Iced Coffee vs Iced Latte: Know Your Cold Joe

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Iced coffee and iced latte are perfect drinks for any weather, but they’re not twins! Many folks mix them up. Let’s set the record straight: they’re deliciously different. Dive in to discover how! 

Discover the unique tastes of iced coffee and iced latte today!

Quick Comparison: Iced Coffee vs Iced Latte

Iced CoffeeIced Latte
Coffee-to-Milk RatioLittle to no milk1/4 coffee, 3/4 milk 
Brewing MethodAny kind of coffeeEspresso shot 
Flavor Similar to hot brewed coffee Flavorful and creamy
Caffeine Content (in an 8-ounce drink)95 mg126 mg (double espresso shot)

What Is Iced Coffee?

An iced cup of cold brew coffee

Iced coffee simply means cold black coffee served over ice. The origins of iced coffee are quite mysterious. Was it born in Vienna or did it first appear in Algeria? No one’s quite sure, but it’s intriguing to ponder!

What Is an Iced Latte?

An iced latte, made with espresso and milk

Caffè latte combines espresso with warm, steamed milk, originating from Italy. The beginnings of the iced latte are a bit murky, but it’s thought to have started in the United States, quickly gaining fans all over the globe. 

Iced Coffee vs Iced Latte: Coffee-and-Milk Proportion

The key difference between iced coffee and an iced latte is the milk! Iced coffee mixes a lot of coffee with just a splash (or none) of milk. In contrast, an iced latte enjoys a generous pour of milk, making it creamier.

How much milk do you put in an iced latte?

To whip up a delicious café latte, start with a shot of espresso. Then, add three times as much cold or unsteamed milk, and top it off with steamed milk foam. Simple and tasty!

Do you need to steam milk for your iced latte?

Making iced coffee is a breeze because you skip the fancy latte art and don’t need to steam milk like you do for hot drinks. This means you get to enjoy your coffee quicker!

Iced Coffee vs Iced Latte: Brewing Method

How do you brew coffee for iced coffee?

Iced coffee is just hot coffee cooled down with ice. You can make it using any method you like, whether it’s a drip machine, French press, or pour-over.

Here are the steps to making tasty iced coffee at home:

Choose medium-roast Arabica or Robusta beans and grind them right for your coffee machine.

Make your coffee with water heated to 90-96°C to avoid weak flavors.

After brewing, add ice to fill half the glass, then gently pour in your fresh coffee.

4. Let your coffee cool a bit before mixing in milk and simple syrup for a flavor boost. Sugar doesn’t blend well, so stir thoroughly.

How do you brew coffee for an iced latte?

To make a delicious iced latte, start by using an espresso machine to brew a strong shot from finely ground coffee beans. Then, mix this shot with milk and ice in a glass. No espresso machine? No problem! You can also get great results with alternatives like Aeropress, a Moka pot, or even French press espresso.

Here is a step-by-step process for making a homemade iced latte:

1. Make your espresso shot (or shots) using your espresso machine. 

2. Next, pour your fresh espresso over a glass filled halfway with ice to chill it. Enjoy your cool drink!

Pour 3 ounces of your favorite milk into each shot of espresso.

Add your favorite sweetener and stir well for a perfect taste.

Iced Coffee vs Iced Latte: Flavor Differences

Which tastes more bitter?

Iced coffee and iced lattes aren’t just about the chill; they taste different too! Iced coffee often has a stronger, more bitter flavor because it’s packed with more coffee and less milk. But, don’t forget, the type of coffee bean and milk you choose can really change up the taste of your cool drink.

Which tastes creamier?

Even if iced latte and iced coffee use the same coffee beans and milk, the iced latte is creamier since it has more milk in it. Want your iced coffee creamier? Just add more milk!

Which tastes more like coffee?

Iced coffee gives you that pure coffee flavor with just a splash of milk, if any. On the other hand, an iced latte blends a strong espresso shot with ice and milk, toning down the coffee’s intensity for a smoother taste.

Iced Coffee vs Iced