Cold brew coffee, milk, a simple syrup and ice cubes combine for a refreshing and flavorful Iced Coffee Latte. The perfect coffee drink on a hot summer day.
When the weather warms up or you just need an afternoon pick-me-up, an iced coffee latte will do the trick.
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Refreshing Iced Coffee Latte
Cool, creamy, and bursting with the perfect amount of caffeine to keep you going, this coffeehouse specialty will quickly be you favorite go-to drink.
Making an iced latte at home is actually easy and saves you money compared to buying expensive lattes at coffee shops
With just a few simple ingredients, you can whip up a barista-quality drink right in the comfort of your very own kitchen.
And I love how customizable iced lattes are, too. You can change up the milk you use, add flavored syrups such as a brown sugar syrup, or even add a sprinkle of cinnamon or cocoa for a flavor twist.
You can even add a topping of cold foam and garnish with a coffee bean or two!
And making your own drink lets you control exactly how sweet, creamy or strong you want your latte to be.
Trust me when I tell you that this iced coffee latte recipe is about to become your new go-to.
It’s easy enough for beginners to make and impressive enough to make you look like you’re a pro.
It’s time to get creative, skip the local coffee shop, and make the perfect Iced Coffee Latte at home.
You'll want to give my espresso tonic a try too! Another coffee drink that will cool you off!
Be sure to visit the Swirls of Flavor Amazon Storefront for GG's personal kitchen recommendations!
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How to make a refreshing iced latte
This is a quick overview of how to make this caffe latte recipe. Scroll down for the full recipe instructions and ingredient amounts in the recipe card below
- Step 1: Combine cold brew coffee and simple syrup in a tall glass and add ice cubes.
- Step 2: Top with milk and stir if desired.
Hint: Make ice cubes with leftover coffee so your coffee drink doesn't get diluted when the cubes melt!
Expert recipe tips
- Coffee Ice Cubes - Freeze cooled leftover coffee or espresso in ice cube trays and store the cubes in a freezer-safe bag for quick use later.
- Cold Brew - Use a strong cold brew concentrate if you prefer a bold coffee flavor.
- Chilled Glasses - Chill your glass in the freezer before to keep your latte chilled.
- Allow time - If you're making homemade cold brew from, allow at least 12 hours for it to steep properly.
- Shake or Stir - Always shake or stir the latte well to combine the milk and coffee evenly.
- Filtered Water - Use filtered water when making cold brew for a cleaner taste.
- Taste and Adjust - Taste and adjust the sweetness before serving. Like it sweeter? Just add more simple syrup.
- Frothy Latte - If you like a frothy latte, use a handheld milk frother to whip your milk if you love a frothy latte.
- Always Add Ice – Always add ice even if your coffee and milk are already cold because ice cubes make the latte crisp and refreshing.
- Change the Ratio – If you prefer an extra-strong kick, brew with a higher coffee-to-water ratio.
- Garnishes – Make your iced latte extra special with a coffee shop-style finish of a sprinkle of cocoa powder or cinnamon or a drizzle of caramel sauce.
Substitutions
- Cold Brew Coffee - If you don’t have cold brew on hand, you can use chilled leftover coffee. For an even stronger coffee flavor, use a double shot of espresso that's been cooled with ice.
- Milk – You can replace regular milk with your favorite plant-based alternative such as oat milk, almond milk, coconut milk, or soy milk. Be mindful to use one that is creamy enough to still give you that classic latte creamy texture.
- Simple Syrup - Honey, agave nectar, or maple syrup can replace simple syrup. You can also use a flavored simple syrup such as brown sugar syrup or use vanilla syrup and make an iced vanilla latte!
- Ice - If you want to avoid watering down your latte, use frozen coffee ice cubes instead of regular ice cubes.
Variations
- Flavored Lattes - Add a splash of a flavored simple syrup such as vanilla, caramel, or mocha for added flavor.
- Mocha Iced Latte - Stir in a tablespoon or two of chocolate syrup with the coffee for a mocha flavor twist.
- Spiced Latte – Stir in a sprinkle of ground cinnamon, ginger or nutmeg to your simple syrup before mixing it in.
- Iced Latte Float - Top your latte with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, chocolate ice cream or coffee ice cream and make yourself a sweet treat.
- Vegan Iced Latte - Use a creamy plant-based milk, such as oat milk or coconut milk, and add a vegan-friendly syrup.
- Protein Iced Latte - Mix a scoop of your favorite protein powder with the milk before adding it to your drink. Either vanilla protein powder or chocolate protein powder would be a delicious addition.
- Iced Matcha Latte – Replace the coffee with matcha green tea powder for a refreshing flavor twist.
- Cold Foam Iced Latte – Top your iced caffe latte with cold foam and a couple of whole coffee beans for garnish!
Storage
If you’re making cold brew or simple syrup ahead of time, here’s how to store them:
- Cold Brew Coffee – Store prepared cold brew coffee in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. Always remember to shake or stir before using because the coffee can settle when standing.
- Simple Syrup – It is best tokeep simple syrup refrigerated in a mason jar or bottle for up to two weeks.
- Prepared Latte - It’s best to enjoy your iced latte as soon as you make it, however, if you need to make it ahead, store the coffee and milk separately. Then, for the best flavor and freshness, mix them together with ice just before serving.
Ingredients
Ingredients for an iced coffee recipe
- Cold Brewed Coffee -Cold brewed coffee is the base of an iced latte. When brewed slowly over several hours the result is a smooth and mellow flavor with less acid notes that traditional hot coffee and therefore it doesn’t taste bitter when chilled.
- Milk - Milk gives your latte its creamy, rich texture. You can use whole milk for a classic, indulgent texture and flavor. If you want a lighter option you can use 2% milk or skim milk. A plant-based milk such as oat milk, almond milk, or soy milk will give you a dairy-free latte.
- Ice - Ice chills the drink and keeps it refreshing. Using larger ice cubes helps prevent your latte from becoming too diluted too quickly. And remember, you can always use coffee ice cubes too.
- Simple Syrup - Simple syrup is the ideal way to sweeten your iced latte without having gritty sugar granules in your drink. The syrup blends easily into cold beverages and you can even use a flavored simple syrup for added depth of flavor.
Cold Coffee Drinks
Iced Coffee Latte Recipe
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Ingredients
- 1/2 cup cold brew coffee
- 2 Tablespoons simple syrup
- ice cubes
- 1 cup cold milk
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Instructions
- Combine cold brew coffee and simple syrup in a tall glass.
- Add ice cubes and then top with milk.
- Stir if desired.
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