Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew is a popular coffee drink that combines the rich and smooth flavor of cold brew coffee with the sweetness of vanilla and the creaminess of sweet cream. Only 4 ingredients and it’s simpler and cheaper than the Starbucks original.
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Why this Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew Recipe is a Keeper
Whether you’re a coffee lover or simply looking for a refreshing drink, vanilla sweet cream cold brew is sure to please. Give this delicious recipe a try and let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
- 3 Easy Ingredients: It uses common ingredients you often have on hand.
- Adaptable: With a few simple swaps, you can make this low-carb or dairy-free.
- Budget-Friendly: The ingredients are affordable and the recipe is cost-effective. Cheaper than your local starbucks coffee shop.
What is cold brew coffee?
Cold brew coffee is a coffee beverage made by steeping ground coffee in cold water for an extended period of time, typically 12-24 hours. This process results in a coffee that is less acidic, smoother, and has a lower caffeine content compared to hot brewed coffee.
Ingredient Notes for this Starbucks Copycat Coffee Recipe
Cold coffee and a few simple ingredients will create the vanilla sweet cream cold brew coffee drink.
- Sweetened condensed milk: This gives the thick, sweet flavor to your creamy vanilla drink.
- Heavy cream: when you use a blender or handheld milk frother to get that thick foam consistency similar to the starbucks drink.
See the recipe card below for a complete list of the ingredients with measurements.
Prep Ahead Suggestions for Cold Brew Concentrate
It is such a simple recipe to prepare. You can have a refreshing coffee drink in minutes.
- Cold Brew: Prepare the cold brew concentrate in advance and store it in the refrigerator for up to a week. This robust cold brew is a good start for any fancy iced coffee drink. Remember to let cool to room temperature before placing in the fridge.
Special Equipment Needed for the Vanilla Bean Cold Foam
- Blender: You will need to froth the homemade vanilla sweet cream and a blender is an easy way to prepare the sweet and creamy foam.
Pro Tip for this Starbucks Drink
For a more indulgent experience, top your vanilla sweet cream cold brew with a shot of espresso.
How to Make Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew
These are the basic steps on how to make sweet cream. Refer to the full, printable recipe card below for detailed instructions on this easy to prepare drink.
1. Make the Cold Brew
First, put freshly coarse-ground beans into any kind of container. Then pour in cold, water at a ratio of 4-to-1 (meaning 4 cups water for 1 cup grounds). Make sure all grounds are wet and cover jar. Let it sit at room temperature for 12 to 24 hours. Strain out beans and it is ready.
2. In a Blender
Second, in a blender, combine the sweetened condensed milk, cream and vanilla extract. Blend for 30 to combine. For a frothier combination, blend for 60 seconds.
3. Combine the Creamy Coffee Drink
Lastly, pour the cold brew concentrate coffee add ice to a large glass and creamer to taste. Top with dairy or non-dairy whipped cream.
How to Store, Reheat and Use Leftover Starbucks Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew
This is great when you want to have a Starbucks drink but don’t want to leave the house. It’s the perfect treat on a hot summers day. This Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew is a fantastic way to enjoy a Starbucks favorite without the daily expense.
- Storing: Cold brew can be stored in a glass or mason jar container in the fridge for up to a week. For longer storage, you can freeze it in airtight containers.
- Using Leftovers: You can use the leftovers for several days. Rewhip your sweet cream cold foam and apply to your make at home drink. You can have a smooth and delicious coffee drink any time.
Variations and Substitutions to Make this Recipe
- Starbucks Vanilla Syrup: You can make a homemade vanilla simple syrup or use a store-bought starbucks syrup.
- Cold Brew: You can find premade cold brew in the refrigerator section of your supermarket.
- Use a French press: For a quick and easy cold brew, use a French press. Steep the coffee grounds in cold water for 4-6 hours, then press the plunger to separate the grounds from the liquid.
- Tools: Use an electric milk frother or immersion blender instead to froth your vanilla creamer.
- Pumpkin Cream: In place of vanilla bean you can use a pumpkin cream cold brew.
