How to make an iced latte at home that’s better than the coffee shop
An iced latte is an espresso beverage combined with cold milk over ice — but there’s a difference between making a delicious iced latte and a watery one.
What is an iced latte?
Learning how to make an iced latte at home begins with understanding that this drink is fundamentally a cold version of a classic latte. Unlike a hot latte, the milk is not steamed or frothed. Instead, cold milk is combined with one or more shots of espresso and served over ice.
The appeal of the drink lies in its creamy texture and the way cold milk balances the intensity of the coffee. Because the espresso is hot when it hits the ice, the technique used to combine them is critical to prevent the drink from becoming weak.
What you need
You do not need a professional setup to create a quality result. However, the ingredients you choose will dictate the final flavor.
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Espresso: a double shot of high-quality espresso is the standard foundation.
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Milk: six ounces of your preferred dairy or plant-based milk.
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Ice: fresh, clean ice cubes are essential as they provide the temperature and some of the volume.
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Glassware: a 12-ounce glass provides enough room for all components without over-diluting the coffee.
For the best results, start with fresh beans. You can browse our espresso coffee and blends collection to find a roast that remains flavorful when mixed with milk.
Step-by-step: making an iced latte at home
Follow these steps to make a flavorful-yet-refreshing iced latte:
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Pull a double shot of espresso into a small separate container.
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Fill your 12-ounce glass halfway with cold milk.
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Add the shot of espresso to the milk
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Top with ice until your glass is full. This will chill the drink without the extra dilution caused by pouring hot espresso onto ice.
Take our quiz to get matched with coffees that’ll make the exact kind of espresso drinks you’ll like.
How to avoid a watery iced latte
The biggest complaint about home recipes is that they taste watered down. To fix this, you must control the melting of the ice. Pouring the espresso directly onto a glass of ice before adding milk will melt the ice instantly, leading to a thin beverage.
Using cold milk and adding the milk first acts as a buffer that cools the espresso before it touches the ice.
Iced latte vs cold brew: which should you make?
The choice between these two cold options depends on your preferred taste. Cold brew is a concentrate made by steeping coarse grounds in cold water for 12 to 24 hours. It is low in acidity and has a heavy, chocolatey profile.
An iced latte uses espresso, which is brewed with hot water and can extract the full spectrum of flavors from whatever coffee you’re using. It also uses less water and more milk than a cold-brew drink, giving you more dairy sweetness and creaminess.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between an iced latte and cold brew?
An iced latte uses fresh espresso and cold milk, resulting in a creamy drink with traditional coffee acidity. Cold brew is a concentrate made by steeping coffee over a long period, which produces a much smoother and less acidic flavor profile.
How do I make an iced latte without an espresso machine?
You can use a moka pot or an AeroPress to create a concentrated coffee that mimics espresso. While not technically espresso, these methods provide a strong enough base to balance the milk used in the recipe.
What milk is best for an iced latte?
Whole milk is the classic choice for a rich result. For those using plant-based options, oat milk is currently the most popular alternative. While it does have a bit of oat flavor, its texture is pretty similar to dairy. You can learn more about non-dairy milk options from Serious Eats.
How much espresso should I use for an iced latte?
A standard recipe uses a double shot of espresso, which is about two ounces of liquid. This provides the necessary strength to ensure the coffee is not lost when combined with eight ounces of milk and ice. Feel free to adjust the ratio of espresso to milk to your preference.
Mastering the home iced latte
An iced latte is one of the simplest espresso drinks to make at home —and a relatively expensive one at a coffee shop. The key is using a strong enough espresso so the milk and ice do not dilute the flavor. Trade's espresso collection ships roasted to order from independent roasters to ensure your home brew is as vibrant as possible. To find the right bean for your setup, take the taste quiz.
