Iced Vanilla Latte

Recipe Overview

Why you’ll love it: This iced vanilla latte recipe uses the same formula as Starbucks! It’s creamy, delicious, and easy to make with vanilla simple syrup, espresso, and milk.

How long it takes: 5 minutes
Equipment you’ll need: no special equipment needed
Servings: 1

Two glasses of iced coffee topped with whipped cream, served with red and white striped straws on a wooden surface.

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Indulging in a fancy overpriced coffee shop drink is fun once in a while, no doubt about it. But have a coffee shop treat every day and you’ll quickly realize how much you spend in a week!

Learning how to make a delicious iced drink at home will not only impress your bank account but you may just end up forgetting about that coffee shop altogether (and you’ll never have to wait in line!).

DIY Iced Vanilla Latte

What is an iced vanilla latte? A latte, or café latte if you’re fancy, is a simple drink made of espresso and steamed milk. It’s normally served hot (like this cinnamon dolce latte) but when you add ice to it, it becomes an iced latte. From there, you can take it up a notch with different flavored syrups (try my iced pumpkin spice latte).

So easy to make. This iced vanilla latte is ready in just 5 minutes, so you’ll be able to pour it in your travel mug to have on your way to work or enjoy on a hot afternoon. The optional whipped cream topping makes it into an easy after-dinner dessert.

A special morning treat. There’s never been an easier, more delicious way to enjoy your morning espresso than this iced vanilla latte. Go ahead and give it a shot! It’s perfect with buttermilk pancakes!

What is Iced Coffee?

Iced coffee is typically cold-brewed coffee with added ice. It can contain milk, cream, or nothing at all. In comparison, an iced latte is milk mixed with a shot of espresso, which is then poured over ice. Flavored syrup is often added, too.

Ingredient Notes

Ice: Well, of course you need ice! It puts the ice in iced. Use cubes or crushed, your call, but just make sure it’s fresh. Stale ice will affect the flavor of your iced latte.
Vanilla simple syrup: To keep things easy, I use Torani syrup. It comes in a variety of flavors and is widely available. If you prefer to make your own, check out my simple syrup recipe.
Espresso: Use your favorite method to make espresso.
Milk: You can use skim, 1%, 2%, or whole milk. Nondairy milks are fine, too.
Whipped cream: This is an optional topping (but is it really optional?). It’s also yummy with cold foam.

How to Make An Iced Vanilla Latte

Start with ice. Fill a 12 to 14 ounce glass about ¾ full with ice.

Add syrup and espresso. Pour the vanilla simple syrup and espresso over the ice.

A hand pours liquid from a small glass into a larger glass filled with ice.

Iced coffee is being poured into a glass on a wooden board, surrounded by ice, milk, and roses, with a teal cloth underneath.

Add milk. Pour your choice of milk into the glass, and stir to combine.

Milk being poured into a glass of iced coffee on a wooden board, with pink roses and a turquoise cloth in the background.

A hand stirs iced coffee with a metal straw in a glass on a wooden board, surrounded by a blue cloth, pink roses, and whipped cream in a bowl.

Serve. Top with whipped cream, if desired, and serve immediately.

Glass of iced coffee with milk on a wooden surface, featuring ice cubes and a creamy texture, beside a teal fabric.

Two glasses of iced coffee topped with whipped cream and red-striped straws, placed on a wooden surface with pink roses and a blue cloth in the background.

Simple Recipe Variations

Milk choices: Any type of milk can be used in this recipe. It’s technically not a latte anymore if you use it, but cream can also work! To make a plant-based, or non-dairy latte, use almond milk, oat milk, coconut milk, or cashew milk. It will change the flavor profile a bit but it still works.
Adjust the sweetness level: You can easily reduce the amount of vanilla syrup if you prefer a latte that is less sweet. Sugar-free syrups are available, too. Of course, if you have a sweet tooth, you can increase the amount of vanilla syrup!
Making espresso: Using an espresso machine (or Nespresso machine) is the easiest way to get your coffee made. You can make coffee that will be similar to espresso by using a bold roast in a French press (using brewed coffee makes this a café au lait, but it still works!). Instant espresso is another choice.
Try different flavors. Swap out the vanilla simple syrup for a variety of other flavors. Torani syrup comes in lots of different flavors, like caramel, peppermint, cinnamon, almond, and mocha! If you would rather not buy Torani syrup, sweeten your latte with a natural sweetener and a bit of vanilla extract.

Serving Ideas

Serve your iced coffee lattes with a homemade “bakery” treat for a real coffee shop experience. Here are a few ideas for you:

You can prep the latte the day before by simply mixing the espresso, flavored syrup, and milk together. Keep the mixture chilled in the fridge and enjoy it over ice the next day.

Fill a 12 to 14 ounce glass about ¾ full with ice.
Pour in the vanilla simple syrup and espresso.
1 ounce vanilla simple syrup, 1 ounce espresso
Add milk and stir to combine.
8 ounces milk
Top with whipped cream, if desired.

Milk: Any milk can be used in this recipe, including nondairy (oat, almond, soy, etc.). The nutrition information is calculated with 2% milk.
Reduced sugar: Use less vanilla syrup, if desired, or a sugar-free syrup.
Espresso options:
- Having an espresso machine or a Nespresso machine will make this recipe the easiest.
- The next best option is to make coffee in a French press, using a bold roast. If you use brewed coffee this is actually a café au lait.
- Lastly, if you’re really in a pinch, you can use instant espresso.

Serving: 12oz., Calories: 192kcal, Carbohydrates: 32g, Protein: 8g, Fat: 5g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Trans Fat: 0.2g, Cholesterol: 18mg, Sodium: 127mg, Potassium: 368mg, Sugar: 32g, Vitamin A: 231IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 276mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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