Ah, the iced cortado. A delicious blend of espresso and cold milk that’s perfect for hot summer days. If you’ve ever had one, then you know how refreshing it can be – not to mention energizing. But what exactly is it? And what makes it so special? In this post, I’ll tell you everything you need to know about this iconic Spanish coffee. So grab a cup of your favorite brew and let’s dive into the world of cortado iced coffee!
What is an iced cafe cortado
A unique blend of espresso, cold milk and ice, it’s based on cafe cortado coffee. So it has a creamy texture with balanced sweetness and acidity. Iced cortado is known for it’s rich, intense coffee flavor, balanced with just enough milk to mellow the espresso shots.
To create your own, simply brew two shots of espresso , combine with an equal amount of cold milk and add just 2-3 ice cubes. I love them because they are cool and creamy with a punch of espresso that can be enjoyed any time.
Cortado glass
Yes, there really is a cortado glass. But sadly, it’s too small to fit in an iced cortado. So I just use a bigger glass or cup to serve my cortado on ice.
Best espresso beans for a cafe Cortado
When you want a traditional cortado experience in your cortado ice, go for a dark roast, deep and intense espresso. These are often a blend of arabica and robusta coffee beans.
If that’s a bit full-on for you then go for a lighter roast, or even a blonde roast coffee, with less intensity but more sweetness, made with 100% arabica beans.
These are my current favorites:
- Death Wish Coffee espresso roast. Seriously strong, with huge amounts of caffeine. These beans will surprise you with their great flavor. You can pick out caramels, cherries and chocolate bouncing off your taste buds.
- Koffee Kult Dark Roast. More seriously strong coffee, but so smooth, with notes of caramel and cinnamon. Made with organic South American beans sourced from Columbia, Sumatra and Guatemala
- Lavazza Espresso Super Crema Beans. A medium-light roast with less intensity so you can get more of its flavor notes of brown sugar and hazelnut. The perfect choice if you want a more mellow experience.
Making iced cortado coffee at home
Cortado coffee is made by adding a small amount of milk to espresso. Start by using your usual method to make an espresso.
Equipment
- Coffee maker/espresso machine
- glass/mug
- spoon
Ingredients
- 2 shots espresso
- 2 oz milk
- 1/2 glass ice cubes
- 1-2 tsp sugar (optional)
Method
- With an espresso machine, brew a double shot of espresso. If you’re using a French press or an AeroPress, brew 18-20 grams of coffee (about 2 tablespoons).
- While the espresso is brewing, measure out the milk. You will only need 2 ounces of milk, and get some ice cubes.
- Once the espresso has been brewed, pour it into a glass or cup.
- Add equal amounts (2 ounces) of cold milk and then 2-3 ice cubes.
- Add any sugar or other sweetener you want to use.
- Stir, relax and enjoy!
Top Tips for Making a Cortado iced Coffee
- Freshly grind your coffee beans just before you brew the espresso. This will ensure that your coffee is full of flavor.
- If you haven’t got an espresso machine, simply use whatever coffee maker you have available. Check out my guide to how to make an espresso without a machine.
- When making a cortado with dairy milk, I prefer whole milk. This gives a creamier texture with a rich taste.
- My favorite dairy-free milk is oat milk. it foams as well as whole cow’s milk and has a slightly sweet and creamy oaty taste. But, there are so many non-dairy milks why not check out my list of best non-dairy milks?
- The ratio of espresso to milk is 1:1, and the coffee is served in a glass or cup – a double shot of espresso coffee (2 ounces) with 2 ounces of cold milk and a couple of ice cubes.
- Iced cortado coffee is often mistaken for iced latte or iced flat white, but those are quite different. Cortado is made with less milk than both Lattes and Flat whites. So, iced cortado tastes stronger and less sweet than flat white coffee and lattes.
- An iced Spanish Cortado has more in common with its first cousin the Italian iced macchiato – they both use 2 shots of strong espresso, but a cortado has much more milk than a macchiato.
Variations
It can be topped with a sprinkle of cinnamon or chocolate powder.
Why not add a flavored syrup to create your own personal iced cortado coffee. Interested? Check out my Ultimate guide to flavored syrups for coffee you can easily make at home.
Don’t forget, you can drink a traditional cortado anytime. Check out my super simple homemade cortado coffee recipe.
What goes with cortado?
Whether iced or hot, cortado coffee is often served with pastries, such as croissants or churros and melted chocolate to dip.
Other great iced coffees
When its hot, you’ve got to cool down with one of these amazing iced coffees.
- Iced espresso – where it all begins. Totally simple but nothing else is better to kick-start your day when the weather is hot.
