This salted caramel cream cold brew is an easy and delicious homemade copycat of the Starbucks favorite. Smooth, lightly sweet, and finished with a salted cold foam, it makes a perfect morning pick-me-up. With just five simple ingredients and a few minutes of hands-on time, you can enjoy a healthier version at home.
Best Starbucks copycat salted caramel cream cold brew recipe
Starbucks drinks are tempting but expensive. This salted caramel cream cold brew recreates that café experience at home for less. It’s simple, flexible, and customizable — use regular, decaf, or your favorite cold brew concentrate. The result is a smooth coffee with caramel flavor and a light, salted foam on top.
The recipe relies on everyday grocery ingredients, takes about five minutes to assemble, and can be scaled up for batch prepping. It’s ideal for mornings or an afternoon pick-me-up and works with dairy or plant-based milk if you prefer a caffeine-free or lower-caffeine option.
Why you’ll love this Starbucks copycat recipe:
- Delicious and easy to make at home.
- Ready in roughly 5 minutes.
- Bright salted caramel flavor with a creamy foam finish.
- Option to use sugar-free caramel for no added refined sugar.
- Customizable: decaf, cold brew, or brewed coffee all work.
- Topped with a simple homemade cold foam.
- Great for batch-prepping to enjoy all week.
Ingredients needed
You only need five core ingredients plus ice. They’re minimal, easy to source, and deliver a balanced salted caramel cold brew:
- Cold brew: Use your favorite cold brew or make your own. You can substitute brewed coffee or decaf if preferred.
- Ice: 1–2 cups per batch, depending on how full you want the glass.
- Caramel syrup or sauce: Choose sugar-free or regular caramel to control sweetness.
- Heavy cream: A small amount helps create a stable, silky cold foam.
- Milk: Whole milk or almond milk both work; some almond milks foam better than others.
- Salt: A pinch brings out the salted caramel character.
Kitchen tools required
Minimal equipment is needed to make this drink and the cold foam:
- Electric mixer, immersion blender, handheld frother, or milk frothing machine
- Two serving glasses
- Measuring tools (tablespoon and 1 cup)
How to make a salted caramel cream cold brew at home
Follow these simple steps to assemble the drink. Exact ingredient amounts and the full recipe card are included below.
Step 1:
Combine cold brew and caramel sauce in a large glass or jar. Stir until the caramel is dissolved, then divide the mixture between two glasses filled with ice.
Step 2:
Prepare the salted cold foam using your preferred method: electric mixer, immersion blender, handheld frother, or a milk frothing machine.
Step 3: Electric mixer, immersion blender, or handheld frother
In a medium bowl, combine heavy cream, milk, and a small pinch of salt. Whip on high until foamy and slightly thickened, about 2–4 minutes. Spoon or pour the foam over the iced caramel cold brew and serve immediately.
Step 4: Milk frother machine
Add heavy cream, milk, and salt to the frother and select the cold-froth setting. Once the foam is ready, top the cold brew with the foam and enjoy.
Step 5:
Give the cold brew a final gentle stir, pour the salted cold foam over both glasses, and serve.
How to make salted caramel cold foam:
The cold foam is quick to make and requires only cream, milk, and salt. Use any frothing method you prefer:
- Electric mixer, immersion blender, or handheld frother: Combine heavy cream, milk, and salt and beat until light and foamy (2–4 minutes).
- Milk frother: Add ingredients and froth on the cold setting until you reach a silky foam. Serve right away over iced cold brew.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use regular brewed coffee or drip coffee?
Yes. If you don’t have cold brew on hand, brewed or drip coffee can be used instead.
Is this recipe healthy?
This version can be healthier than the café version when you choose sugar-free caramel and control portions. It uses simple ingredients and can be kept low in added sugars.
Can I double the recipe?
Yes. The recipe scales easily to serve more people or to batch-prep for the week.
How much sugar is in this drink?
If you use a sugar-free caramel sauce, the drink can contain no added sugar. Using regular caramel will add carbohydrates and sugar accordingly.
Can I add sugar?
Absolutely. If you prefer a sweeter coffee, add a tablespoon of sugar along with the caramel.
Does cold brew have more or less caffeine than regular coffee?
Cold brew often contains more caffeine than regularly brewed coffee because of the coffee-to-water ratio and long steeping time, though it depends on how it’s prepared.
What’s the difference between cold brew and iced coffee?
Cold brew is made by steeping coarse coffee grounds in cold water for 12–14 hours, yielding a smoother, less acidic cup. Iced coffee is brewed hot and then chilled or poured over ice, which retains more acidity and a bolder flavor.
Pro recipe tips:
- Use both heavy cream and milk: The cream helps create a silky foam; omitting it will reduce foam stability.
- Whip until peaks form: Use a mixer, immersion blender, or frother for best results; whisking by hand works but takes longer.
- Try almond milk: Many almond milks froth nicely and make the drink dairy-free.
- Choose sugar-free caramel: This keeps the recipe low in added refined sugar if desired.
- Use decaf for a caffeine-free option: Swap in decaf cold brew or coffee to enjoy the drink without caffeine.
If you love this recipe, try these next!
- Oat Milk Hot Chocolate
- Snickerdoodle Smoothie
- Homemade Walnut Milk
- Banana Peach Protein Smoothie
- Starbucks Blueberry Scones
Did you make this recipe?
If you try this recipe, please leave a comment and rating. Tag @healthfulblondie on Instagram and use the hashtag #healthfulblondie so others can see your creation.
📖 Recipe
Starbucks Salted Caramel Cream Cold Brew
Ingredients
- 16 oz cold brew, 2 cans or about 2 cups
- 1 – 2 cups ice
- 2 tablespoon caramel syrup or sauce, sugar-free or regular
- 2 tablespoon heavy cream
- 2 tablespoon whole milk or almond milk
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
-
Add cold brew and caramel sauce to a large glass or jar. Stir until dissolved, then pour into two serving glasses filled with ice.
-
Use a hand mixer, immersion blender, handheld frother, or milk frothing machine to make the salted cold foam.
-
Electric mixer / immersion blender / handheld frother: Combine heavy cream, milk, and salt in a bowl. Beat on high until foamy, about 2–4 minutes. Serve over the iced caramel cold brew.
-
Milk frother machine: Add heavy cream, milk, and salt to the frother and use the cold setting to create foam. Serve immediately.
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Stir the cold brews once more before serving, then top with the salted cold foam.
Notes
Decaf: Use decaf cold brew or coffee for a caffeine-free option.
Add Sugar: Add 1 tablespoon of sugar with the caramel if you prefer a sweeter drink.
Healthier option: Choosing sugar-free caramel and portion control keeps this version lower in added refined sugar.
Nutrition
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