Cold foam is one of the most popular coffee toppings in recent years. Gives iced coffee a silky creamy mouthfeel without weighing down the drink. Whether you like your coffee iced lattes, cold brew or flavoured coffee drinks, learning how to make cold foam at home can totally elevate your coffee experience.
The best part? Cold foam uses just a few simple ingredients, and can be made in minutes.
In this ultimate tutorial you will learn how to make cold foam, what milk to use, many flavour variations, common mistakes to avoid and professional tips to create cafe style cold foam at home.
Cold foam is frothed cold milk or cream which makes a light, fluffy topping for iced coffee drinks. Cold foam is frothy, but pourable and smoother than whipped cream.
Cold foam is super popular in speciality coffee shops because it gives the drink more body without hiding the coffee itself.
It’s most widely used for:
Cold Brew Coffee
Iced Lattes Iced Chai Nitro Cold Brew Cold Matcha Drinks
There are some benefits to making cold foam at home:
Saves you dollars on coffee shop drinks
SWEETNESS AND FLAVOUR REGULATORS
Uses kitchen materials
Takes <5 minutes
Homemade iced coffee tastes like coffee shop coffee
Once you understand the basic process you can make endless variations of flavours.
You only need 2 ingredients for the simple cold foam recipe.
Basic Cold Foam Ingredients
½ cup of milk or water
1 to 2 teaspoons sweetener (optional) e.g.
Caramel syrup, Vanilla syrup
Chocolate sauce Pumpkin pie spice Cinnamon
Best Cold-Foamed Milk
The type of milk you use will determine the texture and the thickness of the foam.
Milk, whole milk
The foam obtained from whole milk is thick, creamy and has good stability.
Skimmed milk
Nonfat milk has more protein, so you get the fluffiest froth.
half-half
In coffee shops, I get extra creamy cold foam, which I make with half and half.
Oatmilk
Oat milk is one of the better dairy-free options because it froths beautifully and tastes creamy.
Almond milk is ok but makes lighter froth.
How to make cold foam?
Here are a couple of easy ways to make your own cold foam at home.
Method 1: Frother Use
This is the simplest and fastest way.
Add some sweetness or flavouring syrup if you like.
Beat for 20-30 seconds until thick and fluffy
Serve over ice coffee immediately.
A handheld frother is perfect for making homemade cold foam.
The French press produces a thick, café-style cold foam.
Methodology
Pour cold milk into a french press.
Pump the plunger rapidly for 30 to 45 seconds.
Repeat this process until the milk has doubled in size.
Over the drink or spoon.
This process makes the foam very smooth and creamy.
Blender works well for larger batches.
Directions . . .
Add milk and sweetener to the blender.
Blend for 15 to 20 seconds.
Give the foam a moment to settle.
Serve over ice drinks.
Don't over mix, it will make the foam thin.
This procedure does not require any additional equipment.
Actions
Add cold milk to a mason jar until it is about half full.
Add in syrup or sugar.
Screw lid tight.
Shake for 30 to 60 seconds.
Use immediately.
This is one of the easiest ways for a beginner.
Ingredients for Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Foam
Vanilla sweet cream cold foam is one of the most popular toppings in coffee shops.
Ingredients
1/4 c. cream, heavy
1/4 c. milk
1 tbsp vanilla essence
Directions
Add all ingredients to a frother or container
Beat until smooth and fluffy.
Drizzle over cold brew or iced coffee.
The result is creamy, rich and slightly sweet.
Chocolate Cold Foam Recipe
Chocolate cold foam is a must-have if you’re a mocha fan.
Ingredients:
1/2 cup milk
1 tablespoon of chocolate syrup.
1 tsp sugar
INSTRUCTIONS
Mix all ingredients together.
Beat until frothy.
Add To Cold Brew Or Iced Coffee
**Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew**
Pumpkin cream cold foam is a favourite, especially during the fall.
Ingredients
½ cup milk
1 tablespoon pumpkin puree
1 teaspoon maple syrup
Flavour Pumpkin Spice
How To Use
Combine ingredients.
