How to Froth Cold Milk โ€“ Easy Tips for Barista-Style Foam

4 Methods for Cold Milk Foam: Tips and Tricks

You'll learn how to froth cold milk like a pro! With this step-by-step guide, youโ€™ll get the perfect, creamy froth. Just like skilled barista at top coffee house. We're testing 4 popular methods for making cold milk foam: French press, milk frother, glass jar, and carton. Get helpful tips and tricks for each method, and see which one gives the best results.

By Ksenia
21. October 2024
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Why this recipe is great

In this recipe and step-by-step guide, youโ€™ll find out:

  • The best types of milk for frothing cold drinks
  • Top tips for getting barista-quality foam at home
  • Testing 4 different methods to see which one makes the best cold milk foam!
  • Rating the most popular home methods, from best to worst, based on foam quality and taste

Light and creamy foam that holds its shape.

Can You Froth Cold Milk?

You need frothed milk to make cappuccinos, hot chocolate, lattes, or any coffee drink. In coffee shops, baristas usually use a professional espresso machine and a steam wand to froth milk. They heat the milk to 50-60ยฐC (122-140ยฐF) this way. You’ll find plenty of tips from expert baristas on how to froth milk for hot drinks. And use steamed milk to make hot lattes or cappuccinos.

But when it’s a hot summer day, who wants hot coffee or warm milk? Cold coffee drinks are more refreshing, and you can’t use hot milk or hot foam for cold drinks.

So, can you froth cold milk? The answer is yes, you can froth cold milk for cold coffee drinks. But you need the right milk and the right method. Some methods work better at home than others, and there are a few tricks to get stable, soft foam.

Letโ€™s dive into the secrets of frothing cold milk at home. So you can make your favorite iced latte or iced cappuccino anytime!

Spoon with frothed cold milk over a French press, with iced coffee and milk on the right.

The Best Milk for Cold Frothing

Not all milk froths well.

The type of milk you use matters for frothing. Cold milk doesnโ€™t foam well with whole milk. Skim milk won’t work either because you need a higher fat content.

Low-fat milk is perfect for frothing cold milk. Choose the type with 1.5% fat. Itโ€™s the best option. It creates a stable foam. Higher-fat milk doesnโ€™t work because the fat molecules cause the foam to collapse faster. So the foam doesnโ€™t hold its shape.

Protein is also important. Aim for 3-3.5 grams of protein per 100 grams of milk. If it has less than that, itโ€™s tough to froth and youโ€™ll get dry foam. The foam will not be creamy and smooth. If it has more than 3.5 grams, the foam becomes too thick and sticky.

So, in a nutshell, hereโ€™s what you need to make the perfect foam with cold milk:

  • Use low-fat milk with 3-3.5 grams of protein
  • Donโ€™t use nonfat milk, its fat content is too low
  • Keep it coldโ€”straight from the fridge. Room temperature milk doesnโ€™t work that good. 
  • Avoid boiled milk, and never re-froth the same milk twice.

You can also froth plant-based or non-dairy milks! Almond milk or oat milk is great. Especially the barista versions designed for frothing. Now you know which kinds of milk are best for cold beverages! So, letโ€™s dive into the methods for frothing cold milk at home.

You donโ€™t need fancy equipment to froth cold milk. Letโ€™s try the most popular methods and rate them based on foam quality:

  • French press
  • Handheld milk frother
  • Glass jar
  • Milk carton

How to Froth Cold Milk: Step-by-Step Instructions

Using simple manual frothers at home, you can froth your milk in just a few minutes. Choose the best tool to create smooth and stable foam for your favorite espresso beverages. Letโ€™s test the French press, milk frother, glass jar, and even a carton! Weโ€™ll share tips and tricks for each method and rate the foam quality to find out which one works best.

Method 1: French Press

Letโ€™s start with French Press! Pour cold milk into French press, and donโ€™t fill more than halfway. Froth at the surface of the milk first. Push the plunger down to froth through all the milk, then froth again at the surface. Thatโ€™s the best way to get beautiful, fluffy foam.

Take the plunger out of the French Press. Mix your milk with a spoon and let it rest for 1-2 minutes to form a smooth, airy foam. Look at that creamy texture!

Method 2: Milk Frother

Next is the milk frother. Pour cold milk into a tall glass and foam at an angle. Look how quickly it turns into smooth, airy foam!

Method 3: Glass Jar

The next method is the glass jar. Take a clean, dry jar with a tight lid, fill it one-third to half full of cold milk. Now shake! Youโ€™ll get decent foam. You can use a mason jar. But use a tall one, not a small jar.

If you love sweet foam, add some vanilla flavor before shaking. Or a delicious coffee syrup. Check our recipe for white chocolate syrup for coffee.

Method 4: Milk Carton

And the last method is super easy! Itโ€™s using a milk carton! Yes, you can even froth milk right in the carton! Just pour cold milk into the carton. Fill it halfway or less. Shake. The foam isn’t as good as with the other methods. It has bigger air bubbles, and the texture isn’t very smooth. But itโ€™s a handy quick-fix option if you donโ€™t have any other equipment.

Rating Our Favorite Milk Frothing Methods: Hereโ€™s the Winner!

