Cool off with an iced latte at home + why I didn’t like them at first

One of my favorite drinks to make at home is a Vanilla Toffee Iced Latte. It is easy to make and simply delicious. If you know a thing or two about Phoenix, Arizona summers, is that they are burning hot! Therefore, there is nothing more refreshing than an iced drink. I’ll be honest, though; I didn’t always like iced lattes or iced coffee (that’s the French in me); in fact, I’m still new to it! But now I can't seem to get enough!

Iced Lattes Don’t Taste Like Coffee

For a long time, I was not a fan of iced coffee-based drinks (that’s the French in me), simply because the ones I’d had were too watered down for my taste. 

I kept thinking: “Where’s the coffee??? All I taste is water and syrup!”

Then two years ago, I finally had an iced latte (mocha) that tasted delicious—in Kinshasa, Congo, of all places! It was at a coffee shop called Roots For All Coffee. It was delicious and I was surprised.

My way of drinking coffee has always been very “French.” My taste buds and way of eating are still very French. I admire the French coffee culture. And the French aren’t too keen on iced lattes or lattes, to begin with. It is simply not part of the culture.

Soooo, that iced latte I had in Kinshasa changed me!

When I returned to Phoenix, I decided to make my own iced latte at home. I tried to be creative and create my own thing. I tried many different mixes and played with quantities until I found something that worked for me and my tastebuds. I created it so that the flavors of the coffee would still be eminent and that it would not be too sweet.  Some iced lattes are filled with syrups and not much else.

How Do I Make an Iced Latte at Home?

Making an iced latte typically requires an espresso machine. Before I went all “commercial-grade, ” and bought a LUCCA 853 espresso machine, my first espresso machines were for beginners and far from commercial. I started with a De’Longhi Espresso machine and then a Breville Barista Pro. In fact, I still use the Barista Pro from time to time. If you don’t have an espresso machine, you can substitute with brewed coffee made with a moka pot, for instance.

Step-by-step instructions

The main key secret ingredient is in the coffee. You must have good coffee, to begin with.

1. Pull a double shot of espresso.

   • The type of beans makes all the difference. I recommend beans that are roasted specifically for espresso.

2. Follow the ratio for a double shot precisely (unless you prefer one shot).

   • i.e. 21 grams of espresso for a double shot— a good shot will range between 25-30  seconds.

3. Pump toffee nut syrup into your cup (1 pump is what I prefer but feel free to add more)

   • followed by the vanilla syrup (1 pump)

4. Add ice (4 extra large cubes work for me).

5. Pour milk  (I prefer Oat Milk) 

   • I pour milk at the halfway mark of whatever cup I use because I prefer stronger lattes. Some people fill the cup with more milk and prefer a milder latte. I like the taste of coffee, especially if it’s a good roast.

6. Pour espresso 

7. Stir

8. Drink uppppp

Okay, let’s rewind. 

Confession: These days I also add a scoop of ice cream, stir, and put it in the freezer for 20 minutes. This creates some sort of milkshake that I love and can’t get enough of.

What is your go-to iced latte preference and will you try this one? Let me know!

Happy drinking!

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