Irish Cream Cold Brew Recipe (Starbucks Copycat)

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Give your morning coffee a major upgrade with this simple Irish Cream Cold Foam recipe! Now you can enjoy Irish cream cold brew all year long.

Two glasses of Irish cream cold brew coffee with a straw.

What you’ll love about this coffeeshop inspired recipe:

Quick and Easy: Whip up this creamy foam in just a few minutes – it’s as simple as combining ingredients and giving them a good whisk!
5 ingredient recipe. No need for store-bought syrups or creamers – this recipe is made with real, wholesome ingredients.
Impress Your Friends: Impress your friends with your barista skills!

Ditch the Store-Bought Creamer – Make Your Own Irish Cream Cold Brew

It’s no secret that I’m a huge fan of coffee. It’s rare to see me without a cup of something nearby! (Sometimes that’s in the form of no churn coffee ice cream.)

One of my absolute favorites is the Irish Cream Cold Brew from Starbucks and I hate that its only available for a short time each year. So I set out to recreate it at home so I can enjoy it whenever my heart desires.

Almost every recipe I could find for it relies on using store-bought Irish Cream syrup, and I wasn’t all about that. After some trial and error, I finally nailed the perfect recipe with a very surprising combination of ingredients!

The flavor of this homemade Irish cream cold brew is spot on for the original and is so much more affordable.

If you like Starbucks’ version, you’ll love this!

Overhead view of the ingredients for making Irish Cream cold foam at home.

What is Irish Cream?

First things first: what is Irish cream?

Traditionally, it’s a creamy liqueur made from a blend of Irish whiskey and cream that gained popularity worldwide for its smooth, velvety texture and sweet taste. The most well-known brand is Baileys, but there are a ton of other brands available as well.

In Irish Cream liqueur, the primary flavors come from whiskey, cream, and sugar, but additional flavorings like as chocolate, vanilla, and nuts are also commonly added. These flavorings are key to giving Irish Cream it’s distinctive and recognizable flavor.

I focused on those flavors when I was creating this Irish Cream Cold Foam recipe, and I was able to successfully capture the essence of Irish Cream flavor without using alcohol.

Ingredients you’ll need:

Heavy Cream (Whipping Cream): Heavy cream forms the foundation of cold foam, giving it a rich, velvety texture. For a lighter option, you can use half-and-half or whole milk, but keep in mind that the foam won’t be as thick and will be more like a flavored creamer. In a pinch, you can also use whipped cream.

Sweetened Condensed Milk: This provides the sweetness that the coffee needs and helps stabilize the mixture, giving it the perfect consistency.

Vanilla Extract and Almond Extract: To mimic the flavor of Irish cream

Cocoa Powder: A light dusting of cocoa powder adds a touch of chocolatey goodness and a beautiful finish to the foam. I add some into the cold foam, and then sprinkle a little more on top for good measure!

You’ll also need your favorite homemade cold brew concentrate or iced coffee.

Mixing heavy cream and condensed milk to make homemade cold foam for coffee.

Whisking the ingredients together in a bowl.

How to make cold foam

Whip together the condensed milk and cream until its thick and frothy. You can do this by hand or with a blender.
Stir in the vanilla extract, almond extract, and cocoa powder.
Top your favorite cold brew with the foam and finish it off with a sprinkle of cocoa powder over the top.

Busy Foodie Tips and Tricks:

Irish cream cold foam keeps for a week in the fridge, but it might start to deflate a touch after 3 or 4 days. For the best results, keep it in a mason jar sand give it a quick shake before using.
If you’re going to whisk everything by hand, pop your bowl and whisk in the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes before making the foam. This helps the cream thicken faster.
If you’re short on time, you can use a hand mixer or immersion blender to whip up the foam in just a minute or two. Just be careful not to over-whip, or you’ll end up with butter!
For a festive twist, try adding a splash of Irish whiskey to your coffee for a boozy kick. This is especially popular during the holiday season or for special occasions!

Topping cold brew with Irish Cream foam.

Frequently asked questions

How long does the cold foam last in the refrigerator?

It will last in the refrigerator for up to 5 days when stored in an airtight container. It’s best to give it a quick whisk or shake before using it again, since the foam will settle and deflate over time.

Can I freeze it?

Unfortunately, this recipe does not freeze well.

Can I make this recipe dairy-free?

Yes, you can make dairy-free cold foam by substituting the heavy cream with a non-dairy alternative like Califia Farms Heavy Whip and using a dairy-free condensed milk alternative, like as coconut condensed milk.

Can I use this cold foam on hot beverages?

Yes, but keep in mind that the foam may melt or become thinner due to the heat. To maintain the foam’s texture, you can try spooning it on top of the hot drink just before serving. It’s so delicious in hot chocolate!

Can I make a larger batch of the foam?

Absolutely — just scale up the ingredients proportionally and make sure you have a big enough container. Keep in mind that it will also take a little longer to whip a larger batch to the right consistency.

More Starbucks copycat recipes to enjoy at home: