Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso (Starbucks Copycat!)

This iced brown sugar oat milk shaken espresso is the ultimate Starbucks dupe! Homemade brown sugar syrup with hints of cinnamon and vanilla, shaken with espresso and finished with creamy oat milk.

This drink was love at first sip

If this is the first time you’ve come across this Starbucks inspired iced coffee, don’t be intimidated! I first came across this coffee drink on Tiktok in 2021. A girl who works at Starbucks shared a video of herself making their new drink – at the time it was set to launch in two weeks.

I got way too excited and decided I needed to learn how to make a homemade version NOW.

Shaken espresso is simply espresso shaken vigorously with ice and syrup until foamy. In this particular recipe, this shaken espresso is mixed with a dreamy brown sugar syrup, then finished with creamy oat milk.

Why I love making shaken espresso at home

• It’s easy to customize. If you typically enjoy your coffee without sugar or very lightly sweetened, start with just 1 1/2 tablespoons of syrup, then adjust as needed. Remember that it is always easier to add sweetener and difficult to adjust once it’s too sweet. Need a stronger caffeine boost? Add an additional shot of espresso. You can also use any kind of milk you like.
• Simple homemade brown sugar syrup. Making syrups from scratch is actually quite easy and much better for you than the pre-made ones at coffee shops. Once you try this one, you’ll be hooked!

If you love this recipe, you must try my Iced Toasted Vanilla Oat Milk Shaken Espresso and Iced Pumpkin Spice Brown Sugar Oat Milk Shaken Espresso, too!

A note on some key ingredients

• Brown sugar syrup – Starbucks of course uses their own pre-bottled brown sugar syrup, but I’ve cracked the code on the BEST at home syrup. All you need is brown sugar, a dash of cinnamon, water, and vanilla. If you want a bolder flavoured syrup, use dark brown sugar.
• Coffee – To make the most authentic coffee, it is best to use espresso shots using a home espresso maker. If this isn’t an option, the next best thing would be about 1/2 a cup of strong coffee or cold brew. The more concentrated the coffee, the better.
• Oat milk – Starbucks’ coffee shop developed this recipe using unsweetened oat milk and I almost always have it on hand, so that’s what I used. You can of course use your favorite oat milk brand or any non-dairy milk of choice. Coconut milk, almond milk or soy milk would be great, creamy alternatives.

No special equipment required

A cocktail shaker is a good option to vigorously shake the espresso but it is definitely not necessary. A simple mason jar with a tight fitting lid works just as well and is my preferred choice!

If you don’t have an espresso machine, you can still whip up a strong, concentrated coffee that’s close to a double shot using what you have at home. If you wish to use instant coffee to mimic a double shot, only use 1/4 cup water. If you have a French press: use 2 tablespoons of finely ground coffee for every 2 ounces of hot water, let it steep for 3–4 minutes, then press and pour. While it won’t have the exact crema or texture, it’s perfect for lattes, cappuccinos, or any recipe that calls for espresso, like this one!

Storing the syrup

As with any iced coffee, these iced shaken espressos are best enjoyed fresh. However, the brown sugar syrup recipe can be stored for up to 2 weeks in the fridge. For optimal freshness, store in an airtight container, such as a glass mason jar.

You can make a double batch or even quadruple batch of the simple syrup recipe, if desired. That way you can make these all week and it will be faster than driving to your local Starbucks!

Can’t get enough of our coffee recipes?

Same here! We are always whipping up new and delicious coffee creations but we still go back to our favs again and again. Liv loves making a dairy-free pumpkin cream cold brew when fall is approaching but the weather still isn’t cold enough for hot drinks. Greg is partial to the apple crisp macchiato and toasted vanilla shaken espresso. You can’t go wrong!

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