The curiosity of coffee lovers knows no end. Trying out the different flavors, temperatures, ingredients, and brewing methods is what excites any java enthusiast. Cold lattes are unconventional, but they are gradually gaining popularity.
Caffe lattes are the most loved drinks all over the planet so let’s explore the cold version of it. How’s it different? Is it worth a try? Read on to know.
Are lattes cold, warm, or hot?
Traditional lattes are served hot at the temperature of 150 to 165 ℉ (65 to 75 ℃). This tasty blend of foam, crème, steamed milk and coffee always gave a sense of coziness and comfort. Many cafes serve warm lattes, too, so there isn’t any hard and fast rule.
Lately, people have been trying out cold coffee lattes, and they taste amazing. This trend is growing on social media, and many cooking websites are putting up delicious recipes for homemade iced lattes.
Cold or Iced Lattes- Everything you need to know
Is an iced latte just a latte with ice? A common question that would pop up in one’s mind, but it’s not the case. The taste of coffee varies with temperature and brewing method. So, an iced latte is not the same as a regular latte with ice.
Iced or Cold latte is made from cold milk, shots of espresso, and some ice cubes( not necessary). Yup! It’s as simple as it gets. You can even make it at your home if you’ve got an espresso machine.
Iced latte is as strong as a hot latte because it has the same caffeine content. According to the consumer report, a single shot of espresso is about 63 mg of caffeine. Having two or three shots of espresso in cold lattes is normal.
If you are trying to lose weight, then be aware of the calories in your favorite latte. A regular cup contains 180 to 200 calories depending on the ingredients you add.
Starbucks’ most popular flavors for iced lattes are “Vanilla” and “Caramel.” There is something about these two flavors that complement the cold latte like nothing else.
How do you make a cold latte at home?
Iced lattes, just like iced tea and refreshers, can be a rejuvenating drink in the summer. And you don’t have to move to the nearby café to get it. Here’s a quick Iced latte recipe for you to try.
Quick Home Recipe
Step 1:
Put some ice in the cup. Pour two shots of hot espresso onto the ice. Let the ice melt a little. It’ll cool the espresso.
Step:2
Add frothed milk to the taste
Step 3:
Add half a teaspoon of vanilla extract or Caramel syrup to have the desired flavor.
Step 4:
Enjoy the drink.
Are cold lattes healthy?
Yes, they are. The basic ingredients of a cold latte are milk, cream, and coffee. But you can make it healthier by introducing dairy alternatives like almond or coconut milk. They are also a good option if you are lactose intolerant.
You can also cut back on sugar and syrups to avoid unnecessary calories. If you like to drink lattes close to bedtime, then go for a decaf espresso shot instead. It won’t hinder your sleep.
However, you may not have much control over the contents of an iced latte bought from a café. A typical store-bought medium-sized latte can have up to 200 calories.
Is Iced latte sweeter?
Not necessarily. It depends on your choice. Some prefer sweeter cold lattes because it really brings out the flavor. Sometimes the added flavor like vanilla, caramel, and cinnamon can inherently make the drink a little sweeter.
Is latte a cold drink?
Latte can be enjoyed both hot and cold. Though there is a difference in tastes, each has its unique flavor. Just like hot or iced coffee, lattes have their own variety. In hot weather, a latte can be served as a cold drink and can be refreshing.
Are iced lattes and iced coffee the same?
No, they aren’t. The main difference between a regular coffee and a latte is the addition of milk. A latte is at least three parts milk and one part coffee.
Iced Lattes have a milky taste and velvety texture. They are calorie-rich drinks and can have many flavors. The addition of milk and crème adds to the delightful taste and is enjoyed by everyone, from kids to grownups. Iced lattes have slightly lesser caffeine content.
Iced coffee has lesser ingredients and calories. However, the caffeine content is more, and the taste is much stronger.
Iced latte vs. Iced coffee, which is stronger?
Considering the nutrition list of Starbucks, Iced coffee is certainly stronger than lattes. A grande-size iced coffee contains 165 mg of caffeine, while the iced caffe latte contains 150 mg of caffeine per serving.
Iced Latte vs. Iced Espresso, which is better?
If you want to kick start your day and shake off the morning grogginess, then an Iced espresso is better. It has higher caffeine content which will give you the jump-start you need. However, some prefer lattes because adding milk and other flavors tones down the bitterness of coffee. In the end, we recommend you try both and see which one rocks your boat.
How to make an iced latte without a machine?
