Starbucks Iced Shaken Espresso

Author: Jee Choe

Skip Starbucks and make this Iced Shaken Espresso copycat recipe at home!

4.8 from 24 votes

Prep Time 5

Total Time 5

Course Drinks

Yield serving (16 ounces)

Put simple syrup, espresso, and ice into a cocktail shaker. Shake 10 times.
Use 3 Nespresso Starbucks espresso pods or pull 3 shots from an espresso machine. If you don’t have a cocktail shaker, use a jar with a tight lid.
Pour drink, including the ice, into a cup. Add milk.
Top off with more ice if needed.

1 shot of espresso = 1 Nespresso espresso capsule
To make a 16 ounce (grande) of this Iced Shaken Espresso, you’ll need 3 Nespresso espresso or ristretto capsules.
With the Vertuo machine capsules, only use espresso capsules and not the coffee capsules that make 7.77 ounces.
Any dark roast coffee can be used to make the espresso for this drink but use Starbucks espresso to make it taste more like theirs.
Starbucks uses their classic syrup to sweeten this drink, which is a simple syrup. Make a batch of simple syrup and use it all week to make this drink.
You can use any milk (plant-based or dairy) but 2% is what Starbucks uses as default.
Instead of espresso, you can use instant coffee. Combine 1 ½ tablespoons of instant coffee and ⅓ cup hot water to replace the 3 shots of espresso in the recipe.
Simple syrup is easy to make at home by combining a cup of sugar and a cup of water in a saucepan on the stovetop. Heat on low until sugar completely dissolves. Cool and pour into an airtight glass container and store in the refrigerator. It'll be good for 3-4 weeks.
Starbucks makes theirs with a splash of milk (about ¼ cup) but feel free to add a little more to your liking.
Instead of milk, top off your drink with cold foam.