How to Make Sweet Cream Cold Foam
Once you learn how to make sweet cream cold foam at home, you won’t believe how easy it is. This Starbucks vanilla sweet cream cold foam is lightly sweetened and has real flecks of vanilla bean in it to take it over-the-top sweet and creamy flavor. Just like my lavender latte, we’re making a homemade vanilla-flavored simple syrup in just a few minutes for the best flavor, but you can also buy it if you prefer.
In the original cold foam recipe, I share different flavors like bitters, mint, golden latte, and vanilla bean (similar to this sweet cold foam recipe but the original one is made without sugar) and if it’s PSL season, you better try the pumpkin cream cold foam or iced psl. Pour your homemade vanilla sweet cream cold foam over cold brew or your favorite iced coffee drinks. Espresso or coffee both work – it’s totally up to you!
If you love an easy Starbucks drinks, be sure to try my pink drink, protein box, iced pumpkin spice latte, double shot espresso and milk, brown sugar shaken espresso, tomato mozzarella panini, or turkey pesto panini next time.

Estimated reading time: 8 minutes

What You’ll Love About Sweet Cream Cold Foam
- Lightly sweet, but easily adjustable so you can make it just how you like it
- Perfect addition to cold coffee
- Real vanilla bean flecks
- Made with just a few ingredients
- Ready in less than a minute – easy recipe
- No barista skills necessary!
Sweet Cream Cold Foam Video

Ingredients
This vanilla sweet cream cold brew with cold foam is made with just a few simple ingredients:
- Heavy cream – This gives major whipped cream vibes and is SO good. It also helps the foam have a thick and strong structure (so that the foam doesn’t deflate right away).
- Milk – You can use skim milk, low-fat milk (2%), or whole milk. The combination of cold milk with heavy cream helps lighten the foam up a bit and also prevents it from turning into whipped cream.
- Vanilla simple syrup – You can use store-bought vanilla bean syrup, or make your own in a few minutes.
- Coffee – Cold brew, iced espresso, or your favorite iced coffee.

Here are the ingredients from the Starbucks vanilla sweet cream cold foam if you’re curious:
Ice, Brewed Coffee, Vanilla Sweet Cream [Cream (Cream, Mono And Diglycerides, Carageenan), Milk, Vanilla Syrup (Sugar, Water, Natural Flavors, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid)], Vanilla Syrup [Sugar, Water, Natural Flavors, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid]

How to Make Sweet Cream Cold Foam
This is an overview on how to make sweet cream cold foam, the detailed instructions can be found below in the recipe card.


How to Make Vanilla Bean Simple Syrup
This delicious homemade vanilla syrup is made in just a few steps:
- Mix ingredient. Combine sugar and water in a small saucepan.
- Heat. Heat mixture over medium heat to a boil, lower heat, and stir until all of the sugar dissolves.
- Add vanilla. Stir in vanilla bean paste.
- Store. Let syrup cool and store in fridge.
Use a 1:1 ratio (1/2 cup of sugar + 1/2 cup of water + 1 tablespoon vanilla bean paste) which will make about 6 oz. (12 tablespoons) of vanilla bean syrup.
Using a tablespoon of vanilla syrup in each serving results in a medium sweetness level, but feel free to adjust according to your preferences.
And here’s a vanilla bean syrup you can buy if you would rather not make your own.


FAQs
What is sweet cream cold foam at Starbucks?
The Starbucks sweet cream cold foam is a foamy mix of milk and vanilla syrup. It’s similar to whipped cream in flavor, but with a lighter, velvety texture that can be poured over the iced coffee.
Is there a difference between sweet cream foam and whipping cream?
Yes and no. While they are made with essentially the same ingredients, cold foam is not whipped as much as whipped cream as we want it to easily pour and not beat it to stiff peaks like you might with whipping cream. I’ve found that the blend of heavy cream and nonfat milk result in the best creamy foam texture.
Can you make dairy-free sweet cream cold foam?
Yes, you can make dairy-free creamy foam, but it doesn’t hold up structurally as well as heavy cream, but it definitely still works, so if that’s your preference, you can use oat, almond, or soy milk.
Can you make sweet cream cold foam without a milk frother?
Yes, you have a few options if you don’t have a handheld frother or electric milk frother. You can try blending the mixture (though you’ll need a small blender attachment), or shake in a small mason jar until it’s frothy.
If you’re a big fan of cold foam, the handheld milk frother is an awesome and super affordable tool you’ll want to have!


Storage Instructions
Top iced coffee with vanilla cold foam and serve immediately.
What to Serve with Iced Coffee
Coffee alone does not a breakfast make! Try some of these easy and delicious breakfast recipes along with your morning coffee:
- Toast – Avocado toast, ricotta toast, tomato toast, hummus toast
- Fruit – Acai bowl, peanut butter and chocolate smoothie, Greek yogurt parfait
- Eggs – Scrambled eggs, breakfast tostadas, English breakfast

More Delicious Coffee Recipes
If you love this vanilla sweet cream cold foam recipe, you might also like some of these other easy drink recipes:
Print
Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Foam Recipe
- Prep Time: 2 minutes
- Total Time: 2 minutes
- Yield: 1 serving 1x
- Category: Drink
Description
Learn how to make sweet cream cold foam, so you can master your Starbucks favorites at home! Vanilla sweet cream cold foam takes 2 minutes.ย
Ingredients
- 3 Tbsp. heavy cream
- 1 Tbsp. milk (whole, 2%, or skim)
- 1 Tbsp. vanilla syrup (see recipe above or use store-bought)
Instructions
- In a small glass, combine heavy cream, milk, and vanilla syrup.ย
- Froth mixture for 15-25 seconds until light and foamy.ย
- Serve immediately and pour cold foam over your drink.
Notes
- See above for instructions on how to make vanilla bean syrup at home.
- To use sweet cream cold foam with espresso, you’ll make the sweet cream foam exactly the same, but instead of serving it over cold brew, you’ll serve it over brewed espresso. I typically like to use two shots (or two nespresso capsules).
Food styling and photography by Loren Runion.
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My new favorite way to drink iced coffee!
The besttttt!
That vanilla bean paste!!! ๐คฉ
Love that I can make this at home!