Sleepy Owl Hot Brew Coffees Review - We Tried 5 Variants
sleepy owl hot brew review

Sleepy Owl Hot Brew Coffees Review – We Tried 5 Variants

Quick. Convenient. Smooth. Soul satisfying. Would we go back for Sleepy Owl’s Hot Brew Coffee? Hell, yes!

Why trust us?

Our reviews are research-based, and all trials and testings are conducted in-house over days and weeks. We have a strict no-free-sample policy to ensure our reviews are fair and impartial.

Mishry Rating

Flavor
4 / 5
4
Convenience
5 / 5
5
4.5
SUPERB!

Summary

Say bye to expensive, time-consuming coffee-making procedures! Out of the eight variants available, we tested five - Original, Dark Roast, Cinnamon, French Vanilla, and Hazelnut.

The idea of cafe-style coffees in a brew bag sounds as unachievable as full marks in an English essay. Sleepy Owl came into being because the founders wanted three things from their coffee – to taste good, easy availability, and be convenient to make.

Earlier we reviewed the Sleepy Owl Cold Brew Coffee and Cold Coffee and LOVED them for their strong, smooth coffee flavor. To check out their range of hot brew bags, we picked up three flavors of Sleepy owl Hot Brew Coffees – Original, Dark Roast, Cinnamon, French Vanilla, and Hazelnut. 

Our Sleepy Owl Hot Brew Coffees Review discusses the flavor, strength, and smoothness of the coffee. We also reveal if it’s quick and easy to make a perfect cuppa using these coffee bags. 

What were we looking for while reviewing Sleepy Owl Hot Brew?

Related Products
*Based on Mishry's internal reviews and ratings

Coffee is not just about taste. It is an amalgamation of various sensory experiences. For our Sleepy Owl Hot Brew Coffees review, we set five core parameters. They helped us identify the deeper flavors, smoothness, and strength of the coffee.

To make the coffee we followed the exact instructions given on the box. We tried them without milk and sugar.

1. Flavor

Coffee made using Arabica beans has a citrusy acidity with sweeter tones which can be floral, fruity, nutty or chocolaty.

While tasting the coffee we answered questions like – Is the coffee too bitter and acidic? Smooth tasting or not? What flavor does it lend to our cup? Are the specified flavors on the box detectable? If yes, are they underwhelming or balanced? 

Ad: Join Mishry's Sampling Community
Ad 13 - Share Your voice

2. Aroma

The aroma of well-roasted coffee beans, freshly ground is heavenly. Through our review, we wanted to know how strong and robust was the coffee aroma when we opened the pack? How intense is the coffee aroma? In the flavored variants, could we smell any hints of vanilla and hazelnut? 

3.  Strength Of The Coffee

When we say the strength of the coffee, we do not mean the caffeine content. We mean the ground coffee to water ratio. We checked for strength with the recommended instructions on the pack.

4. Convenience

The fact that the USP of the brand is convenience, this was a major parameter.

5. Value For Money

Does the quality of the product justify the price? Is this coffee a value for money option?

Sleepy Owl Hot Brew Coffee Flavors – Detailed Review

Here is what we found-

Ingredients, brewing, consumption, all you need to know about our Sleepy Owl Hot Brew experience is discussed in this section.

Flavor Of Coffee Price Buy Now Mishry Rating
Original Rs 300 On Amazon 4
Hazelnut Rs 300 On Amazon 4
French Vanilla Rs 300 On Amazon 4
Dark Roast Rs 300 On Amazon 4
Cinnamon Rs 300 On Amazon 4

#1 Sleepy Owl Original Hot Brew Coffee

Sleepy Owl’s Coffee (Original Hot Brew) comes in an indigo and white-colored box. We ordered a box with 10 bags. As soon as we opened the coffee bag, we got a strong whiff of freshly ground coffee. These brew bags are sealed well which is why it locks in the aroma.

We brewed the coffee for five minutes, as mentioned. The coffee made using the Original Brew Bag has a very bold aroma. It is dark brown in color. People who like their coffees a little less intense can brew for a lesser amount of time. 

We detected slight citrusy notes synonymous with Arabica coffee. This is a very smooth coffee and the flavor is indicative of well-roasted beans. This hot brew coffee is neither bitter nor too acidic and the balance of flavor is spot on. 

