Cold Brew with Homemade Vanilla Mint Creamer
This post has been sponsored by the J.M. Smucker Company. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Looking for the perfect afternoon pick-me-up? Make Cold Brew with Homemade Vanilla Mint Creamer. First, make Dunkin’ Donuts® Cold Brew Coffee Packs in a pitcher. Then prep the Vanilla Mint Creamer, made with heavy whipping cream, half-and-half, fresh mint leaves, vanilla bean and pure maple syrup. Steep both overnight. When the steep is complete, add more water to the cold brew and strain the creamer. Serve over ice. So smooth and oh-so-delicious!
I wasn’t always a coffee drinker.
In fact, I didn’t really try coffee until I studied abroad the summer between my junior and senior years of college.
And that summer in Italy, well, it changed a lot of things. Including my taste buds.
When we settled into our daily routine, my roommates and I started meeting for a quick cappuccino at our favorite bar (bar = café in Italy) on the smaller piazza of our town. My schedule included an 8 a.m. oil painting class, so as soon as I’d finished up, cleaned out my brushes and packed away my painting for the next day, I hiked to meet my girls.
And it was there that I learned to love coffee.
Flash forward to more than ten years later, and coffee is a constant in my life.
We consistently brewed a pot every morning… then discovered the delightfulness of cold brew coffee last fall, which has changed the way we drink coffee.
Instead of brewing a pot a day (or whenever necessary), we keep cold brew in the fridge and simply heat ourselves a mug when the time is right. Or serve it cold because it’s super yummy that way, too.
This is especially awesome, considering our 3-year-old is currently on a nap strike and mama needs an afternoon-pick-me-up.
Recently, we discovered Dunkin’ Donuts Cold Brew Coffee Packs at our local Target store. And what a discovery it was in the coffee aisle! This product provides a balanced cuppa joe, and it goes down sooooooooo smooth.
The process is super simple, too, which makes me happy. One pitcher of cold brew will generally last me a week, though I’m sure some of y’all would drink through this goodness faster. No judgment here—it’s that good, and I totally get it.
I love to make personalized seasonal creamers to mix into it to make my coffee. And today? I’m sharing a new favorite that’s springy, minty and oh-so-flavorful. 🙂
What IS cold brew?
- Cold brew is a brewing method for coffee!
- Coffee grounds steep in cold water for 8-12 hours before they’re removed.
- The colder temperature makes for a smooth cup of coffee that highlights rich flavors without the bitterness OR the acidity of a normal brew.
So cold brew is just iced coffee?
- No, though cold brew can certainly be served iced. (The recipe below is!)
- Cold brew is a brewing method that involves cold water and a long steep time.
- Iced coffee describes how the coffee is served. Normally, it’s simply hot coffee served over ice.
How do I make Dunkin’ Donuts Cold Brew at home?
- Find the Dunkin’ Donuts Cold Brew Coffee Packs at Target in the coffee aisle.
- Once at home, place a pouch, which includes two coffee packs, into a pitcher.
- Pour 4 cups of water on top of the coffee filter packs.
- Steep for 8-12 hours, or overnight, in the refrigerator.
- When the cold brew is done steeping, remove the filters and add an additional 3 cups of cold water.
- Customize and enjoy!
Now, let’s talk about customizations and the beautiful swirl you can get in your coffee like the one below!
Today, I’m sharing a delightful Homemade Vanilla Mint Creamer that pairs beautifully with Dunkin’ Donuts Cold Brew.
I love this creamer because it only requires a few ingredients that you probably have at home. (Minus the vanilla bean, but trust me, y’all, the vanilla is SO GOOD paired with the mint here and is worth a special trip to Target if you don’t have a big ‘ol bag of ‘em at your house like I do.)
As an added bonus, the creamer is naturally sweetened with maple syrup. And that’s pretty awesome, especially if you want to sip on this in the afternoon without a potential sugar rush.
For Homemade Vanilla Mint Creamer, you’ll need…
- Heavy Whipping Cream
- Half-and-half
- Fresh mint
- Vanilla bean
- Pure maple syrup
The beauty in this creamer is you can make it at the same time you start steeping your cold brew because it has to steep, too. And it’ll last for about the same amount of time as the cold brew—if not a little longer—if you follow the recipe below!
When both have steeped, pour yourself a cup of cold brew, add ice, then drizzle in a little of the Vanilla Mint Creamer for a burst of creamy, springtime brightness.
Perfecto!
Looking for a snack to serve with this Dunkin’ Donuts Cold Brew with Homemade Vanilla Mint Creamer? I highly suggest baking Fresh Strawberry Scones, a slice of Fruit-Studded Bread or Blueberry Lemon Crumble Muffins to make your afternoon pick-me-up extra sweet.
Find more delightful Dunkin’ Donuts recipes that you can make right at home here on their website.
To check out this Vanilla Mint Creamer recipe, scroll on down…
Dunkin’ Donuts Cold Brew with Homemade Vanilla Mint Creamer
Ingredients
Vanilla Mint Creamer
- ½ cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 cup half-and-half
- 1 vanilla bean , split
- ¾ oz. fresh mint
- ¼ cup maple syrup
Cold Brew with Homemade Vanilla Mint Creamer
- 1 ¼ cups ice crushed
- 4 oz. Dunkin’ Donuts Cold Brew
- 1 oz. Vanilla Mint Creamer recipe above
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Instructions
Make the Dunkin’ Dunkin’ Donuts Cold Brew
- Place two coffee filter packs (1 pouch) into a pitcher.
- Fill the pitcher with 4 cups of water.
- Steep in the refrigerator overnight, or for 8-12 hours.
- When the steeping has finished, remove the filters.
- Add 3 more cups of cold water, and enjoy.
Make the Vanilla Mint Creamer
- In a small saucepan, measure out the whipping cream and half-and-half. Warm over low heat.
- Add the split vanilla bean, mint and maple syrup.
- Continue warming until the mixture just barely simmers, about 10 minutes, before removing from the heat.
- Steep for 12-24 hours.
- Using a fine mesh strainer, separate the mint and vanilla bean from the finished creamer.
- Refrigerate for up to a week or until time to enjoy.
Mix the Dunkin’ Donuts Cold Brew and Creamer
- In a tall glass, add the crushed ice.
- Pour in the Dunkin’ Donuts Cold Brew.
- Next, drizzle in an ounce of the creamer.
- Stir with a spoon, then enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Are you a coffee lover, too?
Could I interest you in a class of this Dunkin’ Donuts Cold Brew with Homemade Vanilla Mint Creamer?
About the Author:
Erin Parker is a Southern gal living in Texas with her husband and two daughters. She started The Speckled Palate to share what she was cooking as a newlywed… and over the years, it’s evolved to capture her love for hosting. Specifically, the EASIEST, lowest key entertaining because everyone deserves to see their people and connect over good food. Learn more about her…
I love mint so I’m all over this vanilla mint creamer. This would be fantastic in both coffee and cocoa.
You and me both, Jenn! And OMG, using this creamer in cocoa would be BRILLIANT! Nice idea!