pink iced latte strawberry iced latte in a tall ribbed glass — Photo by Jessica Furniss

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This iced latte recipe uses Hershy’s Strawberry Syrup to give it a bright fruity flavor and a gorgeous pink hue. I’m a sucker for Valentine’s Day brunch, but this year I wanted something a little different. So we had hwachae, pigs in a blanket, strawberry iced lattes, and espresso martinis while we played games and snuck in Valentine’s Day candy.

What is an iced latte?

If you ask a coffee snob, they might tell you that the ingredients in an iced latte are strongly brewed espresso, whole milk, and ice. But, I’m no coffee snob and I’m here to tell you that you can make iced lattes out of cold brew. You can make iced lattes out of strongly brewed coffee. And you can make lattes out of instant coffee too! They might tell you that you need to add the espresso first, then the milk, then the ice to make sure everything is mixed together properly. But, I like adding my milk and ice first and pouring the espresso on top. I mean, how else would I maintain this beautiful pink color in this strawberry latte? They also might tell you that whole milk is the only way to go, but I love using almond milk, soy milk, or oat milk in my iced lattes. It adds in some more unique flavors and doesn’t feel quite as heavy on my tummy.

Learn how to make an iced latte at home

Which Coffee/Espresso to use for an iced latte

If you have a fancy espresso machine at home like me (thanks to my partner’s coffee obsession) then espresso is the right way for you. But, if you don’t then it’s going to just be trial and error to determine what kind of coffee to use in your lattes. A lot of folks use cold brew concentrate cut with a little less water than they normally would for regular iced cold brew. Other folks like to use freshly brewed coffee that’s been cooled off just a little (don’t let it cool completely or the flavor won’t be good). And others like to make their lattes with instant coffee (which I think tastes delicious). Figure out what works best for you!

Does an iced latte have sugar?

It’s up to you whether you want to sweeten your latte or not. When it comes to flavoring your latte you can go higher end with syrups like Monin or Torani or you can grab a few at the grocery store like Hershey’s Strawberry syrup that I used for this recipe. TJ Maxx and Home Goods both sell seasonal flavors of coffee syrups at discounted rates, so if waiting on an online order isn’t your thing, try those stores. Or you can go simpler and just add a couple of teaspoons of sugar.

What milk is best for an iced latte?

When it comes to which milk to add to lattes, I think this again has to do with your own preference. There’s so many different types of milks and even flavored varieties. I love using Califia Farms Barista Blend in my lattes with Silk Regular Soy Milk as a close second. But, venture out and try a few to see which one suits you best in your iced lattes at home.

What you need to make an iced latte

Making a latte is as easy as adding the coffee, milk, syrup, and ice to your glass and enjoying it! I like using two ounces of espresoo and three to four ounces of almond milk with a tablespoon of syrup for my iced lattes, but you may like more or less of any of these ingredients.

Tips for making an iced latte at home

Always let your espresso or coffee cool down just a bit, but not all the way so it doens’t lose its robust flavor.
You don’t need a fancy espresso machine to make iced lattes at home. Instant coffee works great!
Be careful not to add too much syrup. Start with a teaspoon and work your way up until you find the sweetness level that’s right for you.

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Find my mocktail recipes in my e-book Hydrating Mocktails: 31 drink recipes to leave you hydrated instead of hungover.