Starbucks Copycat Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew: Better At Home!

Make a pumpkin cream cold brew that’s even better than the coffee shop!

Photo: Aleksandra Peric (Home Brews Coffee recipe maker)

The Pumpkin Spice Latte dominated fall drink menus for years, but recently, late summer has heralded the arrival of an even more enticing option. The Starbucks Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew is the perfect seasonal transition. It’s cool and refreshing enough for those last steamy days but with warm pumpkin pie flavors that’ll have you dreaming of cozy sweaters and roaring fires. 

So let’s learn how to make a copycat Starbucks Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew at home. Not only is it cheaper and more delicious than the coffee shop original, but you’ll be able to enjoy it year-round.

The Drink That Dethroned Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte

Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte (PSL) quickly gained a cult following after its release in 2003,  inspiring upwards of 3,000 daily tweets during the fall season (1). It’s largely responsible for the development of an entire pumpkin spice industry (2). However, in 2020, a new champion of autumn-themed coffee drinks was crowned; meet the pumpkin cream cold brew (3).

How to Make a Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew

Making Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew is all about nailing the pumpkin cream. Other than that, it’s just cold brew and vanilla syrup, which you can buy or make from scratch. If you want to make homemade versions, I’ve included easy instructions below, and both can be used in tons of other delicious coffee-based drinks.

How To Make Your Own Cold Brew

You can use storebought cold brew to keep this recipe simple, but it’s very easy to make cold brew at home. 

1. Combine 1 cup of coarse ground coffee with 4 cups of room-temperature water in a French press or Mason jar. Stir to ensure that all the grounds are saturated.
2. Let it steep on the counter or in the fridge for 16 to 24 hours.
3. Strain to remove the coffee grounds.

You’ll want to dilute this concentrate 1:2 for use in this recipe – or 1:1 for a stronger brew. Combine 4 ounces of the concentrate with 8 ounces of cold water.

Once you have cold brew concentrate on hand, there are tons of ways to use cold brew, from a simple almond milk cold brew to a fun cold brew popsicle.

How To Make Your Own Vanilla Syrup

Homemade vanilla simple syrup is even easier! 

1. Combine ½ cup each water and granulated sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a gentle boil, and stir until the sugar dissolves.
2. Remove from the heat and add 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste.
3. Let cool to room temperature.

Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew Recipe: Step-By-Step

Making this Pumpkin Cold Brew Coffee at home is even better than the Starbucks version. You can choose your favorite cold brew, control the sweetness and spiciness to taste, and enjoy delicious pumpkin flavor thanks to more real pumpkin. 

Let’s get started. You’re only four steps away.

Step 1: Make The Pumpkin Cream

Combine the heavy cream, sweetened condensed milk, pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice, and vanilla extract in a bowl or tall glass. Stir well to combine, then put in the fridge to chill.

Step 2: Prepare Cold Brew

Put a handful of ice cubes into a chilled tall glass. Add the tablespoon of vanilla syrup and 12 ounces of cold brew coffee. Stir to dissolve the syrup in the cold brew.

Step 3: Make The Pumpkin Cold Foam

Use a whisk, egg beater, or handheld milk frother to whip your pumpkin cream until it becomes an airy froth. Alternatively, pour the mixture into a small blender and blend, or put it in a jar with a tight-fitting lid and shake it up.

Step 4: Assemble and Serve

Pour or spoon your pumpkin cream cold foam on top of the sweetened cold brew and ice. Garnish with an extra dusting of pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon if desired.

Other Starbucks Copycat Recipes To Try At Home

Here are a few of our other favorite Starbucks hot and iced coffee drinks to make at home, many of which use the same techniques as this one:

• Chocolate Cream Cold Brew
• Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew
• Vanilla Sweet Cream Nitro Cold Brew
• Irish Cream Cold Brew (Easy Starbucks Copycat)
• Chestnut Praline Latte
• Strawberry Acai Refresher Drink
• Starbucks Pink Drink

Chocolate Cream Cold Brew

Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew

Vanilla Sweet Cream Nitro Cold Brew

Final Thoughts

A homemade Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew Coffee is the perfect way to ease from summer into fall. The frosty cold coffee refreshes you, while the warm spices put you in the mind of falling leaves and gingerbread cookies – which, incidentally, are the ideal accompaniment to this seasonal treat.