As summer slowly fades to fall, you may be looking for a new drink to celebrate the in-between season.
I both love and despise this time of year. On the one hand, it’s still warm enough to actually enjoy being outside. My kids are usually wrapping up their crazy baseball schedules and I always look forward to some downtime.
But on the other hand, we are ramping up to busy school schedules and cooler days.
Work is basically work, regardless of the time of year!
And I’m always looking for easy ways to channel that “zen vibe” regardless of how busy my work and family life gets, which brings me to the point of this post.
If you haven’t yet tried the honey almond milk cold brew, it has the perfect “zen vibe” to balance you out, regardless of your kids’ sports schedule, work deadlines, or that ever looming start of busy school schedules.
Let’s get to it!
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What is the honey almond milk cold brew?
Although not currently on the menu, the honey almond milk cold brew was first created by Starbucks.
The drink is based on cold brew rather than espresso. And it’s sweetened with their version of a honey blend and a splash of almond milk.
What does a honey almond milk cold brew taste like?
This drink is not overly sweet. It strikes the right balance between the bold coffee flavor of the cold brew and the mild sweetness of the honey.
And the almond milk adds a hint of velvety smoothness to this harmonious drink.
The result is a creamy, nutty beverage with just a touch of sweetness.
And it’s the perfect drink to celebrate the wind down of summer schedules and ramping up of fall ones.
What is cold brew?
The Starbucks honey almond milk cold brew drink is based on cold brew, not espresso or drip coffee that has been allowed to cool.
And cold brew concentrate is made by combining water and coffee grounds and letting it sit for between 12 and 16 hours.
The resulting coffee concentrate has a more balanced taste and less acidity than regular coffee.
Starbucks cold brew forms the basis for several other drinks, including the vanilla sweet cream cold brew, the salted caramel cream cold brew, and the chocolate cream cold brew.
Can you make your own cold brew coffee?
Absolutely! The basic principle behind cold brew coffee is that, unlike drip coffee, it brews cold over a more extended time.
And as any coffee lover will tell you, cold brew is a phenomenal way to bring out all the natural flavors in coffee without that bitter flavor that often accompanies drip-brew.
There are 3 basic ways to create your own cold brew:
- Use a French press to allow the grounds and water to soak for 12-16 hours. Once it’s done, push down on the plunger, and voila! You have cold brew coffee to use in many amazing coffee recipes.
- A cold brew maker is another handy way to make a batch of cold brew.
- You can also use a large pitcher to combine the coffee grounds and water. Once it’s finished “brewing,” pour through a strainer layered with cheesecloth.
Although some sources say starting a cold brew recipe by grinding your own coffee beans is essential, I’ve had success with commercially ground beans.
One of the best reasons to make your own cold brew is that you can start with your favorite coffee, whether it’s flavored or decaf cold brew.
The chain coffee shops don’t offer a decaf option in the store, which is challenging if you’re trying to limit your daily caffeine intake.
Chains such as Starbucks also don’t offer flavored cold brews.
But I have found that using flavored coffee adds a little extra something to all my cold brew creations!
In fact, I recently created a peppermint chocolate cream cold brew recipe based on my favorite decaf flavored coffee brand.
If you want to add flavor at any of the coffee shops, you basically need to add syrup.
Honey Almondmilk Cold Brew at Home Guide
- Start by making a batch of cold brew coffee.
- Once your new cold brew batch is finished, combine 1/2 cup of the cold coffee with a drizzle of honey. Add more or less, depending on how sweet the drink tastes.
- Add ice.
- Finish with about 1/4 cup unsweetened almond milk. You can also substitute flavored almond milk, such as vanilla. Oat milk also works well. Enjoy!
This drink is also delicious, with a thick layer of cold foam. You can create cold foam by taking an electric mixer to 1/4 milk.
If desired, add a bit of sugar and flavor extract such as vanilla or caramel. Continue whipping on medium speed until the foam reaches the consistency you like.
The result is a drink that is slightly sweet and has a very creamy finish.
Homemade soft top is another great way to finish off a cold brew drink!
Dairy-free almond milk typically doesn’t form as nice of consistency when foamed as fuller fat dairy. But you can buy dairy-based, lactose-free 2%, and whole milk that foams spectacularly.
Mom Life Pro Tips:
- Morning Rush Hack: Cold brew is the perfect companion to a busy morning! Brew your own or buy premade cold brew. Simply add ice to your favorite travel mug, add cold brew with a splash of milk and the sweetener of your choice. Easy caffeination on the go!
- Sweetness Control: Adjust the honey to suit your taste. A little less honey can make it perfect for an afternoon pick-me-up without a sugar crash.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between iced coffee and cold brew?
Iced coffee is a drink based on coffee made more traditionally, such as in a drip coffee maker or French press.
Cold brew combines water and coffee grounds and lets the mixture sit for 12-16 hours. The result is coffee with a more concentrated flavor.
Most people drink cold brew by diluting it with water or milk first, as it’s generally much too strong to drink on its own.
It naturally has a more robust flavor than other types of brewed coffee. This is one of the reasons why it works so well in recipes.
Does Starbucks offer the honey almond milk cold brew year round?
Unfortunately, the chain store does not. But thanks to this post, you can create your own copycat version at home!
How many calories are in a honey almond milk cold brew?
It depends upon the size of the drink. The Starbucks website lists a grande at around 50 calories.
Calculate a few more or less depending on how much honey you use and the type of almond milk.
Unflavored varieties of almond milk also have fewer calories than flavored ones.
And if you use standard 2% milk, you will need to calculate a few more calories than you would if you were using almond milk.
Final Thoughts
As a mom, I always experience a range of bittersweet feelings during those weird few weeks between summer and fall.
Although my kids are feeling the effects of a less structured schedule by this point in the summer, I don’t necessarily look forward to the extra stress of shuffling kids here and there on tighter time restraints.
But the inevitable start of school is another reminder that things are constantly changing. Nothing ever stays the same.
And when you think about it, change can be a really beautiful thing.
I hope you take a few moments this season to reflect back on your summer and to make plans for what you want to accomplish this fall.
This easy honey almond milk cold brew is a great companion for journaling sessions and an essential part of taking time out for yourself.
Happy sipping!
