For this guide, we’re putting together our favorite Starbucks cold brew version: vanilla sweet cream. If you prefer a different flavor or a version without sugar, take look at our brewing tips below! Now let’s get started.
Make the cold brew. Grind your coffee beans coarsely and add them to your cold brew maker (we like the Ovalware RJ3), French press, or mason jar. Then top with room temperature filtered water. We recommend starting with a coffee to water ratio of 1:5 (one part coffee, five parts water). If you’re making 30 ounces of cold brew, you’ll need 6 ounces of ground coffee. Now leave your cold brew to steep for 16 hours on the counter or 18 hours in the refrigerator.
Filter your cold brew. Once it finishes steeping, filter your cold brew concentrate to remove the coffee grounds. If you’re not using a French press or cold brew maker, you can pour the mixture through a paper filter in a pour-over coffee maker or a cheesecloth draped over a bowl.
Make the vanilla simple syrup. While the cold brew is brewing, you can whip up a quick vanilla simple syrup. Bring sugar, water, and a whole vanilla bean to a boil in a small saucepan. Once it’s boiling, remove the pan from the heat and carefully take out the vanilla bean. Let the syrup cool.
Make the sweet cream. Now it’s time to make that amazing sweet cream! Pour the milk, whipping cream, and 1 tablespoon of your vanilla simple syrup into a bowl. Whisk vigorously until you have a creamy, frothy consistency. You can also pour the ingredients into a mason jar and shake it well.
Put it all together and enjoy! Fill a tall glass with ice (or coffee ice, if you have some on hand). Pour the cold brew concentrate into the glass, leaving room for a splash of water. Then pour the sweet cream on top. You’ll be amazed at how beautiful the cream is as it mixes with your cold brew!