This Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew is just like the version at Starbucks – it's so creamy & refreshing, plus the cold brew coffee is so easy!
Ingredients and substitutions
- Filtered water – this will give you the best flavour, but you can also use tap water.
- Ground coffee – for a taste most similar to the Starbucks version, use a medium or dark roast blend. If you're using coffee beans, make sure to grind them up first.
Vanilla syrup
- Sugar – or any cup-for-cup sugar substitute of your choice.
- Vanilla bean – if you can’t find whole vanilla beans, use ½ tsp. vanilla bean pasta or 1 tbsp. vanilla extract.
Sweet cream
- Milk – use any dairy or non-dairy milk of your choice like skim milk, almond milk or oat milk. You can use heavy cream, but it'll increase the calorie count.
- Whipping cream – substitute for a vegan whipping cream substitute for a healthier option.
- Vanilla syrup – make your own or use a store-bought version. Simple syrup would also work, but it won't have that vanilla flavor.
How to make vanilla sweet cream cold brew
Step 1: Make the cold brew coffee.
Make the cold brew coffee by mixing cold water and coffee grinds together in a large pitcher. Let sit overnight in the fridge for at least 12 hours (or up to 48 hours if desired).
Step 2: Strain the cold brew.
When you're ready to serve, slowly pour the coffee through cheesecloth sitting in a fine mesh sieve into another large pitcher. Make sure you pour slowly and with precision to ensure there are no coffee grounds in the cold brew.
Step 3: Make the homemade vanilla syrup.
Boil water and add one cup to a mason jar with the sugar. Stir well until the sugar dissolves. Add the vanilla bean, then let cool to room temperature. Remove vanilla bean, then store in the fridge up to 2 months. Alternatively, use vanilla extract.
Step 4: Make the sweet cream.
Mix together the sweet cream ingredients. If you'd like the frothy texture, use an immersion blender or milk frother to mix up ingredients – if choosing this method, be sure to add to your cold brew ASAP!
Step 5: Pour everything into a glass.
Add a handful of ice to a large glass or mason jar, then mix in 2 tablespoons of vanilla syrup. Top with 2 cups of coffee, then add 1/4 cup of sweet cream on top.
Step 6: Serve and enjoy!
How to make Starbucks sweet cream
The sweet cream is what makes this Starbucks vanilla sweet cream cold brew so delicious! Here's how to make it:
- Add the milk, whipping cream and syrup to a large mixing cup, immersion blender or milk frother.
- Mix up all the ingredients.
- Add it on top of your cold brew coffee.
- Serve immediately if you're making it in a blender or frother.
Frequently Asked Questions
The amount of caffeine in this Starbucks copycat recipe varies depending on the type and strength of the coffee you use. Generally speaking, the stronger a blend of coffee is, the more caffeine it will have (depending on how you measure it, of course). Dark roast coffee and espresso have the most caffeine while blonde roasts have the lowest. Obviously, using decaf coffee is the only way to make an actual caffeine free version of this recipe. Allowing the coffee to steep for a longer time will also increase the amount of caffeine in the drink.
On its own, cold brew coffee is low in calories and it’s also fat free. Making a vanilla sweet cream cold brew will add fat and carbs, but the good news is that you can control the amount of sugar and sweet cream that you add. Plus, if you substitute the sugar with a sugar alternative, it will become a low carb coffee drink!
This cold brew coffee recipe has 118 calories per serving. If you want to cut down on the calorie count even more, use a dairy-free milk and a vegan whipping cream like coconut whipped cream.
While there is some sugar in the vanilla syrup, this isn’t a super sweet drink at all. If you want to cut down on the sweetness, just use less vanilla syrup.
You can use a pre-made cold brew from the grocery store, but it's just as easy to make your own at home.
Storing components of this recipe
All of the individual components to make this vanilla sweet cream cold brew recipe should be kept in the refrigerator, and you can make some ahead of time to cut down on prep. The syrup can be stored in a mason jar or an airtight container in the fridge for a few weeks.
Since the coffee needs to step for at least 12 hours, you’ll need to make it the day before and store it in the fridge. I typically will enjoy a pitcher of cold brew coffee for up to 5 days from the time I make it and I find the flavour doesn't change too much as long as the pitcher is covered, but it all depends on how you like your coffee.
