How to Make Cold Foam At Home? (4 Easy Steps)

Coffee is loved in all its forms, and there is no denial. But have you ever observed a fluffy-as-air topping on your coffee and wondered how it was made?

Well! I am a strong coffee lover and I always had this thought until I learned this secret recipe to make cold foam at home. Don't worry!

Today in this article, I am going to share it with you.

The first one to start this trend was Starbucks and that too in 2018. It is extremely easy, just stay with me till the end to know more.

So let's start brewing.

What is cold foam?

Cold foam is a frothy layer of milk that sits on top of cold drinks like iced coffee and tea. The cold foam is similar to steamed milk that tops cappuccinos and lattes but with a colder version.

It is often sweetened and flavored to suit various taste preferences and to add variety. Not only is a layer of cold foam on your drink visually appealing but it also adds a pleasing texture to it.

Can you make cold foam at home?

Yes, you can make it at home. And the best part is, it is quite an easy task. You can use your preferred milk (dairy or non-dairy) and your favorite flavors to do so.

When you order a latte at a fancy coffee shop with the most fluffy layer of cold foam floating on it, you may wonder if you can make it on your own. So today, I will tell you how.

Ingredients you need

1) Milk - 1/4th cup

Skim milk works best because it does not have any extra fat or cream to weigh it down.

But if you prefer plant-based non-dairy milk, oat milk or soy milk are the best options as they create a better froth compared to other alternatives like almond milk.

2) Sweetener- 1 teaspoon

Sugar syrup works best if you do not want any lingering aftertaste to it. You can simply take a saucepan and add an equal amount of water and sugar to it.

Then wait till the sugar melts. You can also use honey or maple syrup to add a little sweetness to your cold foam.

3) Vanilla extract and spices- ¼ teaspoon

This part is totally optional but is a lot of fun. You can add vanilla extract to add depth to the taste of the foam, and you can get playful with the spice part.

A dash of cinnamon powder, pumpkin spice, or a bit of nutmeg sprinkle can improve the taste of your foam.

Equipment you need

1) Milk frother

An electric milk frother can make your work super easy. If you don’t have an electric frother, handheld frothers are also ideal for making cold foam at home.

You can even go for an immersion blender, French Press, or just your regular blender. These are widely and easily available and are quite efficient.

2) Mason jar

If you do not have a frother, you can also use a tightly sealed mason jar for manual frothing. After adding all the ingredients to the jar, shake the jar vigorously until the milk gets foamy.

This may take some time, and you may lose hope and get tired after a few minutes, but just keep shaking!

Read: Learn to brew coffee in a Mason jar

How to make cold foam at home?

Step 1: Prepare ingredients and set up your frother

Add your preferred variety of milk, sweetener, and vanilla extract together in a tall glass or pitcher. Now, put the frother in the jar in a way that the whisk portion is submerged fully into the mix of ingredients.

Step 2: Froth the milk mixture

Turn on the frother and let it do its magic. Froth continuously for 15 to 20 seconds until you achieve a foamy consistency. 

Please note that the plant-based milk may take a little longer, almond milk can take up to two to three minutes to get frothy.

Step 3: Pour foam onto cold-brew coffee

Take two glass mugs of cold brew coffee and use a spoon to transfer the foam from the beaker onto the top of your cold coffee. Yes, this will look very satisfying!

Step 4: Garnish and enjoy!

Sprinkle some nutmeg or cinnamon powder on top of it, if you like, and enjoy! As easy as it looks!

Best practices to make your cold foam thick

1) You should use very cold milk, as it tends to froth better and creates a cold foam with a very creamy texture.

2) You can also adjust the cream and milk ratio and experiment. A bit more cream can enhance the thickness of the cold foam, but too much milk can also make your milk heavy and not let it fluff better.

3) You can froth it for a slightly longer period to let more air into the mix to make it fluffier and thicker.

4) You should use a dedicated milk frother to get that perfect fluffy and thick, Starbucks-style cold foam.

Vanilla sweet cream or cold foam: Which is better?

A cold foam sits on top of the drink, but a vanilla sweet cream is mixed directly into the coffee. Both of these additions to your drink will surely enhance the taste, so it's a tough choice to select one.

Thus it will completely depend on your taste preferences.

Cold foam gives a lighter and frothier texture and is not that sweet. So if you want a sweet and creamy texture, go for vanilla sweet cream otherwise, cold foam is perfect.

Vanilla sweet cream is made with milk, heavy whipped cream, sugar, and vanilla syrup.

Wrapping up

All in all, making cold foam is not a tricky task, you can easily get the fancy coffee shop experience at home without spending much effort and money.

That’s all for this article. I hope now you know the secret recipe to make perfect cold foam at home. So wear your barista hat, get your ingredients, and start making.

You can thank me later for saving your hard-earned money. If you liked this blog and if it serves your query, feel free to share your view in the comments below.

FAQs

1) Can you store leftover foam?

Yes! You can store the leftover foam in an airtight container and keep it in the refrigerator for a couple of days. But you have to froth it again before serving as it may lose its texture.

2) Can I make cold foam with oat milk?

Yes, oat milk froths quite well and creates a very creamy and delicious cold foam. Just make sure that the oat milk is cold before you start frothing.

3) Is cold foam just whipped cream?

No, cold foam is much lighter and fluffier than whipped cream, which is a very denser and sweeter drink topping. Cold foam is just frother cold milk, while whipped cream is made from heavy whipping cream.

4) Are you supposed to mix cold foam while drinking coffee?

The choice is yours. Some people enjoy sipping through the foam to enjoy the flavors, while some mix it to get a consistent taste. Feel free to experiment and decide for yourself.