If you’re craving a refreshing drink that brings together coffee and a sweet twist, vanilla salted cream cold brew is just the thing you need. It’s smooth, creamy, and a treat to savor.
This recipe addresses unclear cold brew timing, missing nutrition details, lack of flavor tips, foam issues, and absent serving ideas for Vanilla Salted Cream Cold Brew.
I remember trying to make my own cold brew but ended up with a brew that tasted a bit bitter. After some practice, I found that balancing the flavors with a touch of vanilla and sea salt makes all the difference for a satisfying drink.
This recipe works well as it’s quick to prep and is ready in about just ten minutes (not counting the brewing time). You’ll enjoy a deliciously creamy foam that sits perfectly on top, elevating your cold brew coffee experience in a matter of moments.
If you want to add something sweet to your drink rotation, try my Chocolate Peanut Clusters for a delicious pairing.
Table of contents
Dietary Considerations
- This recipe is not gluten-free due to possible cross-contamination during packaging of vanilla extract or cocoa powder ingredients.
- The recipe contains heavy cream, so it is unsuitable for dairy-free diets without ingredient substitutions.
- This recipe is not vegan because heavy cream and vanilla extract typically contain animal-derived ingredients.
- This recipe suits keto and low-carb diets since it uses heavy cream and no high-carb sweeteners or additives.
- The recipe is nut-free as no nuts or nut-based products appear in the listed ingredients.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- A Unique Flavor Combination This vanilla salted cream cold brew offers a delightful mix of smooth vanilla and a hint of salt that takes the classic coffee drink to a whole new level.
- Refreshing and Creamy Texture With half and half whipped into a thick, creamy foam, this drink provides a rich mouthfeel that contrasts beautifully with the cold brew coffee, making it a truly satisfying pick-me-up.
- Quick to Prepare You can whip this up in just about 10 minutes, allowing you to enjoy a café-style drink without the long wait lines or high prices. It’s an easy way to treat yourself!
- Perfect for Any Season The balance of chilled coffee and creamy foam means this drink works well year-round, whether it’s a hot summer day or a cozy winter afternoon.
How to Make Vanilla Salted Cream Cold Brew
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cool Time: 12 hours
- Cook Time: None
- Total Time: 12 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 1 1x
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Cold Brewing
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Lactose
Description
A smooth and creamy Vanilla Salted Cream Cold Brew with a sweet and salty flavor profile.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (240 ml) coarsely ground coffee, good quality
- ½ cup (120 ml) half & half
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) vanilla syrup
- 1 cup (240 ml) cold water (for brewing)
- Ice cubes, as needed
- 2 teaspoons (10 ml) caramel sauce
- Pinch of sea salt, for garnish
Instructions
- Step 1: Combine coarsely ground coffee with 1 cup (240 ml) cold water in a glass pitcher. Ensure the coffee is coarsely ground to promote a smooth flavor. Cover and steep in the refrigerator for 12 hours.
- Step 2: After steeping, strain the coffee through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth to remove grounds. This ensures a clean, smooth cold brew without grit.
- Step 3: In a blender, mix half & half (½ cup / 120 ml), vanilla syrup (1 teaspoon / 5 ml), and 2 teaspoons (10 ml) caramel sauce. Blend on low speed until the mixture thickens into a creamy foam.
- Step 4: Fill a serving glass with fresh ice cubes. Pour in the strained cold brew coffee slowly. Layer the prepared cream foam on top by pouring gently, preserving a visible layer.
- Step 5: Drizzle additional caramel sauce over the cream foam. Sprinkle a pinch of sea salt on the top as garnish, balancing sweetness with a salt contrast.
- Step 6: Before drinking, gently stir the beverage using a straw or spoon to blend the cream foam with the cold brew. Serve immediately while cold.
Notes
- Room Temperature: Store cold brew in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 day, avoiding heat and sunlight exposure.
- Refrigeration: Keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days to maintain freshness.
- Freezing: Freeze cold brew in a freezer-safe container for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before use.
- To avoid bitterness, steep coffee for 10 hours instead of 12 if desired.
- If cold foam does not thicken properly, blend half & half with vanilla syrup for 1–2 minutes until volume doubles.
- Adjust sweetness by reducing caramel sauce to 1 teaspoon if the drink is too sweet.
- Add ice before pouring coffee to prevent dilution and keep the drink colder longer.
- Use a light pinch of sea salt over the foam to control saltiness without overpowering.
- Pair this cold brew with gluten-free cookies or vanilla almond cake.
