Quick answer: Bomani Cold Buzz is a canned hard cold brew: 100% arabica cold brew coffee with a gluten-free alcohol made from fermented cane sugar, at 5.7% ABV, 110 calories and zero sugar per can. It tastes like light cold brew first and alcohol second. The same drink is now sold as Bomani Skinny Espresso Martini.
I first tasted Bomani at the 2019 Coffee Festival in New York and later interviewed its CEO. Here is what the drink is, how it tastes, and where the brand stands today. (For context on how coffee got here, see our short history of coffee.)
In this guide 5 sections
What does Bomani Cold Buzz taste like?
This drink caught me by surprise. It does not taste like a beer at all: it is a cold brew first and an alcoholic beverage second. Bomani Cold Buzz tastes like a light cold brew, probably thanks to the neutral sugar-based alcohol, and I could not believe it was a 5.7% alcohol drink until I spoke to the team.
I would recommend it to anyone who likes cold brew and wants an alcoholic drink that stays true to the coffee flavor.
What is in Bomani Cold Buzz?
Bomani was one of the first drinks to infuse cold brew coffee with alcohol. According to the brand and its 2020 launch announcement, each 12 oz can has:
- 5.7% ABV
- 110 calories, 0 g carbs and 0 g sugar
- 100% ethically sourced arabica cold brew (the company told me its beans come from Southern Mexico, Nicaragua and Peru)
- Gluten-free alcohol made from fermented cane sugar, often called sugar brew
- Naturally occurring caffeine from the coffee, about as much as just over half a cup of coffee, according to the brand
Because the caffeine comes from real coffee, it is a much smaller dose than a full mug. Our guide to caffeine in coffee explains typical amounts.
The story behind Bomani
Bomani started as an idea between three friends working in finance. As coffee lovers, they liked their alcohol with coffee chasers and other caffeinated drinks, and saw a gap in the market: the existing options were high-calorie coffee cocktails or lab-made energy drinks. They quit their jobs to build the company.
Our purpose is to empower individuals who, like us, challenge the status quo.
Sam Madani, Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer of BOMANI
Is Bomani Cold Buzz still sold?
Yes, but under a new name. Bomani’s current website, drinkbomani.com, sells the drink as Bomani Skinny Espresso Martini, alongside a Vanilla Espresso Martini, and some cans still carry the Cold Buzz name. Retail listings such as BevMo describe the same 12 oz, 5.7% ABV, zero-sugar can. Availability varies by state, so check the brand’s site or a delivery app before heading out.
Since launch, the brand added a vanilla flavor and expanded into chains such as Whole Foods and Safeway. If you want other ways to mix coffee into your routine, browse our guide to different types of coffee drinks.
Frequently asked questions
How much alcohol is in Bomani Cold Buzz?
Bomani Cold Buzz is 5.7% ABV, similar to many beers and hard seltzers. It has 110 calories per 12 oz can.
Is Bomani Cold Buzz gluten-free?
Yes. Its alcohol is made from fermented cane sugar rather than grain, and the brand describes the drink as naturally gluten-free.
Does Bomani Cold Buzz have caffeine?
Yes, from the cold brew coffee. The brand says a can has about as much caffeine as just over half a cup of coffee.
Have you tried Bomani? Let us know what you thought in the comments below.