Description

Make the famous Starbucks drink at home! This easy Homemade Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew recipe is perfectly sweet, creamy, and costs less.

Ingredients

The perfection of this drink hinges on two key components: a high-quality cold brew base and a properly balanced pumpkin cream.

For the Cold Brew Coffee Base:

1 cup Coarsely Ground Coffee: Use a high-quality, dark or medium roast. Coarse grounds are essential to prevent over-extraction and a muddy texture.
4 cups Cold, Filtered Water
Equipment: A large jar, pitcher, or a dedicated cold brew maker. A fine-mesh sieve, cheesecloth, or a nut milk bag for straining.

For the Pumpkin Spice Cream Cold Foam:

1/2 cup (120 ml) Heavy Cream (Cold): For the best foam, it must be very cold. For a lighter version, you can use half-and-half, but the foam will be less stable and rich.
2 tablespoons (30 ml) Milk (Whole or 2%): This helps loosen the cream slightly for a pourable foam.
2 tablespoons Pure Pumpkin Purée: Ensure it is 100% pure pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling.
2 tablespoons Powdered Sugar: Powdered sugar dissolves instantly and helps stabilize the foam. Granulated sugar can be grainy.
1/4 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
1/4 teaspoon Pumpkin Pie Spice: (See “Tips” for a homemade blend)
A tiny pinch of Fine Sea Salt: To balance the sweetness and enhance all the flavors.

For the Optional Sweetened Base (Vanilla Sweet Cream):

1 cup (240 ml) Cold Brew Coffee
1-2 teaspoons Maple Syrup or Vanilla Syrup: This is entirely optional. The classic drink has an unsweetened base, but a touch of sweetness can be a nice bridge.

Instructions

Step 1: Make the Cold Brew Concentrate (The Night Before)
In your large jar, combine the 1 cup of coarsely ground coffee with the 4 cups of cold, filtered water. Stir gently to ensure all grounds are saturated. Cover and let it steep at room temperature or in the refrigerator for 12-24 hours. The longer it steeps, the stronger it will be.

Step 2: Strain the Cold Brew
After steeping, strain the coffee through a fine-mesh sieve lined with cheesecloth or a nut milk bag into a clean pitcher. This may take a few minutes. Discard the grounds. You now have a cold brew concentrate that can be stored in the fridge for up to two weeks.

Step 3: Prepare the Drinking Glass
Fill a tall glass (a 16-oz pint glass is perfect) with ice. If you are using the optional sweetener, add the maple or vanilla syrup to the glass now. Pour the cold brew concentrate over the ice, leaving about 1 to 1.5 inches of space at the top for the foam. Do not dilute with water unless your concentrate is very strong and you prefer it that way.

Step 4: Create the Pumpkin Cold Foam
This is the most important step. In a tall, narrow container—a mason jar works perfectly—combine the COLD heavy cream, milk, pumpkin purée, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, pumpkin pie spice, and pinch of salt.

Step 5: Froth to Perfection
If you have a battery-powered milk frother, this is its moment to shine. Submerge it in the cream mixture and turn it on, moving it up and down for 30-60 seconds until the mixture thickens, becomes frothy, and forms soft peaks. It should be pourable but thick, like melted ice cream. If you do not have a frother, seal the mason jar tightly and shake it with immense vigor for 1-2 minutes until it reaches the desired consistency.

Step 6: The Grand Finale – Assemble the Drink
Slowly and deliberately pour the pumpkin cold foam over the back of a spoon held just above the surface of the cold brew. This technique helps the foam float on top, creating that beautiful, distinct layer.

Step 7: Enjoy Immediately
Do not stir! The experience is in the contrast. sip the cold brew through the layer of creamy, spiced foam. As you drink, the foam will gradually mix with the coffee, creating a deliciously evolving beverage.

Notes

Large Jar or Pitcher (for cold brew)
Fine-Mesh Strainer & Cheesecloth/Nut Milk Bag
Tall Glass
Mason Jar or Narrow Container
Battery-Powered Milk Frother (highly recommended)

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Calories: 210
Sugar: 18g
Sodium: 45mg
Fat: 15g
Carbohydrates: 20g
Protein: 2g