Our favorite method? Letโ€™s rate the result! Hereโ€™s our star rating from worst to best:

  • First up is the cold milk foam from the carton. It has big bubbles. The foam isnโ€™t very stable. It disappears in about a minute.
  • Next, we have the milk foamed in a bottle. This one is airy with smaller bubbles. But it also doesnโ€™t last longโ€”just 2-3 minutes before it goes flat. 
  • Then, we tried the milk frother. This one is amazing! The milk comes out smooth and airy. Itโ€™s quick and easyโ€”you just hold the frother instead of having to shake a carton or bottle a lot.
  • The French Press is our clear winner! The foam is velvety, smooth, and creamy. Itโ€™s thick but still pourable, with tiny, even bubbles. 

And the best part? Itโ€™s so smooth that you can use it for latte art. Try it next time for your favorite cold coffee beverages. Or, if youโ€™re throwing a party, froth a fluffy batch of milk in a cold pitcher. So everyone can enjoy it with their favorite coffee drink.

Frothing Cold Milk Like a Pro: Tips You Need to Know

  • Only froth the amount of milk you need. Donโ€™t re-froth milk.
  • Donโ€™t use boiled or overheated milk (over 149ยฐF or 65ยฐC). The proteins clump, and the milk wonโ€™t froth.
  • Avoid milk made from powder.
  • Add a teaspoon of syrup or vanilla extract for extra flavor before frothing. Itโ€™ll make your cold milk foam sweet and delicious.

From Coffee to Dessert: Easy Recipes to Enjoy

Now you know how to froth milk for your espresso drinks. But what about adding more flavor? The easiest options are heavy cream, sugar, or vanilla extract. You can also make a simple syrup at home for an extra kick in your drink. Try our easy white chocolate coffee syrup recipe! You only need a few simple ingredients, and you can make a big batch to store in the fridge.

Do you enjoy cold brew coffee? Or maybe youโ€™re looking for an easy iced coffee recipe? Check out our two easy ways to make iced coffee with the perfect mix of coffee and milk. Donโ€™t forget to use our cold milk frothing method for that perfect foam!If youโ€™re craving a delicious dessert to enjoy with your coffee or tea, try our chocolate-covered apple slices recipe. Itโ€™s a perfect snack for a hot summer day, and you can choose your favorite topping. You can also make viral strawberry clusters. You need simple ingredients and can store them in the freezer for a quick snack. And donโ€™t miss our homemade healthy granola bars! Theyโ€™re low in sugar but still sweet, with crunchy chocolate sprinkled on top.

Love frothed milk but want more flavor? Try cinnamon milk! Enjoy it hot or cold. To find out how to froth warm milk with or without cinnamon, check out the best methods in the link.

Do you want to learn how to add cinnamon to milk without residue? You can also add cinnamon to your coffee. Visit our blog for different methods to make your coffee taste and smell deliciously cinnamon.

Close-up of extra creamy cold foam frothed with a French press in the background.

How to Froth Cold Milk – 4 Easiest Methods at Home

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Froth cold milk using French press, milk frother, glass jar, and carton. Check out our ratings for the best cold milk foam!
Servings 2 Servings
Prep Time 2 minutes
Cook Time 3 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes

Equipment

  • French press
  • Milk frother
  • Tall glass jar
  • Milk carton

Ingredients
  

  • 100 g Low-fat milk with 3-3.5 grams of protein and 1.5% fat*

Instructions
 

Method 1: French Press

  • Pour cold milk into your French press, at most halfway. Start by frothing the milk at the surface.
    Frothing cold milk at the surface of a French press to create cold foam.
  • Then, push the plunger down to froth the entire milk. And finish with another round of surface frothing. You'll get light, fluffy foam with a smooth texture.
    Frothing cold milk in a French press.
  • When foam forms, remove the plunger from the French press. Stir milk and foam well and let it sit for 1-2 minutes.
    Cold foam in a French press after frothing.

Method 2: Milk Frother

  • Pour cold milk into a tall glass. Hold the frothing wand at an angle.
    Frothing cold milk with a handheld milk frother.
  • And froth until airy, smooth foam forms.
    Frothing cold milk with a milk frother to create creamy cold foam.

Method 3: Glass Jar

  • Use a tall, clean, dry jar with a tight lid. Fill it one-third to half full with cold milk.
    Pouring cold milk into a glass jar to shake and create cold foam.
  • Then shake until foam forms. You can also add syrup before shaking to flavor your milk.
    Cold foam created by frothing cold milk in a glass jar.

Method 4: Milk Carton

  • Pour cold milk into the carton, fill it halfway or less, and shake.
    Shaking a milk carton to make cold foam.
  • The foam has larger bubbles and a less smooth texture, but itโ€™s a quick fix if you don’t have other tools.
    Close-up of cold foam frothed in a milk carton.

Video

Notes

Important Tips for Great Cold Milk Foam:
  • Use low-fat milk (3-3.5g protein and 1.5% fat)
  • Skip the nonfat milk; it has too little fat
  • Always keep milk cold (right from the fridge)
  • Avoid boiling milk, and donโ€™t re-froth milk youโ€™ve already used
Cold milk foam is perfect only when you choose the right milk. So, donโ€™t skip the tips above.
Check out more tips on choosing the best milk for cold frothing in our blog post.
ย 
Best Method?
The French press is our favorite! Youโ€™ll have thick, creamy foam with tiny, even bubbles. Perfect for that smooth barista-style texture. Ideal for frothy topping!
Check out the full ratings for all the frothing methods mentioned in the blog post above.ย 

Nutrition

Calories: 22kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 2gFat: 0.5gSaturated Fat: 0.3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.01gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 3mgSodium: 20mgPotassium: 80mgSugar: 2gVitamin A: 98IUCalcium: 63mg
Calories: 22kcal
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: American, European, Italian
Keywords: can you froth cold milk, froth cold milk

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