In its simplest form, an iced latte is the colder version of the regular latte and not an ordinary latte you make in your home latte coffee machine that has been left to cool down. It is a combination of hot ice, cold milk, and hot expresso. it is a common drink during summertime and when the weather gets really hot as it is a treat on its own.
Source: Barista Institute
Unlike the days of old, anyone can prepare an iced latte. However, for a café, you will need to make one that meets the tastes of the customer. With that said, recipes vary and this will determine the quality of the iced latte.
Difference Between Regular and Iced Latte
Regular and iced latte are somewhat similar only that some of the elements of the hot or regular latte do not translate well into the iced version. The notable difference between the two is the milk.
Regular lattes used warm and frothed milk while the iced latte uses cold milk. This results in the iced latte lacking the characteristic foam of the regular latte. This results in the iced latte being milkier than the hot latte.
The iced latte has the elements of a regular latte, which is a shot of espresso and milk, in nearly equal portions. However, how they are combined is different, resulting in a different drink from the regular hot latte.
However, if you have clients who are not fond of the milky in the iced latte, use a double shot of espresso. The resulting ratio will be similar to the regular latte.
How I Make Iced Latte in My Café
Just like everything I offer in my café, I have tested different iced latte recipes. Some have worked wonders, while others have been epic fails. However, after much trial and error, I have created several iced latte recipes. Here is a simple yet amazing recipe:
What you will need:
- 1 cup of ice
- 4 ounces of espresso
- ¾ cup of whole milk
- A sweetener of choice
Method
- Fill a tall glass with ice
- Brew the espresso and pour it into the ice
- Pour milk and the sweetener into a mason jar until it is ¾ full
- Close the mason jar and shake the contents well
- Add the milk and form in the glass with the espresso and ice
- Serve and enjoy
If you do not have a mason jar, you can use a regular cocktail shaker.
Flavour
The recipe above will give you the standard serving of an iced latte. However, you can raise the flavour profile of an iced latte by playing around with sweeteners and additives. One of the best ways to do this is to use cinnamon to boost sweetness.
Source: Cook Republic
Vegan Ice Latte
There is surmountable evidence outlining the benefits of a vegan lifestyle. Unfortunately, most vegans had to skip on enjoying an iced latte since they were not in line with their dietary choices. However, after much experimenting, vegan iced latte recipes have popped all over the internet.
In this section, we will look at how to make iced lattes that have opened my café to a whole lot of customers. This recipe incorporates ground turmeric, black pepper, coconut, and ginger.
Here is what you will need:
- Half teaspoon turmeric
- A quarter teaspoonful of coconut powder or coconut oil
- Quarter teaspoon ginger powder
- An eighth teaspoonful of black pepper
However, if you are feeling experiential, you could use these spices to add flavour to your vegan iced latte:
- A quarter teaspoonful of cardamom
- A quarter teaspoonful of cinnamon
- A quarter teaspoonful of nutmeg
- A quarter teaspoonful of vanilla extract, honey, agave syrup, or maple syrup
With the ingredients ready, you will need to combine the ingredients properly to get the best-tasting vegan iced latte. However, you are not limited to only these spices. You can experiment with your heart’s content, but be sure to share your results in the comments section below. It will not be easy at first, but practice makes perfect. Here is how to make a vegan iced latte:
- Mix the black pepper, ginger powder, turmeric, and coconut powder in a bowl until it is well combined
- Boil a small amount of water then add 2.5 spoons of the water to the spice mixture and whisk well. The texture should not be a paste, but liquid. You could add a bit more water if need be
- Fill a glass with ice and your choice of plant-based milk such as coconut milk
- Pour the spice mix into the glass and stir it well to combine the ingredients
This vegan iced latte recipe is low in sodium and fats. It contains no added sugar while being high in calcium, protein. Even if you are not a vegan, this recipe will provide you with the perfect morning or afternoon pick-me-up drink that is full of antioxidants.
Conclusion
While you can have a latte at any time of day, it is best if you have it before 6 pm. This is because coffee keeps the mind alert and you will experience difficulty in falling asleep.
Iced lattes are some of the popular beverages that customers cannot get enough of, especially in the summertime. However, it is also enjoyed by people who want a better finish to their cup of coffee.
With the above recipes, you will be able to make the typical iced latte as well as the vegan iced latte. Unfortunately, making the perfect glass of iced latte takes time and patience. Be sure to try as many variants, syrups, and spices for your palate.
I am always looking to help anyone looking to improve their coffee-making skills. Throw away the instant coffee sachets and get the ingredients outlined in the recipes above. The method of preparation will help you start making good-quality coffee.
Leave a comment in the section below and I will be sure to answer every question you have on how to make an iced latte.
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