- Iced mocha latte – It’s hot so relax with the perfect pairing, coffee and chocolate in one cup.
- Iced caramel latte – another delicious cooling and indulgent experience.
- Iced pumpkin spice latte – Wait, isn’t this a cold weather flavor? Trust me it makes a great iced coffee, anytime!
- Shaken espresso – it’s delicious, cooling and gives you an amazing energy boost!
FAQS
What is an iced cortado?
It’s a refreshing and invigorating coffee-based drink. Iced cortado is made by combining espresso with cold milk, but in small equal quantities. than other iced coffee drinks like lattes or cappuccinos which use more milk than coffee.
How should I drink an iced cortado?
An iced cortado is best enjoyed as soon as it is made. To really appreciate the complex flavors, try sipping slowly and savoring each sip. But don’t linger, as the ice cubes melt they will dilute your cortado. That gradually ruins the delicious flavor balance of strong espresso and cool creamy milk.
What is the difference between a Cortado Coffee and an Iced Cortado?
A cortado is a traditional espresso-based drink that is served with a small amount of steamed milk. Whereas an iced cortado is made with espresso, cold milk and ice.
Despite such similar ingredients, both of these cortado coffees have different flavor, and texture. The iced version tastes more mellow and less sweet than the hot original.
How is an Iced Cortado best enjoyed?
An Iced Cortado should be served with cold and creamy milk and a few ice cubes. It can also be topped with a sprinkle of ground cinnamon or other spices for extra flavor.
Does an Iced Cortado contain any calories?
An Iced Cortado typically contains between 85-100 calories, depending on the amount of milk added. Adding more cold milk can increase the calorie count significantly. Also, if you opt to add syrups and/or creamers, these ingredients will also contribute extra calories.
Iced Cortado coffee:
Equipment
- 1 Espresso machine or coffee maker
- 1 glass
- 1 spoon
Ingredients
- 2 shots espresso or 1/2 cup strong coffee
- 2 oz Milk
- ½ cup ice cubes
- 1-2 tsp sugar
Instructions
- With an espresso machine, brew a double shot of espresso. If you’re using a French press or an AeroPress, brew 18-20 grams of coffee (about 2 tablespoons).
- While the espresso is brewing, measure out the milk. You will only need 2 ounces of milk, and get some ice cubes.
- Once the espresso has been brewed, pour it into a glass or cup.
- Add equal amounts (2 ounces) of cold milk and then 2-3 ice cubes.
- Add any sugar or other sweetener you want to use.
- Stir, relax and enjoy!
Notes
Top Tips for Making a Cortado iced Coffee
- Freshly grind your coffee beans just before you brew the espresso. This will ensure that your coffee is full of flavor.
- If you haven’t got an espresso machine, simply use whatever coffee maker you have available. Check out my guide to how to make an espresso without a machine.
- When making a cortado with dairy milk, I prefer whole milk. This gives a creamier texture with a rich taste.
- My favorite dairy-free milk is oat milk. it foams as well as whole cow’s milk and has a slightly sweet and creamy oaty taste. But, there are so many non-dairy milks why not check out my list of best non-dairy milks?
- The ratio of espresso to milk is 1:1, and the coffee is served in a glass or cup – a double shot of espresso coffee (2 ounces) with 2 ounces of cold milk and a couple of ice cubes.
- Iced cortado coffee is often mistaken for iced latte or iced flat white, but those are quite different. Cortado is made with less milk than both Lattes and Flat whites. So, iced cortado tastes stronger and less sweet than flat white coffee and lattes.
- An iced Spanish Cortado has more in common with its first cousin the Italian iced macchiato – they both use 2 shots of strong espresso, but a cortado has much more milk than a macchiato.
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer
All nutritional information is an estimate only, based on third-party calculations derived from an online nutritional calculator, Spoonacular API. The data provided is a courtesy and should not be considered a guarantee or fact. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients and brands you use, your measuring methods and portion sizes. For accurate results, we recommend that you calculate the nutritional information yourself, using a preferred nutritional calculator or advice from a nutritionist, based on your ingredients and individual processes.
Hi, I’m Eric Loftuss, co-founder of Bean Thirst with my wife Sophie.
My Coffee journey started young. I used to help my mom with the weekly shopping trip and we always called in to a coffee wholesaler and retail outlet in our town.
I really started to learn about coffee when, while in college, I worked in a local coffee shop and trained as a barista. Even though I went on to qualify and work as a lawyer, I still get a kick out of brewing a cup of Joe.
Sophie and I are so glad to be part of your coffee journey. Find out more about us