How to Make a Copycat Starbucks Cold Foam Cold Brew

Trendy and refreshing, cold foam cold brew coffee is having a moment—and another, and another. The now quintessential summer drink is as popular as it is easy to re-create at home. You’re about to become your own favorite barista!

What is cold foam, and how do I make it?

Starbucks has taken cold brew one step further (and gained a cult following in the process) by topping it with a sweet cold foam. Make it yourself by working some DIY magic!

To make cold foam, just froth cool milk (skim or light fat) in a blender, with a French press or with a milk frother. We’re fans of this hand-held frother, which is the stuff of your latte dreams, or this one-touch wonder from Nespresso.

What beans make the best coffee?

The trick to an excellent cup of coffee is often no more complicated than the beans you’re choosing. Opt for higher-quality beans, and become familiar with the roasts you prefer. Lighter roasts are more acidic and higher in caffeine, while medium roasts are popular for cold brew. They are mellow without having the burnt taste sometimes associated with darker roasts.

Make sure that whatever you pick, you’re buying the beans whole so you can grind them at home. Buying coffee that’s too finely ground can leave behind sediment in your cup.

Does water matter when brewing coffee?

And sometimes the trick to an excellent cup of coffee is just a matter of water. After all, it’s one of the key ingredients, and is responsible for carrying the flavor of the beans—tap water can carry other particles and sediments that can interfere with the taste and notes that come out. Try using filtered or bottled water for best results.

How to Make Cold Foam Cold Brew

Ingredients

• 1 cup coarsely ground coffee
• 1 cup 205°F water (simmering, not boiling), optional but recommended
• 6-7 cups cold water
• Cold foam (see instructions above)

Instructions

Step 1: Combine coffee and hot water

Place the coffee grounds in a clean glass container and pour in the hot water; let stand 10 minutes. You’ll see the coffee swell and bubble up. That’s called “bloom.”

Letting coffee bloom—when the hot water releases carbon dioxide from the grounds—extracts more flavor from the beans. If you want to skip this step and only use cold water, add an extra cup of cold water to the recipe.

Step 2: Add cold water

Once your grounds have bloomed, stir in the cold water. Cover the container and refrigerate for 12-16 hours, or up to 24. The longer the coffee sits, the stronger the flavor will be.

Step 3: Strain

Strain the coffee through a fine mesh sieve. Discard the grounds. Then, do a second strain, this time pouring the coffee through a coffee filter. This will remove any fine particles or grounds, yielding the smoothest possible cup.

Step 4: Sweeten the deal

Serve the coffee over ice, either black or with a splash of milk or cream. Then, top with the cold foam. For a truly irresistible drink, we recommend adding a teaspoon or two of homemade simple syrup. While vanilla is a staple, you can experiment with other flavors, like coconut, almond or caramel.

How do you store cold brew coffee?

Cold brew can last in the fridge for up to two weeks. Make sure the lid is secured tightly so the coffee can retain all of its flavors and not absorb any from other items in you fridge.

You can also pour any remainders into ice cube trays and freeze, using them to chill other coffee drinks (like this creamy and caffeinated frappe mocha) without watering them down.

Find More Recipes Inspired by Starbucks

1 / 25

Inspired by: Starbucks Salted Caramel Mocha

Indulge in a coffeehouse-quality drink with this caramel mocha recipe. With whipped cream and a butterscotch drizzle, this treat will perk up even the sleepiest person at the table. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Get Our Recipe: Creamy Caramel Mocha

Inspired By: Starbucks Coconut Creme Frapuccino Blended Creme

I love frozen beverages, so I wanted to create one similar to those in coffee shops but without coffee as an ingredient. When I drink this frosty treat it's as good as any specialty shop drink but without the hassle or the cost. —Emily Semmelrock, Jewett City, Connecticut

Get Our Recipe: Coconut Lover's Frappe

Inspired By: Starbucks Iced Lemon Pound Cake

My family always asks for this love-me-tender lemon pound cake. Sometimes, I shake things up and make cupcakes with the batter. So awesome for brunch! —Lola Baxter, Winnebago, Minnesota

Get Our Recipe: Lemon Pound Cake Loaves

Inspired By: Starbucks Berry Trio Yogurt

Expecting brunch company, but short on time? My quick, delicious and beautiful parfaits are the perfect solution. Feel free to mix and match your favorite berries. —Lisa Speer, Palm Beach, Florida

Get Our Recipe: Berry Breakfast Parfaits

Inspired By: Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino Blended Beverage

The winter holidays are my favorite time of year, and this spiced pumpkin drink is one reason I love the season so much. If you don't have a coffee maker, it's OK to use instant coffee—just make it stronger. —Kathie Perez, East Peoria, Illinois

Get Our Recipe: Spiced-Pumpkin Coffee Shakes

Inspired By: Starbucks Caffe Mocha

When I'm sipping this delicious coffee, I almost feel like I'm visiting my favorite coffeehouse. —Jill Rodriguez, Gonzales, Louisiana

Get Our Recipe: Mocha Morning Drink

Inspired By: Starbucks Iced Caffe Latte

This is a great alternative to regular hot coffee and is much more economical than store-bought coffee drinks. Sweetened condensed milk and a hint of chocolate lend a special touch. —Heather Nandell, Johnston, Iowa

Get Our Recipe: Iced Coffee Latte

Inspired By: Starbucks Cranberry Orange Scone

Moist and scrumptious, these scones come out perfect every time. I savor the chewy dried cranberries and sweet orange glaze. There's nothing better than serving these remarkable scones warm with the delicate orange butter. —Karen McBride, Indianapolis, Indiana

