Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew

Every fall, we can’t wait to start sipping our favorite pumpkin drinks, but sometimes the unexpectedly hot weather isn’t conducive to a steaming latte. Enter this pumpkin cream cold brew recipe: Ice-cold, potent cold brew is capped with a foamy, frothy mix of pumpkin, cream and spices to create a coffee with all the fall flavor and none of the heat!

Best of all, learning how to make pumpkin cream cold brew is easy. In fact, it is one of the easiest fall drinks to make at home. The only special equipment you’ll need is a milk frother, which is an electric wand with a fine whisk at the end that transforms flat milk into bubbly, airy foam.

This pumpkin-spiced cold brew may look familiar to Starbucks lovers, but unlike at the big chain’s recipe, this one has only natural ingredients and just a minimal amount of added sweetener. Best of all, you can adjust the flavorings to make it as spiced or as sweet as you like.

Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew Ingredients

• Heavy whipping cream: Rich, heavy whipping cream is hearty enough to hold plenty of air bubbles, making for a frothy foam that floats like a cap on top of the cold brew. You can substitute half-and-half if you want a lighter drink, but it won’t “float” as well.
• Whole milk: Diluting the heavy cream with whole milk preserves the rich flavor but cuts down on the heaviness. Again, you can use lower-fat milk, but the foam won’t be as lofty.
• Canned pumpkin: Because of its uniform flavor, sweetness and texture, canned pumpkin is better for fall baking and many other recipes. Here, it serves as the main dose of pumpkin flavor in the cold foam, so pick up the best canned pumpkin brand according to your personal preferences. You’ll use only 1 tablespoon, so you can put the rest to use in one of our favorite ways to use up a can of pumpkin.
• Maple syrup: Since maple syrup is liquid, it dissolves easily into the foam, adding both sweetness and a thick, rich texture.
• Vanilla extract: Use a good quality vanilla extract brand, which will add a cozy, sweet flavor to the drink.
• Pumpkin pie spice: Pumpkin pie spice is a mix of cozy, aromatic spices: cinnamon, ginger, cloves and nutmeg. You can buy it in most spice shops or make a homemade pumpkin pie spice mix. A dash of pumpkin spice even garnishes the drink, infusing every sip with flavor.
• Cold brew: The trick to a good cold brew is serving it super cold—not just lukewarm—so we always pour our cold brew over ice. Make sure you use a good cold brew coffee brand, buy some at a local coffee shop or make homemade cold brew.

Directions

Step 1: Make the cold foam

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Combine the heavy whipping cream, milk, canned pumpkin, maple syrup, vanilla extract and pumpkin pie spice in a small jar. Use a milk frother to froth the ingredients until foamy.

Step 2: Add the cold brew

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Place the ice cubes in a large glass. Pour the cold brew over the ice, and top with the cold foam.

Step 3: Garnish

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Sprinkle the cold foam with the pumpkin pie spice and serve the drink immediately.

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Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew Variations

• Go vegan: Sub coconut cream for the heavy whipping cream, and swap in coconut milk, oat milk or your favorite nondairy milk for the whole milk.
• Spice it up: Add a little heat to the drink with a pinch of cayenne.

How to Store Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew

Keep any extra pumpkin cream cold brew recipe in the refrigerator. Ideally, you should store the cold foam separately from the cold brew. If you’re storing an already-mixed drink, it will keep for a few hours, but the frothy cream mixture will deflate slightly as it sits.

How long does pumpkin cream cold brew last?

Cold brew stored on its own will keep for up to two weeks in the refrigerator. Cold foam will keep for up to five days, though it will flatten. Use the milk frother to restore texture to the foam before serving.

Can you make the pumpkin cream cold brew ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the drink ahead of time, but store the cold foam and cold brew separately. Mix the cold foam ingredients together and refrigerate for up to five days. Froth the foam just before serving.

Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew Tips

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Can you use the pumpkin cream on hot coffee?

Yes, pumpkin cream is delicious on hot coffee or espresso—with one caveat: Rather than floating on top of the drink, the cream will dissolve into the coffee.

What can you serve with this pumpkin cream cold brew recipe?

Serve pumpkin cream cold brew as a fun beverage alongside your favorite brunch recipes. You can also sip it as a mid-afternoon pick-me-up, perhaps with a tasty pumpkin dessert. Or, whip up a Starbucks copycat recipe such as pumpkin cream cheese muffins or even cake pops to make it feel as if you’ve just visited the coffee shop.