Iced Brown Sugar Oat Shaken Espresso Recipe: Starbucks Copycat

An Iced Brown Sugar Oat Shaken Espresso that rivals the hit summer drink from Starbucks at a fraction of the cost with cleaner ingredients.

This post contains affiliate links. Should you make a purchase I may earn a small commission that at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products I trust and would use in my own home with my family and all opinions expressed here are our own. Read full privacy policy here.

Tell me I’m not the only one who has probably spent the equivalent of collage tuition for my first born on the Iced Brown Sugar Oat Shaken Espresso (or the Brown Sugar Oat Americano) from Starbucks since its release.

I kind you not, it is my all time favourite drink! Yes, that includes ANY holiday beverage Starbucks has ever put out.

Truth is I am not huge on how sweet Starbucks specialty drinks are ordinarily so pleasantly surprised (cough* elated *cough) when I first tried it.

While I can’t get enough of the subtle sweetness of the brown sugar and smoky flavour of the espresso, my wallet certainly has had enough.

Of course, I wasn’t giving this up so what does any blogger do? Create their own!

Here it is – the first is a new series of Starbucks copycat recipes coming your way over the coming months.

The Secret Ingredient isn’t Love

I have a confession. The secret ingredient in my Starbucks copycat recipe is ….

COCONUT SUGAR

That’s right! I swapped out the brown sugar for coconut sugar. Why?

It wouldn’t be a recipe I made without trying to find a more health conscious alternative BUT the good ol’ brown sugar works perfectly fine!

But why swap for coconut sugar?

Coconut Sugar vs. Brown Sugar

Coconut sugar derived from the boiled and dehydrated sap from coconuts where brown sugar is made by adding molasses to refined white sugar.

Here’sa few reasons why I selected coconut sugar over brown sugar:

• It’s low fructose content
• It’s low glycemic index meaning it won’t give your blood sugar a spike like refined sugar
• It is high in antioxidants
• It is not refined
• It has a wonderful caramel taste

What you’ll need

• Brown Sugar or Coconut Sugar
• Water
• Cinnamon
• Pure Vanilla Extract
• Espresso or Brewed Coffee
• Oat milk
• Ice
• Jar with Lid

Instructions

First, make the syrup – it’s easy peasy. Add the brown sugar or coconut sugar, water, cinnamon, and pure vanilla extract to a sauce pan and bring to a simmer. Once simmering, reduce the heat and stir often until the sugar dissolves. Remove from the heat and let it cool while you make your espresso or coffee.

Make your espresso or brewed coffee. While its cooling, fill your jar with ice. Pour the Brown Sugar Syrup and your coffee into the jar and cover with the lid.

Shake the jar to combine the ingredients. If enjoying from a high ball glass, add ice and pour the shaken espresso into the glass leaving room for the oat milk. Top with oat milk. You can also add the oat milk right to the jar and sip from there.