Not having an iced coffee machine doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy refreshing iced lattes. You can always use instant coffee or espresso powder available in the market. Nescafe’s instant coffees are a popular choice. However, this won’t give you the same taste as the espresso brewed in a machine, but it’s close enough.
Traditional Hot or Warm Lattes
Coffee, in general, is served hot, which extracts the unique flavor from the coffee beans. Lattes are also originally served hot. Made from steamed milk and espresso shots, it’s a match made in heaven.
It’s actually healthier than drinking just black coffee and also less acidic. A medium-sized cup of latte contains 19 calories and 150 mg of caffeine. Many popular brands like Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts, and Mcdonald’s serve lattes in various flavors.
What’s the right temperature for milk in a latte?
Generally, to make the perfect cup of hot latte, the right temperature of the milk should be around 120 to 160℉ ( 50 to 70℃). It should be frothed to get the creamy texture.
For iced lattes, just use cold milk, and you are good to go. It’s simple yet tasty.
Are Starbucks lattes cold or hot?
Yes, Starbucks offers both cold and hot lattes in your favorite flavors. Some popular Starbucks cold and hot lattes are café latte, cinnamon dolce latte, and blonde vanilla latte.
You may need to check the menu as some latte flavors are seasonal such as, eggnog, pumpkin spiced latte and chestnut praline latte.
You can ask the barista to add any available syrup of your choice to your latte. They offer over sixteen types of syrups that include caramel syrup, cinnamon dolce syrup, sugar free cinnamon dolce syrup, hazelnut syrup, Irish cream syrup, peppermint syrup, and pineapple ginger syrup to name a few.
Are McDonald’s lattes cold or hot?
Yes, Mcdonald’s offers both cold and hot lattes in small, medium and large cups. Their most popular is the classic latte made with Rainforest Alliance Certified espresso and whole milk.
In addition, they offer two other delicious flavors! Their caramel latte is classic latte infused with buttery caramel flavor. And their French vanilla latte is made by adding a few pumps of smooth French vanilla flavor that gives the perfect texture to their lattes.
Some McDonald’s latte flavors may not be available in your region.
Is pumpkin spice latte cold or hot?
Pumpkin spice latte can be both cold and hot! It’s a delicious drink made of espresso, milk (whole, soy, 2 percent, soy, nonfat, coconut, or almond) and pumpkin spice sauce that gives the classic taste. You can add ice or make it hot.
In addition, you can top it with your favorite amount of whipped cream and some pumpkin spice.
Iced Latte Nespresso
A Nespresso iced latte is a quick and delicious beverage you can make in just three minutes using a Nespresso machine. For this recipe, you require two Nespresso coffee pods (espresso), milk of your choice and some ice cubes.
To brew a strong coffee base, put coffee pods in your machine. Once it is done, add some ice cubes to cool it down. Now, pour your milk into the milk frother to make it foamy. You can skip this step if you prefer plain milk. Put some ice cubes in your favorite cup and pour your milk. Now slowly pour the freshly brewed coffee onto your foamy milk and enjoy!
How to order an iced latte like a regular at starbucks?
Ordering at Starbuck can be very confusing if you are new. You can easily mess up your order with so many flavors and options. We will tell you how to do your homework before going to the barista so you can save time and act like a regular.
Decide what type of iced latte you need. You can simply go for a classic iced latte and ask for;
- Extra cream
- Your type of milk
- Extra Ice
- Toppings
- Espresso shots
- Sweetener or any flavored syrup of your choice
You can even go for their pre-made latte flavors, including café latte, cinnamon dolce latte, and blonde vanilla latte.
Decide the cup size. You can choose from tall, grande, venti or trenta.
- Tall holds 12-oz of drink,
- Grande holds 16-oz,
- Venti holds 24-oz, and
- Trenta holds 31-oz.
Try out whole milk, soy milk, 2 percent, nonfat, coconut or almond milk to refresh your taste buds. Your barista can add a few pumps of your favorite syrup, such as vanilla, hazelnut, caramel, or peppermint, to name a few. In addition, for an extra kick in your coffee, you can add a few shots of espresso as well. Finally, to top it off, get your favorite sprinkles, and caramel or mocha drizzles on the coffee.
Final Thoughts!
You are really missing out on lattes if you haven’t tried the cold ones. Summers are here, so why not ditch the conventional drink and switch to iced coffee lattes. It’s a refreshing and healthy drink overall. It’s even easier to make it at home. Try it out and thank us later.
