Irish Cream Breve or Latte (also Dutch Bros Kicker & 911)

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The Irish Cream Breve (also known as a Dutch Bros’ Kicker) is a drink that’s popular at several coffee shops including Dutch Bros, The Human Bean, and Black Rock Coffee Bar. This smooth mix of Irish cream flavor, half and half, and espresso is a drink that can be enjoyed all year long and can be made hot or iced.

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The Irish cream syrup used in this breve is reminiscent of the popular drink, Bailey’s Irish Cream. But, this drink and the accompanying syrup are nonalcoholic but still remind you of that chocolate, vanilla, and creamy flavor that’s popular in Bailey’s.

The Irish Cream Breve is one of the top-ordered drinks at many coffee shops.

At Dutch Bros, though, it is called a “Kicker” and can be ordered iced, hot or blended. And the “9-1-1″ at Dutch Bros is just an Irish Cream Breve with a total of six shots instead of two.

Ingredients

The beauty of this drink is that it’s actually simple to make! It only needs three ingredients:

If you don’t have a way to make espresso at home, you can use cold brew (heat it up!) or double-strength coffee. It won’t be the same, but it will be similar. (If you need help making this drink at home, sign up for my free Quick Start Guide: Lattes at home!)

Half and half is what makes this drink a breve instead of a latte. Espresso drinks made with half and half are called a “breve” while if made with whole, 2%, non-fat or alternative milks are called a “latte.” This is the only difference.

If you aren’t familiar with half and half, it is called that because it’s a mixture of half whole milk and half cream. In the United States, it’s easily found at the grocery store. Using this as the milk base creates a more delicious drink because it contains a higher fat content.

For the flavoring, you will need Irish cream syrup. I have a recipe so that you can make the syrup at home, or you can buy it on Amazon. There is also a sugar-free version. You may be able to find it at your local grocery store.

A hot Irish cream breve with a bottle of Torani Irish cream syrup in the background.

Tips for making this drink

Making an Irish cream breve at home is not hard if you have the right equipment. Ideally, you’ll have an espresso maker, and a way to froth milk (if you want it hot.)

If your final drink will be 16 ounces or more, I suggest two espresso shots, but it’s easy to add less or more based on your taste and caffeine preferences. My recipe below is for a 16-ounce drink.

If you are trying to mimic a Kicker from Dutch Bros; they use one ounce (two tablespoons) of syrup in all their drinks, regardless of size. In my opinion, you should adjust it by size.

Since half and half has a higher fat content, it can be harder to froth. Make sure it’s heated to at least 140 degrees Fahrenheit before frothing, as that helps melt the fat and makes it easier to get a good froth. And remember, every type of milk froths a bit differently so if it doesn’t look like what you’re used to with different milk, it’s okay!

FAQs

Does an Irish Cream Breve (or latte) contain alcohol?

No, this drink does not contain alcohol. It uses a nonalcoholic simple syrup that mimics the flavor profile of Bailey’s Irish cream, without using alcohol at all.

Is this the same as a Dutch Bros Kicker?

Since a Dutch Bros Kicker is an Irish Cream Breve, yes, it’s the same. With this recipe, you can easily make it hot or iced. If you want to also use the same coffee beans Dutch does for their espresso, you can purchase their Private Reserve coffee beans from Amazon.

How do I make this into a Dutch Bros 9-1-1?

The only difference between a Dutch Bros’ 9-1-1 and this Irish Cream Breve is the amount of espresso. If you want to make it into a 9-1-1, add four more shots (ounces) of espresso, for a total of six shots.

Can I make this dairy-free?

Technically, no, because the reason it’s a “breve” is because it uses half and half. But, you can make it as a latte and use any dairy or alternative milk you like and will get a similar result and taste.