Starbucks Brown Sugar Shaken Espresso

You can make Starbucks brown sugar shaken espresso in less than five minutes at home; faster and for less money than it takes to drive there and order their iced brown sugar shaken oatmilk espresso. All you need are five simple ingredients: espresso, brown sugar, cinnamon, oat milk, and ice. Make, shake, and voilà, you have a homemade iced brown sugar drink.

Ingredients

Blonde Espresso

Blonde espresso is the best choice for this recipe, and it’s what Starbucks uses. The blonde roast has a light and slightly sweeter flavor than their Pike Place or Italian Dark Roast. The blonde gives this drink a balanced flavor. You can buy Veranda Blonde whole bean coffee at Starbucks, most large grocery stores, or online. If you prefer a different brand, stick with a light or blonde roast for a similar flavor.

Brown Sugar

Starbucks recommends using light brown sugar, but you can also use dark. Vegans, look for organic brown sugar to avoid bone char.

Cinnamon

You only need a small dash. Leave it out if you are out of cinnamon or don’t like it. This drink is delicious with or without cinnamon!

Unsweetened Oatmilk

Oatmilk has a creamier texture than dairy milk and a nutty warmth that complements the brown sugar and cinnamon. Even milk drinkers like my son-in-law think oat milk tastes better than regular milk, which is quite the endorsement, since he is a milk drinker and this is his favorite Starbucks drink.

To match the flavor, look for the unsweetened Oatly brand. This is what Starbucks uses, and it is found at most large grocery stores.

How to Make a Brown Sugar Shaken Espresso at Home

Step One: Espresso

Start by making the espresso. Then, stir the brown sugar into the espresso. You want to do this while the espresso is still hot so that the brown sugar dissolves and creates an even flavor. 

Step Two: Mix

Place the ice, espresso, and cinnamon in a cocktail shaker or mason jar with the top screwed on tightly. Shake vigorously 10 to 20 times.

Step Three: Serve

Pour the espresso into a glass and top with oatmilk. If you are a cinnamon lover, top with another dash before serving!

Credit: This recipe was adapted from Starbucks At Home.

The Secrets to the Perfect Shaken Espresso

1. Let the brown sugar fully dissolve before adding the milk. This gives the drink a consistent flavor.
2. Shake the coffee while the espresso is still warm. This creates a better foam.
3. Use large ice cubes for slower dilution.
4. Always shake and never stir! The shaking creates a micro-foam texture. It makes the drink creamy, without heavy dairy. It also rapidly cools the espresso without diluting it as much as stirring does.
5. If you do not have a cocktail shaker, use a mason jar with the lid on. I have a cocktail shaker, but I always use a mason jar. I feel more comfortable shaking it knowing the lid is tightly screwed on.