How to Make an Iced Latte (Without a Machine)

Iced coffee lovers, this is for you!

Whether it’s hot outside and the thought of enjoying a hot latte gets you…well, hot and bothered… or if you just would much rather enjoy a cold coffee drink than a hot one, a homemade iced latte has your back.

I, myself, am a very seasonal coffee drinker. Once summer rolls around, I’m all about the ice. Luckily for all of us, we can make iced lattes in less than 5 minutes at a much cheaper price than heading to the coffee shop.

You won’t need any fancy equipment or machines, just a way to brew strong coffee, some milk, and stir in your favorite latte syrups, and sip away. Let’s get to it!

First, What is an Iced Latte?

A hot latte is a coffee beverage made with espresso and steamed milk, with a little foam. The ratio of ingredients is about a third espresso, and two-thirds steamed milk, topped with foam.

An iced latte, however, doesn’t usually have foam because the milk is not steamed.

The hot milk would simply melt your ice, so cold milk is used instead. Some cafes may serve an iced latte with cold foam. For an iced latte, espresso and milk are simply poured over ice, then enjoyed.

Iced Coffee vs. Iced Latte

So, we know what a latte is, and how to make it into an iced latte, but how is that different than iced coffee?!? There are two main differences between iced coffee and an iced latte, and it comes down to the type of coffee used and the milk ratios.

An iced latte is made with espresso, which is much stronger than coffee, and there is more milk in an iced latte, because… latte ratios!

Iced coffee, or similarly, cold brew coffee, are both methods of making regular coffee served over ice. There is the option of adding cream or milk to either, as you would a cup of hot coffee, but it’s not an essential part of the drink as it is with an iced latte.

Do Lattes Have More Caffeine?

Per ounce, espresso has more caffeine than coffee, but the amount of caffeine per drink will vary depending on the amounts used.

One shot of espresso (if 1 ounce or so) typically has around 60 milligrams of caffeine, whereas one cup of coffee (12 ounces) has around 120 milligrams. Do note this amount can vary depending on the coffee beans and brew method.

That being said, when comparing a latte and coffee, a latte has between 2-3 ounces of espresso, so the same amount as 12 ounces of coffee, but it is diluted with much more milk. Therefore, a latte can actually have less caffeine than a cup of coffee, depending on the ratio.

Let’s Make an Iced Latte!

I bet you already guessed it, but you only need two ingredients to make an iced latte (not counting the ice). It’s so easy to do, too!

First, Brew the Espresso (or very strong coffee)

The first step is to brew the espresso. That is if you have an espresso machine. But I hear you…how can you brew espresso if you don’t have an espresso machine?! Well, friend, I don’t have an espresso machine either. The key, in this case, is to have very strong coffee.

Here are a few ways to make “espresso” or very strong coffee:

• Use Cold Brew Concentrate for the espresso – it’s already strong coffee!
• Traditional Coffee, Strongly Brewed: it’s easy and super accessible. You will need less water in your coffee-to-water ratio when brewing coffee. The general recommendation is a 15:1 ratio of water to coffee grounds for a strong brew. Ultimately, it depends on your preferences.
  • Brew espresso beans or a dark roast for the strongest, deepest coffee flavor
  • While you can brew the coffee any method you prefer, a French press is a great option for strong coffee.
• Stovetop Espresso: make espresso on the stovetop using a Moka pot, which is a classic Italian method for brewing strong coffee.
• Use Instant Espresso or strongly brew instant coffee.
• Aeropress: makes strong, concentrated coffee.
• Nespresso: ok, this is a machine but it’s not an official espresso machine (IMO) but rather an easy, at-home option for making espresso without the pricey, fancy machine. So if you have one, of course, use it!

Consider this: if you are using strongly brewed coffee instead of espresso, use less milk for a more authentic latte flavor.

Mix it Together

There isn’t really a wrong way to assemble an iced latte. For a simple iced latte, I like to add ice to the glass first, then pour over the espresso, then the milk. It’s truly that easy to make!

If adding simple syrup to flavor the latte, I recommend adding the espresso to the glass along with the syrup and stirring them together. This helps make sure the flavoring is incorporated throughout the entire drink (as seen in this lavender iced latte!).

What Kind of Milk is Best for an Iced Latte?

Because there is no need to froth milk for an iced latte, it’s much easier to adapt the type of milk you use. You can honestly use any kind of milk you prefer – from regular to dairy-free milk!

For a super creamy iced latte, whole milk is a great option. I prefer oat milk for a dairy-free iced latte, but almond milk and coconut milk are good options, too.

How to Flavor an Iced Latte

Adding simple syrup is an easy way to add sweetener to your latte, and using flavored syrup is a fun way to mix it up! If you’re looking for a little sweeter drink, give one of these a try!

• Vanilla Syrup – for an Iced Vanilla Latte
• Caramel Syrup – for an Iced Caramel Latte
• Chocolate Syrup – for an Iced Mocha
• Autumn Spice Syrup
• Lavender Syrup
• Rosemary Syrup
• Ginger Syrup
• Mint Syrup – for an Iced Mint Latte
• Brown Sugar Syrup for a brown sugar iced latte!
• If you’re feeling fruity, why not try adding some strawberry or raspberry syrup?!
• Maple syrup or a sprinkle of cinnamon are also great staples to add!

Try Coffee Ice Cubes!

When you have a leftover coffee, freeze it in ice cube trays. Then, enjoy the coffee ice cubes in your iced coffee drinks. They’ll be chilled without getting watered down. Plus, we can’t argue with more coffee!

Did you make this recipe? Please leave a star rating and review in the form below. I appreciate your feedback, and it helps others, too!