Iced Coffee vs. Iced Latte

Let’s explore the difference between iced coffee and iced latte along with how to make iced coffee, how to make iced latte, tips and recipes too!

Five glasses of iced coffees and iced lattes

Basically, an iced latte is commonly prepared with an espresso shot, while iced coffee is typically made with cooled brewed coffee.

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Iced latte v iced coffee

So if you're wondering is there really a difference between iced latte and iced coffee, yes, and there are even more differences between iced coffee v iced latte

Another difference is that an iced latte has more milk than an iced coffee.

As the Iced latte uses more milk than the iced coffee, it has a more balanced, rounded and mellow taste.

However, if you want something that's less creamy, you'll love an iced coffee!

Or make an iced coffee latte with cold brewed coffee and extra milk!

Just make that decision latte vs iced coffee and enjoy!

What is iced coffee?

iced coffee in a mug with a handle and bag of coffee beans

Iced coffee is popular in warmer climates because it's refreshing and cools down your body temperature.

True coffee enthusiasts enjoy iced coffee all year round but especially in the summer.

Iced coffee is made with cooled coffee, usually made with regular ground coffee, and a splash of milk over ice.

You can also use cold brew coffee to make an iced coffee drink too.

And if you're wondering can I used intant coffee and how to make an iced coffee with instant coffee, combine 2 Tablespoons instant coffee with 2 Tablespoons hot water and stir to dissolve. Add chilled water and use in your favorite iced coffee recipe.

Cold coffee drinks can also include sweeteners like sugar, artificial sweeteners like Splenda or a simple syrup which makes the iced drink less bitter than regular coffee.

It can also be made by adding brewed coffee over a glass of ice cubes without the addition of milk.

Because this beverage isn't made from espresso shots, it doesn't tend to contain as much caffeine as an iced latte, however, it is still a caffeinated drink.

How to make iced coffee

Iced coffee is the way to go when it's hot out, and you need an energizing drink to cool off. It's so easy to make and perfect for any time of day.

So if you're looking for simple instructions and tips for making an iced coffee, here you go!

To make an iced coffee:

Add ice cubes to a glass
Add cold coffee
Add a splash of milk
You can add sugar or a sweetener if desired, and simple syrup flavorings like vanilla, caramel, or hazelnut

Tips for making an iced coffee

If you want to make your iced coffee drink at home instead of going to a coffee shop, we've got some tips below.

Use a good quality coffee
Freshly ground coffee tastes the best
Coffee is the main ingredient in iced coffee, so it's essential to use a high-quality coffee.
Use your favorite coffee
If you want to grind your own coffee beans and don't know where to get good beans, ask your local roaster or try ordering online.
Use a French press for easy brewing on busy mornings. Just add ground beans and hot water in your French press and steep it for 3-4 minutes. Then pour the brewed coffee over a glass of ice and serve.
Make you iced coffee with coffee ice cubes! Freeze leftover coffee into ice cubes and use them to make your coffee with ice cubes to prevent your drink from getting diluted as the ice melts.
Make you iced coffee using instant coffee as the base. As I mentioned earlier, just combine 2 Tablespoons instant coffee with 2 Tablespoons hot water and stir to dissolve. Add chilled water and use in your favorite iced coffee recipe.

What is an iced latte?

The iced latte is a drink made from an espresso shot, or double shot of espresso, with a large amount of milk.

An iced latte can be served in various ways. The most common way to prepare a basic iced latte is to:

Fill a glass with ice and add espresso
Add a syrup or sweetener if you want a sweetened drink
Add milk

The result is a rich, creamy beverage perfect for summer days!

Since an iced latte is made with espresso shots, it can be contain a high amount of caffeine so be cautious if you are sensitive to caffeine.

You can make an iced latte with your favorite dairy-free milk or soy milk.

The iced latte can also be sweetened if desired. Just add a simple syrup to taste.

You can also opt for a flavored syrup such as vanilla syrup or white chocolate syrup if you want to add a hint of flavor with sweet notes.

If you're looking for something sweet and creamy, an iced latte is the espresso drink for you!

two tall glasses of iced coffee with a french press

How to make an iced latte

Making an iced latte is as easy as 1-2-3!

