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Home » Drinks » Starbucks Recipes

Brown Sugar Cold Foam

Published: Sep 16, 2023 by Ali

Jump to Recipe

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

This brown sugar cold foam is an easy Starbucks and Dunkin Donut’s copycat recipe to make your own brown sugar cold brew at home. Made in 5 minutes using 4 simple ingredients.

Brown sugar cold foam on top of cold brew coffee.

If you are a fan of Starbucks recipes, there are some great copycat recipes to make at home this fall & winter. Try this red velvet frappuccino, this pistachio latte or this iced chai pumpkin latte for example.

For other Dunkin Donuts copycat recipes, try this decadent oreo hot chocolate.

Jump to:
  • What Is Cold Foam?
  • Why You’ll Love This Recipe
  • Ingredients
  • How To Make Brown Sugar Cold Foam
  • Expert Tips
  • Recipe FAQs
  • 📖 Recipe

What Is Cold Foam?

Cold foam is a frothy, smooth milk (and sometimes cream) mixture that is served on top of a variety of iced coffee drinks.

There is the classic sweet cream cold foam that has a vanilla flavor. But there are also lots of flavored cold foams such as this pumpkin cold foam, this salted caramel cold foam or this chocolate cream cold foam.

Both Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts have a version of this brown sugar cold foam — and it is perfect for all your iced fall coffee recipes!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Dunkin Donuts & Starbucks Copycat — Save money by making this copycat cold foam at home. It tastes just like what you’d buy in the store. 
  • Tasty Coffee Topping — Most people are looking to make a brown sugar cold brew (a Dunkin copycat), which is just this cold foam on top of cold brew coffee. But really, this brown sugar foam tastes so good on any iced drink!
  • Simple — This recipe takes only 5 minutes to make and uses 4 simple, easy to find ingredients. You don’t have to buy any fancy syrups or flavorings for this recipe!

Ingredients

The ingredients needed to make brown sugar cold foam.
  • Brown Sugar & Water: Brown sugar and water are used to make the brown sugar syrup that flavors the cold foam. You can use any type of brown sugar. As a substitute, you can use a store bought brown sugar syrup, but it is much cheaper to make your own. 
  • Cream: A bit of cream gives this cold foam an extra creamy, velvety texture. For a healthier option, you can replace the cream with milk instead, or with a lighter (15%) cream. 
  • Milk: Use 2% milk for this recipe. If you want to use a dairy-free milk, such as oat milk, make sure you use a “barista” version so it will froth properly.

How To Make Brown Sugar Cold Foam

Step 1: Heat the brown sugar and water in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Continue to heat for about 5 minutes until the sugar has completely dissolved. Remove it from the stove and let it cool. 

A process photo illustrating step 1.

Step 2: Add the brown sugar syrup, cream and milk to an electric frother. Use the “cold froth” option to froth the milk. Pour immediately over your iced coffee drink.

A process photo illustrating step 2.

Expert Tips

  • Use an electric frother. For the best results, use an electric milk frother. This will give the frothiest, smoothest cold foam. If you often make homemade coffee drinks, this is definitely worth the investment!
  • Pour the cold foam immediately. If you leave the cold foam to sit in the electric frother, it will not pour as evenly over the drink. Have your cold brew coffee ready to go and pour the foam on top right away. 
  • Adjust the sweetness. Dunkin’s brown sugar cold foam is sweeter than the Starbucks one. If you want to make this version sweeter, add an extra 1 to 2 tablespoons of brown sugar syrup. 
  • Store extra brown sugar syrup. While you can’t store the actual brown sugar cold foam, the brown sugar syrup stores very well. Let leftovers cool to room temperature then store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 to 2 weeks.

Recipe FAQs

What can I use if I don’t have an electric frother?

An electric milk frother will always give the best results. However, if you don’t have one, then a second best option is to use a french press machine and manually move the handle up and down quickly to froth up the cold foam.

Can I put cold foam on top of hot coffee drinks?

Cold foam is meant for cold drinks. You can pour cold foam on top of hot drinks, but it will quickly melt and dissolve (although it still tastes delicious!)

Can I store brown sugar cold foam?

No. Only make the amount of brown sugar cold foam you are planning to use. Leftovers will not store well.

Why is the brown sugar syrup too thick?

If the brown sugar syrup turned out too thick, you likely heated it for too long or at too high a temperature. Don’t let the syrup boil when making it on the stove and remove it from the heat as soon as the sugar has dissolved.

Overhead view of Starbucks brown sugar cold foam, on a white marble table.
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📖 Recipe

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Brown sugar cold foam on top of cold brew coffee.

Brown Sugar Cold Foam


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

5 from 3 reviews

  • Author: Ali
  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: 1 Serving 1x
  • Diet: Vegetarian
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Description

This brown sugar cold foam is an easy Starbucks and Dunkin Donut’s copycat recipe to make your own brown sugar cold brew at home.


Ingredients

Scale
  • Brown Sugar Syrup:
    • ¼ cup brown sugar
    • ¼ cup water
  • Brown Sugar Cold Foam:
    • 2 tbsp heavy cream
    • 2 tbsp milk
    • 1 tbsp brown sugar syrup

Instructions

  1. First, make the brown sugar syrup. Heat the brown sugar and water on a small pan over medium heat. Stir occasionally. Don’t let the syrup boil.
  2. Continue to heat the brown sugar syrup for about 5 to 10 minutes until the sugar has fully dissolved. Remove the pan from the heat and let the syrup cool to room temperature.
  3. Then, make the brown sugar cold foam. Add the cream, milk and brown sugar syrup to an electric milk frother. Use the “cold froth” option to froth the milk. Pour immediately on top of your cold brew coffee.

Notes

  • Pour the brown sugar cold foam as soon as it is done frothing. The longer it sits in the frother, the clumpier it will become.
  • Storage: Cold foam does not store well once made. However, you can store brown sugar syrup in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 to 2 weeks.
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Starbucks Recipes
  • Method: Frothed
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 Serving
  • Calories: 153
  • Sugar: 12g
  • Sodium: 22mg
  • Fat: 11.6g
  • Saturated Fat: 7.3g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 3.4g
  • Trans Fat: 0.4g
  • Carbohydrates: 11.7g
  • Fiber: 0g
  • Protein: 1.9g
  • Cholesterol: 36mg

Leave a comment if you tried this recipe!

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  • A red velvet frappuccino topped with whipped cream and heart sprinkles.
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Liza

    October 07, 2023 at 3:54 pm

    I never thought I could make cold foam like this at home, and when I saw your recipe I was so curious about the process! Bottom line: It's easy to make and SO tasty!

    Reply
  2. Kristine

    October 07, 2023 at 3:03 pm

    Delicious! The brown sugar syrup is 🤌🏻

    Reply
  3. Beth

    October 07, 2023 at 1:38 pm

    This recipe is so quick, easy, and tasty! Brown sugar cold foam will be on the top of all my fall drinks this year!

    Reply

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Ali in a white tank top wearing sunglasses, with trees with yellow leaves in the background.

Hi, I'm Ali! Full-time nurse, lifetime foodie. Join me as I create, eat and drink the most delicious brunch, cocktail & dessert recipes! More about me —>

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