Brown Sugar Oat Milk Cold Brew Recipe: Shaken and Dairy Free

This brown sugar oat milk cold brew recipe tastes exactly from your favorite coffeehouse drink and takes about eight minutes to make at home. It combines strong cold brew coffee, a caramel like brown sugar cinnamon syrup and creamy oat milk, all shaken with ice until frosty and lightly foamy.

This guide covers what cold brew is, how to make cold brew concentrate with the right cold brew ratio, how to make the brown sugar syrup, and how to shake the drink. You’ll also find variations and storage tips.

What is cold brew?

Cold brew is coffee made by cold steeping ground coffee in water for 12 to 18 hours instead of pouring hot water over it. Without heat, the coffee extracts slowly, which gives a smoother, less acidic cup with chocolatey, nutty notes. That makes it a great base for a sweet, milky cold coffee.

It is not the same as iced coffee, and it also differs from cold brew concentrate. The difference between cold brew concentrate and cold brew is strength: concentrate is brewed stronger (a 1:4 ratio, against roughly 1:8 for read to drink cold brew) and is meant to be diluted.

Cold brew concentrate ratio

This cold brew recipe makes just under 400 ml (about 13.5 fl oz) of concentrate, enough for three or four drinks. It uses a 1:4 coffee-to-water ratio. You can use following ratios.

• By weight: 100 g of coffee to 400 g of filtered water
• By cups: Approximately 1 to 1¼ cups of coarsely ground coffee to 1⅔ cups of water
• By ounces: 3.5 oz of coffee to 14 oz of water

Quick Tip:
If the concentrate tastes bitter, steep for less time next time. If it tastes thin, steep longer or use more coffee. A medium or medium-dark cold brew blend with chocolate or nut notes is a reliable choice. Pour over cold brew, where hot coffee is brewed straight onto ice, is faster but tastes brighter and thinner than a true cold-steeped coffee.

Shaken brown sugar oat milk cold brew Recipe

Ingredients

• 100 ml cold brew concentrate (about 3.5 fl oz): Store bought cold brew coffee concentrate works too. Check the label for its dilution ratio because strength varies by brand.
• 120 ml cold oat milk (about 4 fl oz): Barista style oat milk is creamier and foams better. For a milkier, latte style drink, use 8 oz (240 ml) of oat milk in a taller glass.
• 1 tbsp brown sugar syrup (recipe below)
• ⅛ tsp ground cinnamon: Use a fresh jar. Old cinnamon tastes like dust not warmth.
• About 1 cup of ice cubes for shaking: Use regular cubes, or freeze leftover concentrate into cold brew ice cubes so melting never weakens the drink.

Brown sugar syrup recipe

Make this easy brown sugar syrup at home with just two main ingredients. It adds a rich, caramel-like sweetness to iced coffee, cold brew, lattes, and other drinks.

Ingredients

• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 cup water
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)

Instructions

1. Add the brown sugar and water to a small saucepan.
2. Heat over medium-low heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves completely.
3. Let the mixture simmer gently for 2–3 minutes. Avoid boiling it for too long.
4. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract, if using.
5. Allow the syrup to cool, then transfer it to a clean, airtight jar.

Step by step: How to make shaken brown sugar oat milk cold brew

1. Prepare your glass.
2. Fill the shaker.
3. Shake hard for 15 seconds.
4. Strain over fresh ice.
5. Top with oat milk.
6. Taste and adjust.

Variations & Substitutes

• Vanilla cold brew: Add ½ tsp vanilla extract to the shaker. For vanilla cream cold brew, swap the oat milk for half-and-half or oat cream.
• Salted caramel cold brew: Replace the brown sugar syrup with caramel syrup and add a tiny pinch of salt.
• Hot version: Warm 100 ml of concentrate with 100 ml of hot water, stir in syrup and cinnamon, and top with steamed oat milk.
• Other milks: Almond, soy or coconut milk work at the same amount. Soy is the creamiest dairy-free option.

Storage options

You can prepare two parts ahead. Keep the cold brew concentrate in a sealed bottle in the fridge, where it tastes best within about a week and stays drinkable for up to two.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use a regular coffee maker?

Yes, to brew strong coffee, but it won’t be cold brew. Chill brewed coffee fully and use about 150 ml in place of 100 ml of concentrate. Some machines also have a cold brew setting.

Do I need a cocktail shaker?

No. Any jar with a tight lid works, or a sealed water bottle in a pinch.

Is cold brew good for you?

Black cold brew is very low in calories, and many people find it gentler on the stomach because it is less acidic, though the evidence is limited. The syrup and oat milk are what add calories and sugar.

Read more recipes

Cold brew vs Espresso: Know the key differences
Coconut Milk Cold Brew Recipe: Easy, Creamy & Refreshing
Instant iced latte recipe with condensed milk
Whole Milk for Coffee: Benefits, Nutrition & Some Tips