Starbucks Irish Cream Cold Brew: Alcohol Or Not?

Starbucks' Irish Cream Cold Brew is a seasonal favourite, typically available during the winter holidays. The drink is a blend of cold brew coffee, Irish cream syrup, and whipped cream topping, with a dusting of cocoa powder. While the exact ingredients of the Irish cream syrup may vary, some recipes include alcohol in the form of Irish cream liqueur. However, it is important to note that the presence of alcohol in the final beverage may depend on the specific recipe and preparation methods used. Starbucks' version of the Irish Cream Cold Brew does not contain alcohol, but homemade versions may include it if desired.

Starbucks' Irish Cream Cold Brew recipe

Starbucks' Irish Cream Cold Brew is a seasonal favourite, usually launched around the holidays in December. It is a sweet treat with flavours of vanilla, Irish cream, and cocoa. The good news is that you can easily make this drink at home with just a few ingredients.

Ingredients:

• Cold brew coffee or iced coffee
• Irish cream syrup
• Milk
• Vanilla syrup
• Ice (optional)
• Cocoa powder

Optional extras for a boozy brew:

• Baileys
• Frangelico
• Grand Marnier
• Irish whiskey (e.g. Jameson)

Steps to make Starbucks Irish Cream Cold Brew:

• Prepare the cold brew coffee or iced coffee base. You can make your own or use a store-bought one.
• Add the coffee to a glass along with the Irish cream syrup. Stir to combine.
• To make the cold foam, add milk and vanilla syrup to a separate glass. Use an electric frother to whip until the milk turns into a thick foam. If you don't have a frother, add the ingredients to a mason jar, seal, and then shake until thick and foamy.
• Add ice to your glass if desired, and then slowly pour on the vanilla cold foam.
• Sprinkle a dash of cocoa powder on top.
• Enjoy your delicious Irish Cream Cold Brew!

Tips:

• You can adjust the amount of Irish cream syrup and vanilla syrup according to your taste preference.
• For a vegan option, substitute dairy cream with coconut cream. Chilling the coconut cream overnight will help achieve a sturdy foam.
• To make Irish cream syrup at home, bring sugar and water to a boil. Remove from heat and add vanilla, almond extract, and cocoa powder. Whisk until combined and store in the fridge.

Making Irish cream syrup

Starbucks' Irish Cream Cold Brew is a popular seasonal drink. It is an iced coffee flavoured with Irish cream syrup, topped with vanilla whipped cream and a sprinkle of cocoa powder. This beverage does not contain alcohol. However, you can make your own Irish cream syrup at home and add alcohol to it if you wish.

Irish cream syrup is easy to make at home and can be added to coffee, cocktails, milkshakes, and even used in baking. The syrup typically contains flavours of coffee, chocolate, vanilla, and whiskey, but the whiskey can be omitted or included in custom amounts to suit your preference.

To make the syrup, you will need sugar (either granulated, cane, or brown sugar, or a sugar substitute), water (filtered or distilled is best, but tap water works too), cocoa powder, vanilla extract or bean paste, and almond or another nut extract. Bring the sugar and water to a boil, then remove from the heat and add the remaining ingredients. Whisk until combined, then pour the syrup into a bottle and store it in the fridge. The syrup should last about one to two weeks when stored in an airtight container.

You can adjust the flavour of the syrup by using different types of sugar, with brown sugar resulting in a deeper flavour reminiscent of whiskey and traditional Irish cream. You can also use light or dark brown sugar, depending on your preference. The type of cocoa powder also makes a difference; Dutch-processed cocoa powder is recommended for its high quality, but chocolate syrup can be used instead, with a reduction in the amount of sugar added. For a stronger almond flavour, add an extra quarter teaspoon of almond extract.

