Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew

This Starbucks copycat Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew recipe first appeared on Savory Experiments, where I am a contributor.

Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew is a simple, delicious coffee drink that can easily be made at home. Combine cold brew coffee, homemade vanilla syrup and homemade vanilla sweet cream to enjoy this coffeehouse favorite at home.

Love homemade coffee drinks? You’ve got to try Homemade Irish Coffee and Cranberry Pumpkin Cold Brew Coffee Drink!

Nothing says summer to me like a fancy iced coffee drink, and this Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew is the copycat recipe I’ve been longing for.

Instead of waiting in the drive-through line at Starbucks or another coffee shop, make this at home with just a handful of simple ingredients.

Why I love this recipe:

The beauty of this coffee recipe is that you can customize it to your tastebuds. Since I’m not a sweet coffee person, I add less vanilla syrup and more vanilla sweet cream, but you can do whatever satisfies your craving. Play around with it and have some fun!

Additionally, you can serve this cold brew coffee recipe hot or cold.

You can also take a giant shortcut by purchasing pre-made cold brew or a cold brew kit instead of making your own. Just in case you need your cold brew immediately.

Other coffee drinks you should try: Cold Brew with Homemade Vanilla Mint Creamer | Gingerbread Coffee Creamer | The Boyfriend Irish Coffee | Baileys Coffee | The Melty Cold Brew Shake

What you need to make this coffee recipe:

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• Pitcher—you’re only going to need this if you make cold brew. I recommend using the largest pitcher you have.
• Coffee filters—you’ll need these to strain the cold brew. While you could use a nut milk bag or cheesecloth, I like this better. It’s also nice to not have to clean a nut milk bag or a cheesecloth after straining.
• Liquid measuring cup
• Sauce pan (at least 2.5 quarts)
• Mixing bowl
• Whisk
• Mason jar(s)—you’ll need three. Once you make the elements of this recipe in increments, they can be kept in the fridge for up to two weeks, though I doubt they’ll last that long. The syrup will last longer.

In addition to these tools, you’re going to need a few ingredients to make this cold brew recipe.

• Coffee beans or grounds—if you make your own cold brew, you’ll need these. However, you can purchase a cold brew kit from the store or cold brew concentrate, which are ready to go.
• Granulated sugar—this is sometimes called “white sugar.”
• Vanilla bean—yes, the real deal. It’s expensive, but this ingredient is worth the splurge. (If you can’t find one, you can add a tablespoon of vanilla extract instead. It will give vanilla flavor, though it won’t be as vibrant as the vanilla bean.)
• Water
• Half-and-half—our vanilla sweet cream is going to be decadent and wonderful, which is why it involves half-and-half and heavy whipping cream
• Heavy whipping cream—this is sometimes referred to as heavy cream

How do you make vanilla sweet cream cold brew from scratch?

Step 1. Make cold brew… or purchase pre-made cold brew.

If you want to make your own cold brew, I have instructions for you in the recipe card below!

If you don’t want to take the 12+ hours to steep yours, there are lots of pre-made cold brews on the market. I like these because while they are more expensive than coffee grounds, you can drink your cold brew faster. It’s also less messy.

Chameleon is my favorite cold brew brand, and they sell a refrigerated cold brew concentrate* (affiliate link). Starbucks cold brew kits and concentrate are a thing, too, especially if you want to enjoy their coffee along with the copycat sweet cream!

Step 2. Make the vanilla syrup.

This is essentially a simple syrup. We’re going to combine equal parts sugar and water in a saucepan, then heat it until the sugar dissolves. Be sure to stir it occasionally, too.

Once the sugar has dissolved, turn off the heat, and toss in the split vanilla bean. (This means that you’ve basically cut it in half, but it’s still attached.)

Let it steep for 2 hours at room temperature, then transfer to a mason jar and refrigerate.

Step 3. Make the vanilla sweet cream.

We want this sweet cream to be both thick and creamy, so please don’t make substitutes in the recipe to make it healthier.

Basically, we’re going to whisk together half-and-half and heavy whipping cream, add a little vanilla syrup and stir until combined.

Store in a mason jar in the fridge.

Pro tip: You can make a smaller amount of the Starbucks sweet cream or a larger amount, depending on if you drink more in your coffee. I suggest making the original recipe size first, then doubling it if you go through it fast.

Step 4. Make the Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew.

Add ice to a glass, and pour in the cold brew. Alternately, you could heat up the cold brew in a mug in the microwave if you’d rather.

Pour in the vanilla syrup, and stir. Top with vanilla sweet cream and stir.

Give it a taste and add any additional vanilla syrup or vanilla sweet cream, if necessary, then enjoy!

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick tips and tricks

• Vanilla sweet cream is NOT meant to be low fat. It’s a decadent coffee creamer! Please don’t use lower fat milk substitutes because yours will not turn out the same.
• How to store: Once made, transfer to an appropriate-sized mason jar, and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. The syrup will last longer, but the sweet cream will not last as long. Make sure they’re sealed tightly.
• How to make sweet cream cold foam: If you want to make your drink truly a copycat, you need to transform the Starbucks sweet cream into cold foam. To create vanilla sweet cream cold foam you need to whip sweet cream in a frother* (affiliate link) that has a cold foam function, use a handheld frother or a whisk or a blender. A note on the blender: Do not use it for long.