Indulge in a rich and creamy Starbucks-inspired treat with my Chocolate Cream Cold Brew recipe. This refreshing beverage is made with sweet vanilla syrup, smooth cold brew coffee, and topped with a luscious layer of chocolate-flavored sweet cream. YUM!
Here in the Coffee Copycat kitchen, we're all about recreating our favorite coffee shop drinks at home for a fraction of the cost. This Starbucks Chocolate Cream Cold Brew recipe is dedicated to all my fellow chocoholics!
The bold, icy flavors of the smooth, low-acid coffee and decadent chocolate cream create a deliciously irresistible drink that will satisfy any sweet tooth and give you a boost of energy on a warm summer day. In fact, I like to call this chocolate cold brew my "Mother's Little Helper."
Best of all, it's made with just six simple, easy-to-pronounce ingredients in just 5 or so minutes, meaning chocolatey, caffeinated bliss is never far from reach.
Jump to:
- What is chocolate cream cold brew?
- What does it taste like?
- Why you'll love this chocolate cream cold brew recipe:
- Ingredients
- Substitutions
- How To Make Starbucks Chocolate Cream Cold Brew
- Other Uses For Chocolate Cold Foam
- Optional Variations & Dietary Adaptations
- Tips & FAQ
- Nutritional Info
- Other Iced Coffee Recipes
- Chocolate Cream Cold Brew (Starbucks Copycat)
What is chocolate cream cold brew?
This Starbucks chocolate cream cold foam is an irresistible iced coffee beverage that combines the flavor of cold brew coffee with a sweet and chocolatey twist. This heavenly drink starts with a vanilla-sweetened cold brew base that's perfectly chilled to create a refreshing, energizing drink. And that's just the beginning!
To take it to the next level, it's then topped with a fluffy, aerated malted sweet chocolaty cream that'll leave you swooning with delight. The result is a deliciously decadent drink that's perfect for satisfying your coffee and chocolate cravings, all in one sip. Trust me, it's worth trying at least once!
What does it taste like?
Ok, friends, strap in and get ready for a taste bud adventure! When you take a sip of this Starbucks copycat chocolate cream cold brew, you'll feel the smooth, velvety chocolate sweet cream coating your tongue, followed by the bold and refreshing kick of the cold brew coffee.
It's like drinking a dreamy, magical elixir that instantly transports you to a whimsical world of Willy Wonka-esque chocolatey bliss. Trust me, one sip and you'll be hooked!
Why you'll love this chocolate cream cold brew recipe:
If sipping on a caffeinated chocolate coffee cloud isn't enough to convince you, don't fret. This chocolate cream cold brew Starbucks-style recipe is:
- Quick & Easy - If your cold brew is ready to go, it'll take just 5 minutes. That's less time than it takes waiting in the drive-thru line!
- Made With Just 6 Ingredients - And they're all easy to find at any regular grocery store.
- Budget-Friendly - Rather than coughing up a whopping $5+ for a single serving (pre-tip!), you can make a round for you, your SO, and your teenager for the same price. Oh, and don't forget to tip yourself — that piggy bank isn't going to fill up on its own!
- Luxuriously Chocolatey - If you're a fan of mochas, brownies, truffles, or flourless cakes, this Starbucks chocolate cream coffee is right up your alley.
- Perfectly Caffeinated - One serving will get you buzzed without feeling jittery.
Ingredients
It's kinda wild — once you know how to make homemade cold brew coffee Starbucks-style, you're never going to want to shell out the $$$ to buy cold brews at Starbucks again! Here's everything you'll need for this simple, at-home recipe:
- Cold Brew Coffee - Made by steeping coffee grounds in cold water for an extended period of time, usually around 12-24 hours, creates a smooth and less acidic coffee concentrate that's perfect for making iced coffee drinks. You can make cold-brew coffee at home using a French press, a cold-brew coffee maker, or even a mason jar. You're also welcome to buy it pre-made from the refrigerated section of the store.
- Homemade Vanilla Syrup - Vanilla-infused simple syrup is one of the most universally-loved coffee flavorings. You can easily make it at home by combining equal parts of sugar and water, bringing them to a boil till the sugar dissolves, then adding half a vanilla bean or vanilla extract to steep for a minimum of a half hour. Or, take the easy route, and purchase it from the coffee aisle of the grocery store.
