Iced Brown Sugar Oat Latte (Printable Version)

Dairy-free coffee featuring brown sugar syrup, oat milk, and espresso, shaken for a smooth, frothy texture.

# What You Need:

→ Brown Sugar Syrup

01 - 2 tbsp brown sugar
02 - 2 tbsp water
03 - 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon (optional)
04 - 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

→ Coffee & Milk

05 - 1 shot (1 fl oz) espresso or 1/4 cup strong brewed coffee
06 - 3/4 cup (6 fl oz) chilled oat milk
07 - Ice cubes

# Step-by-Step:

01 - Combine brown sugar and water in a small saucepan. Heat over medium, stirring until sugar dissolves completely. Remove from heat, then stir in cinnamon and vanilla extract. Allow to cool.
02 - Brew a fresh shot of espresso or prepare 1/4 cup of strong brewed coffee.
03 - Fill a cocktail shaker or large jar with ice cubes.
04 - Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of cooled brown sugar syrup, espresso, and chilled oat milk into the shaker.
05 - Secure the lid and shake vigorously for 15 to 20 seconds until chilled and frothy.
06 - Strain the mixture into a tall glass filled with fresh ice. Garnish with a sprinkle of cinnamon if desired and serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's vegan and dairy-free without sacrificing that rich, creamy mouthfeel you actually want.
  • Takes less time than a run to the coffee shop, and tastes better than most drinks you'd pay seven dollars for.
  • The shaking step does something magical—you get natural froth and chill that makes it feel intentional and luxe.
02 -
  • The syrup must cool completely before shaking, or the heat will cause the oat milk to break and separate—a lesson I learned the messy way.
  • Oat milk froths best when it's cold and freshly chilled from the fridge; warm oat milk will refuse to cooperate and your drink becomes flat and sad.
  • Shaking is the entire point of this drink; blending doesn't give the same texture, and stirring leaves you with something ordinary instead of something special.
03 -
  • Make your brown sugar syrup the night before and store it in the fridge—it takes zero extra effort and means you can throw this together in two minutes on busy mornings.
  • If you don't have a cocktail shaker, a jar with a tight-fitting lid works perfectly; just make sure it's sturdy enough to handle vigorous shaking without leaking.
  • Taste the syrup before you commit to a full glass; everyone's sweetness preference is different, and it's easier to adjust before shaking than after.
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