September has arrived, which means fall flavors are officially calling—even if North Texas temperatures haven't gotten the message yet.
Enter the Salted Caramel Cream Cold Brew: smooth, refreshing cold brew topped with a creamy layer of salted caramel cold foam. It has all those rich, cozy flavors we start craving this time of year without requiring a hot drink on an 85-degree afternoon.
Best of all, you don't need fancy coffee equipment or barista skills to make it at home.
What you'll need
For the cold brew:
- 8 oz cold brew coffee
- Ice
- 1–2 tablespoons caramel sauce, to taste
- Optional: splash of milk or cream
For the salted caramel cold foam:
- ¼ cup heavy whipping cream
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1 tablespoon caramel sauce
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Small pinch of sea salt
For serving:
- Extra caramel sauce
- Flaky sea salt, optional
How to make it
1. Prepare your coffee.
Fill a tall glass with ice and pour in the cold brew. Stir in 1–2 tablespoons of caramel sauce, depending on how sweet you like your coffee.
2. Make the salted caramel cold foam.
Combine the heavy cream, milk, caramel sauce, vanilla, and a small pinch of sea salt. Froth until the mixture becomes thick and creamy but is still pourable.
3. No frother? No problem.
Add the cold foam ingredients to a small jar with a tight-fitting lid and shake vigorously until thickened. You can also use a handheld whisk or small blender.
4. Put it all together.
Slowly pour the salted caramel cold foam over your cold brew. Let it sit on top for that coffee-shop-worthy layered look—or stir it right in if patience isn't your thing.
5. Finish it off.
Drizzle a little extra caramel over the top and add the tiniest sprinkle of flaky sea salt if you'd like.
Make it your own
One of the best things about making coffee at home is getting to make it exactly how you like it.
Make it sweeter: Add another drizzle of caramel to the coffee itself.
Lighten it up: Swap the heavy cream for half-and-half. Your foam won't be quite as thick, but it'll still taste delicious.
Make it dairy-free: Use your favorite plant-based creamer or barista-style oat milk and a dairy-free caramel sauce.
Add a little fall spice: Sprinkle cinnamon over the foam or add a tiny pinch to the coffee.
Turn it into dessert: Top it with whipped cream and caramel sauce. At that point we're playing pretty fast and loose with the word "coffee," but we support it. 😂
Homemade cold brew or store-bought?
Either works!
If you already have a favorite bottled cold brew, this recipe can be ready in just a few minutes. Cold brew concentrate also works—just dilute it according to the package directions before building your drink.
If you make your own cold brew at home, prepare a batch ahead of time and keep it refrigerated so your next salted caramel fix is only a few minutes away.
Fall flavor. Texas temperature.
We love pumpkin spice as much as the next person, but sometimes welcoming fall in North Texas requires a compromise.
This Salted Caramel Cream Cold Brew gives you the caramel, vanilla, and cozy coffee-shop flavor of the season while remaining perfectly appropriate for a September afternoon that still feels suspiciously like July.
Pour it over ice, find a shady spot, and consider this our official toast to fall—Texas style. ☕🍂