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More cold brew coffee recipes
Meal Prep Tools
- I use 16oz mason jars as cups and storage containers for these cold brew drinks.
- Get some cheesecloth or a pack of coffee filters to strain the coffee.
- I use smaller 4oz jars for storing the vanilla syrup.
- A handheld milk frother is perfect for this recipe!
- **Get my full list of tools here**
Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew {Starbucks Copycat}
Ingredients
- 8 cups filtered water
- 2 cups ground coffee
- 1 cup sweet cream (see below)
- 1/2 cup vanilla syrup (see below)
Vanilla syrup
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 vanilla bean (or 1 tbsp vanilla extract)
Sweet cream
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 cup whipping cream
- 1 tbsp vanilla syrup
Instructions
Cold brew coffee
- Make the cold brew coffee by mixing water and coffee grinds together in a large pitcher. Let sit overnight in the fridge for at least 12 hours (or up to 48 hours if desired).
- When ready to serve, slowly pour coffee through cheesecloth that is sitting in a fine mesh sieve into another large pitcher. Make sure you pour slowly and with precision to ensure there are no coffee grounds in the cold brew.
Vanilla syrup
- Add one cup boiling water and 1 cup sugar to a mason jar, stirring well. Add vanilla bean, then let cool to room temperature. Remove vanilla bean, then store in the fridge up to 2 months. Alternatively, use vanilla extract.
Sweet cream
- Mix all ingredients under sweet cream heading together well in a large mixing cup. If you'd like the frothy texture, use an immersion blender or milk frother to mix up ingredients – if choosing this method, be sure to add to your cold brew ASAP!
Putting it all together
- Add a handful of ice to a large glass or mason jar, then mix in 2 tbsp of vanilla syrup. Top with 2 cups of coffee, then add 1/4 cup of sweet cream on top. Serve and enjoy!
Comments & Reviews
Kayla says
Hey! Would half and half creamer work, or is it much better with whipping cream? Thanks 🙂
Taylor Stinson says
Hi Kayla! I haven’t tried it myself but I imagine it would work. I wouldn’t advise this for the pumpkin cream or caramel cream cold brews because those froth up but for this vanilla one there’s no cold foam so I am pretty confident it will work!
Sheila Pring says
For the vanilla syrup, your notes say 1 tsp vanilla extract instead of a vanilla bean, but the recipe says 1 tbsp vanilla extract. Which is correct?
Taylor Stinson says
Hi Sheila – it is 1 tbsp, I have updated the post to reflect that!
Abigail Shields says
THIS WAS SO DELICIOUS! not helping with my caffine addiction tho😂THANK YOU TAYLOR:)
Taylor Stinson says
I’m so happy you enjoyed!! 🙂
Cara says
Vanilla sweet cream cold brew is my all-time favorite drink from starbucks. I just made this recipe and omg, it is IDENTICAL! I am so happy!!! Thank you so much for saving my wallet! Haha. I did use Starbucks cold brew pitcher packs because their version of cold brew is my fave 🙂
Taylor Stinson says
Cara, you just made my day!! I’m so happy you love it!! Great idea to use the Starbucks brand cold brew packs 🙂
Harshwardhan says
Can I take it to work in a flask and sip it through the day?
Taylor Stinson says
For sure, sounds like a great workday haha
Rin says
If we’re mixing half milk and half whipping cream, couldn’t I just use 18% table cream?
Taylor Stinson says
You could definitely give that a try!
Elizabeth says
is the vanilla syrup supposed to thicken or just stay a liquid? super excited to try it!
Taylor Stinson says
It’s supposed to stay more of a liquid 🙂
Michelle Reynolds says
I am a little confused on the vanilla syrup. Ingredients say add 1/2 c water and 1/4 c sugar but in the instructions it says 1 c water and 1 c sugar. Which one is correct? Usually for simple syrup you use a 1:1 ratio of water to sugar.
Taylor Stinson says
Sorry for the mix up, Michelle! It is 1 cup water and 1 cup sugar. I have corrected the recipe to reflect that.
Marysa says
This sounds absolutely delicious! I don’t like flavored creamers, and this sounds like a great way to go.