With coffee producers trying to eradicate the snobby stereotypes around instant, it pays to know that modern varieties can mimic the mouth feel, punch and even decaf quality of your usual coffee shop order for a fraction of the cost.
According to Jem Challender – Dean of Studies at barista training provider, Barista Hustle – plenty of new wave specialist brands are now developing instant coffee via the freeze drying method. Compared to the spray drying approach (used by Nescafe Original) which typically aims to produce quantity over quality, the extraction of coffee using a freeze dry process “optimises the yield for great balance and flavour.” And there’s so much variety – from Italian to Colombian – that it’s sometimes mind-boggling to work out which is best for value and taste.
Many brands are becoming especially creative with their blends and, namely, London Nootropics uses legal drugs in its recipe – more on this below. Meanwhile, others on the market boast unique flavours such as cherry bakewell and Havana rum, so there’s something for everyone.
But while some are looking for something a little different, many are simply in pursuit of a quick-and-easy cup of java to grab as the kettle boils, ahead of the school run chaos or between back-to-back meetings. And I’ve got the basics covered.
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The best instant coffees for 2026 are:
- Best overall – Presto Colombian instant coffee: £7, Ocado.com
- Best budget buy – Little’s vanilla flavour infusion: £3.50, Ocado.com
- Best for intensity – London Nootropics mojo: £15, Amazon.co.uk
- Best for every day – Clippers organic Latin American instant coffee: £7, Ocado.com
How I tested the best instant coffees
With all the instant coffees I tried, I popped one or two teaspoons (depending on the instructions) into my mug, boiled the kettle and waited for it to cool slightly before pouring in to prevent burning the grounds. I tested a range of popular and specialty brands, and all coffees were sampled black to fairly evaluate flavour, aroma and texture. Though, a few were sipped with a splash of milk, too – as recommended by the brands.
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Presto Colombian instant coffee
Best: overall instant coffee
Origins: Brazil, Colombia
Flavours: Chocolate, peanut and caramel
Why we love it
- Hand select beans
- No bitterness
- Recyclable tins
The Presto team seems to pour a lot of love and energy into their coffee, whether it’s their beans, coffee bags or their instant, which they appear to have carved out to perfection. They hand select all of their beans from the best farms available and each selection is roasted in small batches to ensure every grain hits the right notes.
The intricacies of their work have definitely paid off and I was already re-boiling the kettle after savouring every mouthful of our first cup. As soon as the water hit the grains, the smell was tantalising. The micro-ground 100 per cent arabica coffee has a uniquely dark and nutty flavour, which overpowers any bitterness that is so often the instant “effect”. I tasted notes of almond and dark chocolate and every sip felt silky smooth.
As with all of the brand’s coffee, the product is ethically sourced and packaged in 100 per cent recyclable tins. They also offer a super speedy delivery service, meaning your coffee will arrive at your door just in time for that caffeine craving.
Buy now £7, Ocado.com
Little’s vanilla flavour infusion
Best: budget instant coffee
Origins: Ethiopia
Flavours: Vanilla
Why we love it
- Bright and colourful branding
- Flavour offerings
- Powerful scent
Take note
- Some flavours don't have a strong aroma
I was instantly drawn in by Little’s bright and colourful branding and their different flavour-infused coffees – they even have Havana rum (£4.25, Wearelittles.com) and chocolate cherry (£4.25, Wearelittles.com).
I tried their standard freeze-dried Colombian blend instant coffee (£4.25, Wearelittles.com) which didn’t have much of an aroma and although the hazelnut taste made up for it, it didn’t pack the punch I was hoping for. However, I moved on to one of their flavoured coffees – the vanilla flavour infusion – and this is where Little’s made its mark.
It’s made with natural Madagascan Bourbon vanilla and it smelled incredible. It had powerful, sweet flavours that were really moreish. Despite its creamy texture and sugary taste, it has just four calories a cup and zero added sugar, so it feels like a treat but without the guilt. This is also available in decaf (£4.25, Wearelittles.com) and you can mix and match with six jars of flavour infused coffee for £25.50.
