Dairy-free, still creamy
Starbucks Nondairy Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Foam
Starbucks’ plant-based answer to its vanilla sweet cream cold foam: what is in it, how “foam” differs from a “float,” how it compares with other dairy-free cold brews, and how to whip up an oat-and-coconut version at home.
Quick answer. This is Starbucks Cold Brew topped with a thick cold foam made from nondairy vanilla sweet cream. A Grande has 160 calories, 18 g of sugar and about 185 mg of caffeine, costs about $6.26 on average, and contains no dairy.
- Size in this answer: Grande
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 18 g
- Caffeine: 185 mg
- Average US price: $6.26
Checked October 2026. Prices are average US prices and vary by store.
Foam vs. Float: Two Nondairy Vanilla Cold Brews
Starbucks uses the same nondairy vanilla sweet cream two different ways, and the names are easy to mix up:
| Grande | How the cream is added | Texture | Calories | Sugar | Caffeine | Avg. price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cold Brew with Nondairy Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Foam | Blended into a thick cold foam on top | Velvety cap; coffee underneath stays dark | 160 | 18 g | 185 mg | $6.26 |
| Nondairy Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew | Poured in as a float | Swirls into the coffee; lighter and milkier | 100 | 13 g | 185 mg | $5.96 |
Choose the cold foam if you like a creamy first sip and bold coffee underneath. Choose the float if you want it lighter, cheaper and mixed through.
What Is Nondairy Vanilla Sweet Cream?
It is Starbucks’ plant-based take on vanilla sweet cream, sweetened with vanilla. Published ingredient listings show a plant-milk base that includes soy and oat, so it is dairy-free but not soy-free. Starbucks notes it cannot guarantee any handcrafted drink is allergen-free because of shared equipment.
Taste: lightly sweet and vanilla-forward, slightly less rich than dairy sweet cream, with a smooth, airy texture over the chocolatey, low-acid cold brew.
More Dairy-Free Cold Brews at Starbucks
| Grande | Calories | Sugar | Caffeine |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cold Brew (black) | 5 | 0 g | 205 mg |
| Nondairy Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew | 100 | 13 g | 185 mg |
| Nondairy Salted Caramel Cream Cold Brew | 150 | 19 g | 185 mg |
| Cold Brew with Nondairy Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Foam | 160 | 18 g | 185 mg |
| Nondairy Chocolate Cream Cold Brew | 190 | 22 g | 190 mg |
For the dairy versions and every other cold foam, see the Chocolate Cream Cold Brew page (with a full cold-foam comparison) and the Starbucks cold drinks page.
Dairy-free ordering tips
- Add nondairy cold foam to other drinks: iced coffee, iced chai, iced matcha or a shaken espresso.
- Skip dairy toppings: caramel drizzle and whipped cream contain dairy.
- Swap the milk in lattes for oat, almond, soy or coconut milk.
- Less sweet: ask for light foam, or try the float version (100 calories).
Dairy-Free Vanilla Cold Foam Cold Brew at Home
Dairy-free vanilla cold foam
- 3 tablespoons (45 ml) barista-style oat milk, cold
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) canned coconut cream (the thick top layer), cold
- 1 tablespoon vanilla syrup, or 2 teaspoons maple syrup + ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
For the drink
- ¾ cup (6 oz / 180 ml) cold brew concentrate
- ¼ cup (2 oz / 60 ml) cold water
- 1 cup ice
- Optional: 1 to 2 teaspoons vanilla syrup in the coffee
Instructions
- Chill everything. Make sure the oat milk and coconut cream are fridge-cold; warm ingredients will not hold foam.
- Froth the foam. Add the oat milk, coconut cream, vanilla syrup and salt to a tall cup. Froth with a handheld frother for 30 to 45 seconds, moving it up and down, until thick and glossy. No frother: shake hard in a sealed jar for about 1 minute.
- Build the cold brew. Fill a 16 oz glass with ice, add the cold brew concentrate and water, and stir in the optional syrup.
- Top and serve. Spoon or slowly pour the foam over the top so it sits in a thick layer. Serve right away.
Tips and swaps
- Barista-style oat milk has added fat and stabilizers that help it foam; regular oat milk is thinner.
- Coconut cream is the secret to a thick, slow-melting foam; use the solid top layer from a chilled can.
- Soy-free: this home recipe has no soy, unlike the café version.
- No cold brew? Use strong brewed coffee chilled overnight, or 2 shots of espresso over ice with ½ cup water.
- Make cold brew: steep 1 cup coarse coffee in 4 cups cold water for 16 to 20 hours, then strain; it keeps 1 week in the fridge.
- Storage: make the foam fresh; it deflates within about 15 minutes.
Watch: Dairy-Free Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Foam
FAQs
What is Cold Brew with Nondairy Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Foam?
Starbucks Cold Brew topped with a cold foam made from a nondairy vanilla sweet cream, a plant-based version of Starbucks’ vanilla sweet cream. A Grande has 160 calories, 18 g of sugar and about 185 mg of caffeine.
Is it dairy-free?
Yes. Both the cold brew and the nondairy vanilla sweet cream are made without dairy. Ingredient listings show the nondairy sweet cream uses plant milks (including soy), so check the Starbucks app if you have a soy allergy. Shared equipment means Starbucks cannot guarantee drinks are allergen-free.
What is the difference between this and Nondairy Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew?
In the Nondairy Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew, the sweet cream is poured in as a float and swirls into the coffee (100 calories, Grande). In this drink, it is whipped into a thick cold foam that sits on top (160 calories).
How much caffeine is in it?
About 185 mg in a Grande, slightly less than black Cold Brew (205 mg) because the foam takes up some of the cup.
How much does it cost?
About $6.26 for a Grande at average US prices.
Can I add nondairy cold foam to other drinks?
Yes. You can ask for nondairy vanilla sweet cream cold foam on most iced drinks, such as iced coffee, iced chai, iced matcha or an iced shaken espresso.
What milk makes the best dairy-free cold foam at home?
Barista-style oat milk foams best; a spoonful of coconut cream makes it thicker and longer-lasting. Almond milk foams but collapses quickly.
Nutrition, caffeine and prices are from starbucks.com and average US prices (October 2026). Ingredient notes are from published ingredient listings; always check the Starbucks app for allergens. starbukmenu.com is not affiliated with Starbucks Corporation.
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