I’m an ex-Starbucks barista — you can make the Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso at home for a fraction of the cost

The Coffee Lab

the smeg emc02 mini pro manual espresso machine in jade green — (Image credit: Tom’s Guide)

I’m Erin, and welcome to the eighteenth episode of The Coffee Lab, the series where we forget coffee snobbery. The Coffee Lab is all about making coffee fun. Join me as I help you kickstart your coffee journey!

Starbucks is expensive. There’s no getting around that. Some drinks can cost as much as $10 in certain states these days, which is simply ridiculous. If I were to order a Grande Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso at the Starbucks closest to Tom’s Guide’s Manhattan office, it would cost me $7.57. Yes, almost 8 bucks.

Fortunately, you can make it yourself, for far less.

I was a Starbucks barista for years, and learned how to make the delicious Starbucks Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso at home. I’ve even done some coffee math down below to show you how much better this version is for your wallet (and your health, if you use homemade syrup).

You only need three ingredients (four if you count ice as an ingredient, and five if you include the optional cinnamon) to make a delicious iced espresso at home. And the best part? It takes about two minutes. Here’s my step-by-step guide to making the Starbucks Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso at home, using the Nespresso Vertuo Up, Oatly Barista oat milk, homemade brown sugar syrup, ice, and cinnamon.

Step 1: Make your brown sugar syrup

a photo of a copycat starbucks iced brown sugar oatmilk shaken espresso

I opted to make my own syrup for two reasons. One: brown sugar syrup isn’t readily available where I live, and two: I know the exact ingredients, so no surprises here.

Simply add your desired amount of sugar and a tiny drop of hot water to melt the sugar. If you have a sweet tooth, this might be 10g. I used one teaspoon, so 5g.

Step 2: Make your espresso

a photo of a copycat starbucks iced brown sugar oatmilk shaken espresso

Starbucks uses Blonde roast for the Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso, so I’d recommend using a light or medium roast coffee with notes like citrus, cherry, caramel, or fruit to achieve a similar result.

Of course, you could simply buy Blonde roast from your local Starbucks.

I’d recommend a double shot here, so use around 18g of finely ground coffee for 36g espresso. I used the Oatly Nespresso pods for this video using my Nespresso Vertuo Up.

Step 3: Combine your ingredients in a shaker

a photo of a copycat starbucks iced brown sugar oatmilk shaken espresso

If you don’t have a shaker, you could use a water bottle or even a leakproof Tupperware.

Add your espresso, syrup, ice, a splash of oat milk, and optional cinnamon if you like it a little warming.

Shake, pour, and you’re done!

The coffee math

I hate math, but I love coffee math. Let’s see if making your own Starbucks Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso actually is cheaper — and how many times you have to make it yourself to break even.

With a Nespresso machine

Nespresso Vertuo Pop+: $130 from Amazon
Oat milk: $3.32/52 fluid ounces from Walmart | 0.19 per drink
Brown sugar: $2.02/32 ounces from Walmart | 0.01 per drink
Coffee: Starbucks Blonde Nespresso Vertuo pods: $12.97 for 10 | 1.30 per pod

So that’s $1.50 for the ingredients, $130 for the machine.

You’d need to drink 22 drinks to start making a profit. After that, it’s $6.07 in savings per drink.

With an espresso machine + grinder

Breville Bambino: $299 from Amazon
Baratza Encore ESP: $199 from Amazon
Starbucks Blonde whole bean coffee: $17.13/18 ounces | $0.57 per drink
Oat milk: $3.32/52 fluid ounces from Walmart | 0.19 per drink
Brown sugar: $2.02/32 ounces from Walmart | 0.01 per drink

This version has a higher initial cost but cheaper overall ingredients: $0.77 for the ingredients, $498 for the machines.

You’d need to drink 74 drinks to start making a profit. After that, it’s $6.80 of pure savings each time.

If you already have an espresso machine, you’re saving almost 90% on every drink.

So, are you going to skip Starbucks and try making the Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso at home? I only ever make it myself — I haven’t been into a Starbucks in years.

Are there any other Starbucks drinks you’d like me to simplify? Perhaps the Pumpkin Spiced Latte in September? Or the Eggnog latte in December? Let me know in the comments!

I post new episodes of The Coffee Lab every Friday, so be sure to check back next week.

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