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Our Love Language is Food > Recipes > Beverages

Published: May 17, 2022 · Modified: May 13, 2025 by Meredith · This post may contain affiliate links · 12 Comments

Starbucks Brown Sugar Shaken Espresso

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This iced brown sugar oat milk shaken espresso delivers all the rich flavor and velvety texture of the Starbucks favorite, but with a simpler approach that actually improves on the original. After testing multiple variations, I discovered that regular brown sugar creates the perfect caramelized sweetness—no fancy syrup required. The combination of freshly shaken espresso, brown sugar’s deep molasses notes, and creamy oat milk creates a balanced coffee drink that’s refreshing yet satisfying. One sip of this homemade version and you’ll wonder why you ever spent $5+ at the coffee shop.

an iced brown sugar shaken espresso in a mason jar with a metal straw. the jar sits on a wooden coaster and is surrounded by small bowls of brown sugar, coffee beans, and ice.

With 20+ specialty coffee recipes (and counting!) on my website, I’ve dedicated considerable time to perfecting coffee shop favorites at home. This brown sugar shaken espresso recipe came together after numerous test batches, where I adjusted everything from the strength of the espresso to the type of oat milk that works best. My recipe testers and readers consistently report that they prefer this homemade version to the coffee shop original—both for its flavor and the money they save.

This brown sugar shaken espresso joins my collection of coffee shop-inspired drinks including my popular iced chocolate almondmilk shaken espresso, iced white chocolate mochas, and honey almond milk cold brew recipes to name a few. Each recipe has been carefully tested to ensure you can create the perfect coffee experience in your own kitchen, saving money while enjoying every sip just as much (or more!) than the original.

Jump to:
  • What is Shaken Espresso?
  • Why You’ll Love This Brown Sugar Oat Milk Shaken Espresso Starbucks Recipe
  • Ingredients for Brown Sugar Espresso Starbucks Recipe
  • Brown Sugar Oat Milk Shaken Espresso Starbucks Recipe Variations
  • How to Make an Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso Recipe
  • Possible Dietary Restrictions?
  • Helpful Equipment
  • Starbucks Brown Sugar Shaken Espresso Recipe FAQs
  • Love This Shaken Espresso Recipe? You May Also Enjoy
  • Brown Sugar Oat Milk Shaken Espresso Starbucks
  • More Starbucks Copycat Recipes to Try

What is Shaken Espresso?

A shaken espresso is a popular summertime beverage at Starbucks that is based on the popular Italian iced espresso drink called a shakerato. 

The general process for making shaken espresso is to add hot espresso, sugar or simple syrup, and ice to a cocktail shaker and shake until combined and cold.

Most shaken espresso drinks in the US are then topped with some type of milk.

Why You’ll Love This Brown Sugar Oat Milk Shaken Espresso Starbucks Recipe

Quick and easy to make! All you need to do is measure, shake, and enjoy!

Light, sweet, and refreshing. An iced brown sugar oat milk shaken espresso tastes like sweetened iced coffee. This simple and delicious coffee is perfect to sip on when the weather is warm.

Simple ingredients. No fancy ingredients are required to make this iced drink.

Cost effective. There’s no need to spend a lot of money on these at the coffeeshop! You can enjoy this easy DIY in the comfort of your own home without too much effort, helping you save some cash (especially if you want to sip on these as often as I do).

Ingredients for Brown Sugar Espresso Starbucks Recipe

ingredients needed to make an iced brown sugar shaken espresso.

Brown Sugar. You can use light brown sugar or dark brown sugar for this recipe. Dark brown sugar has more molasses by volume than light, resulting in a more robust flavor.

Vanilla Extract. Adds a hint of delicious vanilla flavor and a touch of sweetness to your coffee.

Optional: Ground Cinnamon. If desired, add a dash of cinnamon to your mason jar and/or on top of your shaken espresso. Adding this is really based on your personal preferences. I really enjoy it with and without the cinnamon.

