Drinking cold brew coffee could be one of the best things in life if you’re a fan of coffee. Immersing your favorite coffee beans in cold water for 12-18 hours draws out its natural flavors in a singular way and has more health benefits than typical coffee.
More and more coffee aficionados are discovering the appeal of cold brew coffee due to its superior flavor, creamy texture, and easy preparation. Nevertheless, some features of cold brew coffee are distinct from that of freshly prepared coffee. Using the method of adding sweetness, the cold coffee beverage can be made more palatable.
Those who don’t appreciate the flavor of black coffee can learn how to sweeten cold brew for a more enjoyable taste.
Ways to Sweeten Cold Brew Coffee
A key issue with cold brew coffee concentrate is that regular sugar won’t mix with it because it isn’t heated like heated coffee. When heated, sugar will melt and settle at the base of a cup of iced coffee.
It is truly heartbreaking to find a lump of raw sugar in a cup of ice-cold coffee that was not supposed to be sweetened. But don’t worry! You can make your cold brew taste sweeter without changing its flavor, and sometimes even increasing it.
Here are some of our favorite ways to sweeten cold brew coffee without artificial sweeteners:
Simple Syrup
The easiest method of sweetening cold brew coffee drinks is to dissolve the sugar first before including it.
You won’t be able to bring the coffee temperature up, so you will need to purchase or create some straightforward syrup or liquid sugar. If you want to sweeten up your cold brew without altering the taste, this is the optimal technique!
If you drink cocktails, you more than likely already have some in your possession. Despite the simplicity of making a simple syrup, it is still a breeze if you don’t! All you need is regular sugar and water.
Follow these instructions to make homemade simple coffee syrup for your cold brew:
- Pour equal parts of water and normal table sugar into a stovetop pan.
- Cook the mixture on medium heat until the sugar completely dissolves.
- Let the syrup completely cool down.
- Store your simple syrup in an airtight container in your refrigerator.
The quantity of simple syrup you decide to create is completely at your discretion, so long as the denomination of water and sugar are the same. You can make a big quantity of simple syrup and store it in a mason jar in the refrigerator to use over a period of several weeks to sweeten your drinks such as coffee and mixed drinks.
Sweetened Condensed Milk and Whipping Cream
If you desire a cup of coffee that is similar to one a barista would make, you will need to blend together sweetened condensed milk and heavy whipping cream to create a froth.
These two sugary dairy items are what make those velvety and luxurious coffee shop cold brews so delicious without adding any extra sweetening!
Mix together sweetened condensed milk and whipping cream in a bowl in equal proportions or with more condensed milk for a sweeter taste to generate a foam. Beat the mixture with an electric mixer, a whisk, or a blender until it is as airy as you would like.
If the process of making froth is too laborious for you, choose one of the components and use it to make additional cold brew. Vietnamese coffee requires sweetened condensed milk as an essential ingredient, and whipping cream can make it taste extra thick and sweet.
Almond Milk
Both approaches of brewing coffee mentioned before result in a sweet cup of coffee, yet neither of them is beneficial to those who choose to consume cold brew coffee.
If you’re looking to reduce your sugar intake or don’t consume dairy, this type of non-dairy milk has a slight amount of natural sweetness which is perfect for adding to your homemade cold brew.
Many pre-made cold brew coffee drinks are made with either sweetened or unsweetened almond milk, since it will stay fresh in the refrigerator for more time while also providing a slight nutty taste.
If you make your own almond milk, you can pick between the versions that are sweetened or not and come in a variety of tastes (for example, we are fond of the unsweetened vanillin kind for iced coffee).
Roasted Almond Milk
If you don’t fancy chocolate milk or would like to try a new flavor, roasted almond milk is an excellent option. This treat has a delightful nutty sweetness that pairs wonderfully with a hot cup of coffee. The non-sugar version of almond milk doesn’t taste as good as the regular kind, yet it will still get the job done.
Almond milk is very low in calories, therefore making it perfect for those who are conscious of their diet. It’s important to remember that almond milk doesn’t have as much calcium as cow’s milk, however it still offers nutritional benefits.
I would suggest trying out one of the many brands of almond milk that are available.
Elmhurst 1925 Unsweetened Roasted Almond Milk. Although it is pricier than a few other products, it is worth the investment.
To make it easy, put your cup or mug with cold brew coffee and top it off with almond milk!
Honey
Liquid sugar, known as simple syrup, is why it can mix into chilled coffee in a flash. Honey is very similar and will also easily dissolve.
Honey is a healthy and effective way to sweeten food if someone is trying to limit their sugar consumption or keep their blood sugar in check. You can easily locate it in retail locations and it will take care of your craving for something sweet!
If you want to incorporate honey in your cold brew coffee, it may be necessary to briefly heat it in the microwave before adding it. Honey has the same kind of natural sweeteners as simple syrup, but it is thicker and takes more time to dissolve.
We suggest combining honey with simple oat milk to make an exquisite glass of iced coffee!
Coconut Water or Milk
Unsweetened coconut water can be used as an alternative to sugar and it is surprisingly tasty when added to cold brew coffee.
It is possible to select among numerous types of coconut water, however, we would suggest not to purchase the carbonated version. You can customize the amount of sugar to your preference and add a small or large quantity to result in your coffee having a light and delicate texture.