- Heavy Cream - This rich dairy product has a high fat content, making it perfect for whipping into soft, luxurious chocolate cold foam.
- Milk of Choice - I personally used whole milk since that's what we normally have in the fridge, but feel free to use skim, 1%, 2%, or unsweetened plant-based milk instead.
- Malted Milk Powder - This sweetened powder is made from malted barley, wheat flour, and evaporated whole milk. It's commonly used in desserts and milkshakes to add a rich, toasty flavor. Feel free to use either plain or chocolate-flavored!
- Unsweetened Cocoa Powder - I personally like to use Dutch-processed cocoa powder because it's less bitter than other varieties. Feel free to use conventional cocoa, black cocoa, or raw cacao powder instead!
Substitutions
As much as I love this creamy, dreamy cold brew chocolate cold foam Starbucks dupe just the way the recipe is written, there's always room for a little improvisation. Here are some easy ingredient swaps to try:
- Cold Brew Coffee - Feel free to brew regular coffee and refrigerate it until cool. You can also brew regular coffee at double strength, then pour it over ice if you're impatient. Alternatively, use 2 shots of espresso diluted in about ¾ cup of water instead! Any cold coffee will work!
- Vanilla Syrup - If you can't find vanilla syrup, try using regular ol' simple syrup and add a splash of vanilla extract. You're also welcome to experiment with other flavors like caramel or almond syrup.
- Heavy Cream - You can also use lower-fat whipping cream or half-n-half, or swap in coconut cream instead.
- Milk of Choice - If you're using half-n-half for the cream part, go ahead and use it for the milk, too.
- Malted Milk Powder - Feel free to swap in Ovaltine or Carnation Instant Breakfast, maca powder, chocolate malt powder, coconut milk powder, soy milk powder, or regular milk powder instead. You can also omit it if you prefer.
- Unsweetened Cocoa Powder - If you don't have cocoa powder on hand, you can use chocolate syrup to flavor the coffee. You may also use chocolate syrup to make the cold foam, but the consistency might not be quite the same.
How To Make Starbucks Chocolate Cream Cold Brew
These Starbucks cold brews come together in a snap. Here's how:
Step 1: Pour 1 cup of cold brew coffee into each tall glass.
Step 2: Sweeten each coffee with 1 tablespoon of vanilla syrup & stir to combine.
Step 3: Add the remaining 2 tablespoons vanilla syrup, heavy cream, milk, malted milk powder, and cocoa powder to another glass.
Step 4: Make Starbucks Chocolate Cold Foam. Use a handheld milk frother to froth the mixture until well combined and creamy (about 30-60 seconds).
Step 5: Assemble. Top the lightly sweetened cold brews equally with the chocolate cold foam and serve immediately! Drink up!
Other Uses For Chocolate Cold Foam
The possibilities are endless when it comes to using chocolate cold foam. Get creative and see how you can add a touch of chocolatey goodness to your favorite drinks and desserts! Some of my favorites include:
- Hot Chocolate
- Milkshakes
- Ice Cream
- Brownies
- Pancakes
- Waffles
- Overnight Oats
Optional Variations & Dietary Adaptations
One of the best parts about playing your own barista is you get to make things exactly the way you like, with zero absurd upcharges. Here are a few different Starbucks cold brew recipes to try:
- Dairy-Free/Vegan - To make this recipe vegan, replace the heavy cream with a non-dairy alternative like coconut cream or soy creamer, use non-dairy milk like almond milk or oat milk, and use vegan malted milk powder.
- Gluten-Free - Since malted milk powder isn't gluten-free, it's not safe for celiacs. Feel free to swap in maca powder or powdered plant-based milk instead.
- Decaf - Just because I need a caffeine boost in the afternoon doesn't mean you do. Feel free to use decaf cold brew instead!
