Salted Pecan Crunch Cold Brew (Starbucks Copycat)

Amethyst · October 12, 2025, 4:29pm

Salted Pecan Crunch Cold Brew (Starbucks Copycat)

Prep Time: 2 minutes
Total Time: 2 minutes
Servings: 1 drink

Ingredients:

Salted Pecan Cream Cold Foam:
2 tablespoons heavy cream (or full-fat coconut milk)
1 tablespoon whole milk (or full-fat oat milk)
1 tbsp pecan syrup
⅛ teaspoon fine sea salt
Salted Pecan Crunch Cold Brew:
1 ½ cups cold brew coffee
2 tablespoons vanilla syrup (or pecan syrup)
ice
maple sugar chunks, crushed (optional for topping)

Directions:

Make the salted pecan cold foam. Add the cold foam ingredients to a small container or glass and froth with a milk frother for 10-15 seconds or until foamy. Set aside.
Add ice to a tall glass, then pour in the vanilla syrup and cold brew. Stir.
Pour the cold foam over the sweetened cold brew, then top with crushed maple sugar if desired. Drink up!

Notes:

Substitutions:

Below are optional substitutions to suit dietary needs and preferences:

Heavy Cream - For a dairy-free option, swap with full-fat coconut milk or coconut cream.

Whole Milk - Use full-fat oat milk to maintain a creamy texture without the dairy.

Pecan Syrup - Simply sweeten with maple syrup or swap with hazelnut syrup for an alternative seasonal flavor.

Sea Salt - Fine Himalayan pink salt or Kosher salt both work as alternatives; avoid table salt for the best flavor.

Cold Brew - In a pinch, use regularly brewed and cooled coffee. Make a strong brew for the most robust taste, and bring it to room temperature before adding.

Vanilla Syrup - Substitute with a few drops of pure vanilla extract and agave syrup or maple syrup to taste. You can also swap pecan syrup to enhance the nutty flavor.

Maple Sugar Chunks - Brown sugar crystals work for a similar sweetness and flavor or use crushed candied pecans to enhance the pecan flavor.

Optional Variations & Dietary Adjustments:

Alter this recipe as desired with these optional variations:

Vegan: Easily make this a dairy-free option by using coconut milk or cream instead of heavy cream and full-fat oat milk instead of whole milk.

Decaf: For a lighter buzz, use a decaffeinated cold brew.

Extra Caffeinated: Prepare an extra-strong cold brew by allowing it to steep longer, or add a shot of (cooled) espresso.

Extra Creamy: Dress up your drink with a dollop of whipped cream for a just-because indulgence.

Sugar-Free: Prepare a sugar-free version of the pecan and vanilla syrups or use zero-sugar store-bought varieties for a lower glycemic option. Also, omit the maple sugar chunks.

Protein: Make this cold brew a sneaky source of tasty protein by including a scoop of unflavored collagen peptides or your favorite plain or vanilla-flavored protein powder.

Warm: Transform this iced coffee drink into a warm one by swapping the cold brew for regular hot coffee or espresso. Keep the cold foam chilled or make it warm, depending on what you prefer.

Recipe Success Tips:

Use quality ingredients. For the richest texture and flavor, I highly recommend making your own pecan and vanilla syrups and choosing a high-quality cold brew, heavy cream, and milk.

Prepare the syrups in advance. To save time, prepare the vanilla and pecan syrups ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator for easy grab-and-go use.

Don’t overfroth the cold foam. When preparing the cold foam, whip the ingredients until the heavy cream and milk just begin to thicken, no longer than 15 seconds. This will ensure the texture is light and airy and does not become stiff.

Adjust sweetness to taste. Feel free to adjust the amount of syrup in the cold brew and cold foam, reducing the amount for less sweetness or increasing it for extra sweetness.

Enjoy immediately. This recipe is best enjoyed immediately after preparation to maintain the creamy cold foam texture and undiluted cold brew flavors.

FAQs

How long does cold brew need to steep?

Homemade cold brew needs at least 8-12 hours to steep for proper flavor extraction; the longer it steeps, the stronger the flavor will be. You can steep it for up to 24 hours.

Can I prepare this recipe in advance?

While you can prepare the cold brew, vanilla, and pecan syrups ahead of time for quick assembly, I don’t recommend constructing the entire recipe until you are ready to drink it. It’s best to prepare the cold foam right before consuming it to maintain its light and creamy consistency.

What can I substitute for pecan syrup?

If you need a nut-free syrup option that still tastes like fall, try swapping it with caramel syrup, cinnamon syrup, or brown sugar syrup.

Nutritional Facts:

Recipe courtesy of Coffee Copycat.com