Our Starbucks Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew recipe is made with simple ingredients, all homemade! But don’t fret if you don’t want to make everything from scratch because we give you alternatives that can be found at any grocery store.
I am a huge coffee lover and it wasn’t until fairly recently that I tried my first cold coffee drink. I wasn’t sure I would like it because I’m kind of old school and used to drinking just hot coffee. But I gotta tell you, I absolutely love them now. Now some of my favorite coffee drinks are iced and blended coffee, especially on warm days.
Now lets talk more about this particular iced coffee drink and how easy it is. The three ingredients needed to make this sweet vanilla cream iced coffee still only requires 5 ingredients, and one of those is water.
A little planning ahead ensures you’ll have your cold brew concentrate and homemade vanilla syrup ready when you’re craving this recipe. But the effort is well worth it when you realize you can create these homemade versions for just cents—compared to the dollars you’d spend at coffee shops.
While we do still go to our favorite local coffee shop on occasion we most often make them at home. Not only can we drink them more, but we can have them without having to leave our house.
Looking for more refreshing iced coffee recipes? Check out my Dunkin Vanilla Swirl, Iced Mocha Coffee, or this Iced Caramel Coffee!
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Ingredient List
See recipe card for exact amounts.
For the Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew
cold brew coffee concentrate – we make homemade, see below for how to make it.
vanilla sweet cream – again, we make a homemade version of this, see below for how to make it.
ice – I like to use ice cubes as opposed to crushed ice because they don’t melt as fast.
How to make cold brew coffee concentrate
Here’s what you’ll need
coffee grounds – I use regular coffee grounds and occasionally use decaf.
water – we use filtered water out of our refrigerator. Regular tap water of bottled water is fine.
- Add 3 cups of water and ¾ cup ground coffee to a mason jar, put the lid on it and shake to combine.
- Let steep 12-18 hours then strain it using cheese cloth.
Water to cold brew coffee ratio is 1:1, so every cup of cold brew is mixed with one cup of water.
How to make vanilla syrup
Here’s what you’ll need
sugar – regular white sugar is what we use. I don’t have experience using a sugar substitute in this recipe but if there’s one you are familiar with that would work you can try it.
water – plain tap water is good for this.
vanilla flavor – I use vanilla extract but this can be made with a whole vanilla bean.
- Add 1 cup of water and 1 cup of white sugar to a small saucepan, bring to a boil and cook until the sugar dissolves, usually about 2 minutes. Take off the heat and stir in 1 ½ tablespoons of vanilla extract.
- Cool and transfer to a jar. It can be poured into a mason jar while it is still hot.
To make it with fresh vanilla bean add the water, sugar and vanilla bean to a small saucepan and bring it to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Allow to cool and strain, discard the vanilla pod.
How to make vanilla sweet cream
Here’s what you’ll need
heavy cream – also called heavy whipping cream.
vanilla syrup – this is a vanilla infused simple syrup.
- Pour 1 cup of heavy cream and 4 tablespoons of vanilla syrup into a jar.
- Shake vigorously until it’s well mixed.
How to make Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew Coffee
- Add ice to a large glass (at least 16 ounces), pour in the cold brew coffee concentrate, water and vanilla syrup and give it a good stir.
- Pour in the vanilla sweet cream, stir if desired. This is personal preference as some people don’t stir theirs. I like mine stirred.
To make this recipe using store-bought ingredients.
This recipe is super easy using homemade ingredients but takes some planning. If your short on time or just want to make it using purchased ingredients that’s still an option and will also save you money. Just buy pre-made cold brew and vanilla creamer. Store-bought creamer may not be as thick and rich as our homemade but would work. You could also make the vanilla sweet cream using heavy cream and store bought vanilla syrup. Torani syrups has a regular and sugar free version of vanilla syrup.
Storage
This is best made fresh if you don’t want to mix the cream into the coffee. If you do like it mixed together than this can be made ahead of time and stored in any airtight container in the refrigerator.
Make these copycat recipes next!
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Copycat Starbucks Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew
Ingredients
- 1 cup ice
- ½ cup cold brew
- ½ cup water
- ½ tablespoon vanilla syrup
- 2 tablespoons vanilla sweet cream
Instructions
- Add ice to a large glass (at least 16 ounces), pour in the cold brew coffee concentrate, water and vanilla syrup and give it a good stir.
- Pour in the vanilla sweet cream, stir if desired.
To Make cold brew concentrate
- Add 3 cups of water and ¾ cup ground coffee to a mason jar, put the lid on it and shake to combine.
- Let steep 12-18 hours then strain it using cheese cloth or coffee filter over a mesh stainer.
To make vanilla syrup
- Add 1 cup of water and 1 cup of white sugar to a small saucepan, bring to a boil and cook until the sugar dissolves, usually about 2 minutes.
- Take off the heat and stir in the 1 ½ tbsp vanilla extract. Cool and transfer to a jar. It can be poured into a mason jar while it is still hot.
To make vanilla sweet cream
- Pour 1 cup heavy cream and 4 tablespoons of vanilla syrup into a jar.
- Shake vigorously until it's well mixed.
About Mindy
Mindy has been cooking for over 30 years, starting as a young mother who learned how to create delicious meals on a budget. Today, she shares approachable recipes made with everyday ingredients that are easy, affordable, and family-friendly. Her goal is to show that great food doesn’t need to be complicated or expensive.