Iced latte is an absolute classic among cold coffee drinks, and iced latte is best when you want a quick, refreshing coffee without a long preparation. Iced latte suits warm days, a slow morning, or an afternoon break, because iced latte combines chilled milk and freshly brewed coffee in a simple drink that is ready in 10 minutes.
Coffee, milk and ice each have a clear role in iced latte. Espresso gives iced latte a concentrated coffee taste, while filter coffee also works when you want the same drink with a slightly lighter profile. Cold plant milk or cold dairy milk forms the smooth base of iced latte, and ice cubes keep iced latte cold from the first sip while also giving iced latte the crisp texture expected from a chilled coffee drink.
The main thing to watch is temperature and balance. Fill a tall glass fully with ice before adding the cold milk, because enough ice helps iced latte stay cold longer. Brew the espresso or prepare the filter coffee and add it to the drink, and serve iced latte right away while the contrast between the cold milk and the fresh coffee is still clear and pleasant.
The recipe already allows the most practical swaps, because iced latte can be made with either plant milk or dairy milk. Espresso can be replaced with filter coffee, exactly as the method suggests, and strong brewed coffee also fits the same idea if it is prepared in the same spirit. Milk with 2.5% fat gives a classic result, but the recipe keeps the choice open between animal and plant milk.
Iced latte is easiest to serve in a tall glass straight after mixing. Iced latte can be served as it is, because the drink is built around the clean taste of coffee, milk and ice. The drink is intended for one serving, and the portion is best enjoyed immediately while the ice still chills the milk and coffee without diluting them too much.
Ready iced latte is not a drink to store for long. Iced latte keeps in the refrigerator for no more than 30 to 40 minutes, because the ice melts, the drink becomes diluted and the taste loses its clarity. Freezing iced latte is not suitable, because after thawing the milk separates and the coffee taste becomes flat, so iced latte is best prepared just before drinking.
An iced latte takes 10 minutes in total, with 5 minutes of active work. Most of the time goes into brewing the espresso or filter coffee.
An iced latte made with 2.5% milk has about 38 to 40 kcal per 100 ml according to the source notes. One whole serving, about 135 ml without counting the ice, is around 54 kcal.
Espresso can be replaced with filter coffee, because the recipe directly allows both options. Strong brewed coffee, cooled to room temperature, also works in the same style.
No, freezing an iced latte is not recommended. After thawing, the milk separates and the coffee taste becomes flat.
A ready iced latte should be kept in the refrigerator for no longer than 30 to 40 minutes. After that time, the ice melts, the drink becomes diluted and the flavour is less pleasant.
