Starbucks Is Diving Into Cold Brew Coffee Just In Time For Spring

Just call them your friendly neighborhood, artisan coffee shop. At least, that's what it seems Starbucks is aiming for. The transformation began with the opening of the reserve tasting room in Seattle and the introduction of a subscription service for the chain's high-end reserve coffee. Now, just in time for warmer weather, the largest coffee chain in America has introduced iced cold brew coffee, a trend that has exploded in smaller coffee shops, home to hipster coffee connoisseurs.

The cold brew coffee is steeped using cold water, instead of just by brewing hot coffee and pouring over ice. The result, according to Starbucks, is a richer, more robust flavor profile than a traditional iced coffee. The coffee actually brews for 20 hours to achieve the right taste.

"Our cold brew blend is smooth and rich, it's very refreshing with chocolate and light citrus notes," said Michelle Sundquist, a member of the research and development team. "Our goal was to find the perfect spot where the coffee was rich, dense and slightly sweet. We found that 20 hours was the right balance of sweetness with citrusy and chocolate notes."

You'll be able to find cold brew coffee at select Starbucks shops in the Mid-Atlantic, Midwestern, and Northeastern regions starting March 31.