How to Make Cold Foam: Easy 5-Minute Recipe
Learn how to make cold foam at home with just 3 ingredients. This café-quality cold foam is silky, sweet, and perfect for iced coffee drinks. Ready in 5 minutes!
Ingredients
- 3 Tbsp Heavy Cream (Base)
- 1 Tbsp Milk (Skim or 2% for frothability)
- 1 Tbsp Vanilla Syrup (Sweetener)
Alternatives
Gear Needed
- Handheld Milk Frother (Best for quick, even frothing)
- Tall Container or Glass (Prevent splatter)
What is Cold Foam?
Cold foam is a frothy, aerated milk topping that sits perfectly on top of iced coffee drinks. Unlike hot steamed foam that dissolves quickly, how to make cold foam involves aerating cold milk (and often cream) to create a thick, meringue-like texture. It slowly cascades into your drink, adding a creamy sweetness without watering it down. It is the secret to café-quality cold brews at home.
The Promise
Professional quality cold foam that sits perfectly on top of your drink, without the $1.25 upcharge.
Key Ingredients Notes
- Heavy Cream: Creates the rich, creamy base.
- Milk: Skim or 2% milk adds frothability and lightness.
- Vanilla Syrup: Adds sweetness & flavor (optional, adjust to taste).
How to Make Cold Foam: Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prepare Your Ingredients
Measure 3 tablespoons of cold heavy cream, 1 tablespoon milk, and 1 tablespoon vanilla syrup. Combine them in a tall container or glass.
Success Indicator: All ingredients should be cold (refrigerated) for best foam texture.
2. Froth the Mixture
Insert the handheld frother into the mixture and turn it on. Move it up and down gently for 30-60 seconds until the mixture becomes thick, silky, and has doubled in volume.
Success Indicator: The foam should be pourable but thick—like melted ice cream. Not stiff like whipped cream.
3. Pour Over Iced Coffee
Pour your cold brew or iced coffee into a glass with ice. Slowly pour the cold foam over the top, letting it sit on the surface. Enjoy immediately for best texture!
How to Tell If Your Cold Foam is Perfect
✅ Perfect Cold Foam
- Texture: Thick and silky, like melted ice cream.
- Volume: Doubled in size from original liquid.
- Pour Test: Flows slowly but smoothly.
- On Coffee: Floats on top, cascades gently.
❌ Over-Frothed (Too Thick)
- Problem: Stiff peaks, like whipped cream.
- Cause: Frothed too long (over 90 seconds).
- Fix: Add 1 tsp milk and froth briefly.
❌ Under-Frothed (Too Thin)
- Problem: Watery, not foamy.
- Cause: Ingredients not cold enough, or didn’t froth long enough.
- Fix: Chill ingredients 30 min, froth 20 more seconds.
Expert Tips for Cold Foam Success
- Always Use Cold Ingredients: Cold cream froths better than room temperature. Keep your heavy cream and milk in the fridge until ready to use. Even a few degrees makes a difference in foam quality!
- Don’t Over-Froth: Stop frothing as soon as the mixture doubles in volume and looks silky. Over-frothing turns it into stiff whipped cream.
- Dairy-Free Options: Use oat milk or barista-blend almond milk for dairy-free cold foam. Regular almond milk is too thin—look for “barista blend” versions with added fat.
Quick Recipe Summary
To make cold foam at home: combine 3 tbsp cold heavy cream, 1 tbsp milk, and 1 tbsp vanilla syrup in a tall container. Froth with a handheld frother for 30-60 seconds until thick and silky. Pour over iced coffee and enjoy immediately!
More Coffee Drink Recipes You’ll Love
- How to Make Iced Coffee: Perfect iced coffee in 5 minutes—no watery taste!
- How to Make a Latte at Home: Café-quality latte without expensive equipment.
- Pumpkin Spice Cold Foam: Fall-flavored cold foam for your autumn drinks.
