Copycat Dutch Bros Golden Eagle

Skip the coffee-shop run and make a Copycat Dutch Bros Golden Eagle right at home! This creamy caramel and vanilla breve combines bold espresso, half-and-half, vanilla syrup, and caramel sauce for an indulgent coffee that’s incredibly easy to make.

Serve it hot for a cozy morning or pour it over ice for a refreshing coffee-shop treat.

And don’t forget the caramel drizzle.

If caramel is usually your first choice on the coffee menu, this homemade Golden Eagle may become your new favorite.

Why You’ll Love This Copycat Golden Eagle

The Golden Eagle is proof that you don’t need a complicated list of flavors to make a seriously good coffee.

Caramel and vanilla do all the work.

You’ll love this homemade version because it’s:

• Ready in about 5 minutes
• Rich and creamy
• Packed with caramel and vanilla flavor
• Delicious hot or iced
• Easy to customize
• Made with simple ingredients
• Easy to make without an espresso machine
• Less expensive than a coffee-shop drink

It also works all year long, so this isn’t one you’ll stop making once fall is over.

Ingredients

For the Golden Eagle

• 2 shots espresso
• 1 tablespoon vanilla syrup
• 1 tablespoon caramel sauce
• 1 cup half-and-half
• Ice, for the iced version

For Topping

• Whipped cream, optional
• Caramel sauce

How to Make a Copycat Dutch Bros Golden Eagle

Step 1: Brew the Espresso

Brew two shots of espresso.

While the espresso is still hot, pour it into a mug or heat-safe glass.

Step 2: Add Vanilla

Add the vanilla syrup to the espresso.

Stir until combined.

Step 3: Add Caramel

Add the caramel sauce.

Stir while the espresso is still hot so the caramel melts completely into the coffee.

Now you have a sweet caramel-vanilla espresso base.

How to Make an Iced Golden Eagle

Step 4: Fill Your Glass With Ice

Fill a tall glass approximately three-quarters full with ice.

Step 5: Add Half-and-Half

Pour the cold half-and-half over the ice.

Step 6: Add the Espresso

Slowly pour the caramel-vanilla espresso over the half-and-half.

You can leave it layered for that beautiful coffee-shop look before stirring.

Step 7: Add Caramel

Drizzle caramel sauce over the top.

Add whipped cream first if you’d like an extra-indulgent drink.

Serve immediately.

How to Make a Hot Golden Eagle

Want something cozy instead?

Prepare the espresso, vanilla, and caramel as directed.

Heat the half-and-half in a small saucepan over medium-low heat until hot and steaming.

Do not boil.

Froth the warm half-and-half with a handheld milk frother.

Slowly pour it over the espresso.

Top with whipped cream and caramel drizzle if desired.

Serve immediately.

What Is a Breve?

A breve is similar to a latte, but instead of regular milk, it’s made with half-and-half.

That one substitution makes a huge difference.

Half-and-half contains more fat than milk, so a breve is richer, thicker, and creamier than a traditional latte.

It’s definitely an indulgent coffee drink.

What Does a Golden Eagle Taste Like?

The Golden Eagle combines two classic coffee flavors: caramel and vanilla.

Vanilla adds smooth sweetness.

Caramel adds a deeper, buttery flavor.

Espresso keeps everything from becoming overwhelmingly sweet, while half-and-half makes the drink incredibly creamy.

Think caramel vanilla latte—but richer.

What Caramel Sauce Should I Use?

Use any caramel sauce that you enjoy.

A thicker caramel dessert or coffee sauce works especially well because you can mix it into the espresso and drizzle it over the finished drink.

Store-bought caramel works perfectly.

You can also use homemade caramel sauce.

Can I Use Caramel Syrup?

Yes.

Caramel syrup is generally thinner than caramel sauce and will dissolve very easily into your coffee.

However, caramel sauce gives the drink a richer flavor and makes a much better drizzle.

You can even use caramel syrup inside the drink and caramel sauce on top.

What Vanilla Syrup Should I Use?

Any coffee-style vanilla syrup works.

You can use regular vanilla syrup, sugar-free vanilla syrup, or homemade vanilla syrup.

Homemade Vanilla Syrup

Want to make your own?

You’ll need:

• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Combine the sugar and water in a small saucepan.

Heat over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves.

Remove from the heat and stir in vanilla.

Allow to cool completely.

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Do I Need an Espresso Machine?

No.

An espresso machine gives you the closest coffee-shop experience, but you have several alternatives.

Try:

• A Nespresso-style machine
• A moka pot
• Instant espresso
• Strong brewed coffee

If you’re using regular coffee, make it stronger than normal.

Use approximately 1/2 cup strongly brewed coffee in place of the two espresso shots.

Why Half-and-Half?

Half-and-half is what makes this drink a breve rather than a regular latte.