A small amount of coffee residue tends to settle down in the cup.

sleepy owl hot brew coffees review
The brew bag is fairly large.
sleepy owl hot brew coffees review
Strong and smooth - Sleepy Owl Original Hot Brew Coffee
Flavor - 4/5
Aroma - 4/5
Convenience - 5/5
Mishry Rating - 4/5
  • The coffee is very convenient to make.
  • We liked the strong aroma of the coffee.
  • Thumbs up for the eco-friendly packaging.
  • The coffee is not bitter, but has an intense coffee flavor.
  • Can be had with milk and sugar as well.

The Sleepy Owl Original Hot Brew Coffee is best suited for people who like their coffee strong without any added flavors. For people who like their coffee quick and strong, the original hot brew coffee is recommended.

Sleepy Owl Dark Roast Hot Brew Coffee

Right as we opened the carton, a strong, captivating aroma of freshly ground coffee enveloped the Test Kitchen. 

Dark roasts are bold. With a rich, full-bodied texture, coffee prepared from dark roasted beans can range from toasty to bittersweet-tasting. The roasting process brings in unique flavor profiles that partially overshadow the original flavor of the coffee.

We added 200 ml of hot water and let one 12.5-gram coffee bag brew for 5 minutes, as suggested.  

Sleepy Owl Dark Roast features an intense, partially burnt aroma. 

PS- over-roasted coffee beans feature this aroma. However, the coffee still tastes smooth. 

The acidity is reduced while the characteristic taste of coffee is enhanced. 

We let the coffee brew for a little longer than 5 minutes and found the taste turns even bolder. 

The aftertaste is a lingering burnt flavor, but desirable nonetheless. 

sleepy owl dark roast hot brew
Thumbs up for the plastic and staple-free packaging.
sleepy owl dark roast brewed
Our Dark Roast hot brew ready to drink!
Flavor - 4/5
Aroma - 4/5
Convenience - 5/5
Mishry Rating - 4/5
  • The coffee does not feel too acidic.
  • It has the richness of dark roast coffee beans.
  • Full marks for packaging (plastic and staple pin-free)
  • This coffee can be had black or with milk.
  • The quantity of coffee powder in the bags is pretty good, thumbs up!

Bold, strong, and intense. If these adjectives describe your preferred cuppa coffee, we recommend trying the Dark Roast variant by Sleepy Owl. 

Sleepy Owl Cinnamon Hot Brew

In addition to the enticing coffee aroma, we whiffed subtle yet inviting cinnamony undertones. The coffee bags are sealed tightly that retains the intensity, since the bags are not exposed to any moisture or light. 

The packaging is commendable. All coffee bags are individually sealed in plastic-free packs. The bags are tightly wrapped using a cotton thread, and NOT staple pins!

As part of our review, we cut open a bag to gauge the texture. This was not a fine powder like instant coffee. It was coarse and granular. 

After letting the coffee bag brew in hot water for 5 minutes, we commenced the taste test.

SMOOTH! This was our collective first observation. Sleepy Owl Hot Brew in Cinnamon features a superior taste. We also tasted the warm sweetness that cinnamon has with the characteristic citrusy flavor of Arabica beans. 

Though the brand recommends brewing the coffee bag for 5 minutes, we tested it after half the time (around three minutes), after five minutes (as recommended), and after seven and a half minutes. Surprisingly, the taste strengthens marginally but the coffee does not turn bitter at all. The cinnamon flavor is subtle but present. 

sleepy owl plastic free packaging
One carton holds 10 individually-sealed bags.
sleepy owl cinnamon hot brew
Subtle aroma, subtle flavor.
Flavor - 4/5
Aroma - 4/5
Convenience - 5/5
Mishry Rating - 4/5
  • We appreciate the packaging.
  • The fact that it does not need any additional equipment is REMARKABLE. 
  • This coffee feels premium, taste and aroma wise.
  • The smooth consistency adds to the richness.
  • We liked the warm sweetness of cinnamon. 
  • The cinnamon flavor is natural, not an artificial syrup.
  • This coffee can be had black or with milk.
  • The quantity of coffee powder in the bags is pretty good, thumbs up!

Cinnamon-flavored cereal? Cinnamon sprinkled over apple slices, over a cup of warm milk? Are you guilty of being a hardcore cinnamon lover too? You’ve got to try Sleepy Owl Hot Brew Cinnamon.

