Homemade Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew is incredibly easy to make at home — no special equipment required and you don’t even need to leave the house. It’s a refreshing, creamy iced coffee that’s perfect for warm afternoons or anytime you want a smooth, sweet pick-me-up.
Starbucks Copycat: Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew Coffee
This homemade version recreates the smooth, slightly sweet drink you might order at a coffee shop, with the benefit of controlling sweetness and creaminess. It’s ideal when the afternoon slump hits and you want something cold and satisfying without heating up the kitchen.
Living near a city can make grabbing iced coffee easy, but if you’re farther out or just prefer to brew at home, this recipe is a simple, economical solution. With a quart jar, some coarsely ground coffee, and a few pantry staples, you can have a rich cold brew and a velvety vanilla sweet cream creamer ready to enjoy.
Make a batch of cold brew to keep in the refrigerator for several days, and stir in the vanilla sweet cream to taste each time you serve — it’s faster than a drive-through run and tastes fantastic.
If you want to experiment, try adding a splash of homemade coffee liqueur or drizzle of caramel for a special twist.
- Homemade Cold Brew Coffee – Make a concentrated cold brew to keep on hand.
- Homemade Vanilla Sweet Cream Coffee Creamer – Heat and chill a simple creamer for smooth sweetness.
Try adding a touch of homemade Kahlúa for a special treat!
Recipe Shopping List
You likely have many of these items at home. For exact amounts, see the ingredient list in the recipe section below.
- Quart mason jar (with lid and ring)
- Reusable coffee bag or jam strainer/cheesecloth
- Coarsely ground coffee
- Heavy whipping cream
- Sugar
- Vanilla extract
- Whole milk
Serve alongside a slice of banana coffee cake for a cozy treat.
How To Make This Recipe (Overview)
A quick outline so you know what to expect. Full instructions and measurements are listed in the recipe card below.
- Make the cold brew: Combine coarsely ground coffee with water in a jar and steep for 8–12 hours.
- Prepare the sweet cream: Gently heat heavy cream, sugar, and vanilla until the sugar dissolves, then chill.
- Assemble: Pour cold brew over ice, add milk if desired, and top with the vanilla sweet cream to taste.
- Enjoy: Stir and drink immediately, or blend for a frozen coffee treat.
Serve with a warm slice of chocolate sour cream coffee cake for brunch!
Recipe FAQ
Yes. Cold brew stores well in the refrigerator for up to a week. The vanilla sweet cream will keep as long as the dairy used — check expiration dates on the cream and milk.
You can make it dairy-free by using coconut cream for the heavy cream and soy or oat milk for the milk. Add-ins like caramel, cinnamon, almond extract, or chocolate syrup work well for flavor variations.
There are many delicious copycat drinks available. Try experimenting with flavored lattes or seasonal syrup blends at home to recreate favorites.
Pin this recipe to save for later!
Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew
Make a smooth, café-style vanilla sweet cream cold brew at home with simple ingredients and minimal effort. This copycat recipe lets you control the sweetness and creaminess while keeping a rich coffee flavor.
5 minutes
2 minutes
7 minutes
Ingredients
Cold Brew Coffee
- 1 quart mason jar (with lid and ring)
- 1 reusable coffee or jam strainer bag (or cheesecloth)
- 1 ½ cups coarsely ground coffee
- Water, enough to fill the jar almost to the top
Vanilla Sweet Cream
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup whole milk
Instructions
Cold Brew
- Place the ground coffee in a jam-strainer bag or wrap it in cheesecloth. Put the bag into the quart mason jar and fill the jar with cold water.
- Let the coffee steep in the refrigerator for 8–12 hours for a smooth, low-acid concentrate.
- After steeping, remove the coffee bag and gently squeeze to release the liquid. Discard the grounds or compost them.
Sweet Cream Coffee Creamer
- In a small saucepan, combine the heavy cream, sugar, and vanilla.
- Heat gently over low heat, stirring until the sugar fully dissolves. Do not boil.
- Let cool, then stir in the whole milk. Refrigerate until chilled.
To Serve
- Fill a glass with ice and pour 4–6 ounces of cold brew over the ice.
- Add 1–2 ounces of the homemade vanilla sweet cream (adjust to taste) and a splash of milk if desired.
- Stir and enjoy immediately.
Recommended Tools
- Quart mason jar (wide mouth recommended)
- Reusable cold brew bag or cheesecloth
- Mesh strainer or jam strainer for ease of filtering
Nutrition Information
Yield: 6
Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving (estimate):
Calories: 238
Total Fat: 16g
Saturated Fat: 10g
Cholesterol: 49mg
Sodium: 32mg
Carbohydrates: 22g
Sugar: 22g
Protein: 2g
Nutrition information is an estimate. Consult a trusted source if you need precise nutritional data for medical reasons.
Love this recipe? Tell your friends!
Follow on Instagram for more easy recipes and coffee inspiration.