Espresso or Strong Coffee. If you bought a Starbucks iced brown sugar oatmilk shaken espresso, it would be made with the Starbucks Blonde Espresso roast. However, I always recommend using whatever kind of espresso or coffee blend is your favorite when making homemade coffee drinks. Whether you use regular espresso or prefer to brew strong coffee, this easy Starbucks copycat recipe will be a delicious drink. 

Ice. Used during shaking to cool down your drink.

Unsweetened Oat Milk. Creamy oat milk works perfectly in this brown sugar espresso drink. We’re using unsweetened as you’ll get more than enough sweetness from the brown sugar already.

See recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.

Brown Sugar Oat Milk Shaken Espresso Starbucks Recipe Variations

  • Use a different milk. Not into oat milk? No problem. This iced shaken espresso recipe work great with dairy milk and other non-dairy milks too!
  • Use brown sugar simple syrup. While I don’t find a need to use a simple syrup in this recipe, brown sugar simple syrup is what Starbucks uses to make this drink. If you’ve purchased or made brown sugar simple syrup, use 2 tablespoons of brown sugar simple syrup per drink (in lieu of the brown sugar listed in the recipe card).

How to Make an Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso Recipe

process shot for making a brown sugar shaken espresso: brown sugar being added to a mason jar.

Step 1: Add brown sugar to a mason jar.

process shot for making a brown sugar shaken espresso: hot coffee being poured on top of brown sugar in a mason jar.

Step 2: Add hot espresso (or strongly brewed coffee) on top of the brown sugar.

process shot for making a brown sugar shaken espresso: vanilla extract being measured out to pour into a mason jar with hot espresso and brown sugar.

Step 3: Add vanilla extract to the hot coffee and brown sugar and then stir to combine.

process shot for making a brown sugar shaken espresso: ice being added to the mason jar of brown sugar, coffee, and vanilla extract.

Step 4: Fill the jar about half full with ice.

process shot for making a brown sugar shaken espresso: a frothy, freshly shaken jar of coffee ready to be topped with milk.

Step 5: Tightly secure the lid, and shake vigorously for 15-20 seconds until the coffee feels cold and looks frothy.

process shot for making a brown sugar shaken espresso: milk being poured into a jar of frothy, freshly shaken coffee.

Step 6: Remove the lid and top with oat milk.

a metal straw being put into a mason jar filled with an iced brown sugar shaken espresso.

Step 7: Add a straw, stir to combine, and enjoy!

Possible Dietary Restrictions?

This Starbucks iced brown sugar oat milk shaken espresso copycat recipe is vegetarian, gluten free, and dairy free as written. See below for modification to make this a vegan coffee recipe.

  • Make this into a vegan iced coffee by swapping out the brown sugar for a vegan-friendly sweetener such as pure maple syrup. This will no longer be a brown sugar shaken espresso, but it will still taste lovely.
  • A note for those needing to make a gluten free coffee: verify the oat milk chosen is certified to be gluten free. This is especially important if you’re serving this iced coffee to someone with a gluten intolerance and may be affected by cross-contamination.

Helpful Equipment

I personally love making homemade espresso with a moka pot because it’s a simple, small, and affordable way to brew espresso. If you have the space and drink espresso a lot, an espresso maker may be a good investment for you!

Using a 16oz wide-mouth mason jar + lid is the easiest way to make a homemade shaken espresso. Plus, mason jars can be used for so many things, they’re a great thing to have around the house.

I also recommend using reusable straws when you can because they’re a better option for the environment.

Starbucks Brown Sugar Shaken Espresso Recipe FAQs

How can I make espresso at home? 

If you’d like to use espresso in your brown sugar shaken espresso recipe, you have a few options. I personally use and really like using a moka pot. They’re simple to use and small. You can also invest in an espresso machine. This may be a good option for you if you drink espresso often.

What is the best oat milk to use to make a brown sugar oat milk shaken espresso? 

