When it comes to innovating our home-brewed coffee experience, Starbucks continually leads the pack, bringing barista-inspired creations right into our kitchens. Their latest masterpiece? The Starbucks Lavender Creamer.
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How to make Starbucks Lavender Creamer
Starbucks Lavender Creamer is a non-dairy coffee creamer inspired by the brand’s signature Lavender Latte. This creamer combines smooth oatmilk with flavors of lavender and subtle vanilla, aiming to bring a café-quality experience to your home.
Ingredients
- 2 cups of your preferred milk (whole milk will give creaminess, while almond or oat milk are great dairy-free options)
- 1 cup of heavy cream (or coconut cream for a vegan alternative)
- 2-3 tablespoons of dried culinary lavender
- 4-6 tablespoons of sugar, to taste (can substitute with honey, maple syrup, or a sugar-free alternative)
- 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract
- Optional: 1-2 drops of purple food coloring for visual effect
Instructions to Make Homemade Starbucks Lavender Creamer
- Infuse the Lavender: In a medium saucepan, combine milk and heavy cream. Warm the mixture over medium heat, being careful not to boil. Once warm, remove from heat, add the dried lavender, and cover the saucepan. Allow the mixture to steep for about 20-30 minutes so the lavender flavor infuses the milk.
- Strain the Mixture: After steeping, strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth to remove all the lavender buds. This ensures your creamer is smooth and free from any bits.
- Sweeten Your Creamer: Return the strained mixture to the saucepan and warm it again over low heat. Add sugar, stirring until it is completely dissolved. If using a liquid sweetener like honey or maple syrup, adjust the quantity to your preference.
- Add Vanilla and Color: Remove the saucepan from the heat. Stir in the vanilla extract to add that classic creamy flavor. If desired, add a drop or two of purple food coloring to give your creamer the distinctive lavender hue. Do this gradually to reach the color you prefer.
- Cool and Store: Allow the creamer to cool to room temperature. Once cooled, pour it into a glass bottle or airtight container and store it in the fridge. It will typically last as long as the expiry date on the original milk used or up to 1 week. Always give it a good shake before using to mix any separated ingredients.
Tips for Perfecting Your Homemade Starbucks Lavender Creamer
- Adjust the Lavender: Lavender is strong, and its flavor can be overpowering if used in excess. Start with 2 tablespoons and adjust depending on your taste preference.
- Sweetness Level: Taste your creamer as you dissolve your sweetener and adjust accordingly. Everyone’s palate is different when it comes to the sweetness level.
- Sieve Twice: To get a really smooth creamer, strain the mixture twice. Small lavender particles can slip through on the first strain.
- Store Properly: To maintain freshness, keep your creamer in a sealed container in the fridge. A mason jar or a bottle with a secure lid works perfectly.
- Shake Before Use: Due to the presence of heavy cream, natural separation might occur in your creamer. Always shake it well before pouring it into your beverage.
- Quality of Ingredients: Use the best quality milk, cream, and vanilla you can find, as these will significantly affect the taste of your creamer.
- Serving Suggestion: Begin with a small pour of the creamer into your coffee or tea, as it is rich and full of flavor. You can always add more according to your taste.
Ingredients Substitutes
Creating a version of Starbucks Lavender Creamer that suits your dietary preferences or simply utilizes what you have on hand is easier than it might seem at first glance.
Milk and Cream Substitutes
- Whole Milk: If you’re avoiding dairy, almond milk, coconut milk, oat milk, or soy milk can be fantastic alternatives. Each has a different flavor profile and nutritional content, so choose based on your preferences.
- Heavy Cream: For a lighter version, you can use half-and-half or a combination of milk and a little butter (for dairy options). For a plant-based alternative, coconut cream offers a similar richness and texture. Another option is to blend silken tofu with plant milk until smooth, which mimics the creaminess of heavy cream.
Sweetener Substitutes
Sugar: If you’d like to avoid refined sugar, healthier alternatives include coconut sugar, date sugar, or monk fruit sweetener. Liquid sweeteners like honey, maple syrup, or agave syrup can also work but may alter the creamer’s flavor slightly. Stevia or erythritol could be options for those monitoring their sugar intake due to diabetic concerns or dietary preferences.
Lavender
Dried Culinary Lavender: This might be the trickiest to substitute since it provides a distinctive lavender flavor. If you can’t find culinary lavender, consider using lavender extract (start with a small amount, like ¼ teaspoon, and adjust to taste). Alternatively, for a different but pleasant floral note, rose or chamomile can be interesting replacements. Please note that these won’t replicate the lavender flavor but will create a different yet delightful version.
Vanilla Extract Substitutes
Pure Vanilla Extract: Imitation vanilla can be used, though the flavor depth might be less complex. For a slightly different gourmet twist, try using almond extract or a scrape of a vanilla bean pod. Each will bring a unique flavor profile to the creamer.
Final Thoughts
With these instructions and tips, you should be well on your way to enjoying the homemade Starbucks Lavender Creamer in your morning coffee or favorite beverages.
More Starbucks Recipes:
- Chobani Confetti Birthday Cake Creamer Recipe
- Cold Foam Creamer Recipe
- Homemade Dunkin’ Creamer Recipe
- Copycat Trader Joe’s Creamer Recipe
- Brown Sugar Shaken Espresso Creamer Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups of your preferred milkÂ
- 1 cup of heavy cream
- 2-3 tablespoons of dried culinary lavender
- 4-6 tablespoons of sugar, to tasteÂ
- 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract
- Optional: 1-2 drops of purple food coloring
Instructions
- Infuse the Lavender: In a medium saucepan, combine milk and heavy cream. Warm the mixture over medium heat, being careful not to boil. Once warm, remove from heat, add the dried lavender, and cover the saucepan. Allow the mixture to steep for about 20-30 minutes so the lavender flavor infuses the milk.
- Strain the Mixture: After steeping, strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth to remove all the lavender buds. This ensures your creamer is smooth and free from any bits.
- Sweeten Your Creamer: Return the strained mixture to the saucepan and warm it again over low heat. Add sugar, stirring until it is completely dissolved. If using a liquid sweetener like honey or maple syrup, adjust the quantity to your preference.
- Add Vanilla and Color: Remove the saucepan from the heat. Stir in the vanilla extract to add that classic creamy flavor. If desired, add a drop or two of purple food coloring to give your creamer the distinctive lavender hue. Do this gradually to reach the color you prefer.
- Cool and Store: Allow the creamer to cool to room temperature. Once cooled, pour it into a glass bottle or airtight container and store it in the fridge. It will typically last as long as the expiry date on the original milk used or up to 1 week. Always give it a good shake before using to mix any separated ingredients.
