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If you’ve been loving the Horchata Oatmilk Shaken Espresso from Starbucks like I have, this homemade version is about to become your new favorite. It’s sweet, spiced, and creamy with bold espresso flavor and cozy notes of cinnamon and vanilla. And the best part? It’s dairy-free, easy to make at home, and uses my homemade horchata coffee syrup — made with white rice, cinnamon sticks, and a splash of vanilla.
Whether you’re craving an iced espresso drink on a hot day or just want to recreate your favorite vegan Starbucks copycat drink at home, this Horchata Shaken Espresso hits all the right notes. Stir it into cold brew, espresso, or your favorite plant-based milk for a delicious, barista-worthy treat.
Why You’ll Love This Vegan Horchata Espresso Drink
- A healthier Starbucks copycat recipe you can make at home
- Made with real ingredients and homemade horchata syrup
- Naturally vegan, dairy-free, and gluten-free
- Customizable sweetness and caffeine level
- Perfect for iced coffee lovers and horchata fans alike
What Is a Shaken Espresso?
A shaken espresso is exactly what it sounds like: freshly brewed espresso shaken over ice with sweetener, then topped with milk. The shaking helps rapidly chill the espresso, mellow the bitterness, and create a slightly frothy texture. Starbucks popularized this style, but it’s incredibly easy to recreate at home — no special tools are required.
This version gets a horchata twist with a spiced, rice-based syrup that adds all the warm cinnamon-vanilla flavor of classic Mexican horchata, without the dairy or refined sweeteners.
Tips & Variations
- No espresso machine? Substitute with cold brew concentrate or very strong French press coffee.
- Use any milk you like. Oat milk is the closest match to Starbucks, but almond, soy, or cashew milk work well too.
- Make it frothy. Want extra foam? Add the milk to the shaker along with the espresso and syrup.
- Serve it hot. Skip the ice and warm your milk for a cozy hot horchata latte instead.
More Ways to Use Horchata Syrup
Once you have a batch of horchata syrup in your fridge, the possibilities are endless. Try adding it to:
- Iced lattes and cold brew
- Oatmilk or almond milk for a quick horchata drink
- Pancakes, waffles, or oatmeal for a cinnamon-vanilla twist
- Baked goods or chia pudding as a naturally spiced sweetener
I hope you love this homemade horchata oatmilk shaken espresso recipe! Who needs to drive to the coffee shop when you can make it yourself? Enjoy!
Starbucks-Inspired Horchata Shaken Espresso Recipe
Ingredients
- 2-3 shots espresso, or ½ cup strong brewed coffee or cold brew concentrate
- 1-2 tablespoons homemade horchata syrup, adjust to taste
- ½ cup oat milk or other plant-based milk, use full-fat oat milk for the creamiest result – I use regular unsweetened and still love it!
- Ice
- Optional: Sprinkle of ground cinnamon or cinnamon sugar, for topping
Instructions
- Brew your espresso or coffee. Let it cool for a minute, or use cold brew concentrate for ease.2-3 shots espresso
- Shake the espresso. In a cocktail shaker or mason jar with a tight-fitting lid, add the espresso, horchata syrup, and a handful of ice. Shake vigorously for 10–15 seconds, until chilled and slightly frothy.1-2 tablespoons homemade horchata syrup
- Pour and top. Strain into a glass filled with fresh ice. Pour oat milk over the top and finish with a pinch of cinnamon, if desired.Ice, ½ cup oat milk or other plant-based milk
- Stir and enjoy. Mix to combine and sip your homemade iced horchata latte.Optional: Sprinkle of ground cinnamon or cinnamon sugar
I love this drink!! It’s so easy to make. After trying Starbucks I had to make a homemade version. It’s so good iced or hot. I used oat milk but want to try rice milk too.
Thanks so much for the review, Sarah. Rice milk sounds so good – extra horchata-y!