Aluminium RTD coffee cans: popular for a reason
When it comes to coffee packaging, aluminium RTD coffee cans are almost ubiquitous. They line supermarket shelves, convenience store aisles, coffee shop fridges, and e-commerce platforms.
Younger consumers have higher demands for their beverages compared to their older peers. Coffee is functional, so its packaging should, too, fit seamlessly into busy and active lifestyles, ready to be consumed at a moment’s notice.
Cold coffee and cold brew can be packaged in various ways – glass bottles, BPA-free plastic bottles, cold brew pouches and bag-in-box formats are all tried and tested – but aluminium RTD coffee cans are favourites of consumers and manufacturers alike.
Aluminium is lightweight and robust, infinitely recyclable, and highly customisable. Coffee companies choose aluminium RTD coffee cans not only for their performance but also because they can make a lasting impression in the retail setting.
Death Wish Coffee is one such example. Read on to learn more.
Death Wish Coffee’s new aluminium RTD coffee cans
Death Wish Coffee is a coffee roaster based in Saratoga Springs, New York, famous for its strong, organic, and Fairtrade beans and eye-catching branding. In March 2025, the company announced the release of three new canned lattes.
“Canned coffee is the most consumed format among Gen Z and Millenials,” the press release states. “However, the current market lacks a better-for-you choice that doesn’t compromise to support this audience’s active lifestyles – until now.”
Death Wish Coffee has opted to cater directly to young consumers seeking the most convenient beverage formats. Gen Z and Millenial consumers – and Gen Alpha, soon – are the most likely to choose RTD coffee beverages instead of traditional options, and they are swayed by aesthetically pleasing branding and clean claims.
Nevertheless, despite their preference for canned coffee, they are not willing to compromise on quality. They expect the brands they support to match their requirements for premium, diet-friendly, and highly varied options. Death Wish plans to use aluminium RTD coffee cans to do just that.
“We’ve been working hard to craft a collection of premium lattes that consumers can rely on without compromising on quality,” said Michelle Gallo, vice president of marketing.
“To us, great taste doesn’t equate to a ton of added sugar and artificial ingredients. By remaining true to our commitment to exceptional coffee and sustainability, we’re excited to introduce the world to our flavour lineup of clean fuel developed with people and planet in mind.”
Death Wish has opted to can cold brew coffee, one of the fastest-growing coffee-based beverages in the market. Using 100% Arabica, Colombia coffee beans mixed with dairy milk, the brand claims their drinks hold up to 87% less added sugar than leading RTDs, with no artificial caffeine, colours, or flavourings.
Combined with sleek, convenient aluminium cans, the new range is sure to be a winner.
Why is aluminium a great choice for cold coffee packaging?
Death Wish has chosen aluminium cans for good reasons. The elegant 11oz. single-serve portions fit seamlessly into busy customers’ lives and are available in 12-pack formats for regular and convenient at-home or on-the-move consumption.
Aluminium’s digital customizability helps brands make a substantial impact on shelves through compelling, bespoke branding and aesthetics.
Traditionally, FMCG packaging processes have demanded high minimum order quantities for economies of scale to be activated. In smaller numbers, packaging became expensive or simply unavailable to businesses with limited orders or resources.
Digital laser engraving and printing reduce minimum order quantities drastically, thanks to easy customisation. This helps businesses pivot quickly, amending or adapting existing designs or adding new limited edition flavours at a moment’s notice.
Death Wish is already planning a steady pipeline of further RTD options, including a limited-edition Coconut Caramel drink and a Light Roast variant. By choosing aluminium RTD coffee cans, Death Wish has prepared for easy future development while retaining brand continuity.
Sustainability is more critical to coffee consumers than ever before, and aluminium RTD coffee cans only add to a business’ shopper appeal and corporate social responsibility goals. Aluminium is infinitely recyclable, and more than three-quarters of recycled cans end up back in circulation as new ones.
Moreover, research shows that aluminium is the material most likely to be recycled by the general public, supported by compatibility with kerb-side recycling programs and general market familiarity with correct recycling procedures.
Other cold coffee RTD packaging options are similarly sustainable, including bag-in-box or flexible cold brew pouches. Going forward, Death Wish may well consider stratifying its RTD portfolio further and adding multi-serve cold brew formats via pouches or bag-in-box.
Clearly, Death Wish Coffee understands modern coffee consumer trends well. Its new line-up of RTD aluminium coffee cans ticks all the right boxes: sustainable, customisable, varied, and premium. Competitors would do well to follow suit.
To source aluminium RTD coffee cans for your own business, visit Cold Brew Pak or get in touch with us directly. We offer the most comprehensive range of sustainable cold brew packaging for the specialty coffee industry, including bag-in-box packaging, flexible cold brew pouches, and BPA-free plastic bottles.
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Aluminium RTD coffee cans