I’ve taste-tested a wide variety of oat milks, and the ones I would recommend using are: Califia Oat Milk (I particularly enjoy their Barista Oat Milk variety), Oatly Oat Milk (both their full-fat and low-fat varieties are nice), and Elmhurst Oat Milk. However, if there are other brands in your local grocery store, give them a try to find what you like best!

Is oat milk gluten free? 

You may be wondering, does oat milk have gluten? While oats are naturally gluten free, there is often cross-contamination due to being grown next to wheat or processed in a facility that also processes wheat products. If you’d like to make this brown sugar oat milk shaken espresso recipe and have a gluten intolerance, select an oat milk brand that has been certified as gluten free.

Can I Make This Starbucks Copycat Recipe Decaf?

Yes, you can definitely make your homemade brown sugar shaken espresso decaf! To do so, simply replace the espresso (or strongly brewed coffee) called for 1-to-1 with decaf espresso (or strongly brewed coffee).

Top down view of an Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso in a mason jar with a metal reusable straw.

Love This Shaken Espresso Recipe? You May Also Enjoy

  • mason jar filled with a frothy iced chocolate shaken espresso with a glass straw. the glass sits on a wooden board and is surrounded by a blue and white checkered linen and hydrangea flowers.
    Iced Chocolate Almond Milk Shaken Espresso (Starbucks Copycat)
  • Image of a glass of honey almond milk cold brew being stirred with a metal straw. The glass is sitting on a white coaster, and next to a bowl of honey and bowl of coffee grounds. In the background is a white linen, and glass containers of honey simple syrup, cold brew coffee, almond milk.
    Honey Almond Milk Cold Brew (Starbucks Copycat)
  • close up of a tall glass filled with a white iced mocha that is topped with a generous amount of whipped cream and white chocolate syrup that is dripping down the glass. The drink is surrounded by white chocolate squares, coffee beans, ice, and a white linen.
    How to Make Iced White Chocolate Mocha
  • close up of a serving glass of cold brew coffee with milk.
    How to Make Cold Brew Coffee

Did you make this recipe? Leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating & comment below! You can also tag @ourlovelanguageisfood on Instagram & Facebook. Be sure to subscribe to our weekly newsletter to get free recipes sent directly to your inbox!

an iced brown sugar shaken espresso in a mason jar with a metal straw. the jar sits on a wooden coaster and is surrounded by small bowls of brown sugar, coffee beans, and ice.

Brown Sugar Oat Milk Shaken Espresso Starbucks

Meredith
Bring a popular summer coffee recipe into your own home with this easy iced brown sugar oat milk shaken espresso recipe!
5 from 12 votes
Prevent your screen from going dark
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Total Time 5 minutes mins
Course Drinks
Cuisine American
Servings 1 Drink
Calories 185 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tablespoon Brown Sugar
  • 2 oz Espresso (or strongly brewed coffee)
  • ½ teaspoon Vanilla Extract
  • dash Ground Cinnamon* (optional)
  • Ice (enough to fill jar half-way)
  • 1 C Unsweetened Oat Milk

Instructions
 

  • Add brown sugar, vanilla extract, and hot espresso (or strongly brewed coffee) to a mason jar and stir to combine.*
  • Fill the jar about half full with ice, tightly secure the lid, and shake vigorously for 15-20 seconds until the coffee feels cold and looks frothy.
  • Remove the lid and top with oat milk.
  • Add a straw, stir to combine, and enjoy!

Video

Notes

*If you are adding cinnamon to your shaken espresso recipe, place it in the jar in step 1
*If you do not brew your own espresso at home – no problem! You can use strongly brewed coffee in this recipe instead. To do so, add an extra scoop (or two) of grounds when brewing your coffee
*You can also shake your ingredients in a cocktail shaker and pour into a serving glass if preferred 
Recipe Variations and Substitutions
  • Use a different milk. This iced shaken espresso recipe also works well with dairy milk and other non-dairy milks too!
  • Use brown sugar simple syrup. While I don’t find a need to use a simple syrup in this recipe, brown sugar simple syrup is what Starbucks uses to make this drink. If you’ve purchased or made brown sugar simple syrup, use 2 tablespoons of brown sugar simple syrup per drink (in lieu of the brown sugar listed in the recipe card).

