Iced vanilla latte: super simple to make and enjoy!

When the sun is blazing down, I need a refreshing pick-me-up, and there’s nothing quite like an iced vanilla latte. It’s an amazing blend of espresso, milk, and sweet vanilla that’s served chilled to perfection. Let’s dive into this icy treat!

What Is an Iced Vanilla Latte?

An iced vanilla latte is a popular coffee drink that combines cold milk, a shot of espresso, and a splash of sweet vanilla syrup, all poured over ice. It’s your classic latte, but with a sweet twist and a cool finish.

The Taste of Iced Vanilla Latte

Imagine the robust flavor of espresso softened by the creaminess of milk, then elevated by a hint of sweet, aromatic vanilla. That’s an iced vanilla latte. It’s smooth, sweet, and refreshing, making it the perfect treat on a hot day.

How to Make an Iced Vanilla Latte

Equipment

• Espresso machine or coffee maker
• Milk frother or blender or whisk.
• Tall glass
• Spoon or stirrer

Ingredients

• 1-2 shot of espresso
• 1/2 cup of cold milk
• 2 tbsp of vanilla syrup
• 1/2 cup Ice cubes
• 1-2 tsp sugar or other sweetener (optional)

Method

• Brew a shot of espresso and leave it to cool.
• While the coffee is cooling, pour in the vanilla syrup, and add a pinch of salt.
• Add and sweetener you want to use (optional).
• Stir the coffee to combine.
• Fill a tall glass halfway with ice cubes.
• Pour the coffee over the ice cubes.
• Froth chilled milk to a creamy foam texture.
• Slowly pour the milk over the coffee and ice cubes.
• Stir gently to combine the flavors.
• Relax and enjoy while its still cold.

Top Tips

• Quality Coffee: Start with the freshest and best quality coffee you can get for the best espresso flavor.
• Sugar and other sweeteners: Remember the vanilla syrup is very sweet, so try making your iced vanilla latte without adding sweeteners. If you take a sip and it’s still not sweet enough for you, you can still stir in some sweetener.
• Fresh Milk: Use fresh, cold milk for a creamy texture. You can use dairy or non-dairy milk depending on your preference.
• Personalize: Customize your latte with almond, soy, or oat milk for a dairy-free option.
• Sweeten to Taste: Adjust the amount of vanilla syrup to suit your sweetness preference.
• Pour Slowly: Slowly pour the milk over the coffee and ice to create a beautiful layered effect.
• Add Flavors: Experiment with other flavors like caramel, hazelnut, or mocha for a unique twist.
• Serve Cold: Ensure your glass and milk are cold before assembling your latte.
• Finishing touches: Garnish with whipped cream or a sprinkle of chocolate or cinnamon powder for extra flair.
• Enjoy Immediately: Your chilled vanilla latte is best enjoyed immediately for maximum freshness and flavor.

The Bottom Line

The iced vanilla latte is a wonderfully refreshing and flavorful coffee drink that’s perfect for those hot summer days. It combines the robustness of espresso, the creaminess of milk, and the sweetness of vanilla in a delightfully chilled package. So why not give it a whirl?

FAQs about Iced Vanilla Latte

What’s the difference between an iced latte and an iced vanilla latte?

You can add vanilla extract to an iced latte, to give it a richer more complex flavor. But, an iced vanilla latte includes vanilla syrup, which takes your latte to a whole different level of rich sweet and delicious flavor.

I am sure if you try and iced vanilla latte, you will love it as much as I do!

Can I use regular coffee instead of espresso?

Yes, you know a lot of people get caught up in the need to only use espresso beans and grind them to perfection. Ok, so that may well give you the ultimate coffee experience. But, when you want a coffee, sometimes you have to work with what you have got.

I have made iced lattes with fresh-ground espresso beans and with pre-ground coffee and enjoyed both just as much.

And between you and me, I have even made a very drinkable iced latte with instant coffee!

It’s about enjoying your coffee when you want it and how you want it AND using the ingredients you have to their best effect.

Can I make it dairy-free?

Absolutely! Substitute the milk with almond, soy, or oat milk for a dairy-free version.

How can I sweeten my vanilla iced latte?

You can add more vanilla syrup, or even a dollop of whipped cream.

Can I make an chilled vanilla latte without an espresso machine?

Yes, you can use strongly brewed coffee as a substitute, though the flavor will differ from traditional espresso. But it will taste good, because you made it the way you like it!

Other amazing iced and chilled coffees just for you

Once you have enjoyed an iced vanilla latte, why not try check out my ultimate guide to iced and chilled coffees you can make at home? There you will find these (and more!) amazing and refreshing hot-weather coffees:

• Nitro cold brew coffee – Smooth and creamy – like a coffee-flavored Guinness!
• Iced americano – You know and love americano, so why not enjoy it year round!
• Iced caramel macchiato – so much better than Starbucks and Dunkin!
• Iced pumpkin spice latte – You know you shouldn’t, but you are going to enjoy it!
• Iced cappuccino – perfect when you just need a cappuccino, but it’s too hot.
• Decaf iced coffee – cool refreshing but caffeine-free, so you can enjoy it any time.
• Iced flat white – another great espresso-based coffee we all love.
• Iced hazelnut latte – delicious nutty flavor, I like mine with oat milk.
• Shaken espresso – So smooth and creamy that you won’t want it to end.
• Instant iced coffee – a great budget option and super simple to make.
• Iced macchiato – Cool, refreshing and delicious.