Buy now £4.25, Ocado.com
Clippers organic Latin American instant coffee
Best: everyday instant coffee
Origins: Latin America
Flavours: Dark and intense
Why we love it
- Easy on the palate
- No artificial ingredients
A so-called “carnival in a cup”, I was looking forward to the punch of this one. The brand suggests that you wait a whole minute for the boiled water to cool before you combine it with the coffee. But it was worth the wait and I was not disappointed. It was really easy on the palate, an everyday drink that triggered a little extra energy to get us through the day.
It has absolutely no artificial ingredients and Clippers continues to champion an ethical stance. The company is the world’s largest Fairtrade tea brand – they’ve been working with the organisation since 1994 – but they’re developing that with their coffee too, and they even encourage you to re-use your pot. A vase? Pencil pot? Candle holder? The world is your oyster.
This was probably one of the best all-rounders, something to please everyone popping round for a coffee.
Buy now £7, Ocado.com
London Nootropics mojo
Best: intense instant coffee
Origins: London
Flavours: Rich and full bodied
Why we love it
- Improves brain and cognitive performance
- Easy to make
If you’re looking for a coffee that packs the biggest punch, this one’s for you. London Nootropics launched in January 2020, shortly before the first UK-wide lockdown, and their USP may sound a little shocking – this coffee has drugs in it. Legal, of course. The nootropics they use are known to improve brain health and enhance cognitive performance. This means you should experience a better focus and more efficient memory – all from a single cup!
The perfect amount is served in a paper sachet ready to pour into your cup, so there was no faffing about with how much to scoop on to the spoon. I tried the Mojo, which is an adaptogenic coffee with two substances in – cordyceps, known to help with fatigue and oxygen flow to the muscles, and Siberian ginseng, which helps you to adapt to physical and mental stressors. I thought it tasted rich and full-bodied and we definitely felt a little spring in our step that afternoon. They also have Zen, which has calming properties for an evening beverage.
Buy now £15, Amazon.co.uk
TrueStart barista grade instant coffee
Best: smooth instant coffee
Origins: Ethiopia
Flavours: Caramel undertones
Why we love it
- Nice smell
Take note
- Hot is nicer than the cold version
Truestart is an incredibly popular brand, so it was imperative that I gave it a taste test. These “barista style” freeze-dried granules smelled amazing even before I’d boiled the kettle, but in this instance, I didn’t necessarily need a cup of hot water.
TrueStart claim that their coffee is good hot or cold, so I had to try it chilled while sitting in the sunshine. It worked well, but I preferred the hot version. A cold shot would be a great addition to a protein shake or smoothie. It’s a robust coffee using 100 per cent arabica, and it has wonderful caramel undertones.
Buy now £5, Ocado.com
Illy classico
Best: instant coffee for an Italian coffee experience
Origins: Italy
Flavours: Full-bodied
Why we love it
- Brand has a huge variety of coffee
Take note
- May be too mild for coffee lovers
Available in classico, intenso and decaf, Illy are as always trying to create something for every coffee drinker – they have a huge range of coffee products including cafetieres, cups and coffee machines, as well as their coffees in instant, capsules, bags and ground.
The classico uses 100 per cent arabica beans with micro-ground beans roasted in Italy. I didn’t think too much of the initial aroma and the flavours were a little too mild, but they offer the intenso (£5.83, Illy.com) as an alternative for a more full-bodied cuppa. Tastier with a splash of milk.
Buy now £8, Ocado.com
Beanies caramelised biscuit
Best: instant coffee for unusual flavour
Origins: Latin America
Flavours: Caramel
Why we love it
- Sweet, unique flavour
- No high sugar content
Calling sweet-toothed readers, I’ve found a coffee that will satisfy your cravings without the high sugar content. I was sceptical whether Beanies caramelised biscuit flavour instant coffee would taste as great as it smells, after lapping up every whiff that hit our nostrils, but I was pleasantly surprised. It really tasted like a caramelised biscuit – in liquid form.