Foam to creaminess.
Coffee, cold
Tips for Great Cold Foam Use Chilled Milk
Cold milk makes better froth and the froth lasts longer.
Do not overfill the container.
More air, more froth.
Use Full Fat Milk
Better foam stability from higher protein milk.”
Serve warm at once.
Freshly made cold foam is the best.
Add flavour carefully.
Too much syrup will make the foam too heavy.
Warm milk will have a different texture and will not make good cold foam.
Bubbling over with
Too much froth makes foam whipped cream.
Some non-dairy milks don't froth up well.
Too Sweet
Too much sugar will break down the foam quickly.
The Best Drinks to Pair With Cold Foam
Lots of drinks are great with cold foam.
Common options include:
Cold brew coffee.
Cold Latte.
Iced caramel macchiato Iced chai latte
Cold brew Nitro. Iced Matcha latte.
It can also be added to flavoured iced coffees for a coffee shop style finish.
The question is, is cold foam better than whipped cream?
Cold foam is often lighter than whipped cream because it's made with milk, not heavy cream.
Benefits may include:
Lower calories
Less in fat
More sparse.
Less sugar, depending on the recipe.
But nutrition depends on the ingredients.
Yes . Mason jar, blender or french press will all do.
Nonfat milk makes the fluffiest foam, full milk gives creamier foam.
Cold foam is best served right away but will hold for about 20-30 minutes.
No, cold foam is pourable and is smoother and lighter than whipped cream.
Learning how to make cold foam at home is a simple way to get coffee shop quality drinks without the extra cost. Creamy, flavourful cold foam in minutes with just a few ingredients and simple tools.
Whether you are a fan of the classic vanilla sweet cream, chocolate cold foam or the seasonal pumpkin flavours, handmade cold foam gives you the chance to tailor your coffee to your liking.
Once you try it you will never make homemade iced coffee without it.
The best part? Cold foam uses just a few simple ingredients, and can be made in minutes.
In this ultimate tutorial you will learn how to make cold foam, what milk to use, many flavour variations, common mistakes to avoid and professional tips to create cafe style cold foam at home.
What does cold foam mean?
Cold foam is frothed cold milk or cream which makes a light, fluffy topping for iced coffee drinks. Cold foam is frothy, but pourable and smoother than whipped cream.
Cold foam is super popular in speciality coffee shops because it gives the drink more body without hiding the coffee itself.
It’s most widely used for:
Cold Brew Coffee
Iced Lattes Iced Chai Nitro Cold Brew Cold Matcha Drinks
Why You Should Make Your Own Cold Foam
There are some benefits to making cold foam at home:
Saves you dollars on coffee shop drinks
SWEETNESS AND FLAVOUR REGULATORS
Uses kitchen materials
Takes <5 minutes
Homemade iced coffee tastes like coffee shop coffee
Once you understand the basic process you can make endless variations of flavours.
List of Cold Foam Ingredients
You only need 2 ingredients for the simple cold foam recipe.
Basic Cold Foam Ingredients
½ cup of milk or water
1 to 2 teaspoons sweetener (optional) e.g.
Additional you can add:
Caramel syrup, Vanilla syrup
Chocolate sauce Pumpkin pie spice Cinnamon
Best Cold-Foamed Milk
The type of milk you use will determine the texture and the thickness of the foam.
Milk, whole milk
The foam obtained from whole milk is thick, creamy and has good stability.
Skimmed milk
Nonfat milk has more protein, so you get the fluffiest froth.
half-half
In coffee shops, I get extra creamy cold foam, which I make with half and half.
Oatmilk
Oat milk is one of the better dairy-free options because it froths beautifully and tastes creamy.
1. Almond Milk
Almond milk is ok but makes lighter froth.
How to make cold foam?
Here are a couple of easy ways to make your own cold foam at home.
Method 1: Frother Use
This is the simplest and fastest way.
Stages
Put the cold milk in the frother.Add some sweetness or flavouring syrup if you like.
Beat for 20-30 seconds until thick and fluffy
Serve over ice coffee immediately.
