This Starbucks shaken espresso copycat features all the dreamy flavors of the original for a fraction of the price at coffee shops! My Iced Brown Sugar Oat Milk Shaken Espresso drink is the real deal- delicious, refreshing, and super budget-friendly!

an up close shot of a tall glass filled with brown sugar shaken espresso and ice.

What Makes This Recipe Great

If you’ve followed along with my summer at all, you know I am obsessed with the Starbucks Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso! It’s gluten-free, dairy-free, and my absolute favorite pick-me-up for long vacation drives, busy weekday camp pick-ups and drop-offs, and all-around jam-packed summer days.

The only problem? Going to Starbucks all the time is PRICEY! So I set out to recreate this favorite of mine in a much more affordable way- and I must say, this homemade version is incredible!

Save time & money and make this yummy brown sugar shaken espresso right in your own kitchen! And if you love being your own barista, try this Best Iced Coffee Recipe or this Dalgona Whipped Coffee.

Recipe Highlights

  • 5-Minute Recipe!
  • Budget-Friendly
  • Just like Starbucks, but faster and less expensive!
  • Gluten-free & Dairy-free
  • Easy recipe, simple ingredients, & delicious!

Ingredient Notes

recipe ingredients in small bowls and labeled
  • Espresso: You can also use 1/3 cup of very strong coffee, cooled.
  • Unsweetened Oat Milk: I really like Oatly oat milk. If you’d like to use non-dairy milk other than oat milk, you totally can!
  • Vanilla Extract: A little goes a long way! This gives a great vanilla flavor without adding extra sugar (like the vanilla syrup at Starbucks).
  • Cinnamon Stick: This adds a ton of flavor to the brown sugar syrup. You can also dust the top with ground cinnamon for garnish.
  • Coconut Sugar: I prefer coconut sugar as it gives the same deep sweetness as brown sugar but isn’t refined! A great natural sugar option. You can also use dark brown sugar if that’s what you have on hand.

Recipe Step by Step

numbered step by step recipe instructions to make iced brown sugar oatmilk shaken espresso.
  1. Make the brown sugar simple syrup: Combine the water, coconut sugar, and cinnamon stick in a small saucepan. 
  2. Bring to a boil while whisking until the sugar is dissolved. 
  3. After it begins to boil, remove it from the heat and stir in vanilla extract. Let the syrup cool completely.
  4. Add the 2 shots of espresso + 1.5 tbsp of the simple syrup in a mason jar or cocktail shaker with a little ice. Close the lid and shake well. 
  5. Fill another tall glass with ice and pour the espresso mixture over top. Add the oat milk on top. Enjoy!

Mary’s Tips & Tricks

  • Milk Alternatives: For this brown sugar shaken espresso, you don’t have to use oat milk if you prefer something else! it will work with almond milk, regular cow’s milk, soy milk, etc.! Choose your favorite.
  • Sugar Options: I like using coconut sugar, but you can sub regular brown sugar or brown sugar Swerve (keto-friendly) if preferred.

Serving Tips

  • Serve in your favorite glass with ice and a straw! Or, if you’re on the go, your favorite tumbler! If you’re hungry, drink this alongside my Overnight Oatmeal or Egg Bites– easy make-ahead breakfast options!

    • Storage Tips

    • Store leftover brown sugar syrup in an airtight container or mason jar with a lid in the fridge for up to a week. Use it with cold brew, another coffee drink, or make another shaken espresso! It’s on repeat at my house!
    a closeup of brown sugar syrup in a mason jar with a silver lid.
    store brown sugar syrup in the refrigerator for later use!

    Recipe FAQs

    Is the brown sugar oat milk shaken espresso sweet?

    This drink can be as sweet as you want it to be. I think 1.5 tbsp works great, but it’s up to your personal preferences! Adjust sweetness to taste. If you’re looking for a less sweet version, cut the brown sugar syrup down to 1/2 tbsp – 1 tbsp instead of 1.5. To make it sweeter, add a little extra!

    How many calories are in a Starbucks iced brown sugar oat milk shaken espresso?

    Starbucks’ drinks tend to be on the sweeter side because they use quite a few pumps of brown sugar syrup, which means their drinks are often higher in calories. In my brown sugar shaken espresso recipe, there are just 116 calories! A perfect breakfast or midday pick-me-up!

    Can I make this brown sugar shaken espresso keto-friendly?

    Actually, yes! Swap the coconut sugar for brown sugar Swerve (a keto replacement found at Sprouts and other grocers). This makes it super low sugar and low carb!

    Do I need an espresso machine to make this recipe?

    No! You can use cooled drip coffee, a bottle of espresso roast cold brew, or another version of cooled coffee.

    a closeup of a glass of shaken espresso with oatmilk over ice next to a jar of brown sugar syrup

    More Homemade Coffee Recipes!

    Paleo Dalgona Whipped Coffee

    Iced Pumpkin Spiced Latte

    The Best Iced Coffee Recipe

    Love this recipe? Please leave a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 rating in the recipe card below & a review in the comments section. Or, follow me on Facebook, Pinterest or Instagram today!

    brown sugar shaken espresso in a glass with coffee beans and brown sugar syrup in the background
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe

    Iced Brown Sugar Oat Milk Shaken Espresso (Starbucks Copycat Recipe!)

    Yield: 1 drink
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Total Time: 5 minutes
    This Starbucks copycat features all the dreamy flavors of the original, for a fraction of the price! My Iced Brown Sugar Shaken Espresso is the real deal- delicious, refreshing, and super budget-friendly!
    5 from 9 votes
    Leave a Review »

    Ingredients

    Brown Sugar Syrup

    Remaining ingredients

    • 2 shots espresso, or 1/3 cup very strong brewed coffee, cooled
    • ½ cup oatmilk, I prefer Oatly brand
    • ice

    Equipment

    Instructions
     

    • Make the brown sugar simple syrup: Combine the water, coconut sugar, and cinnamon stick in a small saucepan.
    • Bring to a boil while whisking until the sugar is dissolved.
    • After it begins to boil, remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract. Let the syrup cool completely.
    • Add the 2 shots of espresso + 1.5 tbsp of the simple syrup in a mason jar with a little ice. Close the lid and shake well.
    • Fill another glass with ice and pour the espresso mixture over top. Add the oatmilk on top. Enjoy!

    Notes

    Mary’s Tips & Tricks

    • Milk Alternatives: For this brown sugar shaken espresso, you don’t have to use oat milk if you prefer something else! it will work with almond milk, regular cow’s milk, soy milk, etc.! Choose your favorite.
    • Sugar Options: I like using coconut sugar, but you can sub regular brown sugar or brown sugar Swerve (keto-friendly) if preferred.

    Serving Tips

    • Serve in your favorite glass with ice and a straw! Or, if you’re on the go, your favorite tumbler! If you’re hungry, drink this alongside my Overnight Oatmeal or Egg Bites– easy make-ahead breakfast options!

    Storage Tips

    • Store leftover brown sugar syrup in an airtight container or mason jar with a lid in the fridge for up to a week. Use it with cold brew, another coffee drink, or make another shaken espresso! It’s on repeat at my house!

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1drink, Calories: 116kcal, Carbohydrates: 25g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 1g, Saturated Fat: 0.1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 0.01g, Sodium: 72mg, Potassium: 146mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 16g, Vitamin A: 256IU, Vitamin C: 0.3mg, Calcium: 213mg, Iron: 1mg
    Course: beverages
    Cuisine: American
    Calories: 116
    Author: Mary Smith