How to Make Cold Brew Coffee Foam at Home

Cold foam has become one of the most popular coffee trends in Australia, and once you try it on top of your cold brew, there's no going back. Silky, creamy, and just slightly sweet, cold foam transforms a great cold brew into something truly special. Here's everything you need to know to make it at home.

What Is Cold Foam?

Cold foam is a thick, velvety milky foam made without heat. Unlike steamed milk foam on a latte, cold foam is whipped cold, giving it a light, airy texture that floats beautifully on top of iced drinks. It slowly melts into your cold brew as you drink, adding creaminess with every sip.

It's the finishing touch on our signature Kirra Cold Brew Foam recipe — and it's easier to make than you'd think.

What You Need

• Cold milk (full cream, oat, or barista-blend oat milk work best)
• A handheld milk frother, French press, or blender
• Optional: a small pinch of sugar, vanilla extract, or flavoured syrup
• Your favourite Kirra Cold Brew poured over ice

How to Make Cold Foam: 3 Methods

Method 1: Handheld Frother (Easiest)

1. Pour 60–80ml of cold milk into a small jar or jug
2. Add a pinch of sugar or a dash of vanilla if desired
3. Submerge the frother just below the surface and froth for 20–30 seconds
4. The foam should be thick and hold its shape — spoon it over your cold brew

Method 2: French Press

1. Pour cold milk into your French press (fill no more than one-third)
2. Pump the plunger up and down vigorously for 30–45 seconds
3. The milk will double in volume and become thick and frothy
4. Spoon directly onto your iced cold brew

Method 3: Blender or Jar Shake

1. Add cold milk to a blender or sealed jar (half full)
2. Blend on high for 20 seconds, or shake the jar vigorously for 45–60 seconds
3. Pour carefully over the back of a spoon onto your cold brew to keep the layers distinct

Which Milk Works Best for Cold Foam?

The fat and protein content of your milk affects how well it foams:

• Full cream dairy milk — produces the richest, most stable foam
• Barista oat milk — our top pick for a dairy-free option; froths beautifully and has a naturally sweet flavour that complements cold brew perfectly
• Skim milk — creates a lighter, airier foam but less creamy
• Almond or soy milk — can work but results vary; barista-blend versions perform better

Flavoured Cold Foam Ideas

Once you've mastered the basic cold foam, try these variations:

• Vanilla sweet cream foam — add a splash of vanilla extract and a teaspoon of sugar
• Salted caramel foam — mix in a teaspoon of caramel sauce and a tiny pinch of sea salt
• Coconut cold foam — use chilled coconut cream for a tropical twist
• Honey oat foam — a drizzle of honey in barista oat milk is a Gold Coast favourite

The Kirra Cold Brew Foam Recipe

Our signature serve is simple and stunning:

1. Fill a glass with ice
2. Pour 200ml of Kirra Cold Brew 350ml over the ice
3. Froth 60ml of barista oat milk using your preferred method
4. Spoon the cold foam gently over the top
5. Optional: dust with cinnamon or cacao powder

For more signature Kirra recipes, visit our Brew Book.

Tips for Perfect Cold Foam Every Time

• Keep everything cold — warm milk won't foam as well; chill your jug if possible
• Don't overfill — milk expands significantly when frothed, so start with less than you think you need
• Use fresh milk — older milk doesn't foam as reliably
• Pour slowly — use the back of a spoon to float the foam on top for that café-style layered look

Cold foam is one of those small upgrades that makes your at-home cold brew feel genuinely café-quality. Paired with a bottle of Kirra Cold Brew concentrate, it's the ultimate Gold Coast morning ritual.

Ready to try it? Shop Kirra Cold Brew and bring the Gold Coast to your kitchen.