A handheld frother is perfect for making homemade cold foam.
Method 2: Using a French Press .
The French press produces a thick, café-style cold foam.
Methodology
Pour cold milk into a french press.
Pump the plunger rapidly for 30 to 45 seconds.
Repeat this process until the milk has doubled in size.
Over the drink or spoon.
This process makes the foam very smooth and creamy.
Method 3: Using a Blender
Blender works well for larger batches.
Directions . . .
Add milk and sweetener to the blender.
Blend for 15 to 20 seconds.
Give the foam a moment to settle.
Serve over ice drinks.
Don't over mix, it will make the foam thin.
Method #4: Glass jar
This procedure does not require any additional equipment.
Actions
Add cold milk to a mason jar until it is about half full.
Add in syrup or sugar.
Screw lid tight.
Shake for 30 to 60 seconds.
Use immediately.
This is one of the easiest ways for a beginner.
Ingredients for Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Foam
Vanilla sweet cream cold foam is one of the most popular toppings in coffee shops.
Ingredients
1/4 c. cream, heavy
1/4 c. milk
1 tbsp vanilla essence
Directions
Add all ingredients to a frother or container
Beat until smooth and fluffy.
Drizzle over cold brew or iced coffee.
The result is creamy, rich and slightly sweet.
Chocolate Cold Foam Recipe
Chocolate cold foam is a must-have if you’re a mocha fan.
Ingredients:
1/2 cup milk
1 tablespoon of chocolate syrup.
1 tsp sugar
INSTRUCTIONS
Mix all ingredients together.
Beat until frothy.
Add To Cold Brew Or Iced Coffee
**Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew**
Pumpkin cream cold foam is a favourite, especially during the fall.
Ingredients
½ cup milk
1 tablespoon pumpkin puree
1 teaspoon maple syrup
Flavour Pumpkin Spice
How To Use
Combine ingredients.
Foam to creaminess.
Coffee, cold
Tips for Great Cold Foam Use Chilled Milk
Cold milk makes better froth and the froth lasts longer.
Do not overfill the container.
More air, more froth.
Use Full Fat Milk
Better foam stability from higher protein milk.”
Serve warm at once.
Freshly made cold foam is the best.
Add flavour carefully.
Too much syrup will make the foam too heavy.
What Not to Do with Warm Milk?
Warm milk will have a different texture and will not make good cold foam.
Bubbling over with
Too much froth makes foam whipped cream.
How to use thin plant milks?
Some non-dairy milks don't froth up well.
Too Sweet
Too much sugar will break down the foam quickly.
The Best Drinks to Pair With Cold Foam
Lots of drinks are great with cold foam.
Common options include:
Cold brew coffee.
Cold Latte.
Iced caramel macchiato Iced chai latte
Cold brew Nitro. Iced Matcha latte.
It can also be added to flavoured iced coffees for a coffee shop style finish.
The question is, is cold foam better than whipped cream?
Cold foam is often lighter than whipped cream because it's made with milk, not heavy cream.
Benefits may include:
Lower calories
Less in fat
More sparse.
Less sugar, depending on the recipe.
But nutrition depends on the ingredients.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can make cold foam without a frother machine.Yes . Mason jar, blender or french press will all do.
Which milk is best for cold foam?
Nonfat milk makes the fluffiest foam, full milk gives creamier foam.
How long does cold foam stay good?
Cold foam is best served right away but will hold for about 20-30 minutes.
How To Make Cold Foam Without Dairy? Yes. Oat Milk Is One Of The Best Cold Foam Dairy Free Options.
What is this? Whipped cream or cold foam?
No, cold foam is pourable and is smoother and lighter than whipped cream.
Final Thoughts
Learning how to make cold foam at home is a simple way to get coffee shop quality drinks without the extra cost. Creamy, flavourful cold foam in minutes with just a few ingredients and simple tools.
Whether you are a fan of the classic vanilla sweet cream, chocolate cold foam or the seasonal pumpkin flavours, handmade cold foam gives you the chance to tailor your coffee to your liking.
Once you try it you will never make homemade iced coffee without it.