Table of Contents
- 1 🥤 What Is Pumpkin Sweet Cream Cold Brew?
- 2 🍂 Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- 3 🎃 Ingredients for Pumpkin Sweet Cream Cold Brew
- 4 🔄 Ingredient Substitutions
- 5 📝 How to Make Pumpkin Sweet Cream Cold Brew at Home
- 6 🍁 Pro Tips for the Best Pumpkin Sweet Cream Cold Brew
- 7 ❌ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- 8 🧊 How to Store Pumpkin Sweet Cream
- 9 🧋 Variations You’ll Love
- 10 🤔 FAQs About Pumpkin Sweet Cream Cold Brew
- 11 ☕ Final Thoughts: A DIY Fall Favorite That’s Better Than Starbucks
- 12 📌 Don’t Forget to Save or Share This Recipe!
As crisp leaves tumble and sweater weather returns, there’s one drink that perfectly captures the cozy vibe of autumn mornings — the Pumpkin Sweet Cream Cold Brew. This smooth, chilled coffee with creamy, spiced pumpkin topping is a seasonal favorite that’s gone viral for a reason. Whether you’re a die-hard Starbucks fan or just a lover of pumpkin spice everything, this homemade version will blow you away — both in taste and savings.
In this recipe guide, we’ll walk you through how to make Pumpkin Sweet Cream Cold Brew at home, with easy-to-find ingredients and step-by-step instructions. We’ve also included expert tips, common mistakes to avoid, storage tips, and answers to the most frequently asked questions. Let’s dive into fall in a cup!
🥤 What Is Pumpkin Sweet Cream Cold Brew?
Pumpkin Sweet Cream Cold Brew is a cold coffee beverage made by combining smooth cold brew coffee with a pumpkin-spiced vanilla sweet cream foam. Unlike traditional pumpkin lattes that are hot and milk-based, this drink offers a refreshing and light alternative, topped with a thick, frothy, sweet pumpkin cream.
🍂 Why You’ll Love This Recipe
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Tastes just like the Starbucks version — if not better!
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Made with real pumpkin puree, not artificial flavorings.
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Budget-friendly and customizable.
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Perfect for meal prep and make-ahead mornings.
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Ideal for fall gatherings, brunches, or cozy mornings at home.
🎃 Ingredients for Pumpkin Sweet Cream Cold Brew
For the Pumpkin Sweet Cream:
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½ cup heavy cream
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¼ cup milk (whole or 2%)
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2 tbsp pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
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1 tbsp maple syrup or vanilla syrup
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½ tsp pumpkin pie spice
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½ tsp vanilla extract
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Pinch of cinnamon (optional, for garnish)
For the Cold Brew Base:
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1 cup cold brew coffee (store-bought or homemade)
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Ice cubes
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Sweetener to taste (optional)
🔄 Ingredient Substitutions
| Ingredient | Substitute Ideas |
|---|---|
| Heavy cream | Half-and-half or coconut cream (for dairy-free) |
| Milk | Almond, oat, or soy milk |
| Pumpkin puree | Butternut squash puree (similar texture) |
| Maple syrup | Honey, agave, or simple syrup |
📝 How to Make Pumpkin Sweet Cream Cold Brew at Home
💡 Step 1: Prepare the Pumpkin Sweet Cream
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In a small mixing bowl, combine heavy cream, milk, pumpkin puree, maple syrup, pumpkin pie spice, and vanilla extract.
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Whisk vigorously until fully blended.
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Use a milk frother or handheld blender to froth the mixture until light and creamy (about 30–60 seconds).
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Pro Tip: Chill the mixture before frothing for better volume.
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💡 Step 2: Assemble the Cold Brew
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Fill a tall glass with ice.
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Pour in the cold brew coffee, leaving about ½–1 inch at the top.
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Add sweetener to taste if desired (sugar, simple syrup, or flavored syrups).
💡 Step 3: Top with Pumpkin Sweet Cream
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Gently spoon the frothed pumpkin sweet cream over the cold brew.
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Let it float on top or stir slightly for a marbled effect.
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Garnish with a pinch of cinnamon or extra pumpkin pie spice.
🍁 Pro Tips for the Best Pumpkin Sweet Cream Cold Brew
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Use chilled ingredients for the best froth and flavor.
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Adjust the sweetness based on your taste preferences or diet.
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Double or triple the cream batch and store it in the fridge for 2–3 days.
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If using a blender, don’t over-blend, or the cream might lose its texture.
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Homemade cold brew is easy: combine 1 cup of coarsely ground coffee with 4 cups of water, steep for 12–24 hours in the fridge, then strain.
❌ Common Mistakes to Avoid
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Using pumpkin pie filling instead of puree – pie filling contains added sugar and spices that can overpower the drink.
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Skipping the frothing step – this gives the cream its signature airy texture.
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Using hot coffee – the cream will sink or curdle if the base isn’t chilled.
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Not straining your cold brew properly – grit in the coffee will ruin the smooth texture.
🧊 How to Store Pumpkin Sweet Cream
You can store leftover pumpkin sweet cream in an airtight jar or bottle in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Shake or stir before use, and re-froth if needed. It’s great over iced chai, iced matcha, or even pancakes!
🧋 Variations You’ll Love
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Iced Pumpkin Chai Latte Cold Brew: Swap the cold brew for spiced chai tea.
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Pumpkin Mocha Cold Brew: Add a teaspoon of cocoa powder or chocolate syrup to the cream.
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Spiced Oat Milk Version: Use oat milk for a vegan twist.
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Extra Frothy: Use a French press to pump the sweet cream for café-quality foam.
🤔 FAQs About Pumpkin Sweet Cream Cold Brew
❓ Can I make this dairy-free or vegan?
Absolutely! Swap the heavy cream for coconut cream, and the milk for oat, almond, or soy milk. Use maple syrup or agave as your sweetener.
❓ Do I need a milk frother?
A frother helps achieve the light, creamy texture, but you can also use:
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A handheld whisk
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A small blender
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A mason jar (shake vigorously)
❓ How long does pumpkin sweet cream last?
It lasts about 3 days refrigerated in an airtight container. Be sure to stir or re-froth before serving.
❓ Can I use espresso or regular iced coffee?
Yes! The flavor will be bolder with espresso and lighter with iced coffee, but both work if you don’t have cold brew.
❓ Is this drink sweet?
It’s lightly sweet, but you can easily adjust the sweetness with more or less maple syrup or flavored syrups.
❓ Is it safe to drink cold brew every day?
Cold brew is lower in acidity and generally smoother than hot coffee, but it’s still high in caffeine. Enjoy in moderation if you’re sensitive to caffeine.
☕ Final Thoughts: A DIY Fall Favorite That’s Better Than Starbucks
Making your own Pumpkin Sweet Cream Cold Brew is easy, fun, and way more affordable than grabbing one daily at a coffee shop. Plus, you control the ingredients, sugar level, and creaminess. It’s the perfect blend of cozy and refreshing — and once you try it, you’ll crave it all year round.
Whether you’re hosting a fall brunch, sipping it on a cool afternoon, or kicking off a Monday with a smile, this recipe brings café vibes straight to your kitchen.
📍Pin It for Fall Coffee Inspo
📥 Share it with your pumpkin-loving friends
💬 Tag us when you try it: #HomemadePumpkinColdBrew
