Copycat Starbucks Lavender Cold Foam Recipe

A creamy, dreamy foam that floats atop your chosen beverage like a soft cloud, transforming each sip into an ethereal experience. The Starbucks Lavender Cold Foam opens up a new chapter of taste adventures for those who share my penchant for coffee exploration and have a curious palate.

How to make Starbucks Lavender Cold Foam

Starbucks Lavender Cold Foam is a flavored topping introduced in their seasonal spring menu. It’s a lightly frothed mixture of heavy cream, milk, and lavender-flavored syrup, creating a sweet, subtly floral foam that enhances various beverages.

Ingredients:

Lavender Syrup:

• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon dried culinary lavender

Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Foam:

• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup 2% milk (or substitute with milk of your choice)
• 2 tablespoons lavender syrup (adjust to taste)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions:

For the Lavender Syrup:

1. Combine water, granulated sugar, and dried lavender in a small saucepan.
2. Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat, stirring until the sugar completely dissolves.
3. Reduce heat and simmer for 1 minute. Remove from heat.
4. Let the mixture steep for 20-30 minutes, allowing the lavender flavor to infuse.
5. Strain the syrup through a fine mesh strainer to remove the lavender buds. Let it cool to room temperature. Store in a clean, airtight container in the refrigerator.

For the Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Foam:

1. Combine heavy cream, milk, lavender syrup (starting with 2 tablespoons and adjusting to taste), and vanilla extract in a mixing bowl.
2. Whisk the mixture vigorously by hand, or use a hand frother or electric mixer until it reaches a creamy, frothy texture. Do not overmix—you’re looking for light and airy foam, not whipped cream.
3. Taste and adjust the sweetness by adding more lavender syrup if needed.

Assembly:

1. Prepare your favorite iced coffee or cold brew in a glass.
2. Gently spoon or pour the lavender sweet cream cold foam over the top of the iced coffee. The foam should float beautifully on top.
3. Garnish with a sprinkling of dried lavender buds for an extra decorative touch and a burst of aroma.

Tips:

• Flavor Adjustment: Feel free to adjust the amount of lavender syrup in the cold foam to suit your taste. The lavender flavor should be noticeable but not overpowering.
• Frothing: Use cold ingredients for the best cold foam texture. You can also chill the mixing bowl and whisk for a few minutes in the fridge before starting.
• Storage: The lavender syrup can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. It’s perfect for experimenting with other beverages or desserts.
• Dairy Alternatives: If you prefer a dairy-free option, you can substitute the heavy cream and milk with your favorite plant-based alternatives. Coconut cream, for instance, can add a tropical twist.

What to serve with

Serving the right accompaniments with your Starbucks Lavender Cold Foam beverage can transform your coffee break into a luxurious, sensory experience.

Sweet Treats:

• Lavender Honey Scones: Take the floral theme a notch higher with homemade lavender honey scones. The subtle sweetness of honey and the fragrant notes of lavender woven through these tender scones pair beautifully with the cold foam’s richness.
• Lemon Drizzle Cake: The zesty brightness of lemon offers a delightful contrast to the creamy and floral notes of the cold foam. A moist lemon drizzle cake, with its tangy glaze and soft crumb, creates a refreshing balance with your lavender-infused coffee.
• Vanilla Macarons: For a lighter yet indulgent option, vanilla macarons are a fantastic choice. Their delicate, airy shells and sweet, creamy filling echo the vanilla sweetness in the cold foam while adding a sophisticated touch to your coffee pairing.

Savory Selections:

• Herbed Goat Cheese Crostini: If you prefer a savory counterpoint, try herbed goat cheese crostini. The creaminess of the goat cheese and the earthiness of the herbs resonate well with the lavender’s floral character, offering a savory experience that still feels light and spring-like.
• Quiche Lorraine: A slice of classic Quiche Lorraine, with its fluffy egg custard, smoky bacon, and savory cheese in a buttery crust, pairs wonderfully with the soothing qualities of a lavender cold foam beverage. The contrast between the hearty, savory quiche and the sweet, floral coffee can be exceptionally satisfying.

Refreshing Additions:

• Fresh Fruit Salad: A vibrant, fresh fruit salad featuring berries, peaches, and a hint of mint can be a refreshing side dish that cleanses the palate and enhances the sweetness and floral notes of your cold foam beverage.
• Cucumber Sandwiches: For a light, refreshing option, cucumber sandwiches offer a crisp, clean taste that contrasts nicely with the creamy and aromatic qualities of the lavender cold foam.