- Complement with fresh fruit or a light salad for balance.
- Use as a base for cold brew floats, creamy coffee desserts, or smoothies.
- Top with extra caramel drizzle, cocoa powder, or a sprinkle of cinnamon for variation.
- Substitute half & half with heavy cream for a richer texture, noting the difference in creaminess.
- Use store-bought cold brew for convenience, though fresh brew delivers a better flavor profile.
- Use coarsely ground coffee and filtered water for optimal brewing results.
- Select pure vanilla syrup or extract rather than imitation for authentic flavor.
- Fresh ice cubes are recommended to prevent rapid dilution.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Ingredient Notes
- Cold brew coffee: Use a good quality coffee, ideally coarsely ground. It brews smoothly and brings out rich flavors. If you’re short on time, choose your favorite store-bought cold brew.
- Vanilla extract: Go for pure vanilla extract rather than imitation. It offers a deeper, more genuine flavor that really enhances the cold brew’s profile.
- Heavy cream: Full-fat heavy cream is best for creaminess and richness. You could substitute with half-and-half, but the texture won’t be as luxurious.
- Sweetener: Use simple syrup for easy mixing. For a less sugary option, a mix of stevia or agave works. Just adjust to your taste, as each varies in sweetness.
- Vanilla bean: This adds a sophisticated touch. Scrape the seeds for maximum flavor. If unavailable, a dash more vanilla extract will do the trick.
- Cocoa powder: Unsweetened cocoa powder adds a lovely depth. Go for Dutch-processed if you want a smoother flavor. Be cautious with sweetness levels in your cold brew.
- Ice: Use fresh ice cubes for a better texture. Old ice can dilute flavors quickly so make sure it’s not been sitting around.
Recipe Tips
- If your cold brew is too bitter, try steeping it for just 10 hours instead of 12 for a milder flavor.
- When the cold foam isn’t thickening, blend half & half with vanilla syrup for about 1-2 minutes until it doubles in volume.
- If you find the drink too sweet, reduce caramel sauce to 1 teaspoon while blending cream and vanilla for a balanced taste.
- For icy dilution, fill your glass with ice first before pouring in coffee, ensuring the drink stays colder longer.
- If the sea salt is too overpowering, sprinkle just a pinch over the foam instead of mixing throughout for a lighter touch.
Serving Suggestions
Serve with a side of gluten-free cookies or vanilla almond cake. Pair with fresh fruit or a light salad for balance.
Use to make cold brew floats or creamy coffee desserts. Add to a smoothie or blend into oatmeal for a unique twist.
Top with additional caramel drizzle or a hint of cocoa powder. Consider a sprinkle of cinnamon for a warm touch.
Recipe variations
- You can use oat milk instead of half & half to create a lighter vanilla salted cream cold brew. Add ½ cup of oat milk with 1 teaspoon vanilla syrup. Either whole milk or almond milk works well. If using this option, maintain the same measurement for cold brew volume.
- You can use maple syrup as a sweetener instead of caramel sauce for a different sweetness profile. Add 2 teaspoons maple syrup to the cold brew mix. Either pure maple syrup or a blend of maple and vanilla extract is suitable. Scale ingredients accordingly if preparing multiple servings.
- You can use smoked sea salt flakes to garnish for a smoky twist on the vanilla salted cream cold brew. Add a pinch on top of the foam before serving. Either fine sea salt or coarse salt works based on texture preference. Double ingredient amounts to serve two or more people.
- You can add a shot of espresso to intensify the coffee in your vanilla salted cream cold brew. Add 1 ounce of hot espresso to 1 cup cold brew. Either cold brew or brewed coffee concentrate is acceptable as the base. Increase espresso volumes proportionally when making larger batches. This variation pairs well with Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew for seasonal flavor options.
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How to Store?
To keep your vanilla salted cream cold brew fresh and delicious, follow these storage tips:
Room Temperature: Use an airtight container at room temperature to keep the cold brew for up to 1 day, avoiding heat and sunlight exposure.
Refrigeration: Store the beverage in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days to maintain freshness and prevent spoilage.
Freezing: Pour cold brew into a freezer-safe container and freeze up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
Other Recipes You’ll Love
- Pumpkin Snickerdoodle Scones
- Pumpkin Cheesecake Latte
- Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bars
- Pumpkin Apple Loaf
If you enjoyed this Vanilla Salted Cream Cold Brew or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a ⭐ star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. I appreciate taking time to read about this recipe, thank you!