Recipe FAQs and Reader Interactions
Acidity: Cold brew is generally less acidic than hot brewed coffee, making it easier on the stomach for some people.
Flavor: Cold brew often has a smoother, more mellow flavor profile, with less bitterness.
Caffeine content: While still containing caffeine, cold brew typically has a lower concentration than hot brewed coffee.
Yes, you can use any type of coffee beans for cold brew. However, some beans may be better suited for this method than others. For example, beans with a lower acidity and a more mellow flavor profile may work well.
Cold ingredients: Ensure that your heavy cream and bowl are cold before starting. This will help the foam to hold its shape.
Avoid overmixing: Be careful not to overmix the ingredients, as this can result in a less fluffy foam.
Expert Tips for Making Cold Brew with Sweet Vanilla Cream
- Strength: Taste the black cold brew occasionally and discard the grounds when the coffee has the flavor you like as you let it brew.
- Short cut tip: Buy your favorite brand of cold brew from the store to save time.
- Variation tip for this Starbucks Copycat Recipe: Use this creamer in hot coffee latte or regular iced coffee. It is great.
- Alternate ingredient: Feel free to use a flavored coffee like caramel or vanilla bean for this copycat recipe. Also non dairy milk, add vanilla almond milk, soy milk or oat milk. Any brand cold brew is great too.
- Tip for the Starbucks favorite: Make sure the coffee is ground very coarsely so you do not get cloudy coffee. Filtered water works best for this recipe.
- Milk of your Choice: Vegan sweetened condensed milk can be used. You can also use non-dairy ingredients for a nondairy vanilla sweet cream cold brew.
- Coffee Cubes: Make coffee iced cubes so that your coffee does not get diluted in the sweet cream creamer.
- Whipped Cream: Top with whipped cream. Use a vegan whipped cream such as a coconut whipped cream.
Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew
Video
Equipment
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Ingredients
- 1 cup sweetened condensed milk
- 4 cups heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons vanilla extract
Instructions
- Put freshly coarse-ground beans into any kind of container.
- Then pour in cold, water at a ratio of 4-to-1 (meaning 4 cups water for 1 cup grounds).
- Make sure all grounds are wet and cover jar. Let it sit at room temperature for 12 to 24 hours. Strain out beans and it is ready.
- In a blender, combine the sweetened condensed milk, cream and vanilla. Blend for 30 to combine. For a frothier combination, blend for 60 seconds.
- Pour over iced coffee to taste and enjoy.
Christina’s Notes
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- Strength: Taste the black cold brew occasionally and discard the grounds when the coffee has the flavor you like as you let it brew.
- Short cut tip: Buy your favorite brand of cold brew from the store to save time.
- Variation tip for this Starbucks copycat recipe: Use this creamer in hot coffee latte or regular iced coffee. It is great.
- Alternate ingredient: Feel free to use a flavored coffee like caramel or vanilla bean for this copycat recipe. Also non dairy milk, add vanilla almond milk, soy milk or oat milk.
- Tip for the Starbucks favorite: Make sure the coffee is ground very coarsely so you do not get cloudy coffee. Filtered water works best for this recipe.
- Dietary consideration tip: Vegan sweetened condensed milk can be used. You can also use non-dairy ingredients for a nondairy vanilla sweet cream cold brew.
- Coffee Cubes: Make coffee iced cubes so that your coffee does not get diluted.
- Scale the recipe: Simply adjust the serving size in the recipe card and the ingredients will update automatically.
- Make your own All Purpose Seasoning: When a recipe calls for All Purpose Seasoning, you can use my homemade All Purpose Seasoning recipe or substitute salt and pepper to taste.
- Meat doneness: I always use a meat thermometer to test for doneness when cooking meat.
- Use unsalted butter: I use unsalted butter so I can control the salt level in the recipe.
- Preheat the oven: Unless otherwise noted, always preheat your oven before baking.
For more helpful information about this recipe, such as variations, substitutions and other pro-tips, check out the blog post.