The Best Instant Coffees

The Best Instant Coffees

For some people, coffee is a treat. For others, it's a necessity. To get through those long days of a lot of work and a little play, many of us need that rich bitter brew to keep us going. For those that want their coffee ASAP, we recommend the instant version. Here, we've gathered and reviewed the best of these beverage mixes available today. Whether you want the quickest, the richest, or the healthiest instant coffee, you can find your new favorite below.

Starbucks VIA Instant Coffee Packets

Fast and Fancy

Need your Starbucks without the wait? You'll love these flavorful and convenient instant coffee packets.
Best On The Go

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Instant coffee can get a bad rap for its taste, but these on-the-go packets from Starbucks are out to change that. They give you the authentic Starbucks flavor without the trip to the store. Simply pour one stick into a cup of hot water and you’re good to go.

This instant coffee is a Columbian medium roast, making it great for dark and light coffee drinkers alike. It’s caffeinated to help you start your day, and it’s even ethically sourced, so you can feel good about what you drink.

Pros:

  • You’ll get 50 packets with your purchase, allowing the cost per cup to be significantly cheaper than ordering from a Starbucks cafe
  • The box doubles as a dispenser, helping you to keep your coffee station as organized as possible
  • You can choose a decaffeinated version of the product if you prefer to skip the big energy boost

Cons:

  • This collection has a higher price point than most instant coffee mixes sold today

Hills Bros. Instant Cappucino Mix

Give Me the Sweet Stuff

If black coffee isn't your thing, this frothy and chocolatey instant cappuccino mix may be the perfect solution.
Best Flavored

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Black coffee isn’t for everyone. This instant cappuccino, on the other hand, just might be. It has a decadent “double mocha” flavor, so you can trust its sweet, chocolatey taste will resemble a delicious dessert.

Along with being extremely tasty, this instant coffee mix is sugar-free. It’s available at an extremely low price, and it’s easy to make by simply stirring a scoop into a cup of hot water when you’re ready to enjoy it.

Pros:

  • This coffee also comes in french vanilla flavor if you’re not a fan of the rich chocolate taste
  • One package makes an impressive 28 cappuccino drinks

Cons:

  • This doesn’t have caffeine, but you can mix it in with coffee instead of water if you need that morning boost

Four Sigmatic Instant Adaptogen Coffee

Joe With No Jitters

This product will give you a thoughtful cup of instant coffee each morning — low caffeine levels, adaptogens, antioxidants, and more.
Low Caffeine

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If you drink coffee every morning, you might as well add a few healthy qualities to it. This beverage mix from Four Sigmatic is nutrient-dense and low in caffeine, making it a great choice for anyone who wants to feel good about what they consume.

This instant coffee is made with adaptogens, antioxidants, and herbal ingredients. It’s low in caffeine and the adaptogens help to decrease the typical coffee jitters, making it a relaxing and healthy beverage.

Pros:

  • This medium-roast coffee is made with organic ingredients
  • It blends in well with the ketogenic diet
  • The included herbs are said to help with immune support and stress

Cons:

  • One box makes just 10 cups of coffee, making the overall price-per-drink higher than most
  • The caffeine levels may not feel high enough for you if you’re used to drinking a certain amount per day

Anthony’s Organic Instant Coffee

All the Good, None of the Bad

This delicious natural instant coffee is organic, non-GMO, vegan, and gluten-free, so you can enjoy your cup without any qualms.
Best Organic

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This instant coffee mix is the perfect product for anyone looking to stay on the natural side of the hot beverage world. It’s organic, non-GMO, plant-based, and gluten-free, so you don’t need to have a speck of guilt about your morning pick-me-up.

This drink mix is ground extra fine, which allows it to dissolve quickly in cups of hot water. Its medium-roast flavor is easy for all types of coffee lovers to enjoy.

Pros:

  • Fairly affordable
  • This mix is made in the United States
  • It has the typical amount of caffeine content, so it’s great for an energy boost early in the day
  • It comes in an easy-to-use resealable package

Cons:

  • This is a bulk bag, so you’ll need a teaspoon to measure your grounds as you prepare your cups of coffee

Folgers Classic Roast Instant Coffee

Crisp, Clean, and Classic

This instant coffee is as smooth and satisfying as it is affordable.
Best Classic

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Sometimes, it’s just plain hard to beat the basics. This classic roast instant coffee from Folgers is made with a deliciously rich flavor. It’s also extremely easy to make. Simply mix your desired amount in hot water and stir.

This instant drink contains caffeine, so it’s perfect for early morning wake-ups. It comes in a plastic jar that’s easy on the eyes and it has a convenient flip-top to make sure you can access your coffee grounds as fast as possible.

Pros:

  • This coffee has a smooth, medium-roast flavor that most coffee drinkers will enjoy
  • It’s available at an extremely affordable price

Cons:

  • This isn’t organic or made with added nutrients like some of the fancier instant coffees sold today

Frequently Asked Questions

Can instant coffee be made hot and cold?

All instant coffee can be made with hot water. Some products can be mixed into cold water for iced coffee, though the grounds won’t dissolve as easily. If you’re looking for a cold drink, check out the instructions for mixing the beverage you’re most interested in to see if hot water is necessary or not.

Does instant coffee have the same flavor as drip coffee?

Some people can taste a difference. For many of us, however, instant coffee tastes just like coffee made directly from beans or grounds. It’s simply prepared and freeze-dried to allow it to dissolve in water.