Iced Latte Recipe: An Easy Cold Coffee Treat To Make At Home
A delicious iced latte is the perfect summer treat, and it couldn’t be easier to make at home!
There’s a reason the latte, whether hot or iced, is one of the world’s most popular coffee drinks. The combination of rich espresso and velvety steamed milk makes even the dreariest Mondays seem right again.
A classic latte can be tricky to master at home, requiring some skill with the steam wand. But an iced latte is a piece of cake! You don’t even need any special equipment. Here’s how.
How To Make An Iced Latte
I love making coffee drinks at home. Not only is it a lot cheaper than visiting the coffee shop, but it gives me complete control of the flavor, texture, and nutritional content – even more than the famously customizable Starbucks orders (1).
This iced latte recipe is the perfect example. Make it traditional or add syrup for a vanilla iced latte. Serve it straight or topped with buttery whipped cream. Use a dedicated latte machine or follow my tips to make a latte without an espresso machine. In any case, you’re only a few minutes away from a refreshing pick-me-up!
Iced Latte Ingredients
- Double shot of espresso (2 – 3 ounces)
- 6 ounces whole milk
- Ice cubes
- 1 ounce vanilla syrup (optional)
- Whipped cream (optional)
At a Glance
Brew Time:
5 – 10 minutes
Yield:
One drink (16 ounces)
What is the best milk to use for an iced latte?
You can use any dairy or non-dairy milk in this iced latte, but I recommend whole milk if you want the best frothy texture and classic sweet flavor. Go ahead and substitute skim, 1%, or 2% milk if you’re looking to limit fat and calories.
In my experience, oat milk is the best non-dairy option, both for texture and flavor. But you can equally use almond milk, soy milk, or something decadent like pistachio milk. Or try coconut milk for an iced coconut milk latte.
Step-By-Step Iced Latte Recipe
An iced latte is one of my favorite summer drinks, and making one is a simple three-step process: espresso, milk, and combine. I’ll walk you through the details below.
On the other hand, if you’re reading this on a chilly winter day, you might prefer a warmer alternative like the classic latte, Christmas latte, or Spanish latte.
Step 1: Brew The Espresso Shots
Use an espresso machine to pull a double espresso shot. I like to use 20 grams of finely ground coffee to yield 2 to 3 ounces of espresso.
If you don’t have an espresso maker, brew 3 ounces of very strong coffee using an Aeropress, Moka pot, French press, or Nespresso machine. You can even use instant coffee or cold brew concentrate in a pinch.
Pro tip: You can use your favorite coffee beans for this recipe. I favor a medium or dark roast espresso bean, which has a bolder flavor to stand up to all the milk.
Step 2: Froth The Milk
Froth the 6 ounces of whole milk (or your milk of choice) using an automatic or manual milk frother. If you are using an electronic frother, make sure you choose a cold foam setting.
If you don’t have a milk frother, you can use a French press to froth cold milk. Start with two or three big pumps with the plunger to incorporate air into the milk. Then texture the foam by bringing the French press plunger down near the bottom of the press and pulsing several times until you get the microfoam you want.
Pro tip: You can even aerate milk by shaking it in a mason jar or whipping it with a whisk. Or just make this recipe with unfrothed milk. It’s still delicious!
Step 3: Assemble Your Drink
Add ice cubes or coffee ice cubes to a tall chilled glass. Pour the espresso or strong coffee into the glass with ice. Optionally, add the vanilla syrup at this point to make this an iced vanilla latte. Swirl to mix and chill the espresso, then add the frothed milk to the glass.
Top with a swirl of whipped cream if desired.
Pro tip: Make a Starbucks-style sweetened whipped cream by whipping ½ cup of heavy cream with 1 tablespoon vanilla syrup.
Final Thoughts
Making an iced latte at home is one of the easiest ways to enjoy a coffee shop-style espresso drink without hitting the drive-through. With nothing more than three ingredients and a French press, you can prepare a delightfully creamy and refreshing treat guaranteed to ward off any summer blues.
FAQs
The ratio of coffee to milk in an iced latte is typically 1:3 – 2 ounces of espresso and 6 ounces of milk – though many coffee shops serve larger and milkier versions. The amount of milk is what distinguishes the latte from an iced cappuccino, which traditionally has a 1:2 ratio.
An iced latte is made with espresso, milk, and ice. Traditionally, espresso roast coffee beans and whole milk are used, but many variations exist. A latte may also be served with a sweetener like simple syrup, maple syrup, or a flavored syrup.
My favorite way to make iced coffee at home is to prepare a flash brew, which is essentially a pour-over coffee brewed directly into a carafe full of ice. An even easier (but slower) option is to make cold brew by steeping coarsely ground coffee in cool water for up to 24 hours.
References
- Mertsis, M. (2024, April 16). Starbucks Billion Dollar Business Strategy: Cold Customized Drinks. Retrieved from https://www.craverapp.com/blog/starbucks-business-strategy-cold-customized-drinks
