Description
A cozy Brown Sugar Oatmilk Cortado with homemade brown sugar syrup, rich espresso, and creamy oat milk. Perfect for a comforting coffee treat!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt (optional, but recommended)
- Double shot of espresso (approximately 2 ounces)
- 4–6 ounces oat milk (or more, to taste)
- Ice cubes (optional, for iced cortado)
- Pinch of ground cinnamon (for garnish, optional)
Instructions
- Combine Sugar and Water: In a medium saucepan, combine the packed light brown sugar and water.
- Simmer the Mixture: Place the saucepan over medium heat. Stir continuously until the brown sugar is completely dissolved in the water.
- Reduce and Thicken: Once the sugar is dissolved, bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Reduce the heat slightly if needed to maintain a simmer, not a rolling boil. Let it simmer for about 5-7 minutes, or until the syrup has thickened slightly.
- Incorporate Vanilla and Salt: Remove the saucepan from the heat. Stir in the vanilla extract and sea salt (if using).
- Cool Completely: Allow the brown sugar syrup to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. This usually takes about 30 minutes to an hour.
- Store Properly: Once cooled, transfer the syrup to a clean, airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
- Grind Your Beans: Start with freshly roasted coffee beans. Grind them to a fine consistency suitable for espresso.
- Tamp the Grounds: If using an espresso machine, dose the ground coffee into the portafilter and tamp it firmly and evenly.
- Pull the Shot: Insert the portafilter into the espresso machine and pull a double shot of espresso (approximately 2 ounces). The extraction should take around 25-30 seconds.
- Alternative Espresso Methods: If you don’t have an espresso machine, you can use a Moka pot or an Aeropress to make a concentrated coffee that will work as a substitute.
- Prepare Your Glass: Choose a small glass or cup, typically around 4-6 ounces in size.
- Add Brown Sugar Syrup: Pour 1-2 tablespoons of the brown sugar syrup into the bottom of the glass. Adjust the amount to your desired level of sweetness.
- Steam the Oat Milk: Steam the oat milk until it is warm and slightly frothy. If you don’t have a milk frother, you can heat the oat milk in a saucepan over medium heat, whisking constantly to create some froth.
- Pour the Oat Milk: Gently pour the steamed oat milk over the brown sugar syrup. Leave a little room at the top for the espresso.
- Add the Espresso: Slowly pour the double shot of espresso over the oat milk.
- Optional: Add Ice: If you prefer an iced cortado, add ice cubes to the glass before pouring in the brown sugar syrup, oat milk, and espresso.
- Garnish (Optional): Sprinkle a pinch of ground cinnamon on top for a warm and inviting aroma and flavor.
- Stir and Enjoy: Gently stir the cortado to combine the flavors. Take a sip and savor the rich, sweet, and slightly nutty taste of the brown sugar oatmilk cortado.
Notes
- Adjusting Sweetness: The amount of brown sugar syrup can be adjusted to your personal preference.
- Type of Oat Milk: Different brands of oat milk have varying levels of sweetness and creaminess. Barista-style oat milk is often preferred.
- Spice Variations: Experiment with different spices in the brown sugar syrup like cinnamon, nutmeg, or cardamom.
- Alternative Sweeteners: You can use coconut sugar or maple syrup in place of brown sugar.
- Dairy-Free Whipped Cream: For an extra decadent treat, top your cortado with dairy-free whipped cream.
- Cold Brew Cortado: For a refreshing twist, use cold brew concentrate instead of espresso.
- Brown Sugar Oatmilk Latte: If you prefer a larger drink, simply increase the amount of oat milk to create a latte.
- Syrup Too Thick: If your brown sugar syrup becomes too thick after cooling, simply add a tablespoon or two of water and gently heat it until it thins out.
- Espresso Too Bitter: If your espresso is too bitter, try using a coarser grind or reducing the extraction time.
- Oat Milk Not Steaming Well: Make sure your oat milk is cold before steaming it. Also, use a barista-style oat milk for best results.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes