Make your own Starbucks Irish cream cold brew right at home in under 5 minutes! Enjoy a refreshing Starbucks drink from the comfort of your home. Combine cold brew coffee with Irish cream syrup and top it off with a decadent Irish cream cold foam. This is the perfect drink to pair with a muffin or cookie for an afternoon pick-me-up!
I love Starbucks's seasonal drink lineup, and one of my favorites is their Irish cream cold brew. It's a rich mixture of cold brew coffee and Irish cream syrup topped with a creamy foam that slowly cascades into your drink. I've been making this Starbucks copycat recipe at home nonstop recently. Considering it takes less than five minutes and is a fraction of the cost—this copycat Irish cold brew recipe is a BIG win!
Why you'll love this recipe
- Made with simple ingredients and ready in less than 5 minutes!
- Irish cream syrup gives a smooth chocoalte and vanilla flavor.
- The perfect drink for an afternoon pick me up.
Key ingredients and why we use them
This Irish cream cold brew recipe uses simple ingredients you probably already have at home! Read about some of these key ingredients below.
Cold brew coffee: Feel free to use any cold brew coffee you desire in this recipe. You can even make your own batch of homemade cold brew coffee right at home! However, it's best to use unsweetened coffee, as we'll be adding syrup to this recipe.
Heavy cream: This recipe calls for both heavy cream and 2% milk. Together, these ingredients make up the delicate foam poured on top of this drink. I like to buy a big carton of heavy cream to make a big batch of Irish cream cold foam. Check out my storage tips on how long heavy cream lasts if you do this.
Irish cream syrup: Irish cream syrup combines the flavors of vanilla and chocolate into a smooth and creamy syrup. Depending on the brand, this may have some alcohol added. I like to purchase a large bottle to have on hand when I make my coffee drinks. The syrup provides an excellent depth of flavor and sweetness.
Be sure to check out my rattlesnake shot, for an alcoholic drink that features Irish creme liqueur! It's a delicious blend of coffee and chocolate goodness!
Equipment
I recommend using an electric hand frother to mix your heavy cream and 2% milk together. If you don't have one on hand, you can vigorously shake the mixture in a mason jar to achieve the same results. Some people have also reported using a small blender to froth the milk. Use whatever you have on hand!
Frequently asked questions
Cold brew coffee is more potent than regular brewed coffee or even iced coffee. You can make cold brew coffee at home or buy it at the grocery store. In most recipes, you can substitute iced coffee for a cold brew if you want a drink that's a little less strong. 
Irish cream tastes smooth and creamy with hints of chocolate and vanilla. The aftertaste is sweet and nutty. Many versions of Irish cream have alcohol added, depending on the brand.
Irish cream cold foam is sweet with a luscious, velvety texture. It's a similar consistency to melted ice cream. It's a mixture of Irish cream syrup, heavy cream, and 2% milk. This mixture is whipped together to create a foamy cream that sits on top of your cold brew coffee.
Step-by-step instructions
This Starbucks Irish cream cold brew recipe is simple!
HEATHER'S HELPFUL HINT
Wait until you've made your drink to add ice to the glass. This way, it won't melt while you're mixing and dilute your coffee when you add it to the glass. Then, pop your glass in the freezer for 10 minutes, so it's nice a cold!
Stir together cold foam ingredients (heavy cream, 2% milk, and Irish cream syrup) in a cold cup.
Using a handheld milk frother, froth the mixture until it is the consistency of melted ice cream. Set aside.
Pour ice into a large 16-ounce cup. Add cold brew coffee and Irish cream syrup. Mix to combine.
Add the Irish cream cold foam to the top and sprinkle with cocoa powder.
Make ahead and storage tips
Make-Ahead: I like to make a big batch of the Irish cream cold foam and then use it as needed when I'm baking an individual coffee drink. You can also pre-mix the cold brew coffee with Irish cream syrup and store that in the fridge.
Storage: Your Irish cream cold foam can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one week. Make sure that you froth the mixture before adding it to your coffee.
Recipe variations
- Feel free to substitute any type of syrup in this recipe. You can use vanilla or caramel syrup for a delicious treat.
- You can also make this drink with regular hot coffee. Simply omit the ice cubes, and use your regular brewed coffee.
- If you don't like the cold foam mixture on the top, try slightly mixing the cream and then pouring it into the drink. This way the mixture won't rest on the top, but will flow down into the cup.
Try these other recipes
If you're looking for something to pair your coffee drink with, be sure to check out some more of our delicious dessert recipes linked below.
Recipe
Starbucks Irish Cream Cold Brew
Equipment
- handheld milk frother
Ingredients
Irish Cream Cold Brew
- 1½ cups cold brew coffee
- 1½ teaspoons Irish cream syrup
- ¾ cup ice cubes
Irish Cream Cold Foam
- 3 tablespoons heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon 2% milk
- 1 tablespoon Irish cream syrup
- 1 teaspoon cocoa powder for garnish
Instructions
- Stir together cold foam ingredients (heavy cream, 2% milk, and Irish cream syrup) in a cold cup. Using a handheld milk frother, froth the mixture until it is the consistency of melted ice cream. Set aside.
- Pour ice into a large 16-ounce cup. Add cold brew coffee and Irish cream syrup. Mix to combine.
- Add the Irish cream cold foam to the top and sprinkle with cocoa powder.
Dianne
Hi Heather, a quick question... how long would you store the creamer in the fridge? I made a big batch today and it's delicious. Any thoughts on this?
Heather
I'm so glad you're enjoying the recipe, Dianne! You're safe keeping the creamer in the fridge for up to a week. Enjoy!