Honey Almond Milk Cold Brew: Recipe and Tips
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Starbucks honey almond milk cold brew has garnered tremendous popularity ever since it was launched. After all, it’s almost criminal to stick to a regular cold brew recipe or iced coffee when you get the goodness of honey and almond milk all in one cup of coffee!
Today, we’ll share a recipe to re-create this popular Starbucks drink at home in just a few steps, so read until the end.
The honey almond milk cold brew is a pretty simple drink that requires only a few ingredients and is simple to make.
Honey Almond Milk Cold Brew: Recipe and Tips
2
servings3
minutesIngredients
2/3 c. almond milk
2 1/2 c. cold brew coffee
4 tsp. honey
Ice (optional)
Directions
- Prepare a Cold Brew Concentrate (or if you already have some cold brew handy, skip to step 3.
Measure out 1. c coffee grounds into a clean pitcher or mason jar. Add 3 c. of cold water and brew in the fridge for 10-20 hours. - After brewing, strain the coffee and filter out all remaining residue to achieve a clear cup of strong coffee.
- Pour 1/2 of the coffee into each glass and stir in 2 tsp. of honey per glass. Sometimes, the honey might clump together and remain undissolved. Avoid this by diluting it with a little warm water before adding it to the concentrate.
- Add 1/3 c. of almond milk to each glass. Add ice if desired.
Notes
- If you’re not a fan of almond milk, you can simply switch it with any other milk of choice.
- Serving size is 12 oz (a tall Starbucks drink)
- Total time does not include cold brewing time. You can also use store bought cold brew coffee.
4 Tips to Make Your Honey Almond Milk Brew Tastier
What makes one coffee delicious and the next below average? Expert hacks!
Here are four tips to make your homemade honey almond milk cold brew the best you’ve ever had:
1. Use Barista Blend Almond Milk
One thing that sets apart coffee shop recipes from homemade coffee beverages is milk quality. For a Starbucks-like taste, choose a barista blend (affiliate link) of almond milk.
They’re usually thicker and have a greater almond-to-water ratio than regular almond milk, making your coffee smoother and creamier.
2. Use Flavorless Milk
Whether you opt for almond or any other milk, the key is to keep it pure and avoid flavors, be it chocolate or caramel. These flavors rob this Starbucks-inspired drink of its authenticity.
If you are going to use a flavored almond milk, vanilla would be the best choice.
3. Use High-Quality Pure Honey
The signature flavor notes of the honey almond milk cold drink come from honey, so it’s best to use high-quality dark honey with a sweetness that light honey can never match. You can even use local or homemade honey. Local raw honey tastes way better than commercial honeys.
4. Use Hot and Freshly Brewed Coffee
Although we do not recommend using hot coffee for this drink, you can still use it as an alternative to cold brew, provided you cool it down to at least room temperature. After all, not many people like the hassle of steeping coffee for over ten hours before they can enjoy a cup.
Using warm coffee can also help dissolve the honey, then cool things down with some ice.
The only problem is that hot brewed coffee is comparatively more acidic, which might make your coffee slightly bitter.
Variations of the Honey Almond Milk Cold Brew
Monotony is boring, which is why you need variations of this popular recipe. These will also come in handy when you’re short on certain ingredients for the recipe.
Here are three common variations of the honey almond milk cold brew recipe you can try:
1. Add Flavors
If you want a change in taste, try a different type of milk. Oat milk is getting more and more popular. Or, top it with spices, caramel, cinnamon, or pumpkin spice for a fresh taste.
2. Use Brown Sugar Syrup
If honey isn’t your cup of tea, you can always replace it with dark brown sugar syrup. Its thick texture and rich flavors will intensify your coffee with subtle caramel flavor notes.
3. Go Decaf
Add a decaf cold brew to the recipe if you want to enjoy this drink without sleepless nights or coffee jitters. The taste doesn’t change much, and you don’t risk a caffeine crash.
FAQs
Can You Use White Sugar Instead of Honey in Honey Almond Milk Brew?
Honey doesn’t just add sweetness to this drink but also comes with its own signature flavor. Replacing honey with white sugar might keep this drink sweet and sugary, but it’ll take away its quintessential flavors.
Is the Honey Almond Milk Brew High in Caffeine?
The caffeine concentration in the honey almond milk brew depends on the type of coffee beans you use. As far as a Starbucks-made version of this drink is concerned, it contains 250 mg of caffeine per 16 oz drink.
How Long Can Honey Almond Milk Brew Last?
The dairy-free almond milk that goes into this recipe has a longer shelf life. So, if you store it well in the refrigerator, it can last for at least three to five days.