Have you tried the Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso from Starbucks? It is so good and as soon as I tasted it, I knew I needed to make it at home too! Brown sugar and a dash of cinnamon provide terrific depth of flavor for this awesome drink.
It’s been a couple of months and I’m still amazed by how much I’m enjoying this dairy-free iced coffee drink. I’ll forever love my Cafe con Leche, but sometimes (especially in the summer months) iced drinks are where my heart is.
Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso
My cousin Hannah came to visit a few weeks ago and introduced me to the Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso at Starbucks. (Side note – WHY must their drink names always be so darn long and ridiculous to order?)
I know I’m late to the oatmilk game, and you likely also know that I’m a die-hard member of team real dairy products. However, in this drink, the oatmilk contributes a distinct flavor that I truly love. Thanks to this drink, oat milk has earned a dedicated spot in our refrigerator now.
Newfound love of oatmilk aside, if you’re solidly in the team dairy category and aren’t interested in trying oatmillk, this drink is also delicious with real milk.
We made our drinks a couple of different ways while Hannah was here and I’ve been making this shaken espresso daily since then.
Ingredients for Oatmeal Shaken Espresso
- brewed espresso
- light or dark brown sugar
- unsweetened oatmilk
- ice cubes
- ground cinnamon (optional)
Oatmilk Shaken Espresso
- Combine the hot espresso and the brown sugar in a cup and stir to melt the sugar. (If you would like to make a larger batch recipe, simply multiply this step as desired and then store in the refrigerator.)
- In a cocktail shaker or mason jar, add espresso and ice and shake for 20-30 seconds, until well-chilled. Add oatmilk to taste and shake or stir to combine.
- Pour into a tall glass or insulated cup and sprinkle with a dash of cinnamon.
I use a stovetop espresso maker (directions below) or use the Keurig to brew these Lavazza Espresso Cups. If you are lucky enough to have a fancy espresso machine at home, definitely use it.
Alternatively, you can simply brew your favorite coffee extra strongly.
There really isn’t a wrong way to make this iced coffee latte. The recipe is completely adaptable to be made with what you have on hand and for your own tastes.
Oatmilk can also be used to make delicious, dairy-free ice cream. Try this version of Chocolate Ice Cream. It doesn’t even taste dairy-free or have a hint of coconut. So good!
Starbucks Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso
The recipe here is the copycat method recommended on the Starbucks website. However, I’ve also made this with Brown Sugar Syrup and it’s delicious that way too.
You can use light or dark brown sugar in this recipe. Dark brown sugar will provide a richer caramel flavor compared to light brown.
When first trying this drink, I found it easiest to adjust the level of sweetness when using the syrup. The amount below is perfect for me though (just barely sweetened) and it’s the simpler recipe I chose to use for everyday iced coffees.
How to Make Brown Sugar Syrup
To make Brown Sugar Syrup, you’ll simply combine equal parts brown sugar and water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil and simmer until the sugar has dissolved and the syrup thickens slightly.
This should only take a few minutes. Allow the syrup to cool and pour the syrup into an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator until ready to use.
In early March, Starbucks launched two new iced shaken espresso drinks for spring — one of which, the Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso, has been popping up nonstop on my social media feeds and my conversations with friends.
The drink is made out of the Starbucks Blonde espresso, brown sugar and cinnamon, topped off with oat milk and ice.
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People are absolutely rabid over this drink. A search of “shaken espresso” on Twitter will pull up people proclaiming their love for it through hyperbolic praise.
Rest in peace Princess Di, you would have loved Starbucks iced brown sugar oat milk shaken espresso❤️
— Ceecal (@Ceeccal) March 21, 2021
The compliments range from its “heart palpitation“-inducing caffeine strength to its surprisingly low calorie count. One person claimed that the Shaken Espresso, when paired with a can of Dr. Pepper, made for their “supervillain origin story.” The drink is that powerful.
To be honest, I was so won over by Starbucks’ matcha drink with two pumps of chai that I was initially uninterested in the hype. Lizzo hasn’t said a word about any shaken espressos! But then my coworkers wouldn’t stop talking about it.
I had to see for myself if this lived up to the hype. I’m a fan of the Starbucks Blonde roast, which is lighter and less bitter than the coffee chain’s regular roast. Plus, I talk about oat milk like I’m sponsored by it (I’m not, unfortunately; Oatly please email me), so what’s there to lose?
The Starbucks I visited was out of brown sugar and suggested vanilla syrup as an alternative — with the promise that it wouldn’t taste that different. At first sip, the drink tastes like a very sweet iced coffee. Then there’s an aftertaste of cinnamon, which I personally didn’t enjoy.
But, oh my god, the caffeine. The precious, sweet, sweet caffeine was coursing throughout my body after finishing only half a Grande-sized cup. I felt like Bradley Cooper in the 2011 movie Limitless, which is a very out-dated reference to a movie I have only ever seen the trailer for.
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The only flaw was the cinnamon, which I could’ve done without. But overall, if you need a metaphorical kick to the brain, this is the drink for you.
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