This Copycat Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew recipe tastes just like your favorite Starbucks drink! It’s the perfect creamy and refreshing fancy iced coffee drink for spring that also gives you a boost of energy!
Cold brew season is right around the corner! Although to be honest, after a very mild winter here in Minnesota I’ve been enjoying my iced coffee for a while. But sometimes plain old cold brew gets boring and we need a little amplifying flavor.
You all seemed to love my Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew last fall so I thought I would share a delicious spring (and Starbucks!) inspired recipe for Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew.
As expected (I am a healthy food blogger after all!) this recipe has some healthier twists. Let’s talk about them…
Why Make This Recipe?
- Starbucks copycat – I love a good copycat recipe and this Starbucks vanilla sweet cream cold brew is no exception. If you love Starbucks too, this recipe is for you!
- Vegan – I use almond milk in place of heavy cream for a plant-based and also healthier substitute.
- Less Sugar – It’s sweetened with maple syrup instead of sugar and not a whole lot of it either!
- It’s more affordable – skip the coffee shop and make your own vanilla sweet “cream” at home. Your wallet will thank you!
Ingredients in Vanilla Sweet Cream
- Water – for your vanilla simple syrup
- Maple Syrup – we’re using this in place of sugar. You can substitute it with sugar or even honey.
- Vanilla Bean – Ideally use vanilla bean but if not you can also sub in vanilla extract
- Almond Milk – My preference but any non-dairy milk or even dairy milk will do. Heavy cream yields the most accurate Starbucks copycat recipe but we’re making healthier swaps here and my preference is for non-dairy milk.
- Cold Brew – I like to make my own cold brew but you can always use store-bought.
- Ice – for serving.
How to Make Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew
STEP 1: MAKE VANILLA SYRUP
Add water and maple syrup to a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Once maple syrup has dissolved turn off heat, add vanilla bean and let cool to room temperature. Remove vanilla bean and store in a mason jar or glass container in the fridge for up to 3 months.
STEP 2: BLEND
Add almond milk and a 1/4 cup of vanilla syrup to your blender and blend until it reaches a whipped consistency. Alternatively add to a mason jar and shake vigorously and/or use a milk frother to froth into a cream foam.
STEP 2: COMBINE COLD BREW + COLD FOAM
Add ice to a large glass and top with 1 cup of cold brew. Pour in your vanilla sweet cream to taste. Stir to combine.
Easy Swaps + Substitutions
Can’t find vanilla bean? Most grocery stores carry vanilla bean but if you can’t find it, replace with 1 tbsp of vanilla extract.
No blender? No problem! – use a handheld milk frother or immersion blender instead to froth your vanilla creamer.
Replace the non-dairy milk – I like using almond milk in this recipe because that’s typically what we have on hand but oat milk also works great.
Use Iced Coffee – Am I a cold brew coffee purist? Yes, most definitely. However regular iced coffee will work just find in place of cold brew in this recipe.
Storage Instructions
You can keep your homemade vanilla syrup in the fridge for up to 3 months.
Store your homemade vanilla sweet cream and cold brew separately in the fridge in large mason jars or glass containers. Will keep for up to 5 days in the refrigerator. Mix just before consuming.
More Delicious Drink Recipes
Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew
This Copycat Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew tastes just like your favorite Starbucks drink! It’s the perfect creamy and refreshing drink for spring that also gives you a boost of energy!
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Drinks
- Method: Blend
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
For the vanilla syrup:
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 1 large vanilla bean (or 1 tbsp vanilla extract)
For the Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew:
- 1 cup almond milk
- 1/4 cup vanilla syrup
- 4 cups homemade cold brew (or use store bought)
- Ice, for serving
For the vanilla syrup:
- Add water and maple syrup to a small saucepan and bring to a boil.
- Once maple syrup has dissolved turn off heat, add vanilla bean and let cool to room temperature.
- Remove vanilla bean and store in a mason jar or glass container in the fridge for up to 3 months.
For the Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew:
- Add almond milk and a 1/4 cup of vanilla syrup to your blender and blend until it reaches a whipped consistency. Alternatively add to a mason jar and shake vigorously and/or use a milk frother to froth into a cream foam.
- Add ice to a large glass and top with 1 cup of cold brew. Pour in your vanilla sweet cream to taste. Stir to combine.
