally subjective.
- Value: We determined each brand’s value when looking at the cost compared to size and quality.
FAQ
Are flavored coffees healthy?
While most flavored coffees contain an additive called propylene glycol that some folks avoid, propylene glycol is “generally recognized as safe” by the FDA. The greater concern is sugar content—and some brands contain a lot of sugar. Those concerned about this have a few options, including opting for whole bean or organic flavored coffee rather than a ground flavored coffee. Overall, flavored coffee isn’t usually much less healthy than regular coffee. Always check ingredients before purchase to find the best fit, though.
Does flavored coffee need creamer?
Whether or not flavored coffee needs creamer depends on personal preference. While a splash of creamer or milk (whether plant-based or dairy) adds a pleasant creaminess, many folks opt for flavored coffee to avoid adding syrups and creamers to their cup. One fun thing about trying the best flavored coffee brands is mixing and matching flavors with syrups and creamers, creating one-of-a-kind flavor concoctions that truly make each cup your own.