If you would rather not dilute your strong coffee, there is an option to opt for coconut milk or cream instead, which is just as sweet but considerably thicker.
Canned coconut milk is notably full of creaminess, but boxed coconut milk is more like coconut water with a thinner consistency. You have the option of selecting various flavors and levels of sweetness with boxed milk.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon is an all-natural way to bring a sugary flavor to regular coffee. You can mix cloves, nutmeg, and ginger with the spice to create a chai latte beverage.
If you’re making a beverage with almond milk, cinnamon is an excellent additive to create a flavor that is both sweet and savory.
Maple Syrup
Maple syrup is another liquid natural sweetener. No action is necessary in order to get maple syrup to dissolve, in contrast to honey. This treat is absolutely scrumptious and the sugariest option among these choices!
Maple syrup complements oat milk and almond milk nicely due to their cozy, nutty notes. It’s as if you are enjoying a comforting bowl of maple and brown sugar oatmeal from your childhood when you consume oat milk.
Heavy Whipping Cream
Heavy cream is a perfect choice for coffee. This drink is luxuriously thick and creamy, and it will enhance the flavor of your cold brew beverage. The coffee is mostly composed of milk fat, so it will reduce the acidity level.
Be mindful not to put in too many ingredients, or you could make a chilly cup of coffee that is overly saccharine. Begin with only a tiny quantity and include extra as desired.
If you’re looking to stay away from pre-packaged options, you can make your own heavy cream. Mix together one cup of milk and one third a cup of melted butter and keep stirring until they are blended.
Greek yogurt can be substituted for heavy cream as a healthier option. Make certain to incorporate it gradually and sample it always prior to adding more.
Chocolate Milk
This could easily be something that a couple of children tried to make in their own home, but I can assure you, it tastes great! The coffee will be given an additional flavour of yumminess with the addition of chocolate, and the milk will offer a creamy texture.
A lot of people don’t know that coffee already has a bit of a chocolaty taste, so this is an awesome approach to make that flavor stand out more. I would suggest trying Promised Land Midnight Chocolate Whole Milk, an excellent chocolate milk that you can typically find in many stores.
I would be careful not to use chocolate milk or sweetened condensed milk for this recipe because it can make it too sweet if not used properly. If you are going to prepare it yourself, ensure you use unsweetened cocoa powder, or the end result will be overly sugary.
Vanilla Syrup
It’s no surprise that vanilla would be a great addition to cold brew coffee, since it is commonly used in iced coffee. This candy has a delightful aroma and will add a delightful taste to the coffee.
Making vanilla syrup is very easy. Mix together the same amount of sugar and water in a pot, and then add in vanilla extract (or a vanilla bean) depending on your preference. Once you’ve crafted the syrup, you can utilize it to make your cold brew coffee more sugary.
You can also put the syrup in the container before beginning to make your coffee, which will give it flavor as it is brewed. If you’re looking to prepare a vanilla cold brew in the comfort of your own home, you can try making the vanilla sweet cream cold brew recipe from Starbucks.
Add Cold Foam to the Top
Mix cold milk in a blender until it is full of foam. Add a layer of cold foam to your cold brew to make it more sweet and creamy.
Cold foam is generally employed when making iced coffees, though it can be included as a topping on cold brew drinks, as well. For those looking to sweeten their cold brew, a great solution is to top it off with cold foam.
You can make the cold foam even more delicious by pouring syrup on top.
Ice Cream
This is a bit more caloric, but it can be tolerated occasionally. Adding a portion of ice cream to a cold brew will give it the consistency of a milkshake, which will be delightful.
When combined with the coffee, the ice cream will make the drink even more cooled off and revitalizing, which is suitable for those hot summer days. You can bring it to the beach with you.
Begin by pouring some cold brew coffee into your mug and then top it off with a scoop of ice cream. I suggest vanilla ice cream, but you can choose any taste you prefer.
Stir the contents of the cup with a straw, then relish in it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to Make Pumpkin Cold Brew Sweeter?
Starbucks has recently come out with a recipe for a pumpkin cold brew. To sweeten it up, we suggest including honey, cinnamon, or nutmeg. No artificial sweeteners are required as the vanilla syrup and milk already provide the sweetness.
Can I Add Sweetener to Cold Brew?
Yes, you can add sweetener to cold brew. A lot of people like to add sweetener to their iced coffee to help counteract the natural bitterness of the beverage. Ensure that you put sweetener in your cold brew after it has been brewed.
This will stop the sweetener from disintegrating and becoming caught in the filter. You can also give the coffee a stir before consuming it in order to disperse the sweetness throughout.
How to Make Sweet Cream Cold Brew at Home?
In order to prepare sweet cream cold brew, you must start by creating the cream. This can be done by combining the same quantity of heavy cream and milk. Then, put in the desired amount of sugar and vanilla extract. After creating the cream, just stir it together with the cold brew coffee concentrate and drink it!
How to Sweeten Nitro Cold Brew?
Cold brew coffee containing nitrogen gas is known as nitro-cold brew. This provides a fluffy, creamy consistency resembling that of a milk stout beer. To make nitro cold brew more delicious, mix in a little simple syrup or honey before you serve it.