Cold brew coffee has become a popular alternative to its hot counterpart due to its rich, refreshing taste and lower acidity.
While it’s easy to enjoy cold brew straight from the fridge, you can also add some flavor by adding different sweeteners to it. Here are 15 ways how to sweeten cold brew coffee:
- Almond milk
- Caramel sauce
- Vanilla syrup
- Coconut milk
- Sweetened condensed milk
- Maple syrup
- Whipped cream
- Cold foam
- Chocolate sauce
- Honey
- Simple syrup
- Heavy cream
- Mocha coffee creamer
- Strawberry puree
- Oat milk
In this article, I’ll go over the above-listed ways in which you can sweeten your cold brew.
I’ll talk about the flavor profile you’ll achieve for each add-in, so you instantly know if it’s a flavor worth trying!
15 ways to sweeten cold brew coffee at home
Cold brew is a unique type of coffee that is made by steeping ground beans in cool water for over 12 hours (I usually let it steep for 15 hours). The result is a smoother, less acidic taste and a delicious, clean aroma.
Although it has a smoother flavor to it than regular brewed coffee, you might feel that it’s still a bit too robust.
For that, I’ve listed some amazing add-ins for cold brew you have to try.
By reading through the article, you’ll have all the information needed to make a different-tasting cold brew every day with the following list.
1. Almond milk
The first add-in that’s worth giving a try is almond milk. Almond milk is a great dairy-free and vegan alternative to cow’s milk.
It has a creamy texture and a mild flavor that goes well with coffee. Plus, when you’re pouring the almond milk into the cold brew, it gives it this amazing marble effect, making it the perfect drink to serve to your guests.
So, if you’re looking for a way to make your cold brew coffee even creamier, try adding some almond milk! It’s easy to do, and it makes for a delicious and healthy drink.
Simply pour in a splash of almond milk to your preferred amount of cold brew coffee. Personally, I always like to go for a 1:4 ratio of almond milk to cold brew coffee, resulting in a perfectly balanced drink!
2. Caramel sauce
Adding sweet and creamy caramel sauce to your cold brew coffee is a great way to add some extra flavor and sweetness. Plus, it’ll help to make your coffee nice and creamy.
I suggest adding one or two tablespoons of caramel sauce for one cup (0.24 l) of cold brew coffee. Just be sure to stir it in well to distribute the flavor evenly.
You can check out my complete guide to making caramel sauce at home, or you can use a store-bought version if you have this on hand.
If you don’t want your coffee to be too sweet, you may want to consider adding a less sweet add-in such as honey or maple syrup, which I’ll get into further down in the article.
3. Vanilla syrup
You can also add vanilla syrup to cold brew coffee. It’s a great way to make your coffee more flavorful and delicious.
You can start by adding a small amount of vanilla syrup and seeing how you like it. Usually, one to two tablespoons of vanilla syrup is enough to sweeten your cold brew coffee.
Depending on how sweet you like your coffee, you can adjust the amount added.
If you want to try your hand at making vanilla syrup at home, which you can do in just five minutes, you can check out this complete recipe.
You can make this vanilla syrup with a vanilla bean or vanilla syrup. A store-bought version will also work fantastic as a sweetener for your cold brew coffee!
4. Coconut milk
You can add coconut milk to cold brew coffee. Coconut milk will add a creamy, rich flavor to your coffee.
If you are looking for a non-dairy alternative to traditional milk, coconut milk is a great option.
Coconut milk is naturally sweet, so just a splash will go a long way. You can also add some vanilla syrup to make it even sweeter.
Check out this recipe if you want to make coconut cold brew coffee at home.
5. Sweetened condensed milk
The next option is adding sweetened condensed milk to your cold brew coffee. This will create a sweeter, more creamy drink.
If you are looking for a less sweet option, you can try unsweetened condensed milk. It’ll still make your cold brew creamy. It’s amazing!
I’ve been using sweetened condensed milk for my iced coffees and hot coffees for a long time, and the flavor is just so good.
One tablespoon for a serving of cold brew will go a long way and will make a well-balanced and slightly sweet cold brew coffee.
6. Maple syrup
Adding maple syrup to cold brew coffee is a great way to add sweetness and flavor. The maple syrup will also help cut the coffee’s acidity, making it more mellow and palatable.
Be sure to stir the maple syrup into the coffee well to dissolve fully. One tablespoon is enough for a sweet cold brew coffee.
7. Whipped cream
Some people love the combination of cold brew coffee and whipped cream, while others find it a bit too sweet.
