How To Make An Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso

Tik-Tok baristas are sharing their coffee secrets with the world, and we’re all eager to learn how to make our favorite drinks at home. One of the latest trends is the Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso — a decadent, creamy drink that’s perfect for summer (or any time of year, really).

To make your own Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso, mix 2 shots of espresso with 2 tablespoons of brown sugar syrup, a cinnamon stick, a few drops of vanilla essence, and some ice in a jar. Shake and pour over a glass of ice. Add frothed oat milk and dust the top with cinnamon powder.

So easy, right? And what makes it even better is that the recipe isn’t set in stone. You can play around with different types of syrups, milks, and spices to find your perfect combination. So, let’s take a closer look at what goes into this delicious drink and how you can tailor it to your taste.

What Is an Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso?

Cold refreshing iced coffee in a tall glass and coffee beans on dark background

The Iced Brown Sugar Oat Milk Shaken Espresso is a cold, sweet, and creamy coffee beverage made by combining espresso, brown sugar syrup, and cinnamon powder. The mixture is then served over ice with oat milk, resulting in a rich and frothy beverage. It’s also often topped with whipped cream and/or a dusting of cinnamon.

Starbucks uses blonde espresso in this drink. It’s a light-roasted, less intense coffee with sweeter notes, so it doesn’t overwhelm the drink and allows the other flavors to shine through. When paired with oat milk and brown sugar syrup, the result is a smooth and creamy beverage with just the right amount of sweetness.

Where Can You Buy the Iced Brown Sugar Oat Milk Shaken Espresso?

The Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso is available at Starbucks locations nationwide. It debuted on the menu in early 2021 and has been a permanent item since, so you can enjoy it any time of the year.

You can buy the drink from any Starbucks location or app/website, either in its classic form or customized to your liking.

How to Make This Sweet, Caffeinated Beverage at Home

Making your own Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso is easier than you might think. You’ll only need some basic level of coffee brewing knowledge and a few simple ingredients.

Here’s what you’ll need:

  • Espresso: Starbucks uses blonde espresso (on Amazon), but you can use any espresso you have on hand. If you don’t have an espresso machine, you can use a cold brew or make a concentrated coffee using a French press (on Amazon).
  • Brown sugar syrup: You can use Starbucks’ brown sugar syrup (on Amazon) or you can make your own brown sugar syrup at home. We’ll include it in the recipe below.
  • Cinnamon stick: Only needed if you’re making your own syrup.
  • Cinnamon powder: For dusting on top of the drink. Easily found in the spice aisle of local grocery stores.
  • Oat milk: Starbucks uses Oatly Barista Edition Oatmilk (on Amazon) in its oat milk drinks. It’s one of the best brands and is widely available. But if you can’t find it, any type of oat milk will work. You can even use regular dairy milk if you prefer.
  • Vanilla extract: This is optional but highly recommended.
  • Ice: It’s iced coffee, so you’ll need some ice cubes. One cup should be enough.

Now that you have all the ingredients let’s get to the recipe.

Step 1: Make the Brown Sugar Syrup

Brown sugar is the key ingredient that gives this drink its unique molasses flavor. For that reason, it’s important you use brown sugar syrup and not just regular sugar. If you can’t find it at the store, don’t worry, it’s easy to make at home.

First, heat equal parts water and brown sugar over medium heat. Add a small cinnamon stick and a pinch of salt, then stir until the sugar has dissolved. Once it comes to a boil, remove it from the heat and let it cool completely.

You’ll probably have more syrup than you need, but it stores well in a sealed container in the fridge for up to two weeks. So feel free to make a larger batch and use it in other coffee drinks or cocktails.

Step 2: Make the Espresso

If you have an espresso or Nespresso machine (on Amazon), make 2 shots of espresso according to your machine’s instructions. If you don’t have an espresso machine, brew a strong cup of coffee using whatever method you have on hand. You can also use instant coffee, though the drink probably won’t taste quite as good.

Step 3: Shake the Espresso, Syrup, and Ice

Pour the espresso, 2 tablespoons of brown sugar syrup, a few drops of vanilla extract, and ice cubes into a jar with a tight-fitting lid. If you like your drinks sweeter, add another tablespoon of syrup. Screw on the lid and shake vigorously for 20 seconds.

Step 4: Pour Over Ice and Add Milk

Ice coffee in a tall glass with cream poured over

Fill a glass with ice cubes and pour the shaken mixture over it. Top with oat milk (or regular dairy milk) and give it a quick stir. It’ll be great if you froth the milk first, but it’s not necessary.

Dust with cinnamon powder, and enjoy your drink.

Can You Substitute Espresso With Cold Brew?

Yes, you can! Cold brew coffee is a great substitute if you don’t have espresso on hand or don’t want to make it. It has a similar concentration and caffeine content as an espresso, but you’ll be able to notice the difference in flavor.

Cold brew is less acidic and has a smoother taste. This means the milk and syrup can easily take over the drink, so you’ll need to adjust the recipe accordingly. We recommend using dark roast cold brew and cutting back on the brown sugar syrup.

Can You Make This Drink Decaf?

Yes, you can make this drink decaf! If you want to enjoy the taste of the Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso without caffeine, simply use decaf espresso or decaf coffee. You can also use decaf cold brew, though the drink won’t be as concentrated.

And, of course, you can also order this drink with decaf espresso shots at Starbucks. All other ingredients can stay the same.

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