This chocolate cream cold brew is the famous coffee house favorite that's even better homemade! Velvety chocolate cold foam crowns bold, smooth cold brew coffee, creating the perfect balance in every sip. Skip the coffee house charges and enjoy this indulgent treat at home with simple ingredients and no fancy equipment needed.

A tall glass of chocolate cream cold brew with chocolate cold foam on top and a chocolate drizzle.

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As a coffee lover who's tried every version of this popular drink, I've perfected a recipe that captures that signature Starbucks chocolate cream cold brew flavor while letting you control exactly what goes into your coffee drink – no citric acid or potassium sorbate here!

If you love this chocolate cream cold brew recipe, you'll also want to try my Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew, Best Ever Iced Coffee, and Homemade Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew.

Ingredients for Recipe

Ingredients for chocolate cream cold brew measured out and placed on a wooden table.

Before we get to the step-by-step instructions of this Starbucks copycat recipe, a few notes about the ingredients and helpful substitutions:

Cold brew concentrate: The smooth, bold foundation of this recipe. Cold brew tastes less acidic than regular iced coffee, giving this drink its distinctive smooth flavor. Make it easy: Use Starbucks bottled cold brew from the grocery store, or make your own with a French press or mason jar using my homemade cold brew concentrate recipe.
Skim milk: Creates the perfect frothy cold foam that floats beautifully on top of your drink. Substitution options: 1% milk works well too. For a richer foam, try half-and-half or heavy cream (though it won't be as light and airy). For dairy-free versions, barista-formulated oat milk, almond milk, or soy milk will froth best.
Chocolate flavor: Transforms the cold foam into decadent chocolate foam. Two options: Use chocolate syrup or make your own by mixing cocoa powder with sugar and a touch of water. For an authentic taste, add chocolate malt powder for that distinctive malt flavor.
Vanilla syrup: Adds the perfect touch of sweetness to balance the coffee. DIY option: Make homemade vanilla syrup by combining sugar, water, and vanilla extract - it keeps for weeks in the fridge.
Ice cubes: Essential for keeping your drink refreshingly cold. Use coffee ice cubes (frozen cold brew) to prevent dilution or frozen milk cubes for extra creaminess as they melt.

See the printable recipe card for exact measurements and the full list of ingredients.

How To Make Chocolate Cream Cold Brew

Step 1: Prepare the Cold Brew Coffee

Make your own: Combine coarsely ground coffee beans with cold water in a French press or mason jar. Stir, cover, and refrigerate for 12-24 hours. When ready, simply plunge if using a French press, or strain through a filter.

Quick option: Use store-bought cold brew from the refrigerated section at your grocery store.

The coffee grounds and water in a French press coffee pot.

The cold brew being poured into a large mason jar.

Step 2: Make Homemade Vanilla Syrup

Mix equal parts sugar and water in a small saucepan. Heat until the sugar dissolves completely, then stir in vanilla extract. Cool completely and store in the fridge in an airtight container.

The vanilla simple syrup cooling in a saucepan.

Vanilla simple syrup in a glass jar with vanilla beans beside it.

Step 3: Create the Chocolate Cold Foam

Pour cold skim milk into a container with high sides. Using a handheld milk frother or small blender, froth until it thickens. Add chocolate syrup and continue frothing until the mixture becomes a thick, luxurious chocolate foam.

No frother? You can shake the ingredients vigorously in a mason jar with a tight lid.

Skim milk frothed until doubled in size.

Chocolate syrup mixed into the cold foam.

Step 4: Assemble Your Drink

Fill a tall glass with ice, then pour in your cold brew coffee. Add vanilla syrup and stir gently.

Now for the moment you've been waiting for – slowly pour your chocolate cold foam over the top and watch it create beautiful layers. Unlike a latte, where everything mixes together, this drink maintains distinct layers until you take that first sip.

Pouring the chocolate cold foam over the cold brew.

Chocolate syrup being drizzled over the chocolate cream cold foam.

Why This Recipe Works Better Than Starbucks

When you make this chocolate cream cold brew at home, you'll notice a few advantages:

Fresher ingredients: No preservatives or stabilizers needed.
Customizable sweetness: Adjust the vanilla syrup to your taste.
Richer chocolate flavor: Control the chocolate intensity with real cocoa powder.
Cost savings: Make a week's worth for what the coffee house charges for just one.

Delicious Variations To Try

Mocha Upgrade: Double the chocolate with an extra tablespoon of chocolate syrup in both the cold brew and the foam.
Caramel Twist: Drizzle caramel sauce inside your glass before adding coffee.
Malted Chocolate: Add ½ teaspoon of chocolate malt powder to your cold foam for a nostalgic flavor that tastes like a sophisticated chocolate milkshake.
Perfect Vegan Version: Use barista-style oat milk and dairy-free chocolate syrup for an equally delicious plant-based treat.
Dessert in a Glass: Skip dessert and add a small scoop of vanilla ice cream to your coffee drink for an indulgent after-dinner coffee.

Can I make chocolate cream cold brew with regular coffee?

While cold brew concentrate creates the smoothest flavor, you can substitute strongly brewed coffee that's been thoroughly chilled. The taste will be slightly more acidic than with cold brew, but still delicious!

How can I make this recipe dairy-free?

Substitute the skim milk with barista versions of almond milk, oat milk, or coconut cream. These alternatives will froth, though it may take a bit longer than dairy milk. Make sure your chocolate syrup is also dairy-free.

Can I prepare components ahead of time?

Absolutely! The cold brew concentrate can be made up to 2 weeks ahead and stored in the fridge. The vanilla simple syrup will keep for 1 week refrigerated. Just prepare the chocolate cold foam fresh when you're ready to serve.

What makes the chocolate cold foam so special?

Unlike hot foamed milk used in lattes, cold foam is created without heat, giving it a different texture and allowing it to float on top of the cold brew rather than immediately mixing in.

How many calories are in this drink?

This homemade version contains approximately 206 calories per serving, which may vary depending on your specific ingredients. Check the nutrition facts below for more detailed nutritional information.