Description
A smooth and creamy Vanilla Salted Cream Cold Brew with a sweet and salty flavor profile.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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