Learn how to make the best iced shaken espresso recipe ever! This copycat of Starbucks brown sugar oatmilk shaken espresso over ice is silky, refreshing, and delicious. 

A close-up photo of a Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso in a tall glass with ice, frothy cold foam, and a glass straw. This homemade iced shaken espresso recipe sits on a white kitchen counter.

If you’re a coffee enthusiast like me, always on the lookout for unique and exciting flavors, then you’re in for a treat! Today, I want to introduce you to a delightful concoction that will awaken your taste buds and make your morning routine feel like a luxurious getaway. Get ready to savor the delectable experience of a Brown Sugar Shaken Espresso!

What is a Shaken Espresso? 

A shaken espresso is a method of preparing and serving espresso that involves shaking it with ice and other ingredients such as sweetener and milk to create a refreshing and frothy beverage. This technique originated from  Starbucks, with their signature “shaken espresso” drinks. Their Brown Sugar Oatmilk version is our favorite. 

Starbucks didn’t come up with this ice espresso technique, however. Italy has been serving Caffè Shakerato far longer – and is great as Affogato. Italian Caffè Shakerato focuses more on the pure essence of espresso.

It traditionally consists of a shot or two of espresso poured over ice in a cocktail shaker. The shaker is vigorously shaken to cool the espresso and create a rich layer of foam on top. The result is a strong and concentrated coffee with a bold flavor and a frothy texture. Caffè Shakerato is typically enjoyed without any additional sweeteners or milk, allowing the robust character of the espresso to shine through.

What Makes Brown Sugar Shaken Espresso So Special?

The magic of this drink lies in the combination of rich espresso, velvety oat milk, and a tantalizing touch of brown sugar syrup. The resulting flavor is a harmonious balance of sweetness and boldness that is just perfect. This shaken espresso has just the right amount of sweetness and isn’t overly syrupy. 

Essential Ingredients and Equipment for Iced Shaken Espresso

The ingredients for a homemade brown sugar shaken espresso on a marble countertop. This includes Starbucks blonde espresso coffee beans, brown sugar, ice, oatmilk, cinnamon, vanilla, and salt. Creating a perfect Iced Shaken Espresso requires the right ingredients and equipment for best results. Here’s everything you need to know:

Brown Sugar Syrup: A Key Ingredient

To infuse your drink with a rounded and robust flavor, we recommend using dark brown sugar for the syrup. However, if you prefer a milder taste, feel free to substitute it with light brown sugar. 

Coffee Beans: Opt for Starbucks Blonde Espresso

For an authentic Starbucks taste, use their blonde espresso roast coffee beans. These beans are carefully selected to deliver a distinct flavor profile that perfectly complements the other ingredients in this recipe.

Milk Choice: Oatly Barista Oat Milk or Alternative

For the best flavor, we recommend using Oatly Barista oat milk. This is the brand Starbucks uses as well. However, feel free to substitute with your favorite brand of oat milk or even experiment with other plant-based milk such as coconut.

Espresso Preparation: Equipment and Alternatives

To make a double espresso shot, an espresso machine is our preferred method. However, if you don’t have access to one, alternatives like a French press or Nespresso can be used. You can also substitute with 1/2 cup of store-bought cold brew for convenience. 

Shaking Container: Secure Lid Jar

As this is a shaken drink, you’ll need a container with a secure lid to ensure a thorough mixing process and create a foamy texture. A lidded Mason Jar or cocktail shaker works perfectly for this purpose.

How to Make Brown Sugar Shaken Espresso 

Brown sugar shaken espresso is poured from a mason jar into a tall glass of ice.

If you’re ready to craft your own Brown Sugar Shaken Espresso, follow these simple steps to create a delightful and frothy beverage:

Step 1: Prepare the Brown Sugar Syrup

In a small saucepan, combine dark brown sugar, water, cinnamon, a pinch of salt, and vanilla extract. Stir continuously until the sugar has completely dissolved. Simmer this mixture for a few minutes then let cool. 