Sleepy Owl French Vanilla Hot Brew Coffee

Vanilla inherently has sweeter tones. The combination of vanilla and coffee is showcased wonderfully in this variant, be it the flavor or the aroma.

The sweet vanilla combined with the strong coffee aroma is most certainly captivating as soon as we cut open the sealed pouch. The vanilla flavor marginally lowers the intensity of coffee which is good for people looking for coffees that are a small step down intensity-wise. 

The smooth coffee and the playfully sweet vanilla undertones are lovely!

sleepy owl hot brew coffees review
A closer look at the contents of the brew bag.
sleepy owl hot brew coffees review
Sleepy Owl's French Vanilla coffee has mildly sweet undertones.
Flavor - 4/5
Aroma - 4/5
Convenience - 5/5
Mishry Rating - 4/5
  • The balance in flavors of vanilla and coffee is appropriate.
  • The sweeter tones of vanilla make the coffee’s acidity a tad bit lower.
  • The coffee is not bitter at all.
  • Full marks for the no-plastic packaging. 
  • There are no staple pins on the coffee brew bags.

This coffee is perfect for those who are fond of vanilla flavor in their coffee. Moreover, if you’re someone who likes a slightly lower intensity of coffee, you will love the French vanilla coffee by Sleepy Owl.

Sleepy Owl Hazelnut Hot Brew Coffee

Sleepy Owl Hazelnut Hot Brew Coffee comes in a brown and white carton. Each box contains 10 brew bags. As soon as we opened the paper pack of the brew bag, we got a strong coffee aroma and extremely subtle nutty tones.

The color of the coffee is a little lighter than the other two variants. The nuttiness of the hazelnuts is not as prominent and lingers somewhere in the background. The coffee flavor is also lower in intensity as compared to the original one. 

sleepy owl hot brew coffees review
Sleepy Owl Hazelnut coffee powder.
sleepy owl hot brew coffees review
The concoction is lighter than the other two variants.
Flavor - 4/5
Aroma - 4/5
Convenience - 5/5
Mishry Rating - 4/5
  • The eco-friendly packaging is appreciated. 
  • The mild nutty undertones are lovely when combined with coffee.

Coffee with a reduced intensity, paired with mild flavors of hazelnuts…sounds inviting? We’d recommend trying Sleepy Owl Hazelnut Hot Brew.

Sleepy Owl Hot Brew Coffees – Which Flavor Stands Out?

During our Sleepy Owl Hot Brew Coffees Review, we checked them for their flavor, convenience, and aroma. Sleepy Owl’s Original Hot Brew Coffee is a must-have for people who love their coffee strong and free from any flavors.

We also recommend the Cinnamon variant. Its natural warming sweetness is something we’re fans of. Add a splash of milk and some sweetener if you like to have your coffee with milk.

If you are looking for a subtler coffee intensity with sweeter tones, we recommend the French Vanilla Coffee by Sleepy Owl.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some interesting FAQs on Sleepy Owl Hot Brew Coffees.

The process to make a Sleepy Owl Hot Brew is extremely simple. 

  • In a  cup place the large brew bag.
  • Add 200 ml hot water.
  • Let it brew for 5 minutes.
  • If you would like to reduce the strength of the coffee, we suggest you reduce the brewing time. 

No. Sleepy Owl coffee is not decaffeinated. 

Sleepy Owl Coffee is owned collectively by three friends – Arman Sood, Ajai Thandi, and Ashwajeet Singh.

Yes. Sleepy Owl is an Indian brand that sources its coffee directly from the farms located in Southern India. 

In Conclusion – Sleepy Owl Hot Brew Coffees Review

If you’re someone who is always pressed for time but cannot do without your daily cuppa made to perfection, you will love the Sleepy Owl’s Hot Brew Coffee. It requires minimal effort and the flavor of this coffee can give decent competition to a cup of coffee made at your go-to coffeehouse. 

The best part? You don’t require expensive equipment or special tools. Just dip and there you have it! As we said earlier, getting this quality of coffee at home without any additional effort is exceptional.

Have you tried Sleepy Owl Hot Brew Coffee before? How was the experience? Let us know in the comment section below. 

Our reviews are unbiased and all samples used during the reviews were paid for by us. Read our entire ethics statement here.

Subscribe to our Newsletter

4 1 vote
Article Rating
Notify Me
Notify of
guest
1 Comment
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Available for Amazon Prime