Copycat Starbucks Salted Cream Cold Foam Cold Brew

Social distancing has us feeling a bit cooped up, especially in North Dakota, where the weather is less than ideal most of the time. We just got hit with a snow storm, making it hard to get outside, and without our trips to the library, stores, playtimes, and coffee, we’re really starting to miss our normal routines. But this has given me time to figure out how to make our favorite recipes at home. This copycat Starbucks salted cream cold foam cold brew drink is my husband’s new favorite, and we’re really loving it at home right now!

Once or twice a week, we would take a trip to Starbucks as a family and share a cold brew, such as this one, or the vanilla sweet cream cold brew (copycat recipe linked here). With both of us working on our business, we have been limiting our outings, but this was a great one we looked forward to. Unfortunately with this period of social distancing, we’ve been trying not go out, but I have perfected this copycat so it’s almost nostalgic. I hope you enjoy it too!

You could easily replace the caramel syrup with a store bought one if you have it at home, but since we didn’t, I gave it a shot. Surprisingly it’s not as difficult as it appears when you watch shows like Great British Baking Show, but it does require a bit of patience. Don’t rush the sugar melting because in the blink of an eye it can turn from golden brown to a burnt mess in your pan. 

What you’ll love about this Copycat Starbucks Salted Cream Cold Foam recipe?

1. It’s a great copycat. Save yourself a bunch of money on the drive-thru or mobile ordering, and just make it yourself. It tastes just like the real thing made right in your kitchen.
2. It’s vegan friendly! Use a vegan cream for the cold foam and it’s now dairy-free. Beware, it will likely foam less and you probably won’t get such a clear separation when you add the foam to the coffee, but the flavor is just as good. 
3. You don’t have to leave your house. Especially for this period of COVID-19, staying home is essential. Get your favorite drink at home.
4. Impress your friends. Once this is all over, invite your friends over for brunch and make them this. Who wouldn’t be impressed getting this without a trip to the coffee shop?

How to make this salted cream cold foam cold brew?

1. You need to make the cold brew concentrate (or have purchased concentrate ready). Mix together 1/2 cup of grounds and 4 cups of water, or follow your cold brew directions if you have a maker. Allow this to sit for 16 hours steeping. 
2. Filter the grounds and place the concentrate in the fridge for up to 30 days. 
3. Make the caramel syrup. If you don’t already have a store-bought caramel, you’re in luck if you have sugar and water. Heat a medium sauce pan on the stove to medium heat (or slightly below). 
4. Add the sugar in a thin layer across the bottom of the pan and shake or stir as it starts to dissolve and turn golden brown. This will take some time so be patient. You don’t want to rush this process as it can burn the sugar. 
5. As it starts to dissolve (between 5-10 minutes), be sure to stir so it doesn’t burn to the bottom of the pan.
6. Once it’s all dissolved (or mostly, you may have some clumping, especially if you were stirring), add the water. BE CAREFUL as it may spatter. 
7. Continue to heat for another 10 minutes or until all the clumps are dissolved. Remove from heat and store in an air tight container for up to a week (it may keep longer, but we’ve never had it last that long).

How to make the cold foam and assembly of the drink?

1. With a mixer (stand, immersion blender, or hand mixer) with the whisk attachment, whip together the cream and the salt until a foam forms. If you use vegan cream or milk, don’t be surprised if the foam is pretty liquidy or doesn’t form. It’ll still taste great! You only need 1/4 cup of cream for each serving, and you’ll want to make the foam fresh each time you make this so only whip up what you need at the time.
2. To assemble the drink, place 2 tablespoons of the caramel sauce at the bottom of a glass. Pour 1/3 cup of water and 2/3 cup of cold brew concentrate over it. Add about 1/2 cup of ice, and then layer the cold foam over the top. If you used a vegan cream or milk, it’ll likely mix right in instead of layering, but I promise it still tastes great! I drink mine vegan and my hubby uses dairy cream, both are good. 🙂 Enjoy!

Related Recipes

Copycat Starbucks Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew
Copycat Caribou Iced Crafted Press Cold Brew

I hope you enjoyed this recipe! Let me know if you did in the comments below.

-Cassie