Nondairy Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew (Starbucks Copycat)

Vegans and lactose-intolerants, rejoice! My Nondairy Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew recipe has all the rich, creamy appeal of the Starbucks original with none of the dairy. Best of all, it’s made with just 4 simple ingredients and almost zero effort.

Of all the many iced coffee drinks to choose from, the lovely simplicity of Starbucks vanilla sweet cream cold brew has always made it one of my favorites. But, much to the dismay of my dairy-free friends, no plant-based options are available at the coffee giant. ☹️

So, at the request of one of my lovely readers, I set out to create a vanilla sweet cream cold brew recipe specifically for vegans. While it took a bit of trial and error, I’m happy to report that I’ve discovered the perfect mix of plant-based milks, vanilla syrup, and deep, dark cold brew coffee to replicate the deliciousness of the original. Cheers!

Jump to:

• What is Dairy-Free Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew?
• What does it taste like?
• Why You’ll Love This Non-Dairy Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew Recipe
• Ingredients Needed
• Substitutions
• How To Make A Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew Without Dairy
• Optional Variations & Dietary Adjustments
• Serving Suggestions
• Recipe Success Tips
• FAQs
• Vegan Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew Nutrition
• Other Dairy-Free Coffee Recipes
• Nondairy Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew (Starbucks Copycat)

What is Dairy-Free Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew?

If you love sweetened cold brew coffee, this one’s for you. It starts with richly flavored, low-acidity coffee that’s been brewed with cool water over 12 hours to extract every last bit of roasty, toasty flavor. 

We then gussy it up with a homemade coffee creamer fashioned from a blend of full-fat oat milk, soy milk, and homemade vanilla simple syrup. For a little added flair, you can froth the creamer to create a lighter, vegan version of sweet cream cold foam. It’s the perfect low-lift cold brew glow-up for anyone who loves sweet, creamy, vanilla coffee goodness!

What does it taste like?

The first flavor you’ll taste is rich, robust cold brew coffee. Using the cold brewing method ensures the full extraction of your favorite roast’s flavor and aroma, offering subtleties you may not experience with a conventionally brewed cup. This delectable base melds seamlessly with the dessert-like creaminess of homemade vegan coffee creamer.

Full-fat oat milk provides a luxuriously thick mouthfeel, while the vanilla syrup weaves in an enchantingly sweet complexity. Soy milk rounds it out with a subtle, nutty finish that lingers just long enough to entice you back for another sip. It's the perfect pick-me-up that doesn’t weigh you down, lifting your spirits with its light, airy creaminess and invigorating coffee kick.

Why You’ll Love This Non-Dairy Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew Recipe

• Quick & Easy - While I’m happy to go all-out and make fancy coffee shop style drinks like my craveworthy tiramisu latte, sometimes my schedule doesn’t allow it. This super simple vegan vanilla sweet cream cold brew recipe is no more difficult than adding cream and sugar to your morning joe, but tastes like a dream! Nothing better than a Starbucks drink made at home!
• Only 4 Simple Ingredients - Combining the speedy assembly with a short grocery list makes this delicious and easy Starbucks copycat recipe even more attainable.
• Inclusive - I firmly believe everyone should get a chance to enjoy their java as much as I do. After all, it’s the little things that make a beautiful life! This luscious café-style drink is safe for gluten-free, dairy-free, and nut-free diets, and can easily be made sugar-free, soy-free, and decaf! 
• Budget-Friendly - Assembling your own cold brew drinks is bound to be cheaper than the $5+ you’d spend at Starbucks. If you make your own cold brew and coffee syrup, it gets even cheaper!

Ingredients Needed

As promised, this dairy-free DIY vanilla sweet cream cold brew requires just a handful of ingredients. Here’s what to grab:

• Oat Milk - I used Oatly Barista because it froths like a dream, but feel free to use any full-fat oat milk you prefer!
• Vanilla Syrup - My homemade recipe is a simple mix of water, sugar, and vanilla extract so it’s much cheaper than the bottled stuff you can buy at the store. That said, store-bought works just as well!
• Soy Milk - Adding a bit of soy milk—which is higher in fat and protein than oat milk—gives a nutty flavor to our DIY creamer and gives it extra richness. 
• Cold Brew Coffee - TBH, cold brew is my favorite way of making coffee. It’s lower acid, so it tastes extra smooth and delicious!
• Ice - Because right now, cold coffee is the only coffee I want. 🥵If possible, start with filtered water for the best taste!

Substitutions

Just because this sweet cream cold brew is nondairy doesn’t mean that it’ll work for you. Here are some alternative ingredients to try if needed:

• Oat Milk & Soy Milk - Feel free to use all oat if you can’t do soy, or use all soy if you can’t do oat. You can also swap in creamy coconut milk, coconut cream, or vegan half-n-half to replace either/both. I would not suggest a low-fat milk like almond milk, as it won't be very creamy.
• Vanilla Syrup - Make this creamy vegan cold brew any flavor you like by swapping in your favorite coffee syrup. Maple syrup or brown sugar syrup would also be great! Sugar-free coffee syrup is also an option! 
• Cold Brew Coffee - You’re welcome to use conventionally brewed coffee that has been cooled, or use a few shots of espresso mixed with water to make an americano base.
• Ice - For even more of a coffee pop, swap in coffee ice cubes. 

