Although I’m a fan of iced coffee, I usually avoid pre-made drinks at coffee shops because they’re often far too sweet for my taste. Recently I tried the Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso from Starbucks and it blew me away — it’s delicious and perfectly balanced.
Shaken espresso drinks are surprisingly easy to make at home and cost a fraction of the price of store-bought versions. You just need a way to pull espresso shots (a Nespresso, espresso machine, or strong brewed coffee works), plus a few simple ingredients: full-fat oat milk for creaminess, a homemade brown sugar syrup, a touch of vanilla and cinnamon, and ice. The result is a cafe-quality copycat that tastes very close to the Starbucks original.
The flavor is like an oatmeal cookie turned into a cold coffee — warm spices and brown sugar with a bright espresso kick. It’s become a morning favorite, and much cheaper than buying the same drink out.
What’s in the Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso?
- Espresso (3 shots)
- Brown sugar syrup (homemade)
- Cinnamon
- Vanilla extract
- Full-fat oat milk
How to make a shaken espresso at home
Prepare this drink like a cocktail: pull espresso shots, then vigorously shake the hot espresso with ice in a cocktail shaker or a mason jar. Strain the shaken espresso over fresh ice, add brown sugar syrup (regular granulated sugar won’t dissolve well in iced drinks), and finish with full-fat oat milk for a creamy top layer.
Which oat milk should you use?
Use full-fat oat milk for the best texture and flavor. Starbucks uses Oatly; I also prefer Oatly at home. The higher fat content gives the drink its rich, creamy “oatmeal cookie” character. If you can’t find full-fat oat milk, regular oat milk works, but avoid light or low-fat versions because they won’t deliver the same creaminess.
If oat milk isn’t your preference, cashew or soy milk are good plant-based alternatives. Dairy milk (whole milk) also works if you want a non-dairy-free option. I don’t recommend almond milk for this recipe because it can taste thin compared with the richer oat or dairy options.
Recipe
Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso – Starbucks Copycat
Ingredients
- ½ cup water
- ¼ cup brown sugar (dark or light)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- 3 ounces espresso (about 3 shots)
- 4 ounces full-fat oat milk (Oatly recommended)
Instructions
Make the brown sugar syrup
- Bring the water to a boil (microwave or stovetop). Remove from heat and stir in the brown sugar until fully dissolved.
- Stir in the vanilla and cinnamon. Note: the cinnamon will not fully dissolve but will add aromatic flavor.
Assemble the shaken espresso
- Pull 3 ounces of espresso. In a cocktail shaker or a mason jar, combine the espresso with plenty of ice and shake vigorously until frothy and chilled.
- Fill a tall glass with fresh ice and strain the shaken espresso over the ice. If you used a mason jar, you can simply open it and pour over the ice.
- Drizzle 1 teaspoon of the brown sugar syrup over the espresso; add more to taste if you prefer a sweeter drink.
- Top with 3–4 ounces of full-fat oat milk and serve immediately.
More Starbucks copycat ideas
- Sous Vide Egg Bites
- Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew
- Starbucks-style Lemon Loaf