The Best Starbucks Irish Cream Cold Brew

This is the best Irish cream cold brew coffee ever!

Last year, I became obsessed with the Starbucks Irish cream cold brew coffee that Starbucks releases around the holiday season for a limited time. After spending too much money at a ton of Starbucks stores, I decided it was time to make it at home.

It is a refreshing cold coffee drink that will quickly become one of your favorite drinks on the Starbucks holiday menu! Now that you can make this cold drink at home, I think you deserve this seasonal beverage year-round not just during the month of December! 

Does starbucks’ irish cream cold brew taste like Irish whiskey?

Starbucks Irish Cream Cold Brew is a coffee beverage that is flavored with Irish cream syrup, which is a combination of flavors that are commonly associated with Irish whiskey, such as vanilla and caramel. However, the syrup does not contain any actual Irish whiskey. Instead, it is made with natural and artificial flavors to create the taste and aroma of Irish cream.

So, to answer your question, the Starbucks Irish Cream Cold Brew does not contain Irish whiskey, but it is inspired by the flavors commonly found in Irish cream liqueur.

Why you will love this starbucks’ Irish cream cold brew!

• You can have it year long! Savor the holiday spirit whenever you want. 
• It will cost you a fraction of the actual Starbucks drink price.
• Can be adjusted to your liking. Want it less sweet, use less syrup and sugar, want it a little more sweet? Add some more!
• It’s the perfect way to save time by avoiding the dreaded drive-through.
• You can easily turn this coffee drink into a cocktail by adding a splash of Bailey’s!
• This cold brew beverage is perfect for iced coffee lovers.

Ingredients for this Irish cream cold brew

Here are the ingredients for this Starbucks holiday drink. Scroll down to the recipe card for the full detailed ingredient measurements.

• Cold-brew– store-bought or homemade cold brew for this recipe. Here is how you can make failproof cold brew at home. You can also use cold brew concentrate or the Starbucks cold brew coffee they see in stores.  
• Irish cream syrup – I used store bought but you can also use homemade chocolatey irish cream syrup for both the drink and the creamy cold foam 
• Milk & heavy cream
• Powdered sugar– the sweet cream is sweetened with powdered sugar, you can also use maple syrup, honey, simple syrup, or even vanilla syrup.
• Vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste– This is to make the vanilla sweet cream foam.
• Cocoa powder– The cocoa powder will be sprinkled on top of your drink to make the Irish cream flavor pop out even more!

Can I make homemade Irish cream syrup?

Yes!

In a medium saucepan, bring the ½ cup sugar and ½ cup water to a boil. Remove from the heat and add ½ teaspoon vanilla extract, ¼ teaspoon almond extract, and ½ tablespoon cocoa powder. Gently whisk until everything is well combined and use in your drink.

Store your extra batches of irish cream in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

How to make Irish cream iced coffee at home?

This is how you can make this iced drink at home. Make sure to scroll down to the recipe card for the full detailed instructions!

1. Add the cold brew and the Irish cream syrup to a glass and stir using a spoon.
2. Using a handheld milk frother mix the milk, heavy cream, powdered sugar, and splash (about 1tsp) of Irish cream syrup until creamy about 2-30 seconds in a different glass. 
3. Pour the cold brew over ice cubes in a tall glass.
4. Top with the Irish cream cold foam.
5. Add your cocoa powder topping and enjoy!

Make the sweet cream cold foam

To make the sweet cream cold foam, combine the milk, heavy cream, powdered sugar, and a little Irish cream syrup, and froth using a handheld frother for 20-30 seconds or until the mixture reaches the desired thickness.

I don’t have a hand frother what can I do?

If you don’t have a hand frother, place the sweet cream ingredients in a little mason jar and shake until the mixture thickens. The sweet cream made with a hand frother is a lot more resemblant to the Starbucks sweet cream.

Can I make this drink hot?

Yes. Instead of using cold brew, use hot coffee, omit the ice, top the drink with the Irish cream syrup and the sweet cream foam, add a sprinkle of cocoa powder and enjoy your delicious warm irish cream latte.

Starbucks Irish Cream Cold Brew Recipe

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