Whether you're on the go, need a pick-me-up, or want to add some delicious caffeinated goodness to your day, iced lattes are a great way to get your daily fix.

To make an iced latte, you'll need:

Espresso or Strong Coffee
- This can be any roast or bean; the taste will vary depending on what kind of beans you use.
Milk
- Making lattes without milk is possible, but they will be less creamy and delicious.
Ice
- Ice will quickly chill your latte!
Syrup (optional)
- Add a flavored syrup such as caramel syrup or hazelnut syrup for extra flavor.
- A flavored syrup can complement both hot coffee drinks like espressos and cold ones like lattes.

The perfect iced latte is easy to make at home, and you'll impress your friends with your newfound coffee-making skills. Here's how:

Step 1: Brew espresso or use a store bought bottled espresso, or instant espresso powder.
Step 2: Add ice to a glass.
Step 3: Pour the espresso over ice.
Step 4: Sweeten to your personal preference.
Step 5: Add a flavored syrup, if desired.
Step 6: Add milk and serve.

Tips for making an iced latte

Making an iced latte isn't difficult, but if you want to make a good one, there are some things you should know.

If you like sweet drinks, use liquid sweeteners such as honey, agave or simple syrup, instead of granulated sugar. Granulated sugar may not dissolve completely but a syrup will blend easily with the espresso.
Be sure that your espresso is good and strong to allow for a deep coffee flavor.
You can use a single shot of espresso or two shots of espresso, depending on how intense you want the coffee flavor to be, and the amount of caffeine you prefer.
You can use oat milk if you're a vegan, or even use almond milk or soy milk.

What is cold brew coffee?

Cold brew is a brewing method of coffee extraction that differs from the standard hot brewing methods.

Cold brew is made by steeping ground beans in water at room temperature for 12–24 hours instead of using hot water to brew it.

The resulting extract is a strong concentrate and a more full-bodied flavor with much lower acidity and bitterness.

You can also purchase bottled cold brew coffee and bottled cold brew coffee concentrate.

How do you make cold brew at home?

Want to try making cold brew at home? Cold brew is not as simple as just brewing some coffee and letting it cool.

You need to allow enough time for the coffee to steep and become flavorful.

Here are some tips for making sure you're doing it right:

Coarsely grind some coffee beans.
Add room temperature or cold water to the coarsely ground coffee beans and let it steep for 12-24 hours.
After steeping, strain to separate the grounds from the liquid and enjoy!

Syrups for iced coffee

These coffee syrups are the perfect choice when you're looking for a flavorful twist on your iced coffee.
Add one of these syrups to your iced coffee to add an extra layer of flavor that'll make your drink especially delicious:

Blueberry Syrup
Brown Sugar Syrup
Caramel Syrup
Ginger Syrup
Gingerbread Syrup
Honey Syrup
Hazelnut Syrup
Lemon Syrup
Peppermint Syrup
Pumpkin Spice Syrup
Strawberry Syrup
Vanilla Syrup

Cold Cream Topping

Indulge yourself and top your iced coffee or iced latte with a cold cream topping! Also called cold foam, you'll be so happy that you treated yourself!

Iced coffee and iced latte drinks

Coffee is one of the most popular drinks in the world, and it can be enjoyed hot or cold, and made with coffee or stronger espresso.

The most common way to drink coffee and espresso is hot, but there is a growing trend toward drinking iced coffees and iced lattes, especially when the weather warms up.

There are many types and flavors of iced coffee and iced latte out there, from Iced Americano to hazelnut iced coffee to Caramel iced coffee and more.

Here are just a few:

Almond Joy Latte

Almond milk, coconut syrup and chocolate syrup combine with espresso over ice for an Almond Joy Iced Latte. Add whipped cream, shredded coconut and chopped candy for a delightful coffee beverage.

Caramel Brulee Latte

This popular Starbucks latte is made with espresso, steamed milk and a rich caramel brulée sauce. Finished off with whipped cream and a topping of caramel sauce and caramel brulée bits, Caramel Brulee Latte is very indulgent and delicious.

