Copycat Iced Sugar Cookie Breve Recipe (Starbucks)

Creating a homemade version of Iced Sugar Cookie Breve feels like welcoming a familiar friend into your kitchen. Each step becomes an opportunity to stir in your own memories, your own rhythm, your own love for desserts that speak to the soul. 

What Is An Iced Sugar Cookie Breve? 

An Iced Sugar Cookie Breve is a type of espresso drink made with half-and-half (a mix of whole milk and light cream) instead of regular milk or cream.

Ingredients:

For The Sugar Cookie Syrup:

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup water
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon almond extract
• ½ teaspoon butter extract
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 pinch of ground nutmeg
• 1 pinch of ground cinnamon

For The Drink:

• 1–2 shots of freshly brewed espresso
• ½ cup half-and-half (breve base)
• 3–5 tablespoons sugar cookie syrup (adjust for your preferred sweetness level)
• Ice cubes
• Optional toppings: whipped cream, festive sprinkles, a crumble of sugar cookies, or a light swirl of caramel

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Sugar Cookie Syrup: Bring the water and both types of sugar to a gentle simmer in a small saucepan. Stir occasionally until everything melts into a smooth liquid. Add the vanilla, almond, and butter extracts. Sprinkle in the nutmeg and cinnamon to deepen the cozy flavor. Let the syrup warm for a few minutes, then remove it from the heat and allow it to settle. Once cool, store it in a bottle or jar with a tight lid.
2. Brew the Espresso: Pull fresh espresso shots while the syrup rests. The aroma sets the tone for the drink and supports the sugar cookie flavors beautifully. If you prefer a stronger flavor, use two shots.
3. Assemble the Breve: Fill a tall glass with ice. Pour in the espresso, followed by the sugar cookie syrup. Add the half-and-half slowly, allowing the cream to ripple through the coffee before stirring. The color will turn creamy and festive as the ingredients blend.
4. Add Finishing Touches: A swirl of whipped cream brings cloud-like softness. Sprinkles, cookie pieces, or caramel add personality and charm, making the drink feel like a little celebration in a cup.

Tips For The Best Iced Sugar Cookie Breve:

• Balance the Extracts Thoughtfully: Vanilla, almond, and butter extracts create that unmistakable sugar-cookie flavor. A small amount goes a long way, so measure carefully to keep the flavor gentle and pleasant.
• Cool the Syrup Fully: A cooled syrup blends smoothly into the iced drink and helps maintain a delightful layered texture.
• Use High-Quality Espresso: Fresh espresso enhances the dessert-like flavor of the drink and helps the sugar cookie notes shine. A smooth medium or light roast works beautifully.
• Chill the Half-and-Half: Cold half-and-half keeps the drink refreshing and supports that signature breve creaminess.
• Prepare Extra Syrup for Later: Sugar cookie syrup stays fresh for up to two weeks in the refrigerator, so preparing a larger batch can keep your kitchen ready for more cozy drinks.
• Add a Cookie Rim for Fun: Dipping the rim of the glass in a little syrup and then into crushed sugar cookies adds a playful texture and a bakery-style presentation.

What To Serve Iced Sugar Cookie Breve With

• Soft Bakery-Style Sugar Cookies: Soft sugar cookies echo the flavors in the breve and create a lovely harmony. Their buttery crumb melts alongside the drink’s creamy sweetness. Dipping a corner into the breve creates a nostalgic café-style moment that many people find comforting.
• Almond Biscotti: Almond biscotti offers a crisp texture that feels wonderful beside the Iced Sugar Cookie Breve’s velvety character. The almond notes pair well with the almond extract in the sugar cookie syrup. Enjoying the brief crunch before sipping creates a relaxing rhythm.
• Vanilla Cupcakes with Buttercream: A light vanilla cupcake brings extra softness to the experience. The gentle sweetness in the cake enhances the sugar cookie flavors in the drink. A swirl of buttercream adds a playful, bakery-like finish.
• White Chocolate Chip Blondies: Blondies full of white chocolate create a buttery richness that feels deeply satisfying beside the creamy breve. Their smooth sweetness pairs beautifully with the vanilla and almond warmth in the drink.
• Warm Cinnamon Rolls: A cinnamon roll brings a fragrant, bakery-fresh aroma that makes the iced breve taste even more indulgent. The gentle spice inside the syrup blends nicely with the cinnamon layers in the roll. Serving them together creates a cozy, indulgent treat.
• Shortbread Cookies: Shortbread’s buttery structure pairs elegantly with the sugar cookie flavor. Each bite feels delicate and satisfying. The slight crumble adds a pleasant texture that supports slow, mindful enjoyment.
• Butter Croissants: A soft, flaky croissant feels luxurious beside an Iced Sugar Cookie Breve. The layers absorb the sweet aroma of the drink when enjoyed together. The pastry creates a light, airy balance that makes the drink feel even more special.
• Fresh Fruit Bowls: A bowl of strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, or peaches adds a bright, refreshing touch. Their natural sweetness highlights the flavor of the breve and adds a colorful element to the serving experience. Pairing fruit with the drink creates a beautiful morning or brunch moment.
• Oatmeal Cream Pies: These soft, nostalgic treats pair wonderfully with the sugar cookie flavors. Their creamy filling blends with the vanilla notes in the breve. Together, they create a sweet, comforting pairing that feels playful and fun.
• Mini Cheesecakes: Mini cheesecakes bring a smooth, velvety richness that aligns with the beverage’s creamy body. The mild tang of the cheesecake highlights the cookie-inspired sweetness of the drink in a comforting, bakery-café style combination.