Ingredients Substitutes

Making Starbucks Lavender Cold Foam at home can be a delightful and creative endeavor. However, sometimes you might not have access to all the specific ingredients typically used in the recipe, necessitating some clever substitutes.

Lavender Syrup:

• Homemade Lavender Simple Syrup: Combine equal parts sugar and water in a saucepan, add a tablespoon of dried lavender flowers, bring to a simmer until the sugar dissolves. Let it cool, then strain out the lavender.
• Honey and Lavender Essential Oil: If you can’t find lavender syrup or flowers, mix honey with a drop of culinary lavender essential oil as a substitute.

Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Foam:

• Heavy Cream, Milk, and Vanilla Extract: The original recipe calls for vanilla sweet cream which is a mixture of cream, milk, and vanilla syrup. You can mix heavy cream with a bit of milk to thin it slightly and add vanilla extract to sweeten it. Adjust proportions to taste.
• Half-and-Half and Vanilla Bean Paste: For a richer alternative, use half-and-half combined with vanilla bean paste or extract as a substitute. This creates a creamy texture and rich vanilla flavor.

Cold Brew Coffee:

• Strongly Brewed Coffee: If you don’t have a cold brew at hand, you can substitute it with strongly brewed coffee that’s been cooled to room temperature and then chilled in the fridge.
• Instant Coffee: Dissolve instant coffee in a smaller amount of hot water to mimic the strong, concentrated flavor of cold brew. Let it cool and use it as a base.

Milk (In Cold Foam):

• Alternative Dairy Milk: If you’re dairy-free or just out of regular milk, almond, soy, oat, or coconut milk can be excellent substitutes. Note that the foam texture might vary depending on the type of milk.
• Skim or 2% Milk: For a lighter version, you can use skim or 2% milk instead of whole milk in making the cold foam, though the foam might be less rich.

Sweetener (Optional for Cold Brew):

• Maple Syrup or Agave Syrup: If you want to sweeten your cold brew and don’t have the usual syrup, these natural sweeteners offer a delicious alternative.
• Stevia or Monk Fruit Sweetener: For a calorie-free option, stevia or monk fruit sweeteners can sweeten your coffee without adding sugar.

Final Thoughts

This homemade Starbucks Lavender Cold Foam recipe is a wonderful way to indulge in a little self-care. It brings the sophistication of your favorite coffee shop into your daily coffee experience. 

More Starbucks Recipes:

• Copycat Starbucks Cherry Cold Foam Recipe
• Copycat Starbucks Jalapeno Chicken Pocket Recipe
• Starbucks Strawberry Cold Foam Recipe
• Starbucks Dubai Chocolate Matcha Latte Recipe
• Copycat Starbucks Spicy Falafel Pocket Recipe

Starbucks Lavender Cold Foam

Serves: 4 Prep Time: 5 Minutes Cooking Time: 5 Minutes 5 Minutes

Nutrition facts: 380 calories 20 grams fat

Rating: 5.0/5

( 1 voted )

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Ingredients

Lavender Syrup:

• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon dried culinary lavender

Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Foam:

• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup 2% milk
• 2 tablespoons lavender syrup 
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

For the Lavender Syrup:

1. Combine water, granulated sugar, and dried lavender in a small saucepan.
2. Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat, stirring until the sugar completely dissolves.
3. Reduce heat and simmer for 1 minute. Remove from heat.
4. Let the mixture steep for 20-30 minutes, allowing the lavender flavor to infuse.
5. Strain the syrup through a fine mesh strainer to remove the lavender buds. Let it cool to room temperature. Store in a clean, airtight container in the refrigerator.

For the Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Foam:

1. Combine heavy cream, milk, lavender syrup (starting with 2 tablespoons and adjusting to taste), and vanilla extract in a mixing bowl.
2. Whisk the mixture vigorously by hand, or use a hand frother or electric mixer until it reaches a creamy, frothy texture. Do not overmix—you're looking for light and airy foam, not whipped cream.
3. Taste and adjust the sweetness by adding more lavender syrup if needed.

Assembly:

1. Prepare your favorite iced coffee or cold brew in a glass.
2. Gently spoon or pour the lavender sweet cream cold foam over the top of the iced coffee. The foam should float beautifully on top.
3. Garnish with a sprinkling of dried lavender buds for an extra decorative touch and a burst of aroma.