This streamlined copycat Starbucks recipe for Iced Brown Sugar Oat Espresso is simple to make, with a few ingredients. Strong espresso coffee, sweetened with brown sugar syrup, shaken with ice and topped off with creamy oat milk.
Why this recipe works
This streamlined recipe is easy to follow and tastes very similar to the Iced Brown Sugar Oat Shaken Espresso from Starbucks.
Making the brown sugar syrup is simple and doesn't require the use of any pots and pans or a stove.
You can easily customize the sweetness to your liking.
It's a delicious drink that's strong, with notes of warm cinnamon, creamy and not cloyingly sweet.
Best of all, it only requires a few ingredients and it costs pennies to make!
Price of Starbucks vs. homemade
Prices accurate as of Feb 2022 in the Metro Vancouver area.
Starbucks:
Grande Iced Brown Sugar Oat Shaken Espresso: $5.95
Tax: $0.31
Cup charge: $0.25 (only in Vancouver)
Total: $6.51
Homemade:
Espresso (3 shots): $0.20
Brown sugar: $0.11
Ground cinnamon: $0.02
Vanilla extract: $0.06
Oatly (oat milk): $0.50
Total: $0.89
Ingredients you'll need
- espresso coffee: or very strong coffee; you can use any coffee that you enjoy, brewed the way you like; I personally use Starbucks Blonde roast
- light brown sugar: adds a little caramel/molasses flavour and sweetness to the drink
- boiling hot water: to dissolve the brown sugar
- vanilla extract: use a high quality pure vanilla extract for the best flavour; don't use imitation vanilla
- ground cinnamon
- oat milk: you can use any milk or non-dairy alternative; for the closest dupe to Starbucks, choose Earth's Own Barista Blend or Oatly Barista Blend
- ice
Equipment you'll need
- glass mason jar with plastic or metal lid or cocktail shaker
How to make it
Make the brown sugar syrup:
In a small bowl or jar, combine light brown sugar and hot boiling water. Stir until the sugar has dissolved.
Make the drink:
Prepare 3 shots of espresso coffee.
To a tall mason jar (2 cup), add in the espresso coffee, 2-3 tablespoon brown sugar syrup (or to your taste), vanilla extract, cinnamon, and top with ice.
Secure a lid to the jar and carefully shake, until frothy. (Or add the ingredients to a cocktail shaker).
Remove the lid and top with oat milk.
Top with a dusting of ground cinnamon, stick in a straw, give it a stir and enjoy.
Expert tips
You can make a larger batch of the brown sugar syrup and store it in a clean airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week.
Customize the sweetness of the coffee to your liking by increasing or decreasing the amount of brown sugar syrup in your drink.
You can serve the drink right from the mason jar, or transfer into another serving vessel.
If you don't have oat milk, try almond, or soy.
If you prefer a less sweeter drink, be sure to try my Iced Doppio Espresso with Oat Milk.
Other recipes you may like
Be sure to check out these delicious coffee-based drinks:
Iced Doppio Espresso with Oat Milk
Cold Brew Coffee (With Espresso Option)
Yuenyueng (Hong Kong Coffee Tea Drink)
Iced Ube Latte (Purple Yam Coffee)
Cà Phê Sữa đá (Vietnamese Iced Coffee)
Let me know if you try out this recipe -- tag me on Instagram @siftandsimmer or leave me a comment/rating below!
Iced Brown Sugar Oat Espresso (Starbucks Copycat)
For accuracy and precision in baking recipes, use weight (metric) measurements when available.
Ingredients
Brown sugar syrup:
- 3 tablespoon light brown sugar
- 2 tablespoon hot boiling water
Drink:
- 3 shots espresso or very strong coffee
- ¼-1/2 C oat milk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ice
Instructions
Make the brown sugar syrup:
- In a small bowl or jar, combine light brown sugar and hot boiling water. Stir until the sugar has dissolved.
Make the drink:
- Prepare 3 shots of espresso coffee.
- To a tall mason jar (2 cup capacity), add in the espresso coffee, 2-3 tablespoon brown sugar syrup (or to your taste), vanilla extract, cinnamon, and top with ice.
- Secure a lid to the jar and carefully shake, until frothy. (Or add the ingredients to a cocktail shaker).
- Remove the lid and top with oat milk.
- Top with a dusting of ground cinnamon, stick in a straw, give it a stir and enjoy.
Nutrition
The nutritional information provided should be considered as approximate and is not guaranteed. Please use your best judgment to ensure food is safely prepared and/or a good fit for your diet.
Kathleen
Wow, what a fabulous copy cat recipe. I could drink one of these every day. Yummy!
Aimee Mars
What a great copycat recipe. I love that I can make this at home and no need to run out. It was easy to make and I followed the directions perfectly.
Sisley White - Sew White
I will be living on this for a long time! It's so good and great for coffee fiends.
Marie B
The perfect drink for a coffee addict like me! Love the spice mix, great the the fall season.