Ah, the iced latte—a beloved coffee classic that marries the robust flavor of espresso with the cool, creamy embrace of milk over ice. It’s the perfect union of rich, aromatic coffee and refreshingly chilled milk, creating a beverage that’s as invigorating as it is satisfying.
Today, I’m thrilled to guide you through crafting your own impeccable iced latte at home, inspired by the iconic Starbucks version.
Whether you’re seeking a refreshing summer treat or a luxurious pick-me-up any time of year, this recipe is your ticket to mastering that perfect balance of flavors.
Let’s delve into the art of making an irresistible iced latte that rivals your favorite café’s renowned brew.
Ingredients you need
- Cubed ice, enough to fill your serving glass.
- Espresso – for an authentic Starbucks touch, opt for Starbucks Espresso Roast.
- Whole milk – You can make your iced latte with almond milk or any other plant-based alternative.
- Optional: Add brown sugar or vanilla syrup to taste.
Step-by-step
How To Make an Iced Latte
Step 1: Brew two double espresso shots directly into your serving glass or a metal pitcher.
Step 2: Fill your serving glass to the top with ice cubes.
Step 3: Pour in the espresso shots, followed by the cold milk.
Step 4: Use a hand milk frother or French press to froth cold milk until fluffy.
Step 5: Top your coffee with the deliciously frothed cold milk.
How to froth cold milk?
There are several methods to froth cold milk, each offering varying degrees of frothiness and convenience:
- Handheld Milk Frother: Simply immerse the whisk end in cold milk and switch it on until the desired froth is achieved.
- French Press: Pour cold milk into a French press and plunge the filter up and down vigorously until frothy bubbles form on the surface.
- Mason Jar with Lid: Pour cold milk into a mason jar, close the lid tightly, and shake vigorously for about 30-60 seconds until frothy.
- Whisk or Hand Mixer: Use a whisk or a hand mixer to vigorously whip cold milk in a bowl until frothy. This method requires more effort but can achieve good results.
Choose the method that suits your preferences and equipment availability for frothing cold milk.
Iced coffee vs Iced latte
- Iced Coffee:
- Ingredients: Iced coffee is usually prepared by brewing coffee (often using a higher ratio of coffee grounds to water) and then cooling it over ice.
- Preparation: Serve black or with milk and sweeteners added to taste.
- Flavor: Iced coffee has a more straightforward coffee flavor, without the creaminess of milk or espresso.
- Iced Latte:
- Ingredients: An iced latte consists of espresso shots mixed with cold milk (usually whole milk) and poured over ice.
- Preparation: It is specifically made with espresso.
- Flavor: Espresso in an iced latte provides a more robust coffee flavor than brewed coffee. Adding milk gives it a creamy texture.
Iced latte vs Cold brew
- Iced Latte:
- Ingredients: An iced latte combines espresso shots with cold milk (typically whole milk or a milk alternative like almond milk).
- Preparation: It involves brewing espresso, which is then combined with cold milk and served over ice.
- Flavor: The espresso in an iced latte imparts a strong, robust coffee flavor, balanced by the creamy texture of milk. This results in a smoother and creamier iced coffee compared to other drinks.
- Cold Brew:
- Ingredients: Cold brew is made by steeping coarsely ground coffee beans in cold water for an extended period of time, usually 12-24 hours.
- Preparation: The coffee grounds are steeped in cold water, extracting a smooth, bold coffee concentrate that is less acidic than traditional hot-brewed coffee. After steeping, the cold brew concentrate is usually diluted with water or milk and served over ice.
- Flavor: Cold brew has a unique taste profile known for its smoothness, low acidity, and often chocolatey or nutty undertones. Because of the lengthy steeping process, it tends to be stronger and more concentrated than regular coffee or iced coffee.
Products
- Espresso machine
- Milk frother of your choice
- Serving glass
More Recipes and Tips You Might Enjoy:
- Iced Vanilla Coffee
- Plant-based Vanilla Iced Coffee
- Baileys Iced Coffee
- Strawberry Iced Coffee {stirred} with Cold Brew
- Iced Cinnamon Dolce Latte
- Iced Latte Caramel with Homemade Caramel Milk
- Iced Coffee with Milk
- Iced Eggnog Latte
- Iced Lavender Latte
- Iced Honey Latte
- How to make Iced Chocolate Almond Milk Shaken Espresso?
- Cold Brew Tonic
- Cold Brew Ratio – Guide
- Cold Brew Gin Tonic
- Cold Brew Black Russian
- Cold Brew White Russian
- Chocolate Iced Coffee
- Gifts for Cold Brew Coffee Lovers
- Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew
- Can You Make Cold Brew in a French Press
- Cold brew with the Mason Jar
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Classic Iced Latte at Home
Equipment
- Coffee maker of your choice, preferred Espresso for this recipe
- Serving glass
Ingredients
- 2 shots Double Espresso
- Cubed ice to fill the glass
- ¾ cup Milk or a plant-based alternative
Instructions
- Brew 2 shots Double Espresso directly into your serving glass or a metal pitcher.2 shots Double Espresso
- Fill your serving glass to the top with Cubed ice .Cubed ice
- Pour in the espresso shots, followed by ¾ cup Milk.¾ cup Milk
- Use a hand milk frother or French press to froth cold milk until fluffy.
- Top your coffee with the deliciously frothed cold milk.
Nutrition
Food Safety
- Don’t leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food and beverages unattended
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
I’ve been wanting to make my own iced lattes for ages and when this popped up I thought why not! Switched dairy for oat milk and it was delicious. Thank you!
That is wonderful! Thank you, Elizabeth!
Loved this drink for an afternoon pick me up, especially in the summer. I added a 1/2 tsp of vanilla extract for a little extra flavor. It turned out juuuust perfect! Super easy and so refreshing! Thanks!! 🙂
Thank you, Juyali! Happy you liked it!
I love making coffee at home and this recipe is perfect! So yummy!
Thank you so much, Elizabeth!
You can never go wrong with an iced latte at home. This looks delicious!
You are so right, Genevieve! Thank you!