Get Our Recipe: Cranberry Orange Scones

Inspired By: Starbucks Pumpkin Bread

An enticing aroma wafts through my house when this tender cake-like pumpkin bread is in the oven. I bake extra loaves to give as holiday gifts. My friends wait eagerly for it every year. —Linda Burnett, Prescott, Arizona

Get Our Recipe: Delicious Pumpkin Bread

Inspired By: Starbucks Turkey & Havarti Sandwich

This is not your ordinary sandwich! Everyone loves the combination of chutney and chopped peanuts. I like to make this when I have company in the afternoon or at night after a game of cards. —Agnes Ward, Stratford, Ontario

Get Our Recipe: Havarti Turkey Hero

Inspired By: Starbucks Hot Chocolate

This is our daughter's favorite hot chocolate recipe. It may look like ordinary cocoa, but a touch of vanilla sets it apart from the rest. And the melted marshmallows give it a frothy body you won't get from a cocoa packet. —Jo Ann Schimcek, Weimar, Texas

Get Our Recipe: Fluffy Hot Chocolate

Inspired By: Starbucks Chai Latte

My wife loves chai, but I have never been satisfied with any of the store-bought mixes, so I created my own. —Justin Weber, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Get Our Recipe: Warm Spiced Chai

Inspired By: Starbucks Chocolate Chunk Muffin

Muffins are one of my favorite things to bake, and these are the best. I always keep some in the freezer for breakfast on the run. I can zap one in the microwave before I head out the door. —Kelly Kirby Westville, Nova Scotia

Get Our Recipe: Traditional Chocolate Chip Muffins

Inspired By: Starbucks Banana Nut Bread

This quick banana nut bread is a family favorite, so I always try to have ripe fruit on hand especially for this recipe. I'm sure your family will love this tasty nutty bread as much as mine. —Susan Jones, La Grange Park, Illinois

Get Our Recipe: Banana Nut Bread

Inspired By: Starbucks Peppermint Mocha

Make spirits bright with a minty mocha to share under the mistletoe or around the piano. I’ve also stirred in coffee liqueur instead of peppermint. —Lauren Brien-Wooster, South Lake Tahoe, California

Get Our Recipe: Holiday Peppermint Mocha

Inspired By: Starbucks Egg Salad Sandwich

I love the versatility of egg salad, especially with this recipe. You can serve it on a nest of mixed greens, tucked into a sandwich or with your favorite crisp crackers. —Cynthia Kohlberg, Syracuse, Indiana

Get Our Recipe: Creamy Egg Salad

Inspired By: Starbucks Everything Bagel with Cheese

Who has time to make from-scratch bagels? You do, with this easy recipe! The chewy golden bagels offer a hint of honey and will win over even the pickiest eaters. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Get Our Recipe: Honey Bagels

Inspired By: Starbucks Mocha Frappuccino Blended Coffee

Coffee ice cubes power up this refreshing drink. Have it morning, noon or—if you dare—night! —Beverly Coyde, Gasport, New York

Get Our Recipe: Frappe Mocha

Inspired By: Starbucks Blueberry Scone

I love serving this blueberry scone recipe to visiting friends and family. I always make sure a have a few in the freezer. Just pop a frozen scone in the microwave for 20 seconds or so. —Joan Francis, Spring Lake, New Jersey

Get Our Recipe: Blueberry Scones

Inspired By: Starbucks Sausage, Cheddar & Egg Breakfast Sandwich

Wake up your taste buds with eye-opening breakfast sandwiches featuring spicy sausage, fluffy egg, tomato and creamy avocado piled high on a flaky croissant.—Emory Doty, Jasper, Georgia

Get Our Recipe: Italian Sausage & Egg Croissants

Inspired By: Starbucks Classic Whole-Grain Oatmeal

There’s no better feeling than waking up to a hot, ready-to-eat breakfast. The oats, fruit and spices in this homey meal cook together while you sleep! —Valerie Sauber, Adelanto, California

Get Our Recipe: Raisin Nut Oatmeal

Inspired By: Starbucks Homestyle Chicken & Double-Smoked Bacon

Everyone likes this tasty chicken breast sandwich. Flattening the chicken breasts helps them cook faster, and the mango chutney and other toppings make them better than anything you could order in a restaurant. —Agnes Ward, Stratford, Ontario

Get Our Recipe: Bacon-Chicken Sandwiches

Inspired By: Starbucks Caffe Mocha with Cinnamon

Most store-bought flavored coffees are expensive. Here's a special early-morning beverage you can make at home. The aroma of cinnamon and cocoa makes this mocha coffee hard to resist. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Get Our Recipe: Cinnamon Mocha Coffee

Inspired By: Starbucks Italian-Style Ham & Spicy Salami

 Olive lovers are sure to rejoice over this stacked sandwich! Stuffed and ripe olives are marinated in white wine vinegar and garlic before using them to flavor these speedy salami, ham and provolone subs.—Delores Christner, Spooner, Wisconsin

Get Our Recipe: Fast Italian Subs

Inspired By: Starbucks Roasted Tomato & Mozzarella Panini

Why settle for ordinary grilled cheese when this is so easy to fix? Pair the sandwiches with your favorite soup for a fast, satisfying meal. —Arlene Reagan, Limerick, Pennsylvania

Get Our Recipe: Pesto Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

Note: Every product is independently selected by our editors. If you buy something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

The post How to Make a Copycat Starbucks Cold Foam Cold Brew appeared first on Taste of Home.

Kim Bussing