How To Make A Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew Without Dairy

This yummy iced coffee recipe is a snap to make. Here’s how:

Step 1: Ice Coffee. Add ice to a glass, then top with the cold brew coffee.

Step 2: Make Creamer. In a separate glass or mason jar, stir together the oat milk, vanilla syrup, and soy milk. Optional: froth lightly with a handheld milk frother for a little foam on top!

Step 3: Assemble. Pour the non-dairy vanilla creamer over the cold brew and drink up!

Optional Variations & Dietary Adjustments

When you take the role of Starbucks barista, you get to make your sweet cream cold brew just the way you like it. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Reduced-Sugar - While most barista blend plant-based milks have sugar, you can significantly reduce the total sugar by swapping in a sugar-free syrup. NOTE: all of my syrup recipes can be made with your favorite cup-for-cup sugar alternatives (e.g. monkfruit or stevia).
• Sugar-Free - Opt for no sugar-added plant milk and sugar-free coffee syrup. Generally speaking, soy milk and coconut milk will be your best bet; most unsweetened oat milks and almond milks are too thin to hold a froth. 
• Different Milks - Feel free to experiment with different types of plant-based milk to find your favorite combo. I recommend opting for higher-fat choices, as they’ll add more richness.
• Extra Creamy - If you want more of a nondairy sweet cream cold foam or simply a richer coffee creamer experience, consider swapping in vegan whipping cream, vegan half-n-half, or canned full-fat coconut milk for at least some of the plant milk in the recipe.
• Red-Eye - On days when I need a little extra get up and go (read: when both my kids are sick and don’t sleep through the night 🥱), I’ll add a shot of French press espresso for oomph. When it’s REALLY dire, I’ll make a black eye by adding two shots. 
• Hot Coffee With Nondairy Vanilla Sweet Cream - You’re welcome to make this a hot coffee drink either by heating up your cold brew and sweetened milk mixture, or by using conventionally brewed coffee instead.

Serving Suggestions

Your non-dairy vanilla sweet cream cold brew can be enjoyed in a myriad of delightful ways, suiting any mood or occasion. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Seasonal Spice: During the fall or winter, add a dollop of pumpkin cold foam and a cinnamon stick for added coziness. Just typing that is making me dream of crunchy leaves. 🍁
• Protein Punch: Blend your cold brew with a frozen banana, some chia seeds, and vanilla protein powder then top with a sprinkle of cinnamon. A nutritious smoothie that combines coffee and breakfast in one slurpable cup and starts your day with a kick!
• Whipped Topping: For an extra indulgent treat, top your cold brew with a dollop of coconut whipped cream and a drizzle of mocha sauce. Tuxedo-inspired yumminess for the win!
• Cocktail Twist: For an adult twist, add a shot of nondairy Baileys or Kahlua. Serve it in a fancy glass with a sprinkle of cocoa powder on top for a boozy brunch or after-dinner drink.

Recipe Success Tips

• Go Full Scratch. For the most budget-friendly version of this cool and creamy coffee drink, skip the store-bought syrups and cold brew coffee. Making your own saves money, and as a bonus, saves plastic!
• Fat is Your Friend. Using full-fat plant-milk will yield a richer, creamier cup. I also recommend opting for “barista blends” whenever possible, as these are designed to froth like dairy milk.
• Freeze Your Cup. You know how bars freeze pint glasses for their draught beers? I like to do that for my cold coffee drinks, too. It keeps them chillier for longer, which not only makes them extra refreshing, but also helps prevent the ice from diluting your coffee too quickly.
• Play With Your Ratio. I’m not gonna lie—I like my coffee super creamy and sweet. Feel free to adjust how much milk and syrup you add to find your own perfect balance.
• Lovely Leftovers. Don’t have it in you to finish your drink? Strain out the ice and pour the creamy vanilla coffee into a popsicle mold for a caffeinated treat later on. Alternatively, freeze them into creamy coffee ice cubes!

FAQs

Vegan Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew Nutrition

Each serving of this veganized Starbucks favorite has about 110 calories, which is pretty reasonable. It’s low in fat with just 2 grams per serving, and it also provides a gram of protein—not much, but something is better than nothing, right? Sodium is super low at 31 mg, which is great if you’re watching your salt intake.

Now, it does have 23 grams of carbohydrates, with 18 grams coming from sugar. Most of that sweetness comes from the vanilla syrup, giving it that irresistibly rich, sweet flavor. If you’re concerned with sugar intake, hop back up to the optional variations section for instructions on how to make a reduced-sugar and a sugar-free version. 

All in all, this dairy-free vanilla sweet cream cold brew is a fantastic option when you want something sweet and vegan-friendly without overdoing it. Perfect for a little indulgence while keeping things light!

Total nutritional content per serving is:

• Calories: 110 calories
• Total Fat: 2 grams
• Protein: 1 gram
• Sodium: 31 mg
• Carbohydrates: 23 grams
• Sugar: 18 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 Dairy-Free Coffee Recipes

xoxo Megan