This sugar free drink offers bold flavours both on the palate and nose and although it feels a little indulgent because it is so creamy, it is really low in calories. I tried this both black and with frothed milk, and both were divine. The granules come in a short and stumpy pot, which is ideal if you could do with the cupboard space, and the branding is bright and fun.
I only tried the caramelised biscuit, but they have a huge range of different flavours available including cherry bakewell (£3.25, Beaniesflavourco.co.uk), sticky toffee pudding (£3.25, Beaniesflavourco.co.uk) and even birthday cake (£3.25, Beaniesflavourco.co.uk)! They do also have a seemingly now quite mundane coffee flavour.
Buy now £3.25, Beaniesflavour.co.uk
Rombouts one cup filters
Best: one cup filter instant coffee
Origins: Belgium
Flavours: Rich and intense
Why we love it
- Great for the environment
Take note
- Expensive for just 10 filters
Something a little different to finish off our review is the new 100 per cent home compostable one-cup filters. Although not your typical instant coffee, the filters work as quick as a flash. Made from bagasse – a byproduct of natural sugar cane production – and natural filter paper, and filled with ground coffee, you simply balance the filter on top of your cup and pour the hot water over, giving it a little shake to draw the coffee through. It was a full-bodied, rich beverage that had an intense finish, but a little expensive with just 10 filters for £3.39. They are great for the environment however, as the filters can be added to your compost or food bins.
Buy now £4.15, Waitrose.com
Your questions about instant coffee answered
What is the best instant coffee?
While the “best” coffee will always be up for debate and everyone’s taste buds are different, I’d guide you towards Presto’s Colombian instant coffee first and then Clippers’ organic Latin American instant coffee. If you’re looking for something that will almost always hit the right spot for taste and caffeine, whether you’re a seasoned coffee aficionado or a newbie barista then either of these are ideal.
Of course, if you’re looking for something a bit different from your average cuppa, try out Little’s or Beanies for some mind-blowing flavours that are a world away from a run-of-the-mill black coffee.
How is instant coffee made?
The way instant coffee is made may surprise you. According to Challender: “Roasted grounds go through efficient extraction setups like percolator columns, rotary pressure filters, and even enzymatic hydrolysis to dissolve more solids than normal brewing.” Describing these setups as ways to ensure a highly concentrated extraction, he outlines how “centrifuges clean this extracted liquid of insolubles and oils, allowing the remaining product to be spray-dried or freeze dried”.
As discussed above, the spray drying process is more common among big-name brands because, Challender adds, “big players in the instant coffee trade squeeze every last soluble compound out of roasted beans, sometimes reaching over 60 percent extraction yield”. By comparison, he tells me, your standard cafe coffee won’t reach more than a 24 per cent yield. By spray drying, brands will need to use a subsequent process called “aroma capture and re-aromatisation technology” (putting the flavour back into the coffee), whereas freeze drying relies on a better tasting extraction in the first place.
Does instant coffee go off?
No, instant coffee doesn’t really ‘go off’ like fresh beans do after a few months. This, Challender says, is because “it’s made almost entirely of water-soluble compounds and contains very little of the oily fraction that turns rancid, which gives it a long shelf life”. Though, it’s worth noting that, while you’re coffee won’t become unsafe for drinking, its aromas gradually fade once the seal is broken. Expanding on this, Challender advises that “if you keep it sealed and dry, it can taste fine for years, but if you leave the lid off your jar, you’ll notice aroma loss pretty quickly”.
Can instant coffee be made with cold water or cold milk?
“Yes,” confirms Challender, “instant coffee is fully soluble, so it can dissolve in cold water or cold milk almost as quickly as it will in hot water. “It takes a little more stirring – or shaking, if you’re into caffè freddo.”
How were the instant coffees tested?
While tasting, I paid close attention to the following:
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
When it came to choosing the right expert for this review, Bess Browning was a natural choice. As a journalist and editor who has been contributing to IndyBest’s reviews since 2021, she specialises in food and drink, having tested everything from healthy cookbooks to cheese hampers. When it comes to coffee, Bess considers herself somewhat of a coffee connoisseur and has used her expertise to head up The Independent’s guides to the best cold brew coffees and the best cafetieres.
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