*This post may include affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission for purchases made through links in this post at no additional cost to you. Please read my full disclosure here.

This homemade Mandarin Orange Cream Cold Foam is made with just three simple ingredients and comes together in minutes. Spoon it over cold brew, iced coffee, or an iced latte for a bright citrus twist.

When I saw the new Orange Cream Cold Brew at Starbucks, I wanted to try making my own version of orange cream cold foam at home. Starbucks recently added orange cream drinks to its summer menu, pairing mandarin and tangerine flavors with vanilla.

Since I already had my homemade Mandarin Orange Simple Syrup, it seemed like the perfect place to start!

There’s something about orange and cream that immediately reminds me of an orange creamsicle, but this cold foam has a fresher citrus flavor from the homemade syrup. Topped with a little fresh orange zest, it’s especially good over iced coffee on a sunny late-summer afternoon.

And if you’ve already made a batch of Mandarin Orange Simple Syrup, you only need two tablespoons of it to make the cold foam.

Mandarin Orange Cream Cold Foam with orange zest floating on top of an iced coffee

What Is Orange Cream Cold Foam?

Cold foam is a light, frothy topping for cold drinks. This version combines cold half-and-half with mandarin orange simple syrup and a little vanilla extract. Once frothed, it becomes thick and airy enough to float on top of your iced coffee.

The orange syrup provides both sweetness and fresh citrus flavor, while the vanilla softens and rounds out the orange. A little fresh orange zest over the finished drink adds color and even more orange aroma.

Starbucks uses orange cream cold foam in its Orange Cream Cold Brew, which combines cold brew with orange cream cold foam and orange and vanilla flavors. This homemade version is an easy way to make a similar orange-and-cream coffee combination in your own kitchen using homemade mandarin orange syrup!

Kitchen Tools and Equipment

You only need a few basic tools to make this cold foam:

Milk frother with a cold foam setting
Measuring cup
Measuring spoons
Microplane or citrus zester

I use my Nespresso Aeroccino to make cold foam, but another milk frother with a cold setting should work too. If you’re looking for recommendations for ingredients or kitchen equipment, check out the Recipe Resources section near the bottom of this post.

Ingredients

Half-and-half – I use cold half-and-half as the base. It gives the foam a creamy texture without needing separate measurements of milk and heavy cream.
Mandarin Orange Simple Syrup – My homemade syrup is made with fresh mandarin juice and zest. You’ll need 2 tablespoons for one batch of cold foam.
Vanilla extract – you only need ¼ teaspoon. The vanilla rounds out the orange flavor without requiring a second flavored syrup.
Orange zest – This is technically an optional fourth ingredient, but I love adding a little fresh zest over the finished drink for color and extra orange aroma.

Mandarin Orange Cream Cold Foam topped with orange zest floating on iced coffee

How to Make Mandarin Orange Cream Cold Foam

Add ⅓ cup cold half-and-half, 2 tablespoons Mandarin Orange Simple Syrup, and ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract to an Aeroccino or milk frother.
Froth using the cold foam setting until the mixture is thick and airy.
Pour or spoon the cold foam over cold brew, iced coffee, or an iced latte.
Finish with a little fresh orange zest over the top and serve right away.

How to Make an Orange Cream Cold Brew

To make an orange cream cold brew, pour cold brew coffee over ice and top it with the Mandarin Orange Cream Cold Foam. A couple of good store-bought options I like are STōK and Starbucks cold brew concentrate. You can also make your own overnight cold brew at home.

Since the mandarin orange simple syrup already sweetens the foam, taste the finished coffee before adding any additional sweetener. Some of the foam will naturally mix into the coffee, adding sweetness along with vanilla and fresh orange flavor.

Tips for the Best Cold Foam

Start with cold half-and-half. Keeping it chilled helps create a better cold foam texture.
Use the cold setting on your frother. I use a Nespresso Aeroccino, but another milk frother with a cold-foam setting should work as well.
Add the zest after frothing. Sprinkle it directly over the finished drink rather than mixing it into the frother. This keeps the foam smooth and gives you that fresh orange aroma.
You don’t need vanilla syrup. A small amount of vanilla extract gives the foam a hint of vanilla without requiring you to make or buy another flavored syrup.
Serve it right away. The foam is at its best when freshly frothed and spooned over a cold drink.

Mandarin Orange Cream Cold Foam after frothing with an Aeroccino

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make orange cream cold foam with half-and-half?

Yes. In fact, that’s how I make this recipe. Using half-and-half keeps the ingredient list simple because you don’t need to measure milk and heavy cream separately. For the best foam, make sure the half-and-half is cold before frothing.

Do I need heavy cream to make cold foam?

No. This recipe was tested with half-and-half rather than a mixture of heavy cream and milk. The half-and-half froths into a thick, creamy foam on the cold setting of my Nespresso Aeroccino.

Can I make orange cream cold foam without vanilla syrup?

Yes. This recipe uses vanilla extract instead of vanilla syrup. Since the Mandarin Orange Simple Syrup already provides sweetness, adding vanilla extract gives you the vanilla flavor without requiring a second syrup.

What kind of orange syrup should I use?

I use my homemade Mandarin Orange Simple Syrup, which is made with fresh mandarin juice and zest. The fresh citrus in the syrup is what gives this cold foam its orange flavor. You can also use store-bought orange syrup if you’re short on time (I like Monin syrups).

Can I make cold foam without an Aeroccino?

Yes. You don’t specifically need an Aeroccino. A milk frother that can froth without heating should work. The final texture may vary depending on the frother you use.