Making Irish cream cold foam

Starbucks' Irish Cream Cold Brew is a non-alcoholic beverage, but you can add a splash of alcohol like Bailey's or Irish whiskey to make an adult version. It is a seasonal favourite, featuring a blend of cold brew coffee, Irish cream syrup, and whipped vanilla sweet cream foam. Here is a guide on how to make Irish cream cold foam at home:

Ingredients

To make the Irish cream cold foam, you will need milk, cream, and Irish cream syrup. For the milk, 2% milk is recommended as it froths well and results in a rich and foamy texture. For the cream, use heavy cream or cold whipping cream to ensure the foam holds its shape. You can also add a small amount of vanilla paste or 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract to enhance the flavour.

Tools

You will need a chilled glass or mason jar, a spoon, and a frothing device. An electric frother, such as an aerolatte, will produce the thickest foam, but you can also use a handheld frother or a handheld mixer. If you don't have any of these tools, you can simply shake the ingredients together in a sealed mason jar until they reach the desired consistency.

Method

Chill your glass or jar in the freezer for at least 10 minutes before preparing the foam. This will help keep the foam cold and maintain its texture. Combine 1-2 tablespoons of Irish cream syrup with milk and cream in your chosen vessel. If using vanilla, add a small amount of paste or 1/2 teaspoon of extract. Shake or froth the ingredients until they form a thick and creamy foam. This should take about one minute for a single serving or up to five minutes for a larger batch.

Serving Suggestions

Pour your cold brew coffee into the chilled glass, leaving a 1-2 inch gap at the top. Spoon or pour the Irish cream cold foam onto the coffee. Sprinkle with cocoa powder for an extra touch. Enjoy your delicious, creamy caffeine treat!

Irish Cream Cold Brew copycat recipes

Irish Cream Cold Brew is a popular drink made popular by Starbucks. It is a seasonal favourite and an alcohol-free coffee drink that tastes like iced cold brew coffee with creamy Bailey's liquor stirred in. Starbucks makes its Irish Cream Cold Brew by shaking cold brew with Irish cream syrup. It is then topped with vanilla whipped cream and a sprinkle of cocoa powder.

Ingredients:

• Cold brew coffee
• Irish cream syrup
• Vanilla whipped cream
• Cocoa powder

Steps:

• Prepare a glass with ice.
• Add 1-2 tablespoons of Irish cream syrup, depending on how bold you want the flavour to be.
• Pour in the cold brew coffee, leaving a 1-2 inch gap at the top of the glass.
• Top with vanilla whipped cream.
• Sprinkle with cocoa powder.

You can also make your own Irish cream syrup at home. Here is a recipe:

Ingredients:

• Sugar
• Water
• Vanilla
• Almond extract
• Cocoa powder

Steps:

• Bring sugar and water to a boil.
• Remove from heat and add vanilla, almond extract, and cocoa powder.
• Whisk until combined.
• Pour into a bottle and store in the fridge.

If you want to add a boozy twist to your Irish Cream Cold Brew, you can add a splash of Bailey's or Irish whiskey.

Irish Cream Cold Brew availability

Starbucks' Irish Cream Cold Brew is a seasonal favourite, usually available around the winter holidays. It was first introduced to the menu in 2019 and has since become a popular choice for customers seeking a rich and creamy caffeine fix.

The Irish Cream Cold Brew is typically available during the colder months, with some sources indicating a launch around January to February. However, its availability can vary, and it may be released separately a few months after the holiday season. While it is primarily considered a winter beverage, some have associated it with St. Patrick's Day as well.

The drink combines cold brew coffee with Irish cream syrup, topped with vanilla whipped cream and a sprinkle of cocoa powder. The syrup itself can be made at home by boiling sugar and water, then adding vanilla, almond extract, and cocoa powder. This syrup can be stored in the fridge and used to make the Irish Cream Cold Brew anytime.

Although Starbucks only features this drink on its menu periodically, customers can enjoy it all year round by making it at home. Recreating the Irish Cream Cold Brew at home is straightforward, and only a few ingredients are needed to make a similar-tasting drink. This option also allows for customisation, as individuals can adjust the recipe to suit their taste preferences.

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