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Brown Sugar Shaken Espresso: The Ultimate Guide to Making It at Home

  • Total Time: 32 minutes
  • Yield: 1 serving 1x

Description

Enjoy a DIY Brown Sugar Shaken Espresso! This simple recipe blends espresso, sweet brown sugar syrup, and milk for a coffee shop-quality treat at home.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 shots of freshly brewed espresso (about 2 ounces)
  • 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup water
  • Pinch of sea salt
  • 1 cup milk of your choice (dairy or non-dairy, such as oat milk, almond milk, or soy milk)
  • Approximately 1 cup of ice cubes
  • Ground cinnamon
  • Whipped cream (dairy or non-dairy)
  • Brown sugar sprinkles

Instructions

  1. In a small saucepan, combine the packed light brown sugar, water, and a pinch of sea salt.
  2. Place the saucepan over medium heat. Stir constantly until the brown sugar is completely dissolved and the mixture comes to a gentle simmer. This usually takes about 3-5 minutes. Make sure there are no sugar granules left at the bottom of the pan.
  3. Once simmering, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for another 1-2 minutes. This will help the syrup thicken slightly. Don’t overcook it, or it will become too thick when it cools.
  4. Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the syrup cool completely. As it cools, it will thicken to a syrup-like consistency. This usually takes about 15-20 minutes.
  5. Once cooled, transfer the brown sugar syrup to an airtight container (a small jar works perfectly). You can store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
  6. Brew two shots of espresso using your preferred method (espresso machine, Moka pot, or even a strong instant espresso). The key is to have a concentrated coffee flavor.
  7. Pour the freshly brewed espresso into your cocktail shaker. Add 1-2 tablespoons of the cooled brown sugar syrup, depending on your desired sweetness. I usually start with 1 tablespoon and adjust to taste.
  8. Fill the cocktail shaker with ice cubes. You want enough ice to chill the espresso quickly and create that frothy texture.
  9. Secure the lid of the cocktail shaker tightly. Shake vigorously for about 20-30 seconds. You should hear the ice rattling around and feel the shaker getting very cold. This is crucial for creating the signature shaken espresso texture. Don’t be afraid to put some muscle into it!
  10. Fill a glass with ice cubes. The amount of ice depends on your preference, but I usually fill it about halfway.
  11. Pour your milk of choice over the ice. Leave some room at the top for the shaken espresso. I personally love using oat milk for its creamy texture and subtle sweetness, but almond milk, soy milk, or regular dairy milk all work great.
  12. Carefully strain the shaken espresso from the cocktail shaker into the glass over the milk. Use the strainer on the shaker to hold back the ice, allowing only the frothy espresso mixture to pour out. You should see a beautiful layered effect with the milk at the bottom and the frothy espresso on top.
  13. If desired, sprinkle some ground cinnamon or brown sugar on top. You can also add a dollop of whipped cream (dairy or non-dairy) for an extra touch of indulgence.
  14. Give the drink a gentle stir to combine the flavors. Take a sip and enjoy your homemade Brown Sugar Shaken Espresso!

Notes

  • Adjust Sweetness: The amount of brown sugar syrup can be adjusted to your liking. If you prefer a less sweet drink, start with 1 tablespoon and add more if needed.
  • Experiment with Milk: Try different types of milk to find your favorite combination. Oat milk, almond milk, soy milk, and coconut milk all offer unique flavors and textures.
  • Add Flavored Syrups: For an extra layer of flavor, add a pump of vanilla syrup, caramel syrup, or hazelnut syrup to the shaker along with the brown sugar syrup.
  • Make it Iced or Hot: While this recipe is for an iced shaken espresso, you can easily adapt it for a hot drink. Simply heat the milk and espresso separately, then combine them in a mug. Skip the shaking step and add the brown sugar syrup to the hot milk.
  • Use Cold Brew: If you don’t have an espresso machine, you can use strong cold brew coffee instead. The flavor will be slightly different, but still delicious.
  • Spice it Up: Add a pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg, or cardamom to the shaker for a warm and cozy flavor.
  • Make it Vegan: Use non-dairy milk and whipped cream to make this drink completely vegan.
  • Brown Sugar Substitute: If you don’t have brown sugar, you can use granulated sugar with a tablespoon of molasses. Mix well before adding water.
  • Double the Recipe: Easily double or triple the recipe to make multiple drinks at once. Just adjust the ingredient quantities accordingly.
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 7 minutes

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Find it online: https://recipes2make.com/brown-sugar-shaken-espresso/