If you appreciate a cold coffee, there are several options today. However, cold brew, cold drip, or nitro cold brew require some forethought, equipment, and time before they can be enjoyed.
Two superstars of the field, iced Shaken espresso and iced latte are both low on prep time, generous on buzz, and refreshingly cool.
Iced Shaken Espresso vs Iced Latte? An iced shaken espresso boasts more espresso shots and less milk than Iced Latte, which results in more caffeine and a stronger flavor. Also, for the Iced Shaken espresso, a dash of milk is added on top. And, because it’s shaken up to 30 seconds, the texture is foamy as compared to the iced latte (This is the case whether you add milk or not).
Is iced shaken espresso sweet?
Yes, the drink is shaken with ice, syrup —or other sweeteners. And although the basic ingredients of espresso and ice shaken together will produce an aerated, nuanced flavor that can be enjoyed without additions, the extra sweetness can introduce a luxuriously enjoyable dimension to your iced shaken espresso.
Iced shaken espresso vs Iced Latte caffeine content
For iced lattes and iced shaken espresso, the caffeine content is directly proportional to the number of espresso shots you use. But generally, an iced latte has a lesser caffeine punch.
In fact the iced shaken espresso grande contains up to 3 espresso shots, which around a whopping 225 mg of caffeine per drink, that ought to tickle your tastebuds and get you going for the day!
Iced latte caffeine content
This is pretty straightforward. While the addition of milk will dilute the coffee and expand the volume, it does not decrease the amount of espresso in the drink.
Therefore, the caffeine content of an iced latte is equivalent to the caffeine content you would expect to find in the espresso component. For a standard double shot, this would be around 150 mg.
All you have to do is make sure you enjoy every last drop of your drink, and you will have ingested the whole dose of caffeine!
Is the Iced shaken espresso good?
Oh, yes! It’s favorable, sweet with a strong punch of caffeine. And while shaking your coffee might produce a couple of sweat beads, it could be worth it for the delightful texture and flavors it produces.
Visually, the Iced shaken espresso has that delightful drizzle-down-of-milk type of effect; it’s that type of drink that your barista might describe as “coffee forward”.
Notably, when Starbucks went head and introduced its range of Iced shaken espresso, it stirred up interest among customers in this method of preparing cold caffeinated beverages.
Making Iced shaken espresso vs Iced Latte
To prepare the Iced shaken espresso:
- Into a cocktail shaker, pour your espresso shot(s), some ice and Syrup (Or sugar).
- Power shake for about 30 seconds. The process will produce a cold, foamy drink with a silky texture.
- Finally, drizzle a dash of milk on top for extra creaminess.
Starbucks’ recipe includes both a sweetener and milk as an indulgent standard.
For an iced latte:
- Pour Milk and ice into your glass.
- Add sugar to desired taste (optional) and stir.
- Add your espresso shot.
Do you steam milk for an iced latte?
No, there’s no need to steam or froth milk for Iced latte, the spirit of the drink is to mix up good old milk, ice and espresso. For extra flavor, you might want to include syrup or any other sweetener of your choice.
Bonus Tips:
- Piping hot espresso will melt ice quickly and dilute the taste of your drink. Avoid this by by either pre-chilling the glass or giving the coffee an extra time to cool down.
- Sugar will not dissolve well in cold liquids. The solution is to stir the sugar in when the liquid in the glass is warm.
Can you make an iced latte without an espresso machine?
Yes, if you don’t have an espresso machine, you can use espresso powder instead of the usual espresso shot.
The whole point is to get strong, concentrated espresso-like coffee. And there are several way to achieve that.
One of which is through the use of an AeroPress, which is a device that utilises pressure from good old “elbow grease” to extract a strong shot of coffee without expensive machines. (Source)
Ground coffee and hot water are added to the barrel of the device, and a short time later, pressure is applied by human might to a plunger. Out the other end comes delicious, strong coffee.
Iced Espresso vs Iced Latte
There are two main differences between iced espresso and iced latte. First, an iced latte contains milk. An iced espresso does not require milk.
An iced espresso, in its simplest form, is espresso coffee and ice. An iced latte contains espresso, ice, and milk. Sugar is optional in both cases, if you want to add sweetness or dull the bitter edge of your coffee.
The second difference is not explicit but is related to the first. A drink that is espresso and ice will have less volume than one that has espresso, ice, and milk. Which brings me to my next point.
So which is the right option for you?
Keep reading to learn all the secrets I’ve been able to dig up while researching this rich topic. On your way to discovering, or rekindling, a love for the humble heroes of cold coffee.
