This vanilla iced latte is a simple yet delicious drink perfect for any hot summer afternoon. Packed with caffeine, cold ice, and your favorite coffee, this drink is always a welcome treat.
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Iced coffee drinks are always in season when you live in the South. We drink them regularly, and making iced coffee recipes at home is a surefire way to save some money and get to try new flavorful combinations.
While we've gone so far as to make Oreo Iced Coffee and Peppermint Iced Coffee, we're keeping this latte simple with some plain vanilla. This is a perfect iced drink ready for any occasion. Add to it or keep it plain, and it'll be delicious just the same.
For more iced coffee drink recipes, be sure to check out my Maple Syrup Iced Coffee, Caramel Iced Coffee, Iced White Chocolate Mocha, and Coffee Milkshake.
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💛 Why You'll Love This Recipe
- It's quick and easy. Made with just a few simple and basic ingredients, you can have an iced vanilla latte ready to drink in no time.
- There are no lines. Forget the shoes, the car keys, and the 10-minute wait as you stand in line with strangers. When you whip up your own coffee at home, you can enjoy the simpler things without any hassle.
- You can scale it up or down. Make more than one glass, or just make one for yourself. This recipe can easily be adjusted to make as many or as few glasses as you want.
🛒 Ingredients
Simple syrup- You'll make your own vanilla simple syrup using sugar, vanilla, and water. You will need to use some (not all) of the simple vanilla syrup. So store the unused syrup for later. This is like making Microwave Simple Syrup, but with added flavor.
Coffee- Brew your coffee fresh so it's hot, or use some cold coffee for a colder drink experience.
Ice- For an iced drink, you'll need some ice cubes. The actual amount needed will vary based on the size of your drinking glass as well as the temperature of the coffee because hot drinks will melt the ice faster and require more ice than colder coffee would.
See the recipe card below for full ingredients and instructions.
💰 Budget-Friendly Tips
Skip the coffee shop. Making your latte at home can save $4-6 per cup, a huge win for your wallet if you drink them often.
Use homemade cold brew. Brew a batch of strong coffee at home and keep it in the fridge for the week. It's cheaper and tastes just as smooth as store-bought.
Buy coffee beans or grounds in bulk. Larger bags or store brands cost less per ounce and go a long way.
🥄 Instructions for Vanilla Iced Latte
Step 1: Start the simple syrup by adding your water and sugar to a microwave-safe bowl.
Step 2: Heat for 1 minute and stir. The sugar should be dissolved. Add in the vanilla and mix again.
Step 3: Fill a tall glass with ice cubes.
Step 4: Add in 1-2 tablespoons of the vanilla syrup you made.
Step 5: Add in the coffee.
Step 6: Add in the milk.
Step 7: Stir gently to combine. Taste and adjust as needed.
Step 8: Top with whipped cream, and enjoy!
👩🏻🍳 Expert Tips
Increase servings per recipe. Depending on how much ice you use and the size of your cups, you may be able to make two glasses from this recipe without doubling.
❄️ Storage, Reheating & Make Ahead
Storage: Store any leftover vanilla iced latte in a covered jar or pitcher in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Give it a quick stir before serving, as the milk and coffee may separate slightly.
Reheating: If you prefer it warm later, simply heat the mixture gently in the microwave or on the stove until warmed through, don't boil, as that can affect the flavor and texture of the milk.
Make Ahead: Brew the coffee in advance and chill it in the fridge until needed. Combine the chilled coffee, milk, and vanilla syrup in a pitcher, then refrigerate for up to a few hours before serving. When ready, pour over ice and stir well. This makes it easy to serve multiple lattes quickly without last-minute prep.
🥗 Side Dishes or Pairing Ideas
Pair your vanilla iced latte with pastries like muffins, scones, or coffee cake for a cozy café-style treat. It also goes well with breakfast sandwiches, yogurt parfaits, or fresh fruit. For an afternoon pick-me-up, enjoy it with cookies or a small slice of cake.
- Coffee MilkshakeRecipe $0.97
- Peppermint Iced CoffeeRecipe $0.22
- Oreo Iced Coffee RecipeRecipe $0.86
- Maple Syrup Iced CoffeeRecipe $0.43
❓ Recipe FAQs
It's made with coffee, milk, vanilla simple syrup, and ice. Homemade drinks don't need any "filler" ingredients either, so this drink stays pretty plain and basic.
Yes. Depending on your preferences, you can use a strong espresso or a regular brewed coffee. Note that stronger coffee or espresso may need more milk or syrup to keep it from tasting too bitter.
Adding ice to anything makes it feel more refreshing, but adding milk to lattes helps to give the coffee a richer, velvety texture which is hard to beat. Adding flavors and sweeteners makes them too good to resist.
🍽️ More Recipes You'll Love
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- Purple Cow FloatRecipe $0.71
- Spiced Orange Ginger Ale MocktailRecipe $1.20
🐝 If you tried this vanilla iced latte, please leave a ⭐️ star rating and share your buzz in the 💬 comments below. I'd truly appreciate it!
📖 Recipe
Vanilla Iced Latte
Equipment
Ingredients
Vanilla Simple Syrup
- ¼ cup water - ($0.00)
- ¼ cup granulated sugar - ($0.05)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract - ($0.03)
Iced Latte
- 3 tablespoons simple syrup
- ½ cup brewed coffee, hot or cold - ($0.08)
- 1 cup milk - ($0.20)
- 1-2 cups ice cubes - ($0.00)
Instructions
- Make syrup. Add water and sugar to a microwave-safe bowl. Heat 1 minute, then stir until sugar dissolves. Stir in vanilla extract.
- Add ice. Fill a tall glass with ice cubes.
- Build drink. Add vanilla simple syrup to the glass, followed by coffee and milk.
- Stir. Stir gently to combine. Taste and adjust sweetness if needed.
- Serve. Top with whipped cream if desired and enjoy.
Notes
- Yield. Depending on ice amount and glass size, this recipe may make up to two drinks.
- Make Ahead. Brew coffee in advance and refrigerate until ready to use.
- Prep Tip. Coffee, syrup, and milk can be mixed ahead and refrigerated for a few hours. Add ice just before serving to avoid dilution.
Nutritional Information
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