In today’s day and age, it’s impossible to talk about coffee without bringing up Starbucks. Whether you’re a Starbucks fan or not, you may be asking yourself, ‘How much cream does Starbucks put in iced coffee?’ Let’s find out.
To make iced coffee, Starbucks traditionally will mix cooled down espresso shots and water together. The ratio of espresso shots to water depends on the strength of the espresso you select. If you like your iced coffee a bit stronger, then you should pick a dark roast espresso. The espresso hides the taste of the cream, so the espresso to water ratio is key.
When it comes to cream, Starbucks advises customers to choose from one of the following options: half and half, light whipping cream, heavy whipping cream, or reduced fat milk. Starbucks employees are trained to ask customers, “Do you want cream, light cream, or half and half?” Rarely will you be offered more heavy cream options.
According to Starbucks Customer Relationship Specialist, Diana Erben, the accepted norm is “for every espresso shot, an employee should add one pump of liquid cream unless the customer requests otherwise.” This rule of thumb is what the barista should adhere to when making your iced coffee.
If you take your Iced Coffee less sweet, then you may want to go with the lighter cream option or dairy-free alternatives. As the sugar content in the half and half and the heavy cream pumps are higher compared to the light cream, you will get a sweeter beverage.
Another one to keep in mind when considering how much cream to add is the sugar and lactose content. If you don’t like sugar or want to avoid lactose, then you’ll probably want to forgo the cream altogether as the latter contains sugar, lactose, and fat.
Nevertheless, the answer to the question, ‘how much cream does Starbucks put in iced coffee’ is simple. As part of its service, Starbucks offers customers one pump of liquid cream to go with their iced coffee. Some may think that’s too much, whereas others may feel that’s not enough. It all depends upon your preference.
Alternative Cream Options
Using cream as the base dairy option for iced coffee is a thing, but it’s not your only option. As people have become more health and diet conscious Starbucks have expanded its offer for dairy-free options. Some of the dairy-free options, which are suitable for vegans, include Almond Milk, Soy Milk, Coconut Milk, or Oat Milk.
These alternative options do not always come with the beverage, as Starbucks baristas might ask customers to specify which one they prefer. Almond milk is the most popular alternative, but some people may go with Soy Milk, Coconut Milk, or Oat Milk, depending on their taste.
It is not just beverage-exclusive options that are on the dairy-free roster. Starbucks vegans can also grab some vegan sweet treats such as the Vanilla Bean Coconut Yogurt, the Mini Donut, or the Mocha Coconut Blend. All of these vegan treats are prepared with regular or seasonal ingredients.
For those looking for an extra hit of sweetness or flavoring, Starbucks Iced Coffee fans can also pick from different kinds of sweeteners. The sugar-free options include sweeteners such as stevia and sugar-free syrup, which are both substitutes for sugar and help reduce the sweetness of the coffee.
How to Make Your Own Iced Coffee
If you don’t have time to visit a Starbucks, it’s never been easier to make your own iced coffee at home. All you need is a coffee maker, coffee beans, and chilled coffee. To make a professional-looking coffee, try adding some ice cubes to the mix. To make iced coffee, you first need to brew 3 parts of chilled coffee. Use a shaker and shake the coffee to froth up the liquid. To make the iced coffee more glossy, add half and half and syrup, or any other dairy or sugar alternative of your choice.
Alternatively, if you don’t have access to chilled coffee, you can also use iced cubes that are also semi-frozen and combine it with regular coffee. The ratio of iced cubes to coffee should be 2:1. You can also blend it with cream and syrup if desired.
Different Types of Starbucks Iced Coffee
The most popular type of iced coffee from Starbucks is their signature frappuccino, but there are other alternatives. Here are some of the iced coffee options that you can find in your local Starbucks locations:
- Cold Brew
- Nitro Cold Brew
- Iced Caramel Macchiato
- Iced White Chocolate Mocha
- Mocha Frappuccino
- Vanilla Latte
- Iced Americano
When making iced coffee at home, you can also add additional toppings such as nuts, sugar, and sprinkles to personalize it.
Tips for Making Good Iced Coffee
When making iced coffee, it is important to remember that the key is to keep the flavour intact. Starbucks baristas know how to make an iced coffee that has a unique flavour. Here are a few tips that you can follow when making iced coffee at home:
- Use fresh beans: Coffee grounds that are too old can ruin the taste of your iced coffee. Use fresh, high-quality coffee that is freshly roasted.
- Choose a strong blend: If you’re making iced coffee, use darker roasts to get the most flavor out of your blend.
- Keep it cold: The key to making good iced coffee is to keep it chilled. Keep your coffee in the fridge or use ice cubes to keep it cool.
- Choose good cream: If you’re adding cream to your iced coffee, make sure to use a creamy option such as heavy cream or half and half.
Alternatives for Coffee-Free Iced Coffee
It is possible to make coffee-free iced coffee. If you’re looking for a caffeine-free option, you can make iced coffee using espresso-flavored concentrate, or try making icy frappuccinos or smoothies. You can also add various spices such as cardamom or cinnamon to give your iced coffee a unique flavor.
If you don’t like coffee, you can always make a coffee-free iced coffee by adding coffee flavors, such as vanilla, chocolate, or hazelnut. If you can’t find any of these flavors, you can always add syrups, cocoa powder, and fruit purees. Simply add a few teaspoons of your chosen flavorings and mix it with some natural sweeteners such as honey and sugar.
Health Benefits of Iced Coffee
Iced coffee has recently become popular for its many health benefits. Not only is it refreshing, but it can also boost your metabolism and help you burn more calories. Studies have also found that iced coffee is packed with antioxidants that can help protect your body and boost your immune system.
Coffee-free iced coffee is also good for your health. The ice and additional ingredients can help to keep you energized while the added calories can aid in muscle growth and development. Some experts recommend adding a dash of coconut oil or olive oil to help keep you feeling energized throughout the day.
Several studies have also found that iced coffee can help to reduce inflammation in the body. This may be due to the high levels of antioxidants that are present in the coffee. Additionally, drinking iced coffee can help to lower your risk for certain illnesses, such as Type 2 diabetes, stroke, and heart disease.
