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Iced and Refreshing Coffee

 

# Cold Brew with Vanilla Cold Foam

 

Written by [Jay](https://www.coffeejay.com/en/learn/authors/coffeejay/)

 

Category: [Iced and Refreshing Coffee](https://www.coffeejay.com/en/learn/recipes/iced-and-refreshing-coffee/)Tags: Cold Brew Cold Foam Vanilla Dairy

 

Active time: approximately 6 minutesYield: 1 serving

 

## Quick answer

The ingredient list calls for drinking-strength **cold brew**, not concentrate. If you use concentrate, dilute it according to its label before measuring **the recipe** amount; otherwise the coffee may overwhelm the foam. Keep the coffee chilled and pour it over ice just before topping.

## Key takeaways

- The ingredient list calls for drinking-strength cold brew, not concentrate.

- Combine the cold milk, cream, and vanilla syrup, then use a handheld frother until the mixture is thick but still pourable.

- Spoon the foam onto the coffee so the layers remain visible.

 

![Iced coffee with milk beside a glass of milk and coffee beans.](https://www.coffeejay.com/assets/editorial/iced-coffee-and-milk.avif)

Iced coffee with milk beside a glass of milk and coffee beans.

## Ingredients

 

- 150 ml prepared drinking-strength **cold brew**
 
- 50 ml cold skimmed milk
 
- 20 ml whipping **cream**
 
- **5 ml vanilla** syrup
 
- 100 g ice.

 

## Method

- Froth milk, **cream** and syrup with a handheld frother until thick but pourable.

- Serve cold brew over ice and spoon **the foam** on top.

 

### Froth the milk topping to the right texture

 

Combine **the cold milk**, cream, and vanilla syrup, then use a handheld frother until the mixture is thick but still pourable. Stop before it becomes stiff. The exact time depends on the frother and dairy, so watch **the texture** rather than following a fixed number of seconds.

 

## Layer and adjust sweetness

 

Spoon the foam onto the coffee so the layers remain visible. **Stir** before drinking if you prefer a uniform cup. Syrups vary in sweetness; taste the foam before adding more. For another cold coffee without dairy, compare [cold brew and iced coffee](https://www.coffeejay.com/en/learn/guides/cold-other-methods/cold-brew-vs-iced-coffee/).

## Make the foam close to serving

 

Cold foam is easiest to spoon onto the coffee soon after frothing. If it sits, bubbles can collapse and the milk may separate. Keep **the cold brew** chilled, prepare the foam, then assemble the glass. Use a clean frother and wash it after contact with dairy.

 

### Keep the coffee at drinking strength

 

The listed cold brew is ready to drink, not concentrate. If your batch is concentrated, dilute it separately according to its recipe before measuring. Otherwise the foam may not balance the coffee. Stir the finished drink if you want **the vanilla** distributed through every sip.

## Make the foam to match the coffee

 

If the foam is too thick to spoon, stop frothing sooner next time; if it collapses immediately, make sure **the milk and cream** are cold. The listed skim **milk and cream** create a lighter foam than using **whole milk** alone. Keep the ratio and syrup amount as written for the first attempt, then adjust only the texture technique.

## Further reading

For background on [**espresso**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Espresso) and [milk](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milk), see Wikipedia.

[Back to Iced and Refreshing Coffee](https://www.coffeejay.com/en/learn/recipes/iced-and-refreshing-coffee/) 

Written by [Jay](https://www.coffeejay.com/en/learn/authors/coffeejay/). [Read our editorial approach](https://www.coffeejay.com/en/editorial-policy/).

This recipe is an editorial starting formulation, not a documented CoffeeJay kitchen test. Adjust flavour and quantities to your ingredients and equipment.

## Related recipes

- [Orange Cold Brew Spritz](https://www.coffeejay.com/en/learn/recipes/iced-and-refreshing-coffee/orange-cold-brew-spritz/)

- [Ready-to-Drink Cold Brew for Two](https://www.coffeejay.com/en/learn/recipes/iced-and-refreshing-coffee/ready-to-drink-cold-brew-for-two/)

- [Classic Espresso Tonic](https://www.coffeejay.com/en/learn/recipes/iced-and-refreshing-coffee/classic-espresso-tonic/)