If you’re undecided, you could always start by trying a small amount of whipped cream and seeing how you like it.
Whipped cream can be quite sweet, depending on where you buy it. A can of whipped cream is usually sweeter than when you’re making it yourself.
Adding one or two tablespoons on top of your cold brew coffee will add a more decadent and textured flavor to your cold brew. It’s a great combination!
Tip: Try making whipped cream at home with this recipe.
8. Cold foam
Next up is to add cold foam to cold brew coffee. Cold foam is made by adding cold milk to a blender and blending until it is light and airy.
Then, you simply top your cold brew coffee with the cold foam. You can check out this recipe for cold brew with cold foam if you’re interested.
The fun part about making cold foam is the many ways you can customize it to your liking. You can add some pumpkin spice to it for a completely different flavor. It’s one of the best ways to sweeten your cold brew coffee at home.
9. Chocolate sauce
You can also add chocolate sauce to your cold brew coffee.
However, you may want to consider adding a small amount of milk to the coffee first. Since cold brew coffee is typically less sweet than other types of coffee, the small amount of milk can help balance the flavors a bit more.
Depending on the flavor you’re looking for, you can use chocolate sauce or white chocolate sauce.
Store-bought and homemade versions can differ in terms of sweetness and overall flavor. Still, one tablespoon per serving of cold brew coffee is usually the right amount of sweetness without overdoing it.
10. Honey
Honey is a great natural sweetener that can add a delicate sweetness to your cold brew coffee without altering its flavor too much.
Adding a small amount of honey to your cold brew is a great starting point. Honey dissolves slowly, so make sure to stir it in well to dissolve completely.
One tablespoon of honey might be enough for you if you prefer a slightly sweetened cold brew.
You can try making a cold brew coffee with honey and almond milk for a delicious combination.
11. Simple syrup
Another way to sweeten your cold brew is by adding simple syrup to your drink.
Simple syrup is a basic sugar syrup that is used to sweeten beverages and is mostly used for iced coffees.
It is made by dissolving sugar in water and is perfect in combination with cold brew coffee.
You can make it the same way as the vanilla syrup I’ve talked about above, but this syrup is perfect for those that want a more cold brew-focused flavor with just a bit of sweetness.
One or two tablespoons per serving work well with a robust cold brew coffee.
12. Heavy cream
Another way to sweeten your cold brew coffee is by adding a splash of heavy cream.
The cream will add more richness and depth of flavor to the coffee. It’s a good option if you like your coffee on the sweet side.
Unlike whipped cream, heavy cream is not super sweet. You might want to combine the heavy cream with another sweetener for a sweet and creamy drink.
Adding simple syrup, honey, or sweetened condensed milk will make for a great-tasting cold brew coffee.
13. Mocha coffee creamer
Why not try adding mocha coffee creamer to cold brew coffee? The two flavors compliment each other well and create a delicious cup of coffee.
You can experiment with the amount of creamer to find the perfect balance for you.
Homemade mocha coffee creamer can be made within a few minutes by following this recipe, or just add a splash of your favorite store-bought version to your cold brew coffee.
This is the perfect sweetener if you also like the mocha flavor without it being too heavy.
14. Strawberry purée
Do you love fruity cold brew coffee? Then you can add strawberry purée to cold brew coffee. It will give the coffee a pinkish hue, which looks amazing and is perfect if you want to serve it to your guests.
Along with some cold foam, whipped cream, or a splash of milk, you can make an easy strawberry cold brew.
You can find a complete recipe for the strawberry purée in this article.
15. Oat milk
Oat milk is a popular non-dairy milk alternative that works well in coffee. It is creamy and has a slightly sweet taste that pairs well with coffee.
If you are looking for a dairy-free option, oat milk is a great choice.
To make a cold brew coffee with oat milk, simply combine cold brew and a splash of oat milk in a glass or mug. Stir until combined, and enjoy!
I usually like to make my cold brew with oat milk in a 1:4 ratio of cold brew to oat milk. It’s slightly sweet and is super refreshing!
Conclusion
So, if you want to make your cold brew coffee a little sweeter at home, give one of these methods a try. I think you’ll be happy with the results!
Whether you’re a fan of syrups, honey, or a different sweetener, there’s a method for you.
I hope this article has helped you understand the process of sweetening cold brew and given you some ideas on how to make it your own.
If you want to try some more cold brew recipes, you can have a look below for some of my summer favorites!
But don’t forget to start with the regular cold brew recipe to give these add-ins a try!
