Copycat Starbucks Cold Brew Recipe

What if I told you that you could recreate this beloved Starbucks Cold Brew house staple right in the comfort of your kitchen That’s right — crafting a Starbucks-worthy cold brew at home isn’t just possible; it’s easy and incredibly rewarding.

How to make Starbucks Cold Brew

Starbucks Cold Brew is a smooth, cold coffee drink made by steeping coarse-ground coffee beans in cold water for an extended period—typically 20 hours.

Ingredients

To replicate the Starbucks Cold Brew, you’ll need:

• Coffee Beans: Opt for a medium-to-dark roast coffee. Starbucks uses a custom blend for their cold brew, but you can try a similar roast labelled with chocolatey or nutty notes.
• Water: Fresh, filtered water is crucial for a clean, smooth flavor.

Equipment:

• A coffee grinder (for freshly ground beans)
• A large jar or pitcher
• Cheesecloth, a nut milk bag, or a fine mesh strainer
• Measuring spoons or a kitchen scale

Ingredient Ratio:

• For a balanced cold brew, Starbucks uses a 1:4 coffee-to-water ratio. Here’s a guideline based on your serving needs:
• Small Batch: 1 cup (250g) ground coffee + 4 cups (1 liter) water
• Larger Batch: Scale accordingly (e.g., 2 cups of coffee + 8 cups of water).

Instructions

Step 1: Grind your coffee beans to a coarse consistency—similar to sea salt. A coarse grind ensures the flavor is extracted evenly without over-extraction, leading to bitterness.

Step 2: In a large pitcher or jar, add the ground coffee. Pour in your filtered room-temperature water. Stir gently to ensure all grounds are evenly saturated.

Step 3: Cover the pitcher or jar and let the coffee steep at room temperature for 12–20 hours. The longer the steeping time, the deeper the flavor. Starbucks steeps their cold brew for 20 hours, giving it a smooth, bold taste.

Step 4: After steeping, strain the coffee to remove the grounds. Use a fine mesh strainer lined with cheesecloth or a nut milk bag to ensure clarity. You’ll be left with a rich, dark cold brew concentrate.

Step 5: Cold brew concentrate is strong, so dilute it to taste. A good starting point is to mix 1 part cold brew concentrate with 1 part water or milk. Add ice cubes, and top it off with optional flavors (e.g., vanilla, caramel, or cinnamon).

Tips for the Perfect Homemade Starbucks Cold Brew

• Use Freshly Ground Coffee: Pre-ground coffee oxidizes faster, impacting flavor. Invest in a grinder and grind beans just before brewing for maximum freshness.
• Choose the Right Roast: For a Starbucks-like profile, select coffee beans with chocolatey or caramel notes.
• Experiment with Steeping Time: While Starbucks sticks to 20 hours, you can shorten or extend the time based on your preferred strength.
• Store Properly: Cold brew concentrate can stay fresh for up to a week if stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
• Customize the Flavor: Starbucks offers Cold Brew in variations (like sweet cream or vanilla). Feel free to add syrups, a splash of flavored almond milk, or a drizzle of caramel to make it your own!

What to serve with

Pairing this coffee creation with the right snacks and sides can elevate your experience. Cold brew’s smooth, bold flavor and refreshing nature make it incredibly versatile, allowing you to pair it with both sweet and savory options.

Homemade Muffins or Pastries

Best Options: Blueberry muffins, banana bread, or flaky croissants.

Rich, buttery pastries or delicate muffins are the classic coffee pairing. Their natural sweetness balances the robust flavor of cold brew, especially if you’ve opted for a chocolate- or nut-forward roast.

Cookies

Best Options: Chocolate chip cookies, oatmeal raisin, or biscotti.

The crisp texture of biscotti or a soft, gooey chocolate chip cookie pairs beautifully with the slight bitterness of cold brew. Bonus: Dunking biscotti into your iced coffee makes for an extra indulgent moment!

Fruits

Best Options: Fresh berries, apple slices with caramel drizzle, or banana chunks with a dollop of peanut butter.

Cold brew’s crispness pairs well with the natural sweetness of fruits. Add a handful of berries or drizzle caramel over fruit slices for a refreshing, guilt-free treat.

Sweet Cream or Dessert Bowls

Best Options: A serving of vanilla ice cream, whipped cream-topped pudding, or a cinnamon-spiced yogurt parfait.

