There's something special about a classic Starbucks Irish cream cold brew. The creamy, ice-cold drink oozes nostalgia and comfort.

The good news is that you don't have to wait until 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!

Quick Answer: What is an Irish cream cold brew?

An Irish cream cold brew is a refreshing cold brew coffee made with the flavors of Irish cream. This chilled drink boasts a rich and creamy mouthfeel, courtesy of the Irish cream cold foam, and a hint of cocoa powder.

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.

Irish Cream Cold Brew (A Starbucks Classic to Make at Home)

What is an Irish cream cold brew?

Irish cream cold brew is a refreshing and delicious twist on your typical morning cup of coffee.

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!

Homemade Irish cream cold brew.
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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, thanks to the addition of cocoa powder in the Irish cream syrup that tops your drink.

Cocoa powder in a small bowl.

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, due to the delicious Irish cream flavors, this is also a perfect treat on slightly warmer winter days!

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 foundation for this drink and can be 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 enhance the appearance of the cold brew and amplify the drink's chocolate notes.
  • Ice cubes add a refreshing touch!
All of the ingredients needed to make Irish cream cold brew at home.

As you can see, you'll need several 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 is it made?

Irish cream cold foam is a light and creamy foam topping made with vanilla sweet cream and a splash of Irish cream syrup. It 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:

Frothed vanilla sweet cream cold foam in a French press beaker.

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
All of the ingredients needed to make Irish cream cold foam at home.

Then, stir to combine all the ingredients and create a cold foam using equipment you may already have at home.

Tip: You can also check out this article if you're still searching for a great cold foam maker that will make this recipe even easier to prepare.

How to 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:

Homemade Irish cream syrup.

Tip: If you'd like to try this recipe, follow the simple steps outlined in this article.

You can also use a store-bought version for maximum convenience. Monin's Irish cream syrup is a great option for this:

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04/02/2026 07:02 am GMT

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.

To make cold brew at home, combine coarse-ground coffee with water (I prefer a 1:10 ratio of coffee to water).

Let the cold brew steep in a mason jar or other vessel with an airtight lid:

Cold brew in a mason jar, ready to strain.

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:

Stirring the fine ground cold brew coffee to speed up the process.

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!

Follow the steps below to learn how to make Irish cream cold brew at home:

Yield: 1 Serving

Easy Irish Cream Cold Brew

Irish cream cold brew, ready to be enjoyed.

This easy-to-make Irish cream cold brew is perfect for when you need a caffeine boost for those tough days!

Prep Time 3 minutes
Additional Time 2 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes

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

  1. Collect all of the ingredients before getting started.
  2. Fill your glass halfway with ice cubes.
  3. Add the Irish cream syrup to the glass.
  4. Pour the cold brew coffee into the glass and give it a quick stir to mix with the syrup.
  5. Prepare your Irish cream cold foam by foaming it on the spot (this will ensure that it'll hold up while serving).
  6. Slowly pour the Irish cream cold foam over the cold brew coffee.
  7. 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:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 180Total Fat: 11.7gSaturated Fat: 7.3gUnsaturated Fat: 3.2gCholesterol: 43mgSodium: 28mgCarbohydrates: 15.8gSugar: 15gProtein: 1.9g
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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 contain alcohol. 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 is available in the following cup sizes and contains the following caffeine levels: 150mg 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 is available in the following cup sizes and calorie counts: 150 calories for a Tall, 200 calories for a Grande, 240 calories for a Venti, and 300 calories 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.

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Jeffrey is a former Chef turned coffee educator. He applies culinary precision to home brewing, testing every recipe and bean in his own kitchen to prove you don't need expensive equipment to make a world-class cup.

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