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vanilla sweet cream cold brew

Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew

A copycat Starbucks recipe combining rich cold-brewed coffee with luxurious vanilla-infused sweet cream that cascades beautifully through the drink. This homemade version rivals the original at a fraction of the cost.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 hours
Servings: 1 Serving
Calories: 230
Ingredients Equipment Method

Ingredients
  

For the Cold Brew
  • 1 cup coarsely ground dark roast coffee beans French or Italian roast recommended, 100g
  • 4 cups filtered water room temperature, 960ml
  • as needed ice cubes for serving
For the Vanilla Sweet Cream
  • 1 cup heavy cream 240ml
  • 1/2 cup 2% milk whole milk works too for extra richness, 120ml
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar 50g
  • 2 tablespoons pure vanilla extract or 1 vanilla bean, split and scraped

Equipment

  • cocktail shaker or mason jar
  • measuring spoons

Method
 

Prepare the Cold Brew
  1. Combine coarsely ground coffee beans with filtered water in a large glass container or cold brew maker. Stir gently to ensure all coffee grounds are saturated. Cover with a lid or plastic wrap and let steep at room temperature for 12-18 hours (14 hours yields the perfect balance). The longer you brew, the stronger the concentrate. For a less intense brew, stick to 12 hours.
Strain the Cold Brew
  1. Line a fine-mesh sieve with cheesecloth or a paper coffee filter. Place it over a large bowl or pitcher. Slowly pour the coffee mixture through the sieve. Avoid pressing or squeezing the grounds which can release bitter compounds. Let gravity do the work. Transfer the strained cold brew to an airtight container and refrigerate.
Make the Vanilla Sweet Cream
  1. In a medium saucepan, combine the heavy cream, milk, and sugar. Heat over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until sugar completely dissolves (about 3-4 minutes). Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract. For an intense vanilla flavor, use a vanilla bean instead of extract. Split the bean, scrape the seeds, and add both seeds and pod to the cream mixture while heating. Allow the mixture to cool completely before transferring to an airtight container. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours to thicken and intensify flavors.
Assemble Your Drink
  1. Fill a tall glass with ice cubes (about 2/3 full). Pour cold brew over the ice, leaving about 1 inch of space at the top. Using the back of a spoon, slowly pour 2-3 tablespoons of vanilla sweet cream over the coffee to create that signature cascading effect. Pour the sweet cream against the back of a spoon held just above the coffee for the most dramatic layering effect.