If you’ve hung around Starbucks around the holidays the past few years, you’ve probably noticed the Irish Cream Cold Brew.
After the success of the Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew and a seemingly growing supply of folks who want their coffee iced while it’s freezing outside, Starbucks is paying attention. Maybe they’ll eventually also stop charging for milk alternatives.
According to Starbucks, the Irish Cream Cold Brew — made with flavored cold foam and syrup was inspired by product developer Erin Marinan’s family tradition of blending batches of Irish cream to add to coffee and give as gifts. Here’s more about the drink, including six secret menu ways to enjoy it.
What Is The Starbucks Irish Cream Cold Brew?
According to the coffee giant, the Starbucks Irish Cream Cold Brew is “…everything and more that you ever wanted in a sippable, dreamy holiday drink.” Which could be a stretch considering we like alcohol in our sips and dreams.
It consists of Starbucks Cold Brew, Irish cream syrup, and ice topped with vanilla sweet cream cold foam with Irish cream syrup mixed in and dusted with cocoa powder.
In 2019, the Irish Cream Cold Brew joined the holiday menu and became an instant hit. And it’s been back for the holidays ever since. Unlike grandpa. He refuses to return from Hawaii. And, honestly, we can’t blame him.
Despite the drink’s popularity, it is seemingly still just a holiday drink and is available only until supplies last each year.
How Many Calories Does the Irish Cream Cold Brew Have?
Nutritionally, the grande size has 200 calories, 24 grams of sugar, 11 grams of fat, 2 grams of protein, and 185 mg of caffeine.
What Does The Starbucks Irish Cream Cold Brew Taste Like?
It tastes a bit like hot cocoa, but with coffee. There’s still a coffee taste, but the flavor is subtle enough for those who don’t love the taste, especially with the notes of cocoa and vanilla.
It’s fluffy and slightly sweet on top, but with a slight bitterness lurking under the surface. So if you don’t go to Starbucks for the sugar rush, this may be a good drink for you.
But Doesn’t Irish Cream Mean Whiskey?
Traditionally, “Irish cream” has a smooth velvety flavor featuring notes of sweet cream, vanilla, and Irish whiskey. And Irish Coffee is a caffeinated alcoholic drink consisting of Irish whiskey, hot coffee, cream, and sugar. We have a great recipe for Irish Coffee here.
So, if you really want to keep things traditional, adding a little Irish whiskey to your cup should be perfectly acceptable.
6 Starbucks Irish Cream Cold Brew Secret Menu Drinks
1. Nutty Irishman
- Order a Grande Iced Shaken Espresso
- Ask for no classic syrup
- Sub with almond milk
- Add 2 pumps of hazelnut syrup
- Add 3 pumps of Irish cream syrup
- Top with Irish cream cold foam and chestnut praline topping
2. Irish Cream Chestnut Praline Latte
- Order a Venti Iced Chestnut Praline Latte with blonde espresso and an extra shot
- Ask for no whip
- Add 2 pumps of chestnut praline syrup
- Add Irish cream cold foam
3. Clover Cold Brew
Totally the Bomb invented this clever drink with a green top. Here’s how to order it:
- Order a Venti Cold Brew
- Ask for 4 pumps white mocha
- Ask for 2 pumps vanilla syrup
- Ask for Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Foam
- Ask for a scoop of matcha and 2 pumps Irish Cream syrup
4. Iced Irish Cream Latte
- Order an Iced Caffè Latte
- Add Irish cream syrup
5. Vegan Irish Cream Cold Brew
- Order an Irish Cream Cold Brew
- Ask for your choice of non-dairy milk
- Ask for non-dairy milk in the cold foam
6. Oreo Irish Cream Cold Brew
- Order an Irish Cream Cold Brew
- Add 2 pumps of white mocha
- Ask for mocha cookie crumbles to be mixed into the cold foam
- Ask for mocha cookie crumbles on top
7. Irish Cream Frappuccino
- Order a grande of your favorite Frappuccino flavor
- Ask for 3 pump Irish Cream syrup
- Ask for Mocha Cookie Crumbles on top
Ashley is a Nashville unicorn (born, raised, and based), queer, vegan, and dedicated to leaving a positive impact through her life, work, and her website, Wild Hearted.
When she's not writing, she's traveling, reading a book, trying not to kill her houseplants, worshiping her dog, or having an existential crisis. Follow her on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and Twitter, and LinkedIn
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