This toasted vanilla shaken espresso recipe is a copycat version of the popular Starbucks iced toasted vanilla oatmilk shaken espresso. It combines freshly brewed espresso, homemade toasted vanilla syrup, and creamy oat milk for a refreshing coffee drink that tastes just like the café version.

Shaking the espresso with ice creates the signature frothy texture that makes shaken espresso drinks so popular. With just a few simple ingredients, you can easily recreate this Starbucks favorite at home.

close up of starbucks toasted vanilla shaken espresso

Quick Recipe Snapshot

Prep time: 5 minutes
Servings: 1 drink
Difficulty: Easy

What Is a Shaken Espresso?

A shaken espresso is an iced coffee drink made by shaking freshly brewed espresso with ice and flavored syrup. The shaking process chills the espresso quickly and creates a light foam that gives the drink its signature texture.

Starbucks popularized this style of drink with their Iced Shaken Espresso lineup, including the Toasted Vanilla Oatmilk Shaken Espresso, which combines espresso with toasted vanilla syrup and oat milk.

What Is a Toasted Vanilla Shaken Espresso?

The toasted vanilla shaken espresso is a Starbucks drink made with espresso, toasted vanilla syrup, ice, and oat milk.

The toasted vanilla syrup gives the drink a warm caramelized vanilla flavor that pairs perfectly with the bold taste of espresso. When shaken with ice, the espresso becomes frothy and smooth before being topped with creamy oat milk.

This homemade version recreates the same flavors using a simple toasted vanilla syrup made from vanilla beans, sugar, and water.

Ingredients for Toasted Vanilla Syrup

Scroll down to the recipe card for full measurements.

Vanilla Bean Pod: has a strong vanilla flavor with hints of nutmeg and spice.
Granulated Sugar: adds sweetness and texture to your vanilla syrup you can use brown sugar as a substitute.
Vanilla Bean Paste: gives a rich vanilla flavor to your toasted syrup while adding in real specks of the vanilla pod.
Water: is the liquid component of this syrup, be sure not to add too much, or your syrup will come out more of a flavored water.

Ingredients for the Vanilla Shaken Espresso

Espresso: I prefer to make my own fresh shot of espresso for this drink, but you can buy premade espresso shots as well. Starbucks Doubleshot is my favorite, which you can find at your local grocery store.
Toasted Vanilla Syrup: You will find this recipe above. This syrup is ideal for this drink; you can also use store-bought or substitute for regular vanilla syrup for a similar flavor.
Oat Milk: This recipe calls for oat milk, but you're welcome to use any other plant-based milk that you have. Oatmilk will make the creamiest drink.

How to Make Toasted Vanilla Syrup

Slice the vanilla bean in half lengthwise to allow the filling to come out when making the syrup. Slice into smaller pieces and place in a medium saucepan. Toast the vanilla beans over medium-low heat for 1-2 minutes. Make sure to stir occasionally to keep it from burning.
Pour the water, sugar, and vanilla bean paste over it and bring to a boil. Lower the heat to simmer and let the mixture infuse for 8-10 minutes.
Store the syrup in a heat-proof mason jar or glass container and let it cool down fully. Keep the vanilla pieces in the syrup to continue infusing our syrup. When using the syrup, don't add in the vanilla bean pods into the drink.

vanilla bean on cutting board with knife

water, sugar, and vanilla in a pot boiling

How to Make a Toasted Vanilla Shaken Espresso

Add the freshly brewed espresso shots, toasted vanilla syrup, and ice into a mason jar or a cocktail shaker. Tightly close the jar or the cocktail shaker and shake for 20-30 seconds until the espresso is chilled and frothy.
Pour into an ice-filled glass, top with your preferred oat milk and enjoy!

finished drink sitting in a cup with ice

Variations

Change the milk. One of the most simple ways to change this drink is to switch up the milk. Oat milk is one of the best when it comes to shaken drinks, but you can use any milk that you prefer.

Change the syrup. You can always use this recipe and switch out the syrup for a different flavored syrup. Classic vanilla flavor, marshmallow, and cinnamon dolce are all great choices!

Change the espresso. Depending on how strong of a coffee flavor you like, you can change up the different types of espresso shots you use. If you want a milder taste, stick to blonde. If you want more coffee flavor, use dark roasted.

Expert Tip

For the best texture, shake the espresso vigorously with ice before adding the milk. This creates the signature frothy top that shaken espresso drinks are known for.

overhead shot of starbucks toasted vanilla shaken espresso

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make my Shaken Espresso Hot?

I do not recommend making this drink hot. You would not get the same result. The "shaken" technique of the drink is what makes it mixed and extra cold. If you want a "hot version" of this beverage, try adding your homemade toasted vanilla syrup and oat milk to an americano or latte.

What Does Toasted Vanilla Taste Like?

Toasted vanilla has a deeper and slightly caramelized flavor compared to regular vanilla. It adds warm, sweet notes that pair well with espresso and milk, which is why it works so well in shaken espresso drinks.

What Should I Serve It With?

Try pairing your delicious coffee with another homemade copycat recipe: