Last Updated on January 26, 2024 by Karen

Upgrade your iced coffee with a swirl of Irish cream syrup, topped with sweet cream cold foam and a hint of cocoa powder. You can make this seasonal Starbucks copycat recipe at home and enjoy it all year round.

I’m a huge fan of Starbucks’ seasonal drink – Irish Cream Cold Brew! The rich combination of cold brew coffee, Irish cream syrup, vanilla sweet cream cold foam, and a cocoa powder dusting makes it a delightful holiday drink. As of 2024, Starbucks did not bring back their seasonal favorite Irish Cream Cold Brew in its holiday menu.

But what if you could enjoy this indulgent cold coffee drink in the comfort of your home all year round? It’s the perfect drink for St. Patrick’s Day too! In this blog post, we’ll guide you through the steps of creating the best Starbucks copycat Irish Cream Cold Brew. This homemade version is just like the real thing from the coffee shop, but you can have total control of the ingredients.

What is Starbucks Irish Cream Cold Brew?

Starbucks introduced the Irish Cream Cold Brew as a seasonal beverage during the holiday season. It consists of its classic cold brew coffee, a pump of Irish cream syrup, creamy cold foam on top of the cold brew, and a dusting of cocoa powder on top. The combination is designed to provide a festive and flavorful cold coffee experience with a touch of Irish Cream flavor.

What is in the vanilla sweet cream cold foam?

The drink is topped with vanilla sweet cream cold foam, which is a sweetened cream with flavors of vanilla. It adds a creamy and luscious layer to the cold brew.

Here are the ingredients you will need to make the Best Starbucks Copycat Irish Cream Cold Brew Recipe:

Cold-brew coffee: To start, you’ll need a robust cold brew coffee base, which is more smooth and less acidic that regular coffee. You can use storebought coffee concentrate like the Starbucks cold brew coffee concentrate (you’d want to use the signature black) or Jot original coffee concentrate, or make your own cold brew from your favorite coffee bean ground. If you want to make it yourself (which I highly recommend you do!), check out my easy cold brew recipe here for more details.

Irish cream syrup: This is a flavored syrup that adds the taste of Irish cream to the drink, with hints of vanilla and chocolate flavor. You can use storebought Irish cream coffee syrup or make your own Irish cream syrup. See below for the homemade Irish cream syrup recipe.

Heavy cream: If you use heavy cream alone, it will have a stiff, whipped cream consistency. Adding milk to the mixture gives it a silky smooth cream texture that blends nicely with the cold brew layer.

Milk: I like to use whole milk or 2% milk for best results.

Sugar: For both the cold foam recipe and for making the Irish cream syrup. Feel free to substitute with alternative sweetener.

Cocoa powder: For dusting on top of the drink, which gives it an extra chocolate boost

How to make your own delicious Irish cream syrup:

To make your own Irish cream syrup, add 1 cup granulated sugar and 1 water to a small saucepan over medium heat. Simmer on low and stir until the sugar has dissolved. Remove from heat and stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (or one vanilla bean) and 1/2 teaspoon almond extract. Allow the syrup to cool to room temperature, and transfer it to a bottle or mason jar for use in your morning coffee or coffee drinks. With the leftover syrup, you can keep in the fridge for up to 1 week.

Steps for making the Best Starbucks Copycat Irish Cream Cold Brew:

Prepare Cold Brew: The first step is to combine coffee grounds and cold water in a large mason jar or cold brew maker, then let it steep and pour through a filter.
Make the Perfect Irish Cream Syrup: Prepare an easy homemade Irish simple syrup by combining ingredients like vanilla extract, cocoa powder, and sugar in a saucepan. Cook and stir until the sugar dissolves. Allow it to cool before using.
Make the Perfect Irish Cream Syrup: Prepare an easy homemade Irish simple syrup by combining ingredients like vanilla extract, cocoa powder, and sugar in a saucepan. Cook and stir until the sugar dissolves. Allow it to cool before using.
Create Vanilla Flavor Cold Foam: Place all of the cold foam ingredients into a bowl or mason jar, then mix with a hand mixer or handheld milk frother (or an immersion blender if that’s what you have) until it reaches a smooth and creamy consistency.
Assemble the Drink: Fill a glass with ice cubes and pour in the chilled cold brew coffee and Irish cream syrup. The amount can be adjusted based on your preference for sweetness and Irish cream flavor.
Layer with Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Foam: Gently pour the creamy foam over the back of a spoon or by drizzling it slowly onto the surface of the drink. This helps create distinct layers.
Dust with Cocoa Powder: Starbucks version of Irish Cream Cold Brew is finished off with a sprinkle of cocoa powder for extra notes of cocoa. You can also garnish with chocolate shavings from semi-sweet chocolate bars or chocolate syrup.
Serve and Enjoy: Your homemade Irish Cream Cold Brew is ready to be enjoyed. Sip slowly and savor the perfect blend of coffee and rich flavors of Irish cream!

Tips for Making Starbucks Irish Cream Cold Brew

For a quick and easy drink, use cold brew coffee which you can find at the grocery store.
Turn this alcohol-free drink into a coffee cocktail with a splash of Bailey’s Irish Cream (or any Irish cream liqueur) or Irish whiskey.
For more bold coffee finish, add a shot of espresso to your cold brew or use a cold brew coffee concentrate.

Can you use hot coffee instead of cold-brewed coffee?

If you don’t have cold-brewed coffee, you can substitute with strong coffee as long as it is cooled (so it doesn’t melt the ice when you assemble the drink). Note that the flavor will be a bit different since regular brewed coffee has a more acidic taste than cold brew.

Can you substitute the heavy cream and milk with half-and-half?

No, if you make the substitute, the cold cream won’t actually froth well.

What are some variations to this drink?

You can substitute the cold brew with Irish coffee.
Be sure to use cold heavy cream in a cold bowl (metal is best) which makes it easier to whip.
Turn this alcohol-free drink into a coffee cocktail with a splash of Bailey’s or Irish whiskey.

For more coffee recipes, check out these favorites:

Starbucks Iced Hazelnut Oatmilk Shaken Espresso

Starbucks Copycat Chocolate Cream Cold Brew

Dalgona Whipped Coffee

Best Starbucks Copycat Irish Cream Cold Brew Recipe

Course Drinks

Keyword Coffee, cold brew, drink

Servings 1

Ingredients

For the vanilla sweetcream cold foam:

2 tbsps heavy cream
2 tbsps whole milk or 2%
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
1 tbsp sugar

For the Irish cream cold brew:

1 cup cold brew coffee
1 tbsp storebought or homemade Irish cream syrup more to taste

Instructions

To make the vanilla sweetcream cold foam:

Add the heavy cream, milk, vanilla extract, and sugar to a tall glass or mason jar and use a handheld milk frother or hand mixer to froth until it is a smooth and thick foam.