This One Ingredient Gives Your Cold Brew a Hydration *and* Flavor Boost—and It’s RD-Approved

Plus, how to make this two-ingredient energy drink ready in seconds.

Although there’s no coffee without water, the popular beverage contains caffeine, a diuretic that can promote frequent urination and, in turn, potentially hydration loss. Because most folks can lose up to a liter of water every night, it’s no surprise why sleep experts often say avoiding coffee first thing in the morning is the way to go.

The thing is that most of us simply can’t function without a bit of caffeine running through our veins. That’s why some folks have recently turned to coconut water cold brews—adding coconut water to their morning brews—for an extra boost of hydration (and tropical vibes). Ahead, we’re delving into the reasons why two registered dietitians think adding coconut water to your cold brew might be the hydrating bevvy your morning routine has been missing.

What is coconut water cold brew?

Rather than adding the usual creamer or sugar to iced coffee, folks use coconut water to sweeten cold brew instead. The result is a mildly sweet and nutty scented cold beverage whose potency is diluted, thanks to the fruit-filled water and made even more hydrating due to the electrolytes in the drink. That said, the ratio of the coconut water to coffee will vary from drink to drink and ultimately depends on your taste preference.

2 ways to incorporate coconut into cold brew

1. Combine cold brew and coconut water

Simply combine the two ingredients together. If you prefer a more concentrated coffee flavor, you may wish to use more cold brew concentrate than coconut water. For example, three parts coffee to one part water, as demonstrated in a TikTok video by @jashamilton_ who uses three parts La Colombe Cold Brew Concentrate to one part Kirkland Signature Organic Coconut Water, and serves it over ice. However, for a more balanced drink, equal amounts of brew to water or one part brew to three parts water will do the trick.

@jashamilton_ICED COCONUT COLD BREW !!!!!♬ original sound – jashamilton_

2. Make cold brew with coconut water (not water)

On the other hand, some folks have also opted for making homemade cold brew using coconut water—rather than the usual H2O—to steep the ground beans, resulting in a highly concentrated coffee beverage.

In a TikTok video by @haileecatalano, Hailee Catalano ties small sachets of ground coffee beans and submerges them in coconut water in an airtight jar until fully steeped. She also prepares an optional whipped coconut cream to top the iced coffee drink.

@haileecatalano Reply to @abbiemakesdrinks coconut water cold brew with coco whip! #coldbrewathome #coldbrewcoffee #coldbrew #coldbrewgirl #viral ♬ come into my arms cover – kaylagc._

The benefits

According to Lauren Manaker, RDN, a Charleston-based registered dietitian, coconuts and coffee are a match made in heaven due to their bevy on benefits . “Coconut water is naturally a source of electrolytes, such as potassium and magnesium, which help to maintain hydration and support nerve and muscle function,” Manaker says. She adds that combining these two ingredients helps give you a natural energy boost without adding sugar or other artificial ingredients.

Meanwhile, Amy Shapiro, RD, a registered dietitian and the founder and director of Real Nutrition says coconut water is “nature’s Gatorade” since it contains electrolytes including calcium, magnesium, potassium, and phosphorus. Plus, Shapiro and Manaker both agree that it’s packed with antioxidants that can help reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, which builds upon the benefits of the also antioxidant-rich coffee grounds.

Shapiro says the combination of these ingredients is basically a two-ingredient energy drink packed with boatloads of benefits. For starters, she notes that coconut water lightly sweetens cold brew and adds “depth or thickness” to the beverage without having to use cream or excess sugar. In terms of hydration, Shapiro says the electrolytes in the coconut water can help balance out the natural diuretic effect of coffee to help keep you hydrated. Finally, Shapiro recommends adding a pinch of sea salt to your drink to maintain electrolyte balance even more.

Discover even more benefits of coffee, according to a registered dietitian: