Name: "How to Make the Perfect Brown Sugar Shaken Espresso at Home"
Prep time: 30 min
Total time: 1 h 50 min
Ingredients: 6 oz hemp milk (or milk of choice); 2 shots espresso; 1-2 tsp brown sugar (I use 1½); ⅛ tsp cinnamon (optional); 1 cup ice cubes

There’s something magical about that first sip of a perfectly crafted coffee drink. If you’re looking for the ultimate pick-me-up that combines rich espresso with sweet, caramelized notes and a delightfully frothy texture, you’ve come to the right place. This Brown Sugar Shaken Espresso is exactly what your morning routine has been missing.

What makes this recipe truly special is how incredibly easy it is to recreate at home. As a big coffee lover who’s spent years perfecting homemade versions of café favorites, I can confidently say this rivals the popular Starbucks Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso. The best part? You’ll enjoy this luxurious coffee experience for just a fraction of the price you’d pay at your local coffee shop.

If you enjoy this recipe, you might also want to check out my Chocolate Cream Cold Brew – another café-inspired treat that’s become a staple in my kitchen.

What is an iced shaken espresso?

An iced shaken espresso is exactly what it sounds like – freshly brewed espresso that’s vigorously shaken with ice in a Mason jar or cocktail shaker with a secure lid. This vigorous shaking creates the signature frothy texture that makes this drink so special and distinctive.

The combination of the slightly cooled espresso, the dilution from the melting ice, and the incorporation of air during shaking transforms what would be a standard iced coffee into something elevated and barista-worthy. It’s the kind of energizing beverage that picks you right up, whether you’re starting your day or pushing through that mid-afternoon slump.

Why you’ll love this recipe

So easy to make at home – No barista training required, just basic tools and ingredients
Just as delicious as the Starbucks version, but for a fraction of the price – Save money without sacrificing quality
Satisfies the caffeine craving with a perfect balance of sweetness and coffee intensity
Customizable to your preferences – Adjust the sweetness and milk type to suit your taste

Ingredients and tools you will need

For the drink

Double shot espresso – For that essential caffeine boost and rich coffee flavor
Milk of your choice – I personally prefer hemp milk or extra creamy oat milk for this recipe
Brown sugar – Adds sweetness and those lovely caramel undertones. I use 1½ teaspoons, but adjust to your preference
Cinnamon – Optional, but adds a wonderful extra layer of warmth
Ice cubes – Essential for cooling and creating that frothy texture

Equipment

Mason jar or cocktail shaker with lid – For shaking and creating that signature foam
Espresso machine – Or alternatives like Nespresso, Moka pot, French press, or AeroPress if you don’t have an espresso machine

Can you use brown sugar in coffee?

Yes, and honestly, once you try it, you might never go back to regular sugar! Brown sugar adds beautiful sweet and caramelized notes to coffee that white sugar simply can’t match. The molasses content in brown sugar creates depth and complexity that pairs wonderfully with espresso’s natural richness.

For cold coffee drinks especially, I find brown sugar to be my preferred sweetener. When combined with the aerated texture of a shaken espresso, it creates the perfect combo – a harmonious blend where neither the sweetness nor the coffee overpowers the other.

How to make brown sugar shaken espresso

Creating this coffee shop favorite at home couldn’t be simpler. Here’s how to do it in just two easy steps:

Step 1: Add ice, your double shot of espresso, 1-2 teaspoons of brown sugar (I prefer 1½ for the perfect sweetness), and a dash of cinnamon if using to your Mason jar or cocktail shaker.

Step 2: Secure the lid tightly and shake vigorously for 10-15 seconds until the mixture becomes beautifully frothy. Pour into a glass, top with your choice of milk, add more ice if needed, give it a gentle stir, and enjoy!

What I love about this method is how the shaking not only cools the espresso quickly but also dissolves the brown sugar completely while creating that gorgeous, silky foam that floats to the top of your drink. The whole process takes less than 5 minutes from start to finish – quicker than driving to your local coffee shop and waiting in line!

Recipe Variations

The beauty of making coffee drinks at home is the endless customization possibilities. Here are some of my favorite ways to switch things up:

Milk options: While any milk works wonderfully in this recipe, I’m partial to hemp milk and oat milk for their creamy texture and neutral flavor that lets the coffee shine. If you’re aiming for an exact Starbucks copycat, oat milk is definitely the way to go.

Flavor additions: Don’t be afraid to experiment with different flavored syrups! Hazelnut, vanilla, and coconut are fantastic companions to the brown sugar base. I’ve even tried a splash of maple syrup instead of brown sugar for a different kind of sweetness.

From the comments section of this recipe, I’ve seen readers successfully use almond milk, raw milk, half and half, and even heavy cream. One reader mentioned adding a splash of vanilla extract along with the brown sugar for an extra dimension of flavor.

Want more coffee recipes?

If you’re as coffee-obsessed as I am, you might want to explore these other home cafe creations:

Coffee Loophole
Hemp Milk Iced Latte – Smooth, dairy-free, and perfectly balanced
Chocolate Cream Cold Brew – Decadent and refreshing
Dalgona Coffee – The whipped coffee sensation that took the internet by storm

As much as I enjoy an occasional coffee shop treat, I’ve grown to prefer my homemade versions for several reasons. First, the savings are substantial – making this Brown Sugar Shaken Espresso at home costs roughly a quarter of what you’d pay at a specialty coffee shop.

Second, you have complete control over the ingredients. You can adjust the sweetness, choose exactly which milk you prefer, and even source higher quality coffee beans if that’s important to you.

Finally, there’s something deeply satisfying about mastering these techniques at home. Each time you perfect another coffee shop favorite, you’re adding to your culinary skillset while creating a more sustainable daily routine.

I hope this recipe becomes a regular part of your coffee rotation. If you try it, please leave a comment below and let me know how it turned out! I love seeing your variations and hearing how these recipes fit into your daily life.

Happy brewing!