Iced Latte – How to Make at Home (A Ridiculously Simple Recipe)

Aside from the classic cappuccino, the latte is, in our opinion, the perfect drink. Something about the trifecta of rich espresso, velvety steamed milk, and buttery whipped cream makes even the dreariest Mondays seem right again.

But what if you’re in a heat wave but still want to enjoy a latte? Don’t worry. We’ve got you. Keep reading to learn how to make an iced latte at home.

Vanilla Cold Brew Coffee Ice Cubes

A typical iced latte at popular coffee shops, like Starbucks, uses regular ice cubes to chill the drink, but inevitably, it dilutes the flavor. So for this iced latte recipe, we’ll add vanilla cold brew coffee ice cubes to the bottom of the glass.

To make these, buy or make 16 ounces of cold brew concentrate. Then stir in either homemade or store-bought vanilla syrup into the cold brew in a 16-ounce glass or mug.

Portion the vanilla cold brew into your standard ice tray and freeze until you’re ready to assemble the iced latte.

How Do you make iced latte without a Machine?

If you don’t have an espresso machine at home, you can use strong coffee or an Aeropress attachment to make a latte without an espresso machine. While you can use whichever brewing method you choose, Home Grounds suggests using either the moka pot or an Aeropress with the Joepresso attachment for best results. These two brewing methods yield the richest, most complex flavor without adding too many steps to the brewing process.

Also, if you’re in a pinch and have neither option, cold brew concentrate or strong iced coffee works here, too.

Choosing your Dairy or Non-Dairy Options

Though you can use any dairy or non-dairy option in this iced latte, we suggest using either whole or oat milk. Both produce a velvety, creamy, frothed milk that adds texture and richness to the iced latte.

However, almond milk is a great choice, too. While it can create the velvety foam we’re looking for, it will take longer.

The Vanilla Syrup

For best results, Home Grounds suggests making your vanilla syrup from scratch. But for convenience’s sake, a high-quality store-bought vanilla syrup works here, too.

The Whipped Cream

While this is optional, we think no latte is complete without it. And while the store-bought stuff will do in a pinch, homemade whipped cream is effortless, and you can even make it in the 32-ounce French press you’ll be using for this recipe.

First, add one cup of heavy cream to a 32-ounce French press. Then dissolve one teaspoon of plain gelatine in 4 teaspoons of cold water in a separate glass. Stir to combine.

Add this plain gelatine to the French press, and add 3-4 tablespoons of powdered sugar, aka—the confectioner’s sugar, on top. Stir, and make the whipped cream like you’ll froth the cold milk later.

How to Make an Iced Latte at Home

The best machines for latte can elevate the classic latte experience from humdrum to memorable. The espresso shots are rich and sweet—with a thick crema—and the milk is creamy and rich, with a velvety mouthfeel throughout.

But as comforting as a warm cafe con leche latte or a coconut milk latte can be on cold mornings, sometimes, it’s just too hot. Maybe you need an iced cappuccino drink or an iced latte? 

Behold the iced latte recipe. 

Now that you’ve got everything together let’s make a simple iced latte.

1. Make Your Vanilla Syrup

First, if you’re using store-bought vanilla syrup, feel free to skip to the next step.

Otherwise, make a simple syrup by combining one cup each of room temperature water and your sweetener of choice in a small saucepan. Bring this to medium heat and gently stir to help the sugar dissolve.

Once the sugar is dissolved, add four teaspoons of high-quality vanilla extract, two scraped vanilla beans, ¼ cup of sweetened condensed milk or heavy cream, and a pinch of salt.

Stir everything to combine, bring to a simmer over medium heat, cover, turn off the heat, and let this simmer for 20 minutes.

Finally, strain this syrup through a fine mesh sieve for the smoothest results.

2. Prep Your Vanilla Cold Brew Ice Cubes

In a 16-ounce glass or mug, combine 16 ounces of cold brew concentrate and vanilla syrup to taste. Gently stir to combine and transfer the mixture into the ice cube tray.

3. Pull Your Espresso Shots

First, measure and grind 15 grams of any coffee bean you choose. For us, we prefer single origins—usually a medium roast.

Grind your coffee and measure into a double, non-pressurized portafilter if you’ve got it, or follow the instructions for your stove-top moka pot.

Pull your shots directly into the glass over your ice cubes or into a mug or shot glasses.

4. Froth Your Milk

Pour 8 ounces of either whole or oat milk into a 32-ounce French press. To stretch, or incorporate air into the milk, start with two or three injections of air. Then texture the foam by bringing the French press plunger down near the bottom of the press and pulsing several times until you get the microfoam you want.

Occasionally swirl and tap the French press on the countertop for an even better texture to eliminate any larger bubbles.

5. Assemble Your Iced Vanilla Latte

Place vanilla cold brew ice cubes into the bottom of a 16-ounce glass. Add your espresso-style shots to the ice, add more vanilla syrup to taste, pour in your frothed milk, stir to combine, and top with whipped cream.

Final Thoughts

And there you have it, a ridiculously simple iced vanilla latte you can make at home. Serve this alongside a thick slice of banana bread for the best results. Or here’s a cool variation if you want to make a Starbucks copycat vanilla iced latte or this special Christmas latte recipe for the holidays!

Did you make this iced vanilla latte? What’d you think? Drop us a comment below.