Caramel Iced Coffee

Caramel Iced Coffee is a rich, creamy drink that has sweet notes. Start with strong brewed coffee, add a little milk and vanilla syrup, and top it off with a drizzle of caramel for a sweet and refreshing start to your day.

Cinnamon Dolce Iced Latte

Cinnamon Dolce Iced Latte is a Starbucks copycat recipe made with espresso, cinnammon dolce syrup, almond milk, vanilla and topped with whipped cream and a drizzle of syrup.

Hazelnut Iced Coffee

Do you know what's better than iced coffee? A Hazelnut Iced Coffee. This is a unique blend of hazelnut syrup and ice, with chilled brewed coffee topped with frothed milk foam. It's like a sweet and creamy treat you'll never forget!

Iced Americano

The Iced Americano coffee differs from other iced coffees because it uses espresso instead of brewed coffee and therefore is considered an iced latte. However, chilled water is added to dilute the espresso and making it taste more like just strong coffee. An Americano is a refreshing combination of ice, espresso, and chilled water.

Iced Coffee Latte

This coffee drink is called a latte although it i not made with espresso but it calls out "coffee" in its name and is made with cold brew coffee.

Cold brew coffee, milk, a simple syrup and ice cubes combine for a refreshing and flavorful Iced Coffee Latte.

Iced Dalgona Coffee

Iced Dalgona Whipped Coffee is a refreshing iced coffee drink that’s so easy to make with instant coffee, sugar, hot water and almond milk over ice. You can take this popular dalgona recipe to a new level and add a shot of coffee liqueur to it for an easy Dalgona coffee cocktail. So delicious and right on trend!

Iced Espresso Tonic

two glasses of espresso tonic with straws and colorful napkin

Made with chilled espresso, tonic water, simple syrup and a lemon peel garnish, Espresso Tonic is the perfect balance of bright, citrusy sparkle and rich, robust espresso

Iced Mocha Latte

hot chocolate coffee with whipped cream and mini marshmallows — Serve this drink chilled over ice for a refreshing Iced Mocha Coffee!

Iced Mocha Latte is a delicious blend of espresso, chocolate sauce, milk, and ice. It's a popular summertime drink because it's so refreshing and delicious. You can make it at home or order it at your local coffee shop. Change this recipe and make it cold and with espresso for an iced mocha latte.

Lavendar Vanilla Iced Coffee

a clear glass of lavendar iced coffee with a bouquet of dried lavender

Lavender Vanilla Iced Coffee takes on a floral note with lavender syrup and a dried lavender garnish. Made with coffee, almond milk and vanilla extract, this iced coffee is a culinary delight!

Pumpkin Spice Iced Coffee

glass of iced pumpkin latte with whipped cream on top

Warm spice and seasonal flavors combine to make an irresistible homemade Pumpkin Spice Iced Coffee.

Tiramisu Iced Latte

Tiramisu Iced Latte is a delicious drink made with espresso or coffee, milk, amaretto and chocolate sauce and topped with whipped cream, cocoa powder and a ladyfingers cookie.

Shaken Iced Apple Crisp Espresso Latte

shaken apple crisp iced espresso in a glass with apples

Apples and cinnamon flavor this iced espresso latte made with oat milk and brown sugar.

Vanilla Iced Coffee

Rich and creamy, iced vanilla coffee is the perfect pick-me-up any time of the day. It's simple, refreshing, and delicious. All you need to make it is ice, milk, strong coffee or brewed espresso, and vanilla syrup. Oh, and maybe a cold cream topping too!

Conclusion

two glasses of iced coffee and iced latte with straws

In conclusion, iced coffee and iced lattes are both delicious but have different ingredients.

Here’s a quick review of the major differences between an iced coffee and an iced latte.

You can make iced coffee by pouring cooled, brewed coffee over ice and adding milk and a sweetener. It can also be made by just adding brewed coffee over a glass full of ice cubes to be served as a refreshing summer beverage.

Iced lattes are made with espresso shots, milk, soy milk or almond milk, ice cubes, and any additional flavorings, such as a flavored syrup stirred in or even chocolate syrup drizzled on top.

Making a refreshing coffee beverage at home is easy, and you can experiment with different flavor combinations.

Your taste buds will be happy sipping on a cup of iced coffee or an iced latte on a hot day!