- Other Flavors - Feel free to get creative here, since chocolate plays nicely with just about everything. You can use hazelnut or almond syrup instead of vanilla to get a candy bar vibe. Try raspberry syrup for a raspberry mocha-like experience. Drizzle on some caramel sauce for a classic combination of coffee, chocolate, and caramel, or sprinkle on some cinnamon for a hit of warmth. The sky is the limit!
Tips & FAQ
- Make sure your coffee is well-chilled before beginning. This will ensure the cold foam doesn't melt away too quickly.
- No milk frother? No problem! Here are a few easy ways to froth your cold foam without any fancy equipment:
- Use a French Press: Pour your milk, cream, malted milk powder, and cocoa powder into a French press and pump the plunger up and down until the milk becomes frothy.
- Use a Whisk: Alternatively, add all the cold foam ingredients to a large bowl and vigorously whisk it back and forth motion until it becomes light and airy.
- Use a Mason Jar: Pour your chocolate foam ingredients into a mason jar and shake it vigorously for about 30 seconds to a minute.
Yep! That said, you're welcome to serve it hot because you're the barista! Just note that the cold foam will dissipate more quickly on a hot beverage than on a chilled one.
Yes, it's sweet, but not cloying. The robustness of the coffee, toasty notes of the malted milk powder, and deep, dark chocolate flavor from the cocoa keep this very well balanced.
That all depends. The amount of caffeine in a cup of cold brew can vary depending on the brand, roast level, brewing method, and other factors. However, in general, cold brew coffee tends to have a higher caffeine content than regular hot brewed coffee.
On average, an 8-ounce cup of cold brew coffee can contain anywhere from 100 to 200 milligrams of caffeine, although some brands or homemade recipes may have even higher caffeine levels. To put that into perspective, an 8-ounce cup of regular hot brewed coffee typically contains around 95 milligrams of caffeine, so cold brew can have significantly more caffeine per serving.
That said, you're welcome to use a decaf roast, regular coffee that you've chilled, or espresso that you've diluted and chilled, so again, all the control is in your hands.
You're in luck, because this iced coffee drink is available year-round on the Starbucks menu. It was initially released in May of 2022.
Nutritional Info
The chocolate cream cold brew calories (221 per serving) and fat content (11 grams per serving) definitely make this drink more of a treat than a regular cup of joe.
This recipe also contains 21 grams of sugar, which comes from the vanilla syrup and chocolate cream cold foam. While this is a relatively high amount of sugar, it's important to note that it's still lower than many other sweetened coffee drinks on the market.
Overall, this Starbucks copycat chocolate cream cold brew recipe is a deliciously indulgent treat that can fit into a balanced and healthy diet when consumed in moderation. As with any food or drink, it's important to be mindful of your portion sizes and overall intake throughout the day.
Total nutritional content per serving is:
- Calories: 221 calories
- Total Fat: 11 grams
- Protein: 3 grams
- Sodium: 60 mg
- Carbohydrates: 27 grams
- Sugar: 21 grams
*This nutritional information is an estimate and calculated based on the ingredients used to create the recipe. The nutritional value of your ingredients may differ slightly. Furthermore, this food is not intended to prevent, diagnose, cure, or treat any disease.
Other Iced Coffee Recipes
Chocolate Cream Cold Brew (Starbucks Copycat)
Equipment
Ingredients
Chocolate Cold Foam
- 2 tablespoon heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon whole milk
- 1 tablespoon vanilla syrup
- 1 tablespoon malted milk powder
- 1 ½ teaspoon unsweetened cocoa powder
Chocolate Cream Cold Brew
- 1 ½ cups cold brew coffee
- 1 tablespoon vanilla syrup divided
Instructions
- Make the chocolate cold foam: Add heavy cream, whole milk, 1 tablespoon vanilla syrup, malted milk powder, and unsweetened cocoa powder to jar or container. Froth for 10-20 seconds with a milk frother, until the mixture is well combined. Set aside.
- Add 1 tablespoon of vanilla syrup to a tall glass, then stir in the cold brew coffee. Top with ice.
- Top with the chocolate cold foam and drink up!
Nutrition
xoxo Megan
Joanne Jeske says
what can you substitute for malted milk powder?
Megan Byrd says
You can omit it completely, I haven't found a good substitute. The flavor will be slightly different but still really good without it.