How to Make Cold Foam
Learn how to make cold foam at home with just skim milk and simple syrup. This easy 2-minute recipe creates…
Learn how to make cold foam at home with just skim milk and simple syrup. This easy 2-minute recipe creates the perfect creamy, frothy topping for iced coffee and cold brew drinks.
There’s nothing quite like a sip of iced coffee topped with perfectly frothy cold foam. This creamy substance is the Starbucks answer to a whipped topping for iced coffee drinks, and it adds just the right frothy charm without loads of extra calories.
Even better, you can make it at home! After countless experiments in my kitchen (and a few failed attempts), I’ve perfected the art of homemade cold foam. The best part? You only need two ingredients and about 30 seconds: a DIY Starbucks recipe so you can enjoy this treat at home. I love it atop a glass of cold brew coffee!
What makes perfect cold foam
Cold foam is frothed nonfat milk used for topping for cold coffee drinks like iced coffee, cold brew, iced cappuccinos, and nitro coffee. It simulates the frothy topping of the steamed milk in a latte or cappuccino, but at a cold temperature so it doesn’t melt when hitting an iced drink.
The foam has a thick, frothy texture, and gradually settles in as you sip it. Because it’s made with nonfat milk, it adds only a handful of calories to the drink. But the lightly sweet crema topping has a major pay-off in texture! If you’ve had this one at Starbucks, you know: cold foam makes any iced coffee that much better.
About Starbucks cold foam
Starbucks launched cold foam in 2014 with the opening of its Reserve Roastery in Seattle. It was first served on the Americano Con Crema drink. Today, Starbucks offers cold foam as a topping you can add to many drinks for an extra 50 cents.
If you’re wondering, sweet cream cold foam is a variation made with milk, heavy cream, and vanilla syrup, whereas cold foam is made with nonfat milk. Try this sweet cream cold foam if that’s what you’re looking for.
How to make cold foam—pro tips
How to make cold foam at home? It’s very simple to make this treat to top all your homemade iced coffees and cold brews: and an incredibly impressive! Here’s what you’ll need to do (or scroll to the recipe below):
- Use a handheld a milk frother. The best way to make Starbucks cold foam at home is using a handheld milk frother. At only $8.00, it’s the best tool for making thick, fluffy foam and is worth the purchase. (Hey, that’s just 16 Starbucks orders of the stuff!). A French press also works. I’ve tried whisks, but they create large, unstable bubbles that disappear.
- Keep your milk cold. Room temperature milk simply won’t froth properly.
- Use a tall, narrow container. I prefer a mason jar or tall glass that allows the frother to create a proper vortex.
- Froth for 15 to 20 seconds. It takes only about 15 seconds to whip up into a thick foam. For the French press instructions, go to how to froth milk.
Variation: add vanilla
Want to step up your cold foam? You can add a hint of vanilla extract to add a delicious nuance to the flavor. At first we wondered whether this would turn the topping a light brown color. But after testing it, it doesn’t make a perceptible difference in whiteness versus the original.
My favorite way to use cold foam
The versatility of cold foam never ceases to amaze me. Here are my top ways to use this creamy topping:
- Cold brew: Pour cold foam over your favorite cold brew coffee for an instant upgrade. The contrast between the strong coffee and sweet foam is perfection.
- Iced coffee drinks: Transform any basic iced coffee into something special. I love it on my morning iced americano or a simple iced coffee with a splash of vanilla syrup.
- Iced cappuccinos: Create layered drinks by adding cold foam to an iced latte or iced cappuccino.
- Tea drinks: Don’t limit yourself to coffee! Cold foam is incredible on iced chai lattes, iced matcha lattes, or even iced green tea.
Dietary notes
This cold foam recipe is vegetarian and gluten-free.
Frequently asked questions
Skim or low-fat milk (1% or 2%) froths best due to the higher milk protein content. Non-dairy milks like oat milk can also be used, but experiment to find a brand that froths well.
The milk might be too warm. Use cold milk straight from the fridge for optimal frothing. Or, you might not be using enough milk protein: opt for skim or low-fat milk.
Absolutely! Add a dash of vanilla, vanilla syrup, or a pinch of cinnamon before frothing.
Cold foam is best enjoyed fresh. It will start to lose its texture after about 30 minutes.
How to Make Cold Foam
Pin Recipe
Print RecipeLearn how to make cold foam at home with just skim milk and simple syrup. This easy 2-minute recipe creates the perfect creamy, frothy topping for iced coffee and cold brew drinks.
- Prep Time: 2 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 2 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings
- Category: Drink
- Method: Frothed
- Cuisine: Coffee
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- ¼ cup nonfat (skim) milk, chilled
- 1 teaspoon simple syrup
- 1 dash vanilla extract (optional)
- Equipment: Milk frother or French press
Instructions
- Add milk and simple syrup (and vanilla extract, if using) to a pitcher or narrow jar. Fully submerge the milk frother.
- Turn on the frother and froth until the milk starts to thicken, slowly pulling the wand towards the top of the milk. Froth about 15 to 20 seconds total, until the foam is thick and stabilized. Add to the top of cold brew, iced coffee, or an iced latte.