Which is right for you? Iced Shaken Espresso vs Iced Latte or Iced Espresso?
There is no prescribed volume of milk, meaning that you can add anything from a splash to a whole bottle (or two, or three, but I wouldn’t do that…), yet the fact remains that you will be adding volume to your drink when you add milk.
So, when faced with the dilemma of “iced espresso vs iced latte”, there are some helpful targeted questions:
Milk, or no milk? Smaller, or larger volume?
Do I want a crisp, clean, and strong black coffee?
Or would I prefer to indulge in a cool and creamy treat?
Do I have room for the extra volume and calories from milk?
Personally, I feel nimbler of feet and mind when I drink black coffee. Plus, I enjoy the strong taste of espresso, so the choice for me is easy: iced espresso.
However, those who enjoy the sweeter taste of coffee with milk, or want to protect against indigestion, or who just want to treat themselves (why not?) then an iced latte is a great option.
A brief recipe for iced espresso:
- Pre-chill a glass with ice, then remove the ice
- Into the pre-chilled glass, pour your espresso shot.
- Add sugar to desired taste (optional) and stir.
- Add the ice back in.
What about Iced espresso caffeine content ?
So how much caffeine is in an iced espresso? Well, it depends on the number of espresso shots, but for a standard 0.75 fl oz (22.2 mL) shot of espresso the dose of caffeine is 75mg.
Considering melted ice will dilute a single shot significantly, a double espresso shot is recommended for an iced espresso.
This will equate to about 150 mg of caffeine. Three shots would be 225mg, four shots up to 300mg, and so on and so forth.
How to make iced espresso with Nespresso
If you have a Nespresso machine, the process remains nice and simple. Nespresso machines are fool-proof devices that produce an enjoyable cup of coffee.
To make an iced espresso with your Nespresso machine, pre-chill a glass. Select your favorite capsule, place it in the slot in the machine, place the glass under the outlet, and press the coffee button. Then add ice, and sip away.
It is worth noting that there are two or more serving size options to most machines, and there is a wide array of capsules with different flavors, strengths, and nuances, allowing you to customise your beverage.
Experiment to find something that works for you.
For myself, I would prefer to use a smaller serving size but multiple pods, in order to preserve the strength and taste of the coffee.
Final Thoughts :
Everyone knows the scene. It’s a cold morning. You’re dressed in a sweater (maybe turtleneck), or a warm robe, and woollen slippers.
Maybe they are standing at the window looking out at the snowed-over woods, or huddled on the sofa under a blanket with a good book, or sitting at a desk tackling the freelance work for the day.
You know it is cold, but it’s ok, because both hands are clasped around what is self-evidently a warm mug of coffee. A contented smile, half-closed eyes, and a deep breath in and out.
It is morning.
It is coffee time. And it is glorious.
(Cue the sound of a record scratching).
Well, I live in the tropics, which means it is either hot and humid, or warm and dry, at any time of year. Every. Morning. Sure, there’s a sensory and spiritual pleasure to be found in wrapping both hands around a piping hot cup of coffee.
But some days I don’t feel like sweaty palms and sweaty everything else, and what I want – what I really want – is something cold to drink in the morning.
The trouble is, I also like the kickstart in the morning that coffee gives me. So, am I doomed to sip on sugar-laden, medicine-flavored energy drinks at 6 a.m.?
Not a chance. Am I to be punished each time I forget to make a batch of cold brew or cold drip?
Nope. I can use my espresso machine to create delicious, strong coffee with a refreshing chill. I can make an iced Shaken espresso or an iced latte.
There’s no right of wrong when it come to Coffee:
Coffee is art…but it is also science, and part of that science is the effects of caffeine in giving us that kick of vitality, alertness and focus that can help us be just that little bit “more”.
Most of us will come to iced versions of our favourite beverage expecting a little boost.
However, whatever your budget or experience, there is a simple way to make strong shots of coffee that can be chilled instantly with ice as a cold morning kickstarter, a relaxing and refreshing daytime beverage, or a summer evening treat.
If more substance is needed, Choose milk.
Are you after a sweet treat? Add some sugar or flavoured syrup.
Work on that cocktail mixing technique, and you may just entertain your “cool” friends before you cater to their tastes with a silky foamed iced shaken espresso.
If no one else is around, just impress yourself, and burn a couple of calories while you’re at it!
But remember, when it comes to your everyday early morning rituals and tea-break boosts, our icy espresso-based friends are there to refresh and energize you whenever you so desire.
If you’ve come this far… WOW! Thank you for reading my article and I really hope you enjoyed it!
If you did, don’t hesitate to share it with that someone who would benefit from it!
