There’s something special about a classic Irish cream cold brew from Starbucks; the creamy, ice-cold drink oozes nostalgia and comfort.
The good news is, you don’t have to wait for your next trip to the coffee shop to enjoy this delightful beverage – with a few ingredients readily available in most homes, you can easily make it yourself!
In this article, I’m excited to share my top tips and tricks for crafting up what could become your new favorite go-to weekend beverage – delicious homemade Irish cream cold brew.
What is an Irish cream cold brew?
Irish cream cold brew is a refreshing, delicious twist on your typical morning cup of joe. It’s made with cold brew coffee, Irish cream syrup, and an Irish cream cold foam and is served over ice.
The Irish cream cold foam is made with vanilla sweet cream and has an additional splash of Irish cream syrup to make it even sweeter.
After building this Irish cream cold brew, you can finish it off with a dusting of cocoa powder for the ultimate coffee!
What does an Irish cream cold brew taste like?
The flavor profile of an Irish cream cold brew is sweet, creamy, nutty, and slightly chocolatey due to the addition of cocoa powder in the Irish cream syrup on top of your drink!
The cold brew coffee adds a distinct hint of smoothness that balances its sweetness.
Furthermore, since this drink is served ice cold, it will taste refreshing on hot summer days!
However, this is also a perfect treat during the slightly hotter winter days because of the delicious Irish cream flavors!
Which ingredients are needed to make this recipe?
To make an Irish cream cold brew at home, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- Cold brew coffee is the basis for this drink and is easily made at home!
- Irish cream syrup is used to sweeten the cold brew.
- Irish cream cold foam is made with vanilla sweet cream and finished with a splash of Irish cream syrup. It is laid on top of the cold brew coffee.
- Cocoa powder is used as a topping to make the cold brew look nice and boost the drink’s chocolate notes.
- Ice cubes are used for that refreshing touch!
As you can see, you’ll need quite a few different ingredients to get started with this recipe.
In the following sections of this article, I’ll go over all the steps you can take to make the ultimate homemade version of this cold brew. Let’s get into it:
What is Irish cream cold foam, and how do you make it?
Irish cream cold foam is made with vanilla sweet cream as a basis and is finished with a splash of Irish cream syrup. It’s a type of light and creamy foam topping that has become increasingly popular over recent years.
Vanilla sweet cream is made with heavy cream, 2% fat milk, and vanilla syrup and can also be made into a cold foam:
However, you’ll finish this recipe with a splash of Irish cream syrup.
To make Irish cream cold foam at home, collect the following ingredients:
- 1/2 cup (0.12 l) of 2% fat milk
- 1/2 cup (0.12 l) of heavy cream
- 1 tbsp (15 grams) of vanilla syrup
- 1 tbsp (15 grams) of Irish cream syrup
Then, stir to combine all of the ingredients and make it into a cold foam using equipment you might already have at home.
Tip: You can also have a look at this article if you’re still looking for a great cold foam maker that will make this recipe even easier to put together.
Now, let’s go over an easy Irish cream syrup you can use for this recipe:
How do you make Irish cream syrup at home?
To make Irish cream syrup at home, you’ll combine equal parts of sugar and water, cocoa powder, vanilla extract, and almond extract.
This recipe is based on making a simple syrup from sugar and water and adding flavor.
After you let the syrup cool, you can store it in a nice glass bottle until you’re ready to make this recipe:
Tip: If you want to try this recipe, you can follow the simple steps in this article here.
You can also use a store-bought version if you want the most convenience. Monin’s Irish cream syrup is a great option for this:
How do you make cold brew coffee at home?
Making cold brew coffee at home is surprisingly simple, and it can be an incredibly refreshing and delicious way to enjoy your coffee.
It is also significantly less acidic than hot-brewed coffee, making it ideal for those who have sensitive stomachs or suffer from acid reflux.
To make cold brew at home, you can combine coarse ground coffee with water (I like using a 1:10 ratio of coffee to water).
Let the cold brew steep in a mason jar or other vessel with an airtight lid:
I usually steep my cold brew for 15 hours, as this is the sweet spot for the flavor I’m looking for.
After letting the cold brew steep, you can sieve the ground coffee from the cold brew using a cheesecloth or by using a coffee filter:
Tip: If you want to learn more about making cold brew at home, read everything about it here!
Now that you have all of the information you need to get started with the recipe, it’s time to put it to the test by following the steps below:
Easy Irish Cream Cold Brew
This easy-to-make Irish cream cold brew is perfect for when you need a caffeine boost for those tough days!
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup (0.18 l) of cold brew coffee
- 4 tbsp (60 grams) of Irish cream cold foam
- 2 tbsp (30 grams) of Irish cream syrup
- A dusting of cocoa powder
- Ice cubes
Instructions
- Collect all of the ingredients before getting started.
- Fill your glass halfway with ice cubes.
- Add the Irish cream syrup to the glass.
- Pour the cold brew coffee into the glass and give it a quick stir to mix with the syrup.
- Prepare your Irish cream cold foam by foaming it on the spot (this will ensure that it'll hold up while serving).
- Slowly pour the Irish cream cold foam over the cold brew coffee.
- Finish with an optional dusting of cocoa powder.
Notes
You can mix the ingredients for the Irish cream cold foam (heavy cream, 2% fat milk, vanilla syrup, and Irish cream syrup) beforehand. Then, when you're ready to make your cold brew, you only have to foam the mixture!
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Nutrition Information:
Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 180Total Fat: 11.7gSaturated Fat: 7.3gUnsaturated Fat: 3.2gCholesterol: 43mgSodium: 28mgCarbohydrates: 15.8gSugar: 15gProtein: 1.9g
FAQs about Irish cream cold brew
You might have some questions about this delicious cold brew recipe. Here are a few FAQs about Starbucks’ Irish cream cold brew coffee:
Does Irish cream cold brew have alcohol in it?
No, Irish cream cold brew does not have alcohol in it. Irish cream cold brew is made without alcohol, but all the classic flavors remain.
How much caffeine is in Starbucks’ Irish cream cold brew?
Starbucks’ Irish cream cold brew has the following cup sizes and caffeine contents: 150mg of caffeine for a Tall, 185mg for a Grande, 275mg for a Venti, and 320mg for a Trenta.
How many calories are in Starbucks’ Irish cream cold brew?
Starbucks’ Irish cream cold brew has the following cup sizes and calories per size: 150 calories for a Tall, 200 for a Grande, 240 for a Venti, and 300 for a Trenta.
Conclusion
In conclusion, making an Irish cream cold brew at home takes little effort, just a few minutes of preparation, and the end result is always a wonderfully creamy coffee.
You can customize your cup by adding your toppings for an extra layer of flavor and texture.
You can enjoy this lovely beverage throughout the year thanks to its versatility.
Whether you’re seeking a cozy winter-time indulgence or a summer morning refresher, with an Irish cream cold brew in hand, you’ll never be far from feeling that special hint of Irish charm.