Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew (Starbucks Copycat)

This pumpkin cream cold brew recipe is the fall drink of your dreams! Super-silky smooth and full of that pumpkin flavor we all know and love, you’ll fall in love with this homemade oat milk cold brew recipe that is better than the Starbucks version!

It truly isn’t pumpkin season until you’ve had your first pumpkin coffee. And although it might still be 90 degrees out where you are (it is here for me!), once you take that first sip suddenly it’s all about boots, cozy sweaters, pumpkin patches, and baking a loaf of pumpkin bread. Am I right or am I right?!

If you follow me on Instagram then you know I’m a fan of pumpkin year-round, and especially in the fall. I saw a funny meme the other day that said there are only two seasons. Fall and waiting for fall. I couldn’t agree more!

What is a Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew with Sweet Cream Cold Foam?

New in 2019, the pumpkin cream cold brew was Starbuck’s newest addition to the pumpkin spice latte family. They describe it as a “super smooth fall treat” and I’ve got to say, I totally agree. The pumpkin cream cold foam is uber silky and super pumpkin-y.

It’s essentially cold brew coffee (ice, with brewed coffee) with vanilla syrup added, and topped with a semi-sweet pumpkin cream cold foam topping. The topping is made from cream and pumpkin spice sauce.

If you haven’t tried it and love all things pumpkin, it’s simply a must. But for the days you want to make coffee at home, this recipe is the perfect stand in!

Homemade Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew vs. Starbucks’ Version

This recipe gives Starbucks a run for its money. Here are a few reasons why my recipe wins over Starbucks’ in my opinion:

• Made dairy free (theirs is not)
• Lower in sugar (theirs has 31 grams)
• Cheaper (I didn’t calculate cause math’s not my thing but I’m assuming here!).

I know you’ll love it! So let’s start at the beginning and make this delicious pumpkin coffee drink at home!

Homemade Starbucks Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew Recipe Ingredients

1. Cold brew or iced coffee

Starbucks uses cold brew in the traditional drink but you could totally use iced coffee too. Any cold brew will work — use your favorite!

2. Milk: Unsweetened oat milk, other non-dairy, or dairy milk of your choice or dairy free heavy whip

I used oat milk in this recipe because it has a higher fat content than other non-dairy milks like almond. This makes it thicker and gives it those silky-smooth vibes. I ended up testing this recipe with two different oat milks and it worked well with both. My favorite oat milk to use for coffee is this one.

This year I also made the recipe with this Califia Farms dairy free heavy whip which turned out super similar to the Starbucks version because it’s super thick just like heavy cream but dairy free. If you can find it at a store near you, I definitely recommend! I usually find it at Target or Whole Foods

If you prefer cow’s milk, you can sub that in for the oat milk too!

3. Pumpkin puree

Hopefully you’ve stocked up because if you’re going to make any recipe you see on this blog you’re going to need it! P.S. make sure it’s pumpkin puree and not pumpkin pie mix. Pumpkin puree is just pumpkin while pumpkin pie mix contains added sugar.

Most coffee shop versions do not use real pumpkin which is another reason why I love this version — you get to reap the nutritional benefits of REAL pumpkin in your coffee. Win, win.

4. Maple syrup

Maple syrup offers the perfect amount of sweetness without being overpowering in flavor. Honey would also be a great natural sweetener to use in this recipe.

5. Pumpkin spice or cinnamon

Either one of these will work! If you can’t find pumpkin spice you can definitely make your own or use cinnamon.

6. Vanilla extract

The Starbucks version contains vanilla syrup. I’m lightening things up with no added sugar from this ingredient by using vanilla extract.

7. Salt

A pinch of salt to really bring out the flavors and doesn’t make it salty tasting by any means.

Equipment Needed to Make This Starbucks Cold Brew Recipe

• Hand-held frother or whisk – This hand-held frother works perfectly!
• Mason jar — you’re going to add all of the ingredients into a mason jar

How to Make Pumpkin Sweet Cream Cold Foam

Add the the oat milk or dairy free heavy whip, pumpkin puree, maple syrup, pumpkin spice or cinnamon, vanilla extract, and salt to a frother. You can also use a hand-held frother to get it nice and frothy (a high-speed blender on the highest setting would also work).