Step 2: Create the Shaken Espresso

Take a lidded jar and fill it halfway with ice. Next, add a double shot of espresso along with 2 tablespoons of the prepared brown sugar syrup. Shake the jar vigorously until you see a beautiful foam forming inside the jar. Pour this over ice. 

Step 3: Froth the Oat Milk

Use a frother to froth the oat milk until it becomes velvety and luxurious, then pour it over the iced shaken espresso. 

An oatmilk iced shaken espresso with cold foam in a tall glass with glass straw. Coffee beans in the background on a white counter.

Conclusion: Make the Tastiest Shaken Espresso at Home 

Creating your own Brown Sugar Shaken Espresso is a rewarding and delicious experience. By following these simple steps, you can craft a frothy and flavorful beverage that rivals your favorite coffee shop.

The combination of rich espresso, homemade brown sugar syrup, and frothy oat milk creates a harmonious balance of flavors that is irresistible.

A brown sugar oatmilk shaken espresso in a Starbucks glass with ice and a green straw.

Yield: 1 (16 oz.) drink

Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso

Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 6 minutes
Total Time 6 minutes

We are not kidding when we tell you this Iced Brown Sugar Oat Milk Shaken Espresso tastes identical to the popular Starbucks version but for a fraction of the price! It takes just minutes to prepare the brown sugar syrup and make this frothy, shaken espresso. You’ll want to enjoy it over and over!

A homemade brown sugar oat milk shaken espresso drink sits on a white kitchen counter.

Ingredients

Brown sugar syrup

  • 1 cup dark brown sugar
  • 1 cup water
  • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

For the shaken espresso

  • Ice
  • Double espresso shot
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar syrup
  • 1/2 cup oat milk

Instructions

  1. Make the brown sugar syrup: Put the sugar, water, cinnamon, salt and vanilla into a small saucepan. Stir continuously until the sugar has dissolved. Simmer for 6 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool. Brown sugar syrup is simmered in a small saucepan.
  2. Make the Shaken Espresso: Half fill a lidded jar with ice, add the double espresso and 2 tbsp of the brown sugar syrup. Screw on the lid and vigorously shake for at least a minute or until the jar looks full of foam. A Ball mason jar with alid on filled with shaken espresso.
  3. Half-fill a serving glass with ice and pour over the shaken espresso. Shaken espresso in a mason jar is poured into a tall glass of ice.
  4. Clean the jar you shook the espresso in then add 1/2 cup oat milk. Use a frother to froth the oat milk. A pink milk frother makes cold foam out of oat milk in a mason jar. Shaken espresso in a glass can be seen in the background.
  5. Pour the frothy oat milk over the espresso. Frothy oatmilk is poured over a brown sugar shaken espresso.
  6. Enjoy immediately! A homemade brown sugar oatmilk shaken espresso in a white kitchen.

Notes

• We used dark brown sugar for the syrup as on testing this gave a rounder, more robust, and deeper flavor. You can substitute it with light brown sugar if you prefer.
• The brown sugar syrup recipe will give you enough syrup to make this recipe at least 8 times.
• For a truly authentic taste use Starbucks blonde espresso roast coffee beans.
• We used our bean-to-cup coffee machine to make a double espresso. If you aren’t able to
make an espresso in this way you could use a French press or make 1/2 cup strong instant
coffee. Alternatively, you can use 1/2 cup of the cold brew that you can buy at the store.
• As this is a shaken drink we used a lidded Mason Jar to give the ingredients a really good
shake and make them very foamy. You can use any jar with a secure lid.
• We used Oatly Barista oak milk for this recipe as that is what is used by Starbucks
themselves. However, you can certainly substitute this with your favorite brand or use a
different plant-based milk like coconut for another take on this drink.
• It’s not essential to froth the oat milk before pouring it over the espresso but in doing so you
will achieve a velvety and luxurious texture.
• Storage: Best enjoyed immediately after it’s made before the ice melts. Store the brown sugar
syrup in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 1 Serving Size: 1 (16 oz.) drink
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 120Total Fat: 3g