Starbucks often offers cold brew varieties with sweet cream—it’s a nod to how creamy desserts pair effortlessly with the drink. These options offer indulgent textures to complement the coffee’s smooth profile.

Ingredients Substitutes

While nothing beats the convenience of buying a Starbucks Cold Brew, making it at home allows you to customize the flavor, reduce waste, and save money.

Coffee Beans Substitutes

The main ingredient in Starbucks Cold Brew is its custom coffee blend, which features medium or dark roast beans with chocolate and nutty flavor profiles.

Substitutes:

• Store-Bought Coffee Blends: Use a pre-ground or whole-bean coffee blend designed for cold brewing, such as those labeled “cold brew coffee” or “coffee for cold brewing.” Brands in-store, like Peet’s or Lavazza Dark Roast, can work well.
• Medium-to-Dark Roast Coffee: Substitute Starbucks coffee beans with any good-quality medium roast or dark roast coffee beans with a rich flavor profile. Look for tasting notes like chocolate, nuts, or caramel, as they mimic Starbucks’ flavor.
• Local Coffee Roasters: Purchase freshly roasted beans from local coffee shops or roasters. This allows you to pick varieties that closely reflect Starbucks’ signature flavor profiles.

Water Substitutes

Clean, filtered water is a core ingredient in cold brew. The purity and taste of water have a significant impact on the end product.

Substitutes:

• Spring Water: If you don’t have access to a water filter, spring water in bottles (like Evian or Fiji) works well.
• Distilled Water: While not ideal for everyday coffee brewing, distilled water can be used as a last resort if no other option is available. Add a pinch of salt to distilled water to introduce some minerals and enhance extraction.
• Infused Water: For a unique twist, use slightly infused water. Water infused with lemon peel, orange zest, or fresh mint can add subtle notes to your cold brew.

Milk and Plant-Based Milk Substitutes

Starbucks serves its cold brew with options like whole milk, almond milk, or sweet cream, but you can substitute as needed.

Substitutes:

Dairy Substitutes:

• Heavy Cream or Half-and-Half: For a creamier texture or if you want to replicate Starbucks’ Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew.
• Evaporated Milk: Thicker than standard milk and great for cold coffee.

Plant-Based Alternatives:

• Oat Milk: Creamy and neutral, oat milk pairs well with cold brew without overpowering its flavor.
• Almond Milk: A lighter option, almond milk adds a nutty flavor that complements the coffee’s natural hints.
• Coconut Milk: Great for adding tropical sweetness, though its distinct flavor might stand out.

Sweetened or Flavored Milks:

• Use vanilla-flavored almond or soy milk for extra flavor.

Sweeteners and Syrup Substitutes

Starbucks often sweetens its cold brews with syrups, such as vanilla, caramel, or hazelnut. Sugar-free options are available as well.

Substitutes:

• Simple Syrup: Make your own by dissolving sugar in water in a 1:1 ratio. You can also infuse this syrup with vanilla, cinnamon, or even lavender.
• Flavored Syrups: Use maple syrup, agave nectar, or honey for natural sweetness. For added flavor, try store-bought flavored syrups like toffee nut, mocha, or peppermint. Monin and Torani are popular brands.
• Artificial Sweeteners: If you’re calorie-conscious, use stevia, Splenda, erythritol, or monk fruit extract.
• Unsweetened Options: If you prefer your cold brew without sugar, skip sweeteners altogether or opt for naturally sweet enhancements, such as almond milk.

Ice and Add-Ons Substitutes

Starbucks cold brews are typically poured over ice and sometimes topped with cream.

Substitutes:

• Coffee Ice Cubes: Freeze leftover brewed coffee into ice cubes and use them as a substitute for regular ice. This prevents diluting the cold brew while enhancing its flavor.
• Flavored Ice Cubes: Freeze milk, cream, or syrups into ice cube trays to give your cold brew an extra twist as the cubes melt.
• Toppings: Top your cold brew with cinnamon, cocoa powder, or nutmeg for added aroma and flavor.

Final Thoughts

From pastries to fruit platters and savory sandwiches, Starbucks Cold Brew is as versatile as it gets.

More Starbucks Recipes:

• Starbucks Caramel Macchiato Creamer Recipe
• Copycat Starbucks Protein Cold Foam Recipe
• Copycat Starbucks Fairtrade Caramel Macchiato Recipe
• Starbucks Horchata Syrup Recipe