How to Make Cold Foam at Home + 3 Viral Recipes

You've seen it all over your feed - that thick, glossy cloud of sweet cream sitting on top of an iced coffee, slowly sinking into the drink as you sip. Cold foam is the coffee trend of the moment, cafés are charging a premium for it, and here's the secret: it takes about ten seconds and a handheld whisk to make at home. Here's how, plus the three viral recipes worth trying first.

What is cold foam?

Cold foam is exactly what it sounds like - milk or cream whipped cold into a light, airy foam that holds its shape on top of an iced drink. Unlike hot milk froth, it's made without heat, so it stays thick and spoonable and floats beautifully on cold brew, iced lattes and iced matcha. Sweeten it, flavour it, and you've got a café-worthy drink for a fraction of the price.

The only tool you need

You don't need a fancy machine - just a rechargeable milk frother, a cup and about ten seconds. A handheld whisk whips small batches to the perfect texture far faster than shaking a jar, and it's cordless so you can do it anywhere. The basic method is always the same:

1. Add your cold cream, milk and flavouring to a tall cup or jug.
2. Whisk for 15–20 seconds until it thickens and turns glossy and cloud-like.
3. Pour it slowly over the back of a spoon onto your iced drink so it floats on top.

That's it. Now for the fun part.

1. Classic Sweet Vanilla Cold Foam

The one that started it all, and the base every other recipe builds on. Add a pinch of sea salt and you've got the "salted vanilla" version that's everywhere right now.

You'll need:

• 3 tbsp (45ml) cold thickened / heavy cream
• 2 tbsp (30ml) milk
• 1 tbsp (15ml) vanilla syrup (or 1-2 tsp sugar + a splash of vanilla)
• Optional: a tiny pinch of sea salt

Method: Combine everything in a cup and whisk 15-20 seconds until thick and glossy. Pour over iced coffee or cold brew. Sweet, silky, and dangerously easy.

2. Coconut Cold Foam

Tropical, creamy and a favourite for anyone avoiding dairy - swap the cream for chilled coconut cream and it's completely dairy-free. Gorgeous over an iced latte or an iced matcha.

You'll need:

• ½ cup (125ml) cold thickened cream or chilled coconut cream
• 1 tbsp (15ml) milk (dairy or barista oat)
• 1 tbsp (15ml) coconut syrup (or to taste)

Method: Whisk until fluffy and thick, then pour over your favourite iced drink. Add a splash of vanilla for a "coconut vanilla" version, or spoon it over an iced matcha for a coconut-matcha combo that's having a big moment.

3. Strawberry Matcha Cold Foam

The viral "strawberry cloud" - a pink strawberry foam floating on a vivid green iced matcha. It's as pretty as it is delicious

You'll need:

• 3 tbsp (45ml) cold thickened cream
• 1 tbsp (15ml) milk
• 1-2 tbsp (15-30ml) strawberry purée (blend fresh or frozen strawberries) or a spoon of good strawberry jam
• 1 tsp sugar or vanilla syrup, to taste

Method: Whisk everything together until it turns thick and pale pink. Prepare an iced matcha latte (whisk matcha with a little water, pour over milk and ice), then float the strawberry foam on top. Strawberry, matcha and cream is a genuinely beautiful combination - and it photographs like a dream.

Tips for perfect cold foam every time

• Start cold. Cold cream whips thicker and holds longer. Straight from the fridge is best.
• Don't overdo it. Whisk until it's thick and glossy but stop before it turns into whipped cream - a few seconds too long and you'll lose that pourable, cloud-like texture.
• Adjust the richness. More cream = thicker, richer foam; more milk = lighter and more pourable. Tune it to your taste.
• Batch it. Make a bigger batch of the sweet cream base, keep it in the fridge for up to 3–5 days, and give it a quick whisk each morning. Café mornings, sorted.
• Pour slowly. Over the back of a spoon, so the foam settles on top instead of sinking straight in.

The bottom line

Cold foam is the rare coffee trend that's genuinely easy to recreate at home - and once you can make the base, the flavour combinations are endless. A rechargeable whisk pays for itself in a couple of café visits, and turns your kitchen into your favourite coffee shop. Grab one, chill some cream, and start with the sweet vanilla - you'll be inventing your own recipes by the weekend.

Everything here is made with our Rechargeable Milk Frother & Cold Foam Whisk - cordless, one-touch, and dispatched daily from NSW.