This Dunkin Copycat Brown Sugar Cream Cold Brew is one of my favorite summer coffee recipes and one I come back to again and again when I want something that feels like a treat without the drive or the price tag. The combination of smooth cold brew, warm brown sugar cinnamon syrup, and that creamy cold foam on top is everything I want in an iced coffee.

Making it at home costs a fraction of what Dunkin charges and you can have it ready in about ten minutes any time the craving strikes.

What makes my version different from every other brown sugar cold brew copycat you will find is the molasses. I add a small amount of molasses to the cold foam and it completely transforms the flavor by deepening the brown sugar taste into something richer and more caramel like than plain brown sugar alone can achieve.

Once you try it this way you will not want it any other way. I keep a jar of the brown sugar cinnamon syrup in my refrigerator all week long so all I have to do is pour the cold brew over ice, add the syrup, and whip up the foam.

Start to finish it takes about ten minutes and it tastes better than anything I have ever ordered at a drive through.

I constantly have a cold brew pitcher of coffee in my fridge to make my own.

You might also like my recipe for Paleo Coconut Milk Iced Latte, this High Protein Vanilla Iced Espresso, my Dunkin Copycat Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew or my Iced Chai Tea Latte Concentrate.

You can find all of my drink recipes here: Gluten Free Drink Recipes

What Makes This Copycat Better Than Dunkin

There are a few things about this homemade version that genuinely make it better than ordering from Dunkin.

• The molasses. Adding molasses to the cold foam is not something Dunkin does but it should be. A small amount deepens the brown sugar flavor into something richer and more caramel like that tastes far more complex than plain brown sugar alone. This single ingredient is what makes people who try this recipe say it is better than the original.
• You control the sweetness. Dunkin's version is quite sweet. By making your own brown sugar cinnamon syrup you can adjust the amount of sweetener to match your preference exactly. Start with the full amount and reduce it gradually until you find your sweet spot.
• It costs a fraction of the price. A medium brown sugar cream cold brew at Dunkin costs around five dollars before tax. This homemade version costs well under one dollar per serving once you have the ingredients on hand. If you make one of these five days a week the savings are significant.
• No drive through required. Living on a farm means the nearest Dunkin is not exactly convenient. Having everything in the refrigerator to make this any morning I want it is one of the most practical things about this recipe.

How to Make the Perfect Cold Foam

Getting the cold foam right is the most important step in this recipe. Here are the tips that make the difference between a thin and watery foam and a thick and stable one that sits beautifully on top of your cold brew.

• Use cold milk and cold cream. Temperature matters for foam. Warm dairy does not froth as effectively as cold dairy straight from the refrigerator. Make sure both your milk and heavy cream are thoroughly chilled before frothing.
• Use the right ratio. This recipe uses equal parts milk and heavy cream which gives you a foam that is rich enough to be stable but light enough to pour beautifully over the cold brew. Too much cream makes the foam too heavy and too much milk makes it thin and unstable.
• Froth until stiff. Keep frothing with your milk frother until the foam forms stiff peaks and holds its shape when you lift the frother out. A thirty to forty five second froth is usually enough with a handheld frother.
• Make the foam last. The cold foam is best made fresh immediately before serving since it will start to break down if it sits for more than a few minutes. If you need to make it slightly ahead keep it in the refrigerator and give it one more quick froth before pouring.

Make Ahead Tips

The brown sugar cinnamon syrup is the component that benefits most from being made ahead. Here is how to batch it for the week.

Double or triple the syrup recipe and store it in a sealed jar in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. Having the syrup ready means you can assemble this drink in just a few minutes on any morning without any additional prep. I make a big batch on Sunday and have brown sugar cold brew ready to go all week long.

The cold brew itself can be made in large batches and stored in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. I always have a full cold brew pitcher in the refrigerator during summer so I never have to wait.

The cold foam should always be made fresh immediately before serving. It does not hold well in the refrigerator and is best enjoyed within a few minutes of being frothed.

Storage

The brown sugar cinnamon syrup stores in a sealed jar in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. The cold brew stores in a sealed pitcher or jar in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. The cold foam must be made fresh immediately before serving and does not store well. Assemble each drink fresh when you are ready to drink it.

Supplies

If you make this Dunkin Copycat Brown Sugar Cream Cold Brew I would love to hear what you think! Leave a comment below and let me know how it turned out or tag me on Instagram so I can see your drink.

Once you make this at home you will wonder why you ever paid coffeehouse prices so save this recipe to your favorite Pinterest board so you always have it ready when the craving strikes!

Ingredients

• Cold Brew Coffee
• Milk
• Heavy Whipping Cream
• Molasses
• Vanilla Extract
• Water
• Brown Sugar
• Ground Cinnamon
• Sea Salt

Instructions

First you will want to make cold brew. You can use a cold brew pitcher or simply a large jar with a lid. I like to use coarse ground coffee so I don't end up with a coffee sludge at the bottom of the pitcher from fine ground coffee.

Then in a one cup glass microwave safe measuring cup you will add the water, brown sugar, cinnamon and salt. Stir to combine and then set aside.

In a small bowl or measuring cup add the milk, heavy cream, brown sugar, molasses and vanilla. Using a milk frother whisk the ingredients until they form a stiff foam.

To assemble your drink add ice to a large cup or jar. Then pour the brown sugar cinnamon syrup over top. Pour the cold brew coffee over that and then top with the brown sugar cold foam. Add a glass straw or stainless straw and enjoy.