It creates a much richer and creamier drink.

But you absolutely don’t have to use it.

Can I Use Regular Milk?

Yes.

Whole milk will still give you a creamy drink.

You can also use:

• 2% milk
• Skim milk
• Oat milk
• Almond milk
• Soy milk
• Coconut milk

Technically it won’t be a traditional breve anymore, but it will still taste delicious.

Make It Dairy-Free

Use your favorite creamy plant-based milk.

Oat milk works especially well.

You’ll also need to make sure your caramel sauce and whipped topping are dairy-free.

Traditional caramel sauces frequently contain butter or cream, so check the label.

Make It Extra Caramel

Caramel lovers, you know what to do.

Drizzle caramel around the inside of the glass before adding your ice.

Increase the caramel mixed into the espresso.

Finish with whipped cream and another generous caramel drizzle.

Make It Extra Vanilla

Add another teaspoon or two of vanilla syrup.

You can also add vanilla sweet cream cold foam to an iced Golden Eagle.

Make It Less Sweet

Reduce both the caramel and vanilla.

Start with 1/2 tablespoon of each.

Taste the finished drink and add more if needed.

Make It Sweeter

Increase the vanilla syrup or caramel sauce.

You can also add caramel around the inside of your glass.

Just remember that caramel sauce varies quite a bit in sweetness between brands.

Make a Salted Caramel Golden Eagle

Add a tiny pinch of flaky sea salt to the caramel espresso.

Finish with caramel drizzle and another couple flakes of sea salt.

The salt helps balance the sweetness and brings out the caramel flavor.

Make a Pumpkin Golden Eagle

This one’s perfect for September.

Add 1 tablespoon pumpkin puree and a pinch of pumpkin pie spice to the hot espresso.

Stir very well.

Add vanilla and caramel.

Prepare the drink hot or iced as directed.

Top with whipped cream, caramel, and pumpkin pie spice.

Make a Maple Golden Eagle

Replace part of the vanilla syrup with pure maple syrup.

Maple, caramel, espresso, and cream create an especially cozy fall variation.

Make a Golden Eagle Mocha

Chocolate makes almost everything better.

Add 1 tablespoon chocolate sauce to the hot espresso.

Stir in the caramel and vanilla.

Add half-and-half.

Finish with whipped cream, caramel drizzle, and chocolate drizzle.

Add Cold Foam

For an iced version, top your drink with vanilla sweet cream cold foam.

Combine:

• 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 1 tablespoon vanilla syrup

Froth until thick but still pourable.

Spoon it over your finished drink and add caramel drizzle.

Make Coffee Ice Cubes

Want to keep your iced Golden Eagle from getting watered down?

Freeze leftover coffee in an ice cube tray.

Use the frozen coffee cubes instead of regular ice.

As they melt, they’ll add more coffee rather than water.

What to Serve With a Golden Eagle

This rich coffee pairs beautifully with:

• Cinnamon rolls
• Caramel rolls
• Coffee cake
• Apple cider donuts
• Banana bread
• Pumpkin muffins
• Chocolate chip cookies
• Croissants
• Maple donuts
• Snickerdoodle cookies
• Apple muffins

Because the drink itself is fairly rich, it’s also great with a simple butter croissant.

Tips for the Best Homemade Golden Eagle

Add caramel while the espresso is hot. It blends much more easily.

Use strong espresso. You need enough coffee flavor to balance the half-and-half.

Use cold half-and-half for iced drinks. This keeps the ice from melting too quickly.

Don’t boil half-and-half. For the hot version, heat it only until steaming.

Start with less syrup. You can always add more.

Drizzle caramel last. That’s the best part.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is a Golden Eagle?

A Golden Eagle is a caramel-and-vanilla breve-style coffee drink that can be served hot or iced.

What Is a Breve?

A breve is an espresso drink made with half-and-half instead of regular milk.

Does a Golden Eagle Have Coffee?

Yes. This recipe uses two shots of espresso.

Does It Have Caffeine?

Yes, when made with regular espresso.

Can I Make It Decaf?

Absolutely.

Use decaffeinated espresso.

Can I Make It Iced?

Yes! It’s delicious over ice.

Can I Use Regular Milk?

Absolutely. It won’t technically be a traditional breve, but the drink will still be delicious.

Can I Make It Dairy-Free?

Yes. Use plant-based milk and dairy-free caramel and toppings.

Copycat Dutch Bros Golden Eagle

Sometimes you just want a coffee that’s rich, creamy, sweet, and loaded with caramel.

This Copycat Dutch Bros Golden Eagle delivers exactly that.

Bold espresso, vanilla, caramel, and half-and-half come together in a coffee-shop-inspired drink that takes only minutes to make at home.

Serve it iced while September is hanging onto summer.

Make it hot when those chilly mornings finally arrive.

Either way, don’t forget that caramel drizzle.