This copycat vanilla sweet cream cold brew coffee recipe tastes just like your favorite Starbucks drink! This is the perfect creamy, refreshing spring iced coffee drink that will also give you a boost of energy!
Cold brew coffee season is upon us! Honestly, after a very mild winter in Minnesota, I’ve been enjoying iced coffee for a while. But sometimes regular cold brew coffee gets boring and we need a little boost of flavor.
You all seemed to love my Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew last fall, so I thought I’d share a delicious spring (and Starbucks!) inspired recipe for Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew.
As expected (I am a health food blogger after all!) there are some healthier variations on this recipe. Let’s talk about them…
Why make this recipe?
- Starbucks copycat – I love copycat recipes and this Starbucks Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew is no exception. If you also love Starbucks, this recipe is for you!
- vegetarian – I used almond milk instead of heavy cream as a plant-based and healthier alternative.
- less sugar – It’s sweetened with maple syrup instead of sugar, and not a lot!
- More affordable – Skip the coffee shop and make your own vanilla sweetened “cream” at home. Your wallet will thank you!
Ingredients of Vanilla Sweet Cream
- water – For your vanilla simple syrup
- Maple sugar – We use it instead of sugar. You can use sugar or even honey instead.
- vanilla bean – It’s best to use vanilla beans, but if not available you can also add vanilla extract
- almond milk – My preference, but anything non-dairy or even dairy will work. Heavy cream is the most accurate Starbucks copycat recipe, but we’re making a healthier swap here, and I prefer non-dairy milk.
- cold brew coffee – I like to make my own cold brew, but you can always use store-bought.
- ice – for service.
How to Make Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew Coffee
Step 1: Make Vanilla Syrup
Add water and maple syrup to a small pot and bring to a boil. Once the maple syrup has dissolved, turn off the heat, add the vanilla bean, and allow to cool to room temperature. Remove the vanilla beans, place in a glass bottle or container, and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 months.
Step 2: mix
Add the almond milk and 1/4 cup vanilla syrup to the blender and blend until it reaches a whipped consistency. Or add to a mason jar and shake vigorously and/or use a milk frother to froth to creamy foam.
Step 2: Combine cold brew coffee + cold foam
Add ice cubes to a large glass and pour 1 cup of cold brew coffee. Pour in vanilla sweet cream to taste. Stir to combine.
Easy interchange + substitution
Vanilla bean not found? Vanilla beans are available in most grocery stores, but if you can’t find them, you can substitute 1 tablespoon vanilla extract.
Don’t have a blender? no problem! – Use a handheld milk frother or immersion blender to froth the vanilla creamer.
Switch to non-dairy milk – I like to use almond milk in this recipe because that’s usually what we have on hand, but oat milk works great too.
Use iced coffee – Am I a cold brew purist? Yes, absolutely. However, regular iced coffee can be substituted for cold brew coffee in this recipe.
Storage instructions
You can store homemade vanilla syrup in the refrigerator for up to 3 months.
Store the homemade vanilla sweet cream and cold brew coffee separately in a large mason jar or glass container in the refrigerator. Stores in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Mix before serving.
More delicious drink recipes
Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew Coffee
This Copycat Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew Coffee tastes just like your favorite Starbucks drink! It’s the perfect creamy and refreshing drink for spring that will also give you a boost of energy!
- Preparation time: 5 minutes
- Cooking time: 15 minutes
- total time: 20 minutes
- yield: 4 number of copies 1X
- category: drinks
- method: mix
- gourmet food: American
- diet: vegetarian
For the vanilla syrup:
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup Maple sugar
- 1 Large vanilla bean (or 1 tablespoon vanilla extract)
For the Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew Coffee:
- 1 cup almond milk
- 1/4 cup vanilla syrup
- 4 cups Homemade cold brew coffee (or use store-bought)
- ice, for service
For the vanilla syrup:
- Add water and maple syrup to a small pot and bring to a boil.
- Once the maple syrup has dissolved, turn off the heat, add the vanilla bean, and allow to cool to room temperature.
- Remove the vanilla beans, place in a glass bottle or container, and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 months.
For the Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew Coffee:
- Add the almond milk and 1/4 cup vanilla syrup to the blender and blend until it reaches a whipped consistency. Or add to a mason jar and shake vigorously and/or use a milk frother to froth to creamy foam.
- Add ice cubes to a large glass and pour 1 cup of cold brew coffee. Pour in vanilla sweet cream to taste. Stir to combine.
