Starbucks-Style Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• True-to-cafe taste with a bold, smooth cold brew base and silky vanilla sweet cream.
• Budget-friendly and make-ahead: brew once, enjoy all week.
• Customizable sweetness and strength to match your exact preference.
• Gorgeous, cascading presentation that feels like a treat.

Grocery List

• Produce: 1 vanilla bean (optional, for premium syrup)
• Dairy: Heavy cream; 2% milk
• Pantry: Whole coffee beans (medium roast), granulated sugar, pure vanilla extract, filtered water, ice

Full Ingredients

Cold Brew Concentrate

• 1 2/3 cups (140 g) coarse-ground medium roast coffee
• 3 cups (710 ml) cold filtered water

Vanilla Syrup

• 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
• 1 cup (240 ml) water
• 1 tbsp pure vanilla extract or 1 vanilla bean, split and scraped

Vanilla Sweet Cream

• 2/3 cup heavy cream
• 1/3 cup 2% milk
• 3 tbsp vanilla syrup (from above), to taste
• Pinch fine sea salt (optional, enhances flavor)

To Serve (per 16 oz drink)

• 1 tbsp vanilla syrup (lightly sweet)
• 8 oz cold brew base (concentrate diluted 1:1 with cold water)
• 1 1/2 cups ice
• 2 oz vanilla sweet cream

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Make the cold brew concentrate

Add the coarse-ground coffee to a large jar or French press. Pour in the cold water and stir to make sure all grounds are saturated. Cover and refrigerate for 12–18 hours; 16 hours yields a bold, smooth concentrate.

Step 2: Strain until clean

Strain through a fine-mesh sieve lined with a coffee filter or cheesecloth. For ultra-smooth cold brew, strain a second time. You should have about 2 1/4 cups (18 oz) concentrate. Chill until cold.

Step 3: Cook the vanilla syrup

In a small saucepan, combine sugar and water. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring, for 2–3 minutes until the sugar dissolves. Remove from heat. Stir in vanilla extract (or add the split vanilla bean, steep 10 minutes, then remove). Cool completely. Yields about 1 1/4 cups.

Step 4: Mix the vanilla sweet cream

In a spouted cup, whisk the heavy cream, 2% milk, vanilla syrup, and a tiny pinch of salt until just slightly thick and fully homogeneous. It should be luxurious but still easily pourable—no soft peaks. Refrigerate until very cold.

Step 5: Dilute the concentrate to a ready-to-drink base

Combine the cold brew concentrate with an equal amount of cold filtered water (1:1). This makes approximately 36 oz of cold brew base, enough for 4 generous drinks with a little extra.

Step 6: Build each drink

To a 16 oz glass, add 1 tbsp vanilla syrup. Fill the glass to the top with ice. Pour in 8 oz cold brew base.

Step 7: Finish with cascading sweet cream

Slowly pour 2 oz of the vanilla sweet cream over the top (aim for the center or down the inside of the glass). Watch for creamy swirls to cascade through the coffee. Sip as is for layered flavor or give one gentle stir to integrate.

Pro Tips

• Grind size matters: aim for coarse, like raw sugar or breadcrumbs. Too fine will taste bitter and be hard to strain.
• Keep everything cold. Chilled coffee, syrup, and sweet cream create the best cascade and prevent rapid dilution.
• Adjust the cream: for thicker ribbons, increase the cream slightly; for lighter, increase the milk.
• Water quality is flavor: use filtered water for brewing and dilution.
• Use a narrow-spout pitcher to pour the sweet cream for picture-perfect swirls.

Variations

• Dairy-Free Sweet Cream: Use 1/2 cup barista-style oat milk + 1/2 cup canned light coconut milk + 3 tbsp vanilla syrup. Whisk until smooth and chill.
• Brown Sugar Cinnamon: Swap vanilla syrup with brown sugar syrup (1 cup brown sugar + 1 cup water + 1/2 tsp cinnamon extract or a cinnamon stick).
• Lightened-Up: Replace heavy cream with half-and-half; keep the 2% milk and 2–3 tbsp syrup.

Storage & Make-Ahead

Cold brew concentrate keeps 7–10 days refrigerated in a sealed jar. Vanilla syrup keeps 3–4 weeks refrigerated; label and date the bottle. Vanilla sweet cream keeps up to 5 days refrigerated; whisk or shake gently before using as it may separate. Store components separately and assemble drinks to order for the freshest flavor and prettiest cascade.

Nutrition (per serving)

Approximate for one 16 oz drink prepared as written: 220 calories; 16 g fat; 22 g carbohydrates; 20 g sugars; 2 g protein; 35 mg sodium. Caffeine varies by beans and brew strength, roughly 180–200 mg per drink.