Starbucks Copycat Iced Brown Sugar Shaken Espresso with Oat Milk (2024)

Published: Jan 23, 2023 · Updated: Jan 23, 2023 by Katie Olesen · This post may contain affiliate links, through which I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

This Starbucks-inspired Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso recipe is sure to hit the spot! Espresso is shaken over ice with brown sugar syrup and a dash of cinnamon, which is then topped off with creamy oat milk! This delicious drink is the perfect jolt to start your day!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

If you love the flavor of a classic oatmeal cookie, you're going to love this Starbucks copycat recipe. This iced brown sugar shaken espresso is a smooth combination of espresso with notes of caramel, cinnamon, and nuttiness! This recipe only requires five ingredients and can be made in less than five minutes, so you can even enjoy it on a busy weekday morning!

If you've never had a shaken espresso, you're in for a real treat. It's the new favorite iced coffee drink in our house! This shaken espresso has just the right amount of sweetness and frothy texture. By making this easy copycat recipe at home, you can customize it to your personal preferences for sweetness and save few bucks too! And once you've mastered the basic shaken espresso recipe, you can branch out into other versions like chocolate almond milk!

If you love making Starbucks recipes, be sure to check out more of my recipes, like this pumpkin spice sauce, perfect for your own homemade PSL's!

What is a Shaken Espresso?

A shaken espresso is just what the name implies, brewed espresso that has been shaken with ice in a co*cktail shaker. The term shaken espresso may have been coined by Starbucks in recent years, but they didn't invent the concept. It is actually a version of a popular Italian iced espresso beverage called a Skakerato. The Starbucks version takes the Italian recipe and then tops it off with milk for a creamy shaken espresso drink.

While this is starting to sound like a gimmicky way to make an iced latte, you may be surprised at the difference shaking the espresso actually makes. The espresso not only cools quickly with this method, but the act of shaking imparts frothy aeration to the drink which results in a smooth espresso with a pleasant texture.

Ingredients & Substitutions

• Espresso: They key to a delicious shaken espresso drink is good quality espresso. Starbucks uses blonde roast espresso. You can use blonde espresso as well or a dark roast, but the quality of the beans is arguably more important than the type of roast. Use the freshest coffee beans available to you, often found at a local roaster or coffee shops. If you don't have espresso, you can brew some extra strong coffee instead.
• Brown sugar syrup: You can easily make brown sugar syrup at home or use a store-bought version. You can change up the flavor of the syrup by using classic simple syrup, vanilla syrup, or any other flavor you like!
• Oat milk: If you're gluten-free like me, be sure to look for a certified gluten-free unsweetened oat milk, such as Oatly. You can also use regular milk or another plant-based milk alternative, such as almond milk or soy milk. While oat milk imparts a certain nutty flavor, I've made this many times with other milks and have enjoyed this drink just as much.
• Ground cinnamon: I love the flavor that cinnamon adds, but let's be honest, half the time I forget to add this and the drink is still delicious! It's a nice touch but can be omitted.
• Ice cubes

Equipment Needed

• Espresso Maker: You'll need something that can make espresso. You can use a classic espresso machine like this Breville Barista Express or one that uses pods, like this Nespresso machine. An aeropress or French press are other alternates to making espresso on a budget.
• co*cktail Shaker: A co*cktail shaker or 16 ounce mason jar is needed for shaking the espresso.

How to Make Brown Sugar Syrup

You can easily make brown sugar syrup at home with this two ingredient recipe. It's simply a mixture of equal parts brown sugar dissolved in water. I typically use light brown sugar, but you can use dark brown sugar if you prefer a stronger flavor. Once you've made the syrup, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator and enjoy within 2-3 weeks.

If you like this brown sugar syrup, you may also enjoy the apple brown sugar syrup recipe.

How to Make a Brown Sugar Shaken Espresso

1. Brew 2 shots of espresso.
2. Add the espresso, 2 tablespoons of brown sugar syrup, and a dash of cinnamon to a co*cktail shaker or 2-cup mason jar.
3. Fill the shaker with ice, secure the lid, and shake until the espresso is foamy, about 15-30 seconds.
4. Pour the shaken espresso along with the ice into a tall glass (or enjoy right in the mason jar) and top with oat milk.

FAQ

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