Iced Brown Sugar Shaken Espresso

This is a delightfully sweet and invigorating iced coffee beverage. It starts with a rich brown sugar and cinnamon simple syrup, which is then shaken vigorously with freshly brewed espresso and ice. This process chills and slightly froths the espresso, creating a beautiful texture. The drink is finished with a generous pour of creamy oat milk, resulting in a layered appearance and a perfectly balanced, caramel-like flavor.
Iced Brown Sugar Shaken Espresso

Preparation

Preparation time: 10 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

This beverage is classified as an iced coffee drink. It's a modern creation that has quickly become a staple in coffee shops worldwide. It is specifically a shaken espresso drink, a category that emphasizes aeration and chilling.

Serving

This is a cold, non-alcoholic drink served in a tall Highball or Tumbler glass over ice. The serving size is typically around 12 ounces.
Serving size
~350 ml / 12 oz
Alcohol content
0% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Highball
Glass treatment
None

Backstory

The Iced Brown Sugar Shaken Espresso was popularized by the global coffee chain Starbucks in 2021. It quickly became a viral sensation due to its balanced sweetness, creamy texture from oat milk, and appealing aesthetic. It's a modern take on the Italian "shakerato," where espresso is shaken with ice and sugar. This version adapts the concept for a modern palate, incorporating popular flavors like brown sugar, cinnamon, and plant-based milk.
Origin
United States, circa 2021. The drink was introduced and popularized by Starbucks.

Iced Brown Sugar Shaken Espresso

The drink is widely known as the Iced Brown Sugar Oat Milk Shaken Espresso, popularized by Starbucks. It is often referred to as a copycat recipe of the famous coffee chain's drink. Simpler names like Shaken Espresso with Brown Sugar are also used to describe it.
Original name
Iced Brown Sugar Shaken Espresso
Alternative names
  • Iced Brown Sugar Oat Milk Shaken Espresso
  • Starbucks Iced Brown Sugar Shaken Espresso Copycat
  • Shaken Espresso with Brown Sugar

Characteristics overview

This drink has a dominant sweet, caramel-like flavor from the brown sugar, balanced by the bitterness of the espresso and a hint of warm spice. It has a smooth, creamy texture and a beautiful layered appearance, making it a refreshing choice for any season.
Flavor
Sweet, coffee, caramel, brown sugar, cinnamon, creamy, nutty
Aroma
Coffee, cinnamon, sweet, caramel
Taste balance
Sweet, bitter
Aftertaste
Clean, sweet, coffee
Fizziness
None
Color appearance
Layered, dark brown coffee base, creamy beige top
Texture
Smooth, creamy, slightly frothy
Seasonality
Refreshing, summery, year-round

Flavor intensity & Experience

This drink is characterized by its noticeable sweetness and moderate creaminess, balanced by a gentle bitterness from the espresso. It has a very low spiciness and is completely non-alcoholic and still.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

You'll need espresso, oat milk, and ice, plus a simple homemade syrup made from brown sugar, water, and cinnamon. A dash of vanilla extract in the syrup is a great optional addition.
  • Espresso2 shots (~60 ml / 2 oz)
    Freshly brewed is best for flavor and creating foam.
  • Oat Milk120 ml / 4 oz
    Barista-style oat milk is recommended for the best creamy texture.
  • Brown Sugar2 tablespoons
    Used to create the simple syrup. Light or dark brown sugar will work.
  • Water2 tablespoons
    Used to create the simple syrup.
  • Ground Cinnamon1/4 teaspoon
    For the syrup, plus extra for garnish.
  • Vanilla Extract1/4 teaspoon(optional)
    Adds depth and aroma to the syrup.
  • Ice CubesAbout 1 cup
    For shaking and serving.

Ice type

  • Cubed

Mixing equipments

The key piece of equipment is a cocktail shaker or a sealed jar to shake the espresso. You will also need a small saucepan for the syrup and an espresso maker.
  • Cocktail shaker or mason jar with a lid, for shaking the espresso and syrup.
  • Small saucepan, for making the brown sugar syrup.
  • Espresso machine or Moka pot, for brewing espresso.

Instructions

First, create a simple syrup with brown sugar and cinnamon. Then, shake freshly brewed espresso and the syrup with ice until chilled and frothy, and pour into an ice-filled glass before topping with oat milk.
1. Make the Brown Sugar Syrup: In a small saucepan, combine the brown sugar, water, and ground cinnamon. Heat over medium, stirring until the sugar is completely dissolved. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract, if using. Let it cool slightly.
2. Brew the Espresso: Brew two shots of hot, fresh espresso using your preferred method.
3. Prepare for Shaking: Fill a cocktail shaker or a mason jar with a secure lid about halfway with ice cubes.
4. Shake the Espresso: Pour the hot espresso and 2 tablespoons of the prepared brown sugar syrup over the ice in the shaker. Secure the lid tightly.
5. Shake Vigorously: Shake vigorously for about 15-20 seconds. The outside of the shaker should feel very cold, and the espresso should become frothy and chilled.
6. Assemble the Drink: Fill a tall glass (Highball or Tumbler) with fresh ice cubes.
7. Strain and Top: Strain the shaken espresso mixture into the prepared glass. Slowly pour the oat milk over the top, allowing it to cascade through the espresso to create a beautiful layered effect.
8. Garnish and Serve: Garnish with a final sprinkle of ground cinnamon on top. Serve immediately with a straw.

Garnishing

A simple sprinkle of ground cinnamon on top of the finished drink is the perfect garnish, enhancing its warm, spicy aroma.
  • Dash of cinnamon, sprinkled on top for aroma and visual appeal.

Dietary Information

This drink is naturally vegan and dairy-free as it's made with oat milk. It's also free from alcohol, eggs, soy, and typically nuts and gluten, but check labels for cross-contamination if necessary.
✕ Contains alcohol
✕ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✓ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

This drink is moderately caloric, with most calories coming from the brown sugar syrup and oat milk. It is quite high in carbohydrates and sugar, making it a sweet treat.
Calories
Averagely 150-190 kcal / 628-795 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Averagely 25-30 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Averagely 20-25 g
Sugar level

Occasions

Perfect as a morning kick-starter or an afternoon treat, this drink is especially popular during warmer months. Its refreshing nature makes it an excellent choice for a brunch beverage or a casual get-together.
  • Morning coffee
  • Afternoon pick-me-up
  • Summer refreshment
  • Brunch

Pairing suggestions

This sweet and creamy coffee drink pairs beautifully with a variety of breakfast pastries and baked goods. Its caramel and cinnamon notes complement items like coffee cake, croissants, or oatmeal cookies perfectly. It is an excellent accompaniment for a sweet breakfast or an afternoon snack.
  • Pastries
  • Coffee cake
  • Oatmeal cookies
  • Croissants

The Art of the Iced Brown Sugar Shaken Espresso

The Iced Brown Sugar Shaken Espresso is a modern coffee shop favorite that is surprisingly easy to replicate at home. Its core is a delightful combination of bold espresso, a sweet and spiced brown sugar syrup, and creamy oat milk. The key step of shaking the espresso with ice and syrup creates a wonderful frothy texture that sets it apart from a standard iced latte. It is a perfectly balanced, refreshing, and indulgent non-alcoholic coffee drink for any time of day.