Enjoy the taste of fall with this easy pumpkin cream cold foam recipe. Inspired by the popular Starbucks drink, this version is lightened up with no heavy cream and a dairy-free option, made in just 2 minutes.
This Homemade Pumpkin Cold Foam is the perfect coffee topping on those fall days where you still feel the heat. Enjoy the delicious seasonal taste of pumpkin spice in a cold frothed milk on top of your favourite iced coffee or cold brew.
This pumpkin cold foam recipe is lighter and healthier with no heavy cream required and less sugar. Heck, there's even no dairy required if that's not your thing. Dairy-free milks will work for this too! Because of this, it is super light and fluffy—a bit lighter than the classically dense Starbucks cold foam.
Keep reading to learn just how easy this pumpkin cold foam is to make! Made in just 2 minutes with 5 kitchen-staple ingredients.
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What is Pumpkin Cold Foam?
Made popular in 2019 by Starbucks' Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew, Pumpkin Cold Foam has been all the rage during the past few fall seasons.
Pumpkin cold foam is served on top of their cold brew, although you can modify just about any cold drink to be topped with it. The thick, dense foam sits on top, while the milky part drips down, slowly flavouring the drink.
The Starbucks pumpkin cold foam contains ingredients such as milk, heavy cream, vanilla syrup, pumpkin syrup, pumpkin spice, and preservatives.
This easier and healthier homemade version has similar ingredients, but lightened up and less sweet.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- A coffee shop classic at home. Save the $7 and make it yourself.
- Quick and easy. All you need is an electric or handheld milk frother and 2 minutes to make this delicious coffee topper.
- Simple ingredients. This recipe is made from 5 kitchen staples you likely already have.
- A cold way to enjoy pumpkin spice. Enjoy this refreshing pumpkin cold foam on those fall days that still bring the heat.
If you like this, you'll love my Healthy Pumpkin Spice Latte, Dairy-Free Peppermint Mocha, and other drinks recipes!
Ingredients
Here is everything you'll need to make this easy pumpkin cold foam:
- Milk of choice: I use lactose-free 2% milk. Unsweetened almond milk should work too. No heavy cream necessary in this easy and accessible recipe.
- Maple syrup: Use more or less depending on your preferred sweetness.
- Pumpkin purée
- Vanilla extract
- Pumpkin pie spice: A delicious combination of cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and nutmeg.
- Iced coffee or cold brew: I will enjoy this cold foam over some of the store-bought Starbucks iced coffee, or brew espresso over ice using my Nespresso machine.
What Type of Milk to Use
This recipe can be made with just about any milk you have on hand, even dairy-free.
Many recipes recommend that skim milk foams up the best. While I do find this to be true, I find that skim milk produces a very bubbly and airy foam, whereas I tend to go for a denser foam in this cold foam.
I typically have lactose-free 2% milk on hand and it creates a nice middle-ground between air and dense. The higher fat, the more dense your cream will be. Heavy whipping cream will be the closest to the texture of Starbucks' pumpkin cream cold foam.
If you're using a dairy-free milk, I've had success with unsweetened almond milk, or I recommend using a "Barista blend", as they have oils and stabilizers.
Substitutions
There are many ways to change up this drink depending on your mood. Here are some substitution suggestions:
- Milk choice. Any milk, dairy-free or not, will do. A "Barista blend" will likely foam better since they have some oils and stabilizers.
- Sweetener. If you don't have maple syrup, honey or brown sugar would be great.
- Coffee type. Use the pumpkin cold foam to top your favourite iced coffee, cold brew, iced espresso, iced americano, you name it!
Equipment
Starbucks uses their Vitamix blenders with a specific aerating blade to make their cold foams. Since that is not very accessible for a homemade recipe, I like to use a milk frother.
These come as electric milk frothers such as the Nespresso Aeroccino (which I love), or this EZBasics electric frother. A more budget friendly option is a handheld milk frother, which runs around $10. Both have the ability to make hot or cold foam.
If you don't have a milk frother, placing the cold ingredients into a cold jar and shaking vigorously should give you some frothing action!
Step-by-Step Instructions
Be sure to read the recipe card below for the full ingredient list and instructions for how to make this easy pumpkin cream cold foam.