Substitute Ingredients:

Substitutes For The Half-and-Half (Breve Base):

• Heavy Cream + Milk: Mix equal parts of heavy cream and whole milk. This combination forms a velvety texture that feels satisfying in an iced drink.
• Full-Fat Oat Milk: Oat milk brings natural body and a silky finish. A barista-style version supports stable foam and smooth blending.
• Coconut Milk (Canned, Well-Shaken): Canned coconut milk adds a thick, creamy base that pairs beautifully with sugar-cookie flavors. Its subtle aroma creates a gentle warmth in the drink.
• Almond Milk + Spoonful of Cream: Almond milk becomes more luxurious when combined with a small amount of cream. This enhances flavor while keeping the drink light and smooth.

Substitutes For Espresso:

• Strong Brewed Coffee: Use a concentrated cup of coffee brewed with a rich medium roast. This gives the drink a mellow, comforting base.
• Cold Brew Concentrate: Cold brew concentrate brings a smooth, low-acidity flavor that pairs softly with sugar-cookie notes.
• Instant Espresso Powder: Mix high-quality espresso powder with hot water for a flavorful substitute. It blends beautifully into the syrup and cream.

Substitutes For The Sugar Cookie Syrup Ingredients:

Sugar Substitutes:

• Maple syrup:  provides a warm, caramel-like sweetness
• Honey: adds a floral sweetness that blends well
• Brown sugar: deepens the cookie profile with molasses notes
• Coconut sugar: creates a gentle, earthy sweetness

Extract Substitutes:

• Vanilla bean paste in place of vanilla extract
• Imitation almond flavor for almond extract
• A touch of melted butter for butter extract
• White chocolate syrup for a richer bakery-style sweetness

Spice Alternatives:

• A pinch of allspice
• A light dusting of cardamom
• A splash of sugar-cookie creamer to replace the spice layer

Substitutes for Ice:

• Coffee Ice Cubes: Freeze leftover coffee in trays. The melting cubes deepen the drink’s flavor instead of watering it down.
• Milk Ice Cubes: Frozen milk supports a creamy texture and adds chill without altering flavor.
• Crushed Ice: Crushed ice creates a café-style texture that pairs well with crema and syrup.

Substitutes For The Breve Flavor Profile:

• White Chocolate Sauce: Creates a smooth, sweet foundation that pairs naturally with espresso.
• Vanilla Bean Creamer: Adds sweetness and a bakery-style aroma when syrup ingredients are limited.
• • Brown Butter Syrup: Brings a rich, nutty cookie flavor with beautiful aromatic depth.
• Almond Milk Creamer: Supports the almond extract notes while bringing a silky body.

Substitutes For The Espresso-to-Cream Ratio:

• For a stronger flavor: Increase espresso by half a shot and add more syrup to balance the cookie profile.
• For a creamier drink: Use additional half-and-half or your chosen substitute to create a fuller, richer sip.
• For a lighter option: Use a milk-forward base such as oat or almond milk with a reduced amount of espresso.

Final Thoughts

Instead of your everyday coffee run, choosing the Breve version elevates your experience. That rich half-and-half base melds beautifully with the bright espresso and that distinctive, buttery sugar cookie flavor. 

More Shakes Recipes:

• Copycat McDonalds Chips Ahoy Frappe Recipe
• Copycat Orgain Chocolate Protein Shake Recipe
• Copycat Dunkin’ Wicked Munchkins Recipe
• Homemade Nutpods Creamer Recipe

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Iced Sugar Cookie Breve

Rating: 5.0/5

( 1 voted )

Serves: 2 Prep Time: 10 Minutes Cooking Time: 0 Minute 0 Minute Nutrition facts: 380 calories 24 grams fat

Ingredients

For The Sugar Cookie Syrup:

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup water
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon almond extract
• ½ teaspoon butter extract
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 pinch of ground nutmeg
• 1 pinch of ground cinnamon

For The Drink:

• 1–2 shots of freshly brewed espresso
• ½ cup half-and-half (breve base)
• 3–5 tablespoons sugar cookie syrup (adjust for your preferred sweetness level)
• Ice cubes
• Optional toppings: whipped cream, festive sprinkles, a crumble of sugar cookies, or a light swirl of caramel

Instructions

1. Prepare the Sugar Cookie Syrup: Bring the water and both types of sugar to a gentle simmer in a small saucepan. Stir occasionally until everything melts into a smooth liquid. Add the vanilla, almond, and butter extracts. Sprinkle in the nutmeg and cinnamon to deepen the cozy flavor. Let the syrup warm for a few minutes, then remove it from the heat and allow it to settle. Once cool, store it in a bottle or jar with a tight lid.
2. Brew the Espresso: Pull fresh espresso shots while the syrup rests. The aroma sets the tone for the drink and supports the sugar cookie flavors beautifully. If you prefer a stronger flavor, use two shots.
3. Assemble the Breve: Fill a tall glass with ice. Pour in the espresso, followed by the sugar cookie syrup. Add the half-and-half slowly, allowing the cream to ripple through the coffee before stirring. The color will turn creamy and festive as the ingredients blend.
4. Add Finishing Touches: A swirl of whipped cream brings cloud-like softness. Sprinkles, cookie pieces, or caramel add personality and charm, making the drink feel like a little celebration in a cup.