.product_section .product_form, .product_gallery { opacity: 1; } .multi_select, form .select { display: block !important; } .image-element__wrap { display: none; }

September 04, 2025 5 min read

Cold Foam: 6 Delicious Recipes

Introduction: The Cold Foam Craze

Cold foam has become one of the most exciting trends in coffee culture. Once reserved for specialty coffee shops, it’s now something you can easily whip up in your kitchen. Light, frothy, and silky smooth, cold foam transforms a simple iced coffee or cold brew into a coffee shop-worthy drink.

But what exactly is cold foam? Is it just whipped milk? How do you make it at home? And can it replace creamer in your favorite coffee drinks? In this ultimate guide, we’ll cover everything — from the history of cold foam to the best techniques and six delicious recipes you can make today.

1. What Is Cold Foam?

Cold foam is frothed milk served cold. Instead of using steam (as you would for cappuccinos or lattes), cold foam is created by aerating chilled milk until it becomes creamy, silky, and airy.

Why Cold Foam Works So Well

Light texture – Microbubbles give it a cloud-like consistency.
Creamy without heaviness – Adds richness without weighing down your drink.
Versatile – You can flavor it with vanilla, caramel, cocoa, matcha, or seasonal spices.

When poured over iced coffee, cold brew, or even iced tea, cold foam floats on top, creating a layered experience that’s as beautiful as it is delicious.

👉 For the perfect base, try pairing cold foam with smooth, bold cold brew coffee from Weaver’s Coffee & Tea.

2. The History of Cold Foam

Foamed milk has been a part of coffee culture for centuries, with Italian cappuccinos showcasing thick layers of hot foam. Cold foam, however, is a modern invention born out of the rise of iced coffee and cold brew.

By the mid-2010s, coffee lovers wanted the same creamy foam experience from hot drinks — but in a cold format. Cold foam was created to meet that demand, and it quickly became a favorite among coffee shops and home baristas. Today, cold foam is everywhere, topping cold brews, iced lattes, teas, and even creative mocktails.

3. Is Cold Foam Just Whipped Milk?

Not quite. While both involve aerating dairy, cold foam is different from whipped cream and traditional creamer.

Feature	Cold Foam	Whipped Cream	Creamer
Base Ingredient	Nonfat or low-fat milk	Heavy cream + sugar	Dairy or non-dairy mix
Texture	Light, airy, silky	Thick, rich, fluffy	Smooth, liquid
Calories (per ¼ cup)	~25–40	~100–150	Varies, often 35–70
How It’s Used	Floats on top of iced drinks	Dessert topping	Mixed directly in drink

Cold foam is lighter and healthier than whipped cream and gives a layered coffeehouse experience that creamer can’t match.

4. How to Make Cold Foam at Home

You don’t need fancy equipment. Here are four easy ways:

A. Milk Frother (Best Option)

Add ¼ cup chilled nonfat milk.
Froth for 15–30 seconds until doubled in volume.
Spoon on top of iced coffee or cold brew.

B. French Press

Add chilled milk.
Pump the plunger quickly for 30–40 seconds.
Produces silky, professional-quality foam.

C. Blender

Add chilled milk to a blender.
Blend on high for 15–20 seconds.
Fast and effective, though slightly less creamy.

D. Mason Jar

Add milk to a jar, seal tightly, and shake for 1–2 minutes.
Foam will be less refined but works in a pinch.

👉 Want more barista-style skills? Learn how to make espresso at homeand top it with cold foam for a refreshing iced latte.

5. What Is Cold Foam Made Of?

The classic version is simple:

Milk – Nonfat milk creates the most stable foam, but 2% or oat milk work well too.
Sweetener or syrup (optional) – Vanilla, caramel, or honey add flavor.
Aeration method – Frother, French press, blender, or jar.

Variations add cocoa powder, pumpkin puree, matcha, or spices to create seasonal and flavored foams.

6. Why Do They Call It Cold Foam?

The name highlights two things:

Cold – It’s prepared without steaming, so the milk stays chilled.
Foam – Aerated milk forms tiny bubbles that float like a frothy cloud.

It’s a simple name that captures both the texture and the experience.

7. Does Cold Foam Replace Creamer?

Yes — in many drinks, cold foam can replace creamer. The difference is in the experience:

Creamer: Blends fully into the coffee, creating uniform creaminess.
Cold Foam: Sits on top, giving a layered, coffee shop-style experience.

Cold foam is also lighter and lower in fat, making it a healthier choice for those looking to cut calories but keep their coffee indulgent.

8. The Best Way to Prepare Cold Foam

Tips for Success

Use very cold milk – Straight from the fridge works best.
Choose nonfat milk – Creates the most stable foam.
Flavor before frothing – Mix in syrup or spices so they blend evenly.
Experiment with alternatives – Oat milk froths surprisingly well.
Don’t over-whip – Stop once you have silky, cloud-like foam.

Best Tools Ranked

Milk Frother – Quick, consistent, and affordable.
French Press – Produces thick, coffee shop-style foam.
Blender – Effective but slightly less silky.
Mason Jar – Basic, but it works if that’s all you have.

9. Top 6 Cold Foam Recipes

Here are six easy recipes you can make today:

1. Classic Vanilla Cold Foam

¼ cup nonfat milk
1 teaspoon vanilla syrup
Froth until smooth. Spoon over cold brew.

2. Salted Caramel Cold Foam

¼ cup 2% milk
1 teaspoon caramel syrup
Pinch of sea salt
Froth, then sprinkle a touch of sea salt on top.

3. Pumpkin Cream Cold Foam

¼ cup milk + ¼ cup cream
1 tablespoon pumpkin puree
½ teaspoon pumpkin spice
1 teaspoon vanilla syrup
Froth until thick. A fall favorite.

4. Matcha Cold Foam

¼ cup oat milk
½ teaspoon matcha powder
1 teaspoon honey
Whisk matcha in hot water, then froth with milk and honey.

5. Mocha Cold Foam

¼ cup milk
1 teaspoon cocoa powder
½ teaspoon sugar
Mix well, then froth until silky.

6. Honey Cinnamon Cold Foam

¼ cup whole milk
1 teaspoon honey
¼ teaspoon cinnamon
Froth until smooth and creamy.

👉 Want more ideas for pairing? Check out our Iced Tea Recipes and Tea Mocktails for unique cold drink inspirations.

FAQ: Cold Foam Quick Answers

What is cold foam made of?
Chilled milk aerated into froth. Flavorings can be added for sweetness.

Is cold foam just whipped cream?
No — cold foam is lighter, milk-based, and made without heavy cream.

How do you make cold foam without a frother?
Use a French press, blender, or shake milk vigorously in a jar.

Does cold foam replace creamer?
Yes, but it creates a layered experience instead of blending completely.

What’s the best milk for cold foam?
Nonfat milk produces the most stable foam; oat milk is a great non-dairy choice.

Elevate Your Coffee with Cold Foam

Cold foam is more than just a topping — it’s a way to bring coffee shop-quality coffee into your home. With just a little chilled milk and a frothing method, you can transform cold brew or iced coffee into something extraordinary.

Whether you love the classic vanilla version or want to try pumpkin, mocha, or matcha variations, cold foam offers endless possibilities. It’s light, silky, and always a treat.

At Weaver’s Coffee & Tea, we believe every cup should be an experience. Pair your favorite cold foam recipe with our artisan cold brewsand freshly roasted coffees— and discover why this frothy topping is here to stay.