Electric milk frother: Combine all ingredients except the cold brew in the frother. Froth on cold mode by holding the button on the Nespresso Aeroccino until it turns blue.
Add your cold brew to a tall glass with ice. Top with pumpkin cold foam and enjoy.
Handheld milk frother: Combine all ingredients except the cold brew in a short glass. Use a handheld electric milk frother for 1-2 minutes until thick and fluffy.
Add your cold brew to a tall glass with ice. Top with pumpkin cold foam and enjoy.
How to Serve
There are many ways to enjoy this pumpkin cream cold foam. Here are some suggestions:
- Enjoy as a delicious morning pick-me-up.
- Serve as a post-meal pick me up when entertaining in the fall or at Thanksgiving.
- Take on the go to save money on your coffee.
- Enjoy pumpkin cold foam on top of other beverages such as iced chai tea, iced black tea, or iced coffee.
Make Ahead & Storage
Note that this cold foam recipe is best served and consumed fresh after preparing. It should not be made ahead of time, nor stored for later.
For a Crowd
If you're hosting a crowd of people, this recipe is easy to scale up, depending on your milk frother capacity. Double the recipe for two drinks.
Expert Tips
Here are some of my top tips and tricks for successful cold foam:
- The milk must be very cold, straight from the fridge. Otherwise the cold foam will become too airy, and less dense.
- Use an electric milk frother for quicker and hands-off frothing.
- Serve immediately. The cold foam will melt as it sits, so it may as well melt down into your iced drink!
Frequently Asked Questions
Sure! Just use your favourite dairy-free milk (I find cold, unsweetened almond milk works well), and this drink is vegan.
This recipe can be made with just about any milk you have on hand, even dairy-free.
Many recipes recommend that skim milk foams up the best. While I do find this to be true, I find that skim milk produces a very bubbly and airy foam, whereas I tend to go for a denser foam in this cold foam.
I typically have lactose-free 2% milk on hand and it creates a nice middle-ground between air and dense. The higher fat, the more dense your cream will be. Heavy whipping cream will be the closest to the texture of Starbucks' pumpkin cream cold foam.
If you're using a dairy-free milk, I've had success with unsweetened almond milk, or I recommend using a "Barista blend", as they have oils and stabilizers.
All ingredients, specifically the milk, must be cold right from the fridge before frothing for the best dense foam.
If you don't have a milk frother, placing the cold ingredients into a cold jar and shaking vigorously should give you some frothing action!
This homemade pumpkin cold foam is the ultimate fall pick-me-up. The perfect treat to enjoy on those fall days that still bring the heat. It's creamy, spicy, and perfect on top of a cold brew or iced chai.
More Gluten-Free Pumpkin Recipes
- Dairy-Free Pumpkin Spice Latte
- Dairy-Free Pumpkin Tiramisu
- Pumpkin Sugar Cookies
- Starbucks Copycat Pumpkin Scones
- Vegan Pumpkin Pasta Sauce
- Healthy Pumpkin Bread
Related Recipes
Have you made this pumpkin cold foam? I'd very much appreciate it if you leave a 5-star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review below, and tag me on instagram @livglutenfree!
Recipe
Easy Pumpkin Cold Foam
Equipment
- Electric or handheld milk frother
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup very cold milk of choice I use lactose-free 2% milk. Unsweetened almond milk should work too.
- 1-2 teaspoon maple syrup depending on preferred sweetness
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin purée
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice plus extra for dusting
- 1½ cups iced coffee or cold brew
Instructions
- Electric milk frother: Combine all ingredients except the cold brew in the frother. Froth on cold mode. Add your cold brew to a tall glass with ice. Top with pumpkin cold foam and enjoy.
- Handheld milk frother: Combine all ingredients except the cold brew in a short glass. Use a handheld electric milk frother for 1-2 minutes until thick and fluffy. Add your cold brew to a tall glass with ice. Top with pumpkin cold foam and enjoy.
Notes
- Milk must be very cold straight from the fridge! Otherwise it will become too airy instead of a denser cold foam.
- To froth on cold mode: On a Nespresso Aeroccino or similar device, cold frothing mode is activated by holding the button for 3 seconds until it turns blue.
- Dairy-free option: Very cold almond or oat milk should work well.
Let us know what you think!