Iced latte is one of the simplest cold coffees. It is made of espresso, cold milk and ice. It sounds trivial, but it is exactly with drinks this simple that proportions are easiest to get wrong.
A good iced latte should be cold and milky, but still taste of coffee. It must not taste like watered-down milk with a shadow of espresso. The keys are freshly brewed espresso, cold milk, plenty of ice and the right glass.
What is an iced latte?
Iced latte is the cold version of an espresso-based latte. We do not steam the milk and we do not heat the drink. Ice, cold milk and freshly brewed espresso go into the glass.
It is a good drink for cafés, offices, hotels and food service venues, because it is quick, simple and easy to repeat. There is one condition: you need a fixed recipe, not guesswork.
How to make an iced latte: the basic recipe
The best glass size is about 300-350 ml. It fits the ice, milk and espresso without diluting the flavour.
Basic recipe:
- single espresso: 25-35 ml
- cold milk: 180-220 ml
- ice: a full glass
- glass: 300-350 ml
Method:
- Fill the glass with ice.
- Pour in the cold milk.
- Brew a single espresso.
- Pour the espresso over the milk and ice.
- Serve straight away.
What to watch out for
Temperature is the most important thing. The milk should be cold and there should be plenty of ice. A few ice cubes are not enough, because they melt quickly and the drink turns watery.
The second thing is the espresso. It should be fresh and well extracted. If the espresso is over-extracted, bitter or too sour, you will taste it in the iced latte. Milk softens the taste of the coffee a little, but it does not fix a bad extraction.
The third thing is the ratio. With a 300-350 ml glass, a single espresso, about 200 ml of milk and a full glass of ice give a light, cold, well-balanced drink. If you use too big a glass, the iced latte will look good but taste weak.
Which milk for iced latte?
In most cases 3.2% milk works best, because it gives a fuller flavour and a good texture.
With plant-based drinks, go for barista versions. An oat or pea drink will be sweeter and creamier, almond more nutty and coconut more dessert-like. For a venue’s menu it is worth choosing one standard milk and one plant-based drink, so you do not complicate the work.
Iced latte add-ons
A classic iced latte does not need any extras. But if a business or café wants to expand its menu, it can offer flavoured versions.
The safest additions are vanilla, caramel, chocolate or salted caramel. The important thing is not to overdo the amount. Syrup should be an addition, not the main flavour of the drink.
It is worth treating add-ons as separate items on the menu, for example: vanilla iced latte, caramel iced latte or iced latte with oat drink.
The most common iced latte mistakes
The first mistake is too little ice. Ice is there not only to chill the drink but also to hold its structure. A full glass of ice works better than a few cubes.
The second mistake is too big a glass. If you pour one espresso and too much milk into a large mug, the coffee disappears.
The third mistake is making the drink without a recipe. In a café every serving should look the same: the same glass, the same amount of milk, the same amount of ice and espresso.
The fourth mistake is a weak espresso. Iced latte is simple, so the quality of the espresso matters a lot. The coffee should be fresh, well ground and properly extracted.
Iced latte: what matters most?
A good iced latte does not need a complicated recipe. All you need is a single espresso, cold milk, a full glass of ice and a 300-350 ml glass.
In restaurants and cafés it is worth sticking to one recipe. That way the iced latte will always be quick, consistent and simply good.
FAQ: iced latte
How do you make an iced latte?
Fill a 300-350 ml glass with ice, pour in about 200 ml of cold milk and add a single espresso. Serve straight after making it.
How much espresso goes into an iced latte?
A standard iced latte uses a single espresso. If you want a stronger drink, you can make a version with a double espresso.
Which milk goes best with iced latte?
Well-chilled 3.2% milk or a barista-style plant-based drink works best. The milk should be cold and pair well with the coffee’s profile.
Why is my iced latte watery?
Most often because of too little ice, too big a glass or too much milk. Use a 300-350 ml glass, full of ice, and about 200 ml of milk.
Do you add syrup to an iced latte?
A classic iced latte does not need syrup. You can add syrup for a flavoured version, for example a vanilla or caramel iced latte.
