The Best Type Of Milk For Homemade Cold Foam

Cold foam is the chilled alternative to hot steamed foam that is commonly found in the well-loved cappuccino. Unlike steamed foam, cold foam is airy, frothy, and resembles a cloud on the top of your iced drink, slowly seeping into the coffee as you drink it. Yum. But with all the milk options out there, which is best for homemade cold foam?

The best milk to use when making cold foam is skim milk. Not only does it offer a smooth texture and excellent mouthfeel, but skim milk also helps the foam to stay on the top of the coffee longer. Extra fat and cream don't weigh skim milk down and create an amazing foam that is equal parts pourable and fluffy. This is also why it is a good idea to avoid milk with higher fat content such as whole milk when making cold foam as it will produce a dense and creamy topper.

A simple way to froth cold milk at home is by shaking it in a closed container. But if you are feeling a bit fancier and want minimal effort, try using a milk frother. Frothers are fun to use and relatively cheap as well.

If you are lactose intolerant, allergic, or simply do not like skim milk, don't fret. Almond milk is a great alternative to skim milk, especially when frothed at room temperature.

When looking for non-dairy milk to froth, check the ingredients to see if they have added thickeners that can help with the frothing process (it may even say "barista blend" on the label) and avoid high-fat non-dairy products. For example, coconut milk won't produce the long-lasting and cloud-like texture of skim milk due to its high fat content.

If you want to take your skim milk cold foam to the next level, try adding a flavored syrup like vanilla or caramel into the milk before you froth to create a yummy flavored-infused cold foam. And for a final touch on the perfect cold coffee, top it off with a sprinkle of cocoa powder.