How to Make an Iced Latte at Home

To make an iced latte, pour freshly brewed espresso into a glass of ice and cold milk, then stir. You do not need to steam the milk or buy a separate iced coffee machine.

The most useful starting point is a modest amount of milk. You can always add more, but it is harder to rescue a drink once a small espresso has disappeared into a very large glass.

Ingredients for one iced latte

One double espresso, or two small single shots made within your machine's normal limits.

150 ml cold milk or your preferred plant drink.

Enough ice to fill roughly half a 350 ml glass.

Optional: 1 to 2 teaspoons of coffee syrup, adjusted to taste.

These quantities are a starting recipe. Espresso strength, glass shape and the size of your ice cubes will affect the finished drink.

Make the coffee first

Brew an espresso you would be happy to drink hot. If you use a small portable brewer, make separate fresh shots where needed instead of putting twice the recommended amount of grounds into the adapter.

For a sweetened latte, stir your syrup into the coffee. Ordinary granulated sugar also dissolves more easily in the warm espresso than in cold milk, though it may need a little extra stirring.

Set the coffee aside briefly while you prepare the glass. There is no need to leave it sitting on the counter for a long time.

Build your iced latte

Put the ice into a suitable glass, add the cold milk and pour the espresso over the top. Stir before drinking so the first mouthful has the same balance as the last.

Use a glass intended for the temperature changes involved. If you are unsure whether your glass can take warm coffee over ice, use a suitable insulated cup instead.

Taste before adding more milk or syrup. If the coffee is too strong, add a small splash of milk. If it is too milky, use less milk next time or add another freshly brewed shot if that suits your preference.

Why an iced latte can taste watery

Ice melts as it cools the coffee. Starting with chilled milk and a compact espresso helps avoid introducing too much warm liquid. A large mug of weak brewed coffee plus plenty of milk and melting ice is a different recipe and may taste diluted.

Make the drink when you are ready to enjoy it. If you want to prepare ahead, keep ingredients appropriately chilled and assemble the latte at serving time.

Easy variations

For an iced oat latte, swap the milk for a chilled oat drink you already enjoy in coffee. For vanilla or caramel, start with a little syrup and taste before adding more.

You can also add a small layer of cold frothed milk. It is optional: an iced latte works perfectly well without foam. Our rechargeable milk frother is an option if you enjoy experimenting with texture.

An iced latte is made with brewed coffee that is cooled for serving. It is different from cold brew, where coffee is extracted using cool water over a much longer period. Both can make enjoyable iced drinks, but they need different preparation.