How to Make Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew Coffee with Pumpkin Cold Foam

1. Make the pumpkin cream cold foam. Combine the ingredients for the pumpkin cream cold foam in a mason jar. Froth until combined and use right away or pop it into the fridge.
2. Get your cold brew ready. Pour a glass of cold brew or iced coffee over ice.
3. Put it together and start sipping! Pour the pumpkin cream over the cold brew, top with extra pumpkin spice, and enjoy! Use a straw to mix it together — I recommend sipping without a straw though because that way you get more of the foam in every sip.

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A post shared by Maggie Michalczyk, RDN (@onceuponapumpkin)

Alternatively, you can make this recipe by making this homemade pumpkin spice syrup, adding that to oat milk and frothing it and then pouring your cold brew on top!

Nutrition of Starbucks’ vs. This Homemade Version

Because the sugar is so high in the Starbuck’s version, I would definitely put this drink in the treat category vs. an everyday type of drink! My recipe is lower in sugar and calories if you’re looking for a healthier alternative.

Cost Comparison of Pumpkin Cold Brew at Starbucks vs. At Home

Is The Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew Made Dairy-Free at Starbucks?!

Unfortunately no, because it is made with heavy cream it’s not dairy free. As of right now there isn’t a way to order it dairy free. Using dairy free heavy whip like I recommend for this recipe gives it such a similar taste and texture to the Starbucks version, you will love it!

How I Order the Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew at Starbucks

Although I’m a dietitian, I’m not the food police! That said, I don’t think it’s the worst thing if you want to treat yourself to the real version of this drink a few times during the season — I certainly do myself because that’s the balance I like to have in my life.

When I do order it from Starbucks, I ask for a couple of modifications for make it lower in sugar.

Here’s how I order it when I want to lower the sugar but still get that good pumpkin taste:

• tall size
• no vanilla syrup in the cold brew (or ask for sugar-free vanilla syrup)
• light cold foam — I just say: “Can you do light cold foam on top? About half the regular amount”

A grande would have 2-3 pumps of syrup in the cold brew, which is way too much in my opinion taste and sugar wise! I think one or half would definitely do the trick if you’re looking for something less sweet.

Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew with Pumpkin Cold Foam

Maggie Michalczyk, RDN

This homemade pumpkin cream cold brew recipe with pumpkin cold foam is super silky-smooth, dairy-free recipe that's better than Starbucks! 

5 from 1 vote

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 5 minutes mins

Servings 1 serving

Equipment

• 1 whisk or hand-held frother
• 1 mason jar

Ingredients

  

Pumpkin cold foam:

• 1 cup oat milk or dairy free heavy whip
• 1 1/2 tbsp. pumpkin puree
• 1 tbsp. maple syrup
• 1 tsp. pumpkin spice or cinnamon
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• pinch of salt

Pumpkin cold foam cold brew:

• 1 cup cold brew coffee
• handful of ice
• sprinkle of pumpkin spice

Instructions

 

• Combine he oat milk or dairy free heavy whip, pumpkin puree, maple syrup, vanilla, pumpkin spice, and salt in a small jar. Use a hand-held frother to froth all of the ingredients up until combined. Refrigerate or use right away.
• Add your favorite cold brew to a glass over ice and pour pumpkin cold foam on top. Lightly stir and top with more pumpkin spice to enjoy!

Notes

Cold pumpkin foam can be stored in the fridge for up to a week. Re-froth to enjoy! 

You can also make this homemade pumpkin spice syrup, add that to your oat milk and froth it and pour your cold brew on top. 

Keyword homemade pumpkin cream cold brew, pumpkin coffee, pumpkin cold foam, pumpkin cream cold brew, pumpkin cream cold brew; starbucks pumpkin cream cold brew; pumpkin spice latte

Pumpkin Recipes to Pair with Pumpkin Coffee

Sip on your pumpkin coffee and enjoy one of these healthy pumpkin recipes all fall long! Whether hitting the pumpkin patch or just taking in the season, enjoy the season a little more with these recipes you’re sure to fall in love with!

• Pumpkin Cookie Protein Balls {GF & DF}
• Pumpkin Chickpea Blondies {GF & DF}
• Pumpkin S’mores Bars {GF & DF}
• Pumpkin Zucchini Bread {GF & DF}
• Pumpkin Spice Overnight Oats {GF& DF}

If you like this pumpkin coffee drink recipe, be sure to check out this recipe for a hot pumpkin spice oat milk latte.

pin this pumpkin recipe for later!

This content has been updated from its original publish date in 2020.