With the situation of social distancing and staying at home as much as possible, I’m trying my best to make my favorite things at home. Learning how to make my favorite coffee drinks has been the biggest thing being our little ‘outings’ usually consisted of a stop at our local Starbucks or Caribou for a coffee. Though it’s been a while since I have ordered an iced latte, I was craving something apart from a cold brew coffee, so I gave a shot at making an iced latte (I’m not one for hot drinks other than on rare occasions). This copycat Starbucks iced latte in caramel and vanilla flavors is here to help you stay at home with your favorite coffee!
All you need for this recipe is a few ingredients, and just about 5 minutes! It’s simple, delicious, and made in the comfort of your own kitchen. Win-win. I have personally enjoyed making different drinks, so I played around with vanilla and caramel in this post. I’ll share the two variants below. Both require instant coffee or espresso powder, milk (feel free to use any plant-based milk to make this vegan), and vanilla syrup or caramel syrup. Don’t worry – if you don’t have the syrup at home, we can easily make some with sugar, water, and vanilla for the vanilla version.
What you’ll love about this copycat Starbucks iced latte recipe?
- You can customize the flavor to fit your needs. Caramel or vanilla. Heck you could even try a chocolate flavored one with some chocolate syrup.
- Vegan friendly- as with most drinks at Starbucks, you can use any plant-based milk in this to make it vegan.
- Get creative with the syrup – you can try it with maple syrup and vanilla instead of the pre-made or homemade syrup options.
- Quick and easy to make, you’ll probably want to build this into your morning routine, even after things return to normal.
How to make this copycat Starbucks iced latte at home?
- If you don’t have vanilla or caramel syrup at home, you will want to make it. Start by heating 1/2 cup sugar on low-medium heat in a small pot on the stove. As the sugar starts to dissolve, continue to stir or shake the pan so it doesn’t burn. If you are making vanilla syrup, add 3/4 tsp of vanilla extract, and 1/2 cup water to the pot once the sugar is all dissovled. It will spurt so be careful!
- Stir the water and vanilla into the pot and allow it to continue to heat until the sugar completely dissolves. Then remove from heat and it’s ready to use.
- To make the ‘espresso’ with instant coffee, dissolve 1 tbsp of instant coffee in 6 tbsp of water. This is about 3 servings of coffee, so 2-3 shots of espresso.
- In a glass, start with 1.5 tbsp syrup and 3/4 cup water. Then add ice and top with the dissolved espresso.
- Mix together and enjoy!
Related Recipes
Copycat Starbucks Salted Cream Cold Foam
Copycat Starbucks Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew
Copycat Caribou Coffee Iced Crafted Press
Copycat Starbucks Iced Latte, Vanilla or Caramel
Ingredients
Syrup (If you don't have it already)
- ½ cup sugar
- ½ cup water
- ¾ tsp vanilla (optional)
Iced Latte
- 1 tbsp instant coffee (or espresso powder)
- 6 tbsp water
- ¾ cup milk plant-based for vegan
- 1.5 tbsp syrup
- ice
Instructions
To Make Caramel Syrup
- In a small saucepan, heat sugar on medium-low heat until the crystals start to dissolve. This will take some time, about 15-20 minutes so be patient. Stir or shake the pan to prevent burning.
- Once it's all dissolved and golden brown, add the water. It'll sputter so be careful!
- Stir the water and sugar together and continue to heat until the sugar is all dissolved.
- Remove from heat. Store remaining syrup in the fridge in an airtight container for 2 weeks.
To Make Vanilla Syrup
- Heat the sugar and water in a small saucepan on the stove over medium heat. Bring to a boil once the sugar is dissolved.
- Boil for about 5 minutes. Then remove from heat and add vanilla extract.
- Store remaining syrup in the fridge for up to 2 weeks in an airtight container.
Iced Latte Assembly
- Start by dissolving the instant coffee or espresso powder in water. Make sure all crystals are dissolved. If you have an espresso maker, you can substitute this instead – make 2 shots.
- In a glass, add 1.5 tbsp of the syrup and milk. Then add ice.
- Pour the espresso shots over the top.
- Stir together and serve!
Nutrition
What do you like better, vanilla or caramel? Maybe a mixture of both! Let me know in the comments below.
-Cassie 🙂
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I’m a huge fan of a good caramel latte and this has been on my breakfast every day this week. The caramel syrup makes enough for several days!
Vanilla lattes are my favorite and this is a really easy way to make it at home without the nespresso (can’t justify the cost of one), but this is a close second!
this is yum. glad to try.
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