How To Make Salted Caramel Cold Foam at Home

The coffee industry is always booming with new and delicious options to ensure your coffee is anything but sub-par.

The coffee industry is always booming with new and delicious options to ensure your coffee is anything but subpar. From specialty flavors to new ways to make the classics pop, the specialty coffee world is never boring.

One of the newest crazes sweeping the industry is cold foam. Cold foam can be found atop cold brew, iced coffee, and even lattes. Unlike regular whipped cream, cold foam is a slightly sweetened, thick cream that makes a beverage extra creamy and delicious.

It’s all well and good to be able to go to your local shop and get your drink topped with cold foam, but wouldn’t it be even better if you could learn how to make it on your own?

Read on to learn how you can make your own yummy cold foam right in your kitchen!

What Is Cold Foam?

When it comes to specialty coffee, there tend to be fancy ways to describe very simple things. Cold foam is one of those—it may sound complicated or fancy, but at its core, it is quite simple and easy to understand.

Before diving into how to make cold foam, let’s break down what it is and how it differs from our old friend, whipped cream.

Whipped Cream: The Original Cold Foam

Whipped cream has been part of our culture for hundreds of years. Usually added on top of a classic pie or your favorite milkshake, it enhances treats with an extra layer of sweetness.

Whipped cream, at its core, is made from real cream, some sugar, and lots of mixing. “Real cream” is the top layer of milk that has a thicker texture and is scraped off to be packaged separately.

Today, we may take for granted how easily accessible whipped cream is, but in its early beginnings, it was a delicacy created by the Viennese. Primarily used atop specialty pastries, whipped cream was harder to come by due to the more localized dairy industry of that time. Now, thanks to a booming dairy industry, we can enjoy whipped cream for any occasion.

How Is Microfoam Made?

In hot beverages that include steamed milk, the milk produces a microfoam at the top of the drink. Microfoam occurs when the milk is aerated.

During the aeration process—using a steam wand and about 45 seconds of steaming in a whirlpool motion—the milk expands. This expansion creates a light, airy, and creamy texture that gives the milk a thicker feel.

The foam makes the first sip smooth and creamy, often resulting in a milk mustache. Lattes, cappuccinos, and macchiatos, when served hot, contain steamed milk.

When making microfoam, there is also the option to have your milk “dry” or “wet.” “Dry” milk tends to be much lighter because it is aerated longer. “Wet” milk is the opposite, with less foam at the top, making it more like hot milk without significant aeration.

How Can Cold Foam Have Microfoam?

Cold foam is the equivalent of the microfoam on top of a hot latte, except it isn’t hot because it never touches heat. When milk is steamed, hot air from the steaming wand heats the milk while aerating it, creating a fluffy texture.

When making cold foam, unless the milk is preheated, it should not be put into a frother warm. The milk remains cold, is mixed until it thickens, and results in a thick and creamy beverage topper—without the risk of burning your tongue!

Cold foam is the perfect solution for someone who wants the creamy texture of a latte without the heat of a hot beverage on a warm day.

Cold Foam Saves a Hot Day

As mentioned earlier, cold foam is mainly placed on top of cold brew. However, it can also be added to lattes and iced coffee. Cold foam can be sweetened or left as foamy milk, making your coffee extra creamy and smooth—it tastes great either way!

The two most popular cold foam flavors are vanilla and salted caramel. Salted caramel cold foam is delicious because the salt balances out the sweetness and combines with the cold brew to reduce bitterness and acidity, resulting in the perfect summer sipper.

Now that we’ve learned how it works, let’s dive into how you can make it in your kitchen!

Cold Foam at Home: Salted Caramel Style

Ingredients:

½ cup of milk of choice (oat milk is recommended) or heavy cream (for a thicker consistency)

One (8 oz) cup of cold brew

½ teaspoon of salt

One teaspoon of vanilla extract

1 ½ teaspoons of caramel syrup

How-To:

Measure out your milk.

Pour the cold milk into the frother—no need to heat it up.

Add the salt, caramel, and vanilla to the milk.

Froth the mixture until it reaches a “marshmallow fluff” texture—it should stick to your finger like smushed s’mores.

Top off your cold brew with the foam, drizzle extra caramel for fun, and enjoy!

Keep It Simple

Making recipes at home can be overwhelming, especially when following each step precisely. Coffee shouldn’t be complicated—that’s why we like to keep things simple. It should be easy to enjoy without extra stress.

Cold foam is a simple way to enhance your cold coffee without sacrificing flavor or quality.

How to Make the Foam Less Sweet

With increasing recommendations to limit sugar intake, you might want to create a cold foam that is less sweet.

The recommended daily consumption of added sugar is only 50 grams (about 12 teaspoons). Since added sugars are in almost everything, it’s easy to reach that limit quickly. When adding cold foam to your beverage, there are ways to keep it sweet without extra calories and sugar.

For example, instead of adding caramel to the foam, make your cold brew with Caramel Coffee Concentrate. This way, you can enjoy caramel flavor without excess sugar. Then, to sweeten your foam, just add vanilla extract instead!

Trial and Error with Cold Foam

Following recipes and “helpful hints” online can be frustrating. Some recipes seem simple, but without the right adjustments, you might end up with a failed attempt.

Coffee isn’t like that. Experimenting with ways to enhance your coffee—like cold foam—should be easy and enjoyable.

Troubleshooting

If your foam isn’t as thick as you’d like, try using heavy cream or half-and-half instead.

For a dairy-free option, oat milk tends to thicken well when frothed.

If the salt remains gritty after frothing, whisk it by hand before mixing it in the frother.

These are just a few things to keep in mind when making your own cold foam. Otherwise, give it a try and enjoy your extra creamy cold brew!

The Perfect Summer Sipper

Cold foam is a fantastic addition to an iced beverage. It’s not as sweet as whipped cream, nor does it dissolve into the liquid as quickly. The texture is thicker and creamier, enhancing your coffee experience.

Adding cold foam to cold brew creates the perfect pick-me-up for the day. With simple ingredients, it’s easy to make at home—just grab the right tools, and you’re set. Enjoy your cold foam journey!