Nutrition

Calories: 185kcalCarbohydrates: 37gProtein: 4gFat: 3gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 125mgPotassium: 202mgFiber: 2gSugar: 31gVitamin A: 492IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 356mgIron: 2mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

More Starbucks Copycat Recipes to Try

  • an iced sugar cookie latte with a red and white striped straw, and topped with red white and green sprinkles. The glass is surrounded by holiday felt-ball garland, containers of sprinkles, a jar of sugar cookie simple syrup with a bow, a white linen, and greenery.
    Starbucks Sugar Cookie Latte Recipe (Copycat)
  • close up of a homemade pumpkin cream cold brew, topped with a generous amount of homemade pumpkin cold foam and additional pumpkin pie spice.
    Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew (Starbucks Copycat)
  • a peppermint white chocolate mocha in a red mug that is topped with whipped cream and crushed candy cane pieces. The mug sits on a white coaster in front of white holiday houses and a red and white linen. White chocolate pieces, coffee beans, and candy canes are scattered around the scene.
    Peppermint White Chocolate Mocha (Starbucks Copycat)
  • a glass mug with a homemade gingerbread latte sitting on a wooden board. Another mug sits in the background, along with a linen, coffee beans, an iced gingerbread cookie, and a holiday plant.
    Gingerbread Coffee

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    Classic Margarita Recipe
  • Close up of a skinny margarita in a glass rimmed with salt and garnished with a lime wedge and an orange wedge.
    Skinny Margarita Recipe
  • Close up of a coconut lime margarita in a rocks glass rimmed with toasted coconut.
    Coconut Margarita Recipe
  • Close up of a paloma cocktail in a rocks glass with a straw.
    Paloma Cocktail Recipe

Reader Interactions

Comments

    5 from 12 votes (7 ratings without comment)

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    How many stars would you give this recipe?




  1. Lynn says

    May 15, 2025 at 2:29 pm

    5 stars
    This is so good!! Thanks for saving my $7!! I love this drink and I am so glad I can make it at home now!

    Reply
    • Meredith says

      May 16, 2025 at 9:30 am

      I’m so glad you loved it Lynn! And I hope you can use the $7 saved for something else to treat yo’ self. xo

      Reply
  2. Lynne says

    May 16, 2023 at 9:46 am

    5 stars
    I absolutely love this recipe! It was so quick and easy to make it home. I have one prepped for tomorrow morning already 🙂 thank you, Meredith!

    Reply
    • Meredith says

      May 16, 2023 at 10:40 pm

      I’m so happy to hear that you loved it Lynne! Thanks for giving the recipe a try 💖

      Reply
  3. Cat says

    May 15, 2023 at 11:08 pm

    5 stars
    This drink slays

    Reply
    • Meredith says

      May 16, 2023 at 10:39 pm

      Happy to hear you loved it!

      Reply
  4. Dea says

    August 11, 2022 at 7:15 pm

    Can I use almond milk instead of oat milk?

    Reply
    • ourlovelanguageisfood says

      August 12, 2022 at 10:42 pm

      Hi Dea – yes, you can use almond milk in a shaken espresso too!

      Reply
  5. Pat R. says

    June 12, 2022 at 9:42 am

    5 stars
    Didn’t have any oatmilk at home today, so used an almond milk/coconut milk combo instead. The drink was great!

    Reply
    • ourlovelanguageisfood says

      June 12, 2022 at 10:55 am

      oh, such a great swap idea, so glad you loved it!

      Reply
  6. M. says

    May 18, 2022 at 4:09 pm

    5 stars
    I loved how easy this recipe was! I’ll definitely be making these a ton this summer.

    Reply
    • ourlovelanguageisfood says

      May 19, 2022 at 11:19 pm

      🙌☕🎉 I’m so happy to hear you love this recipe too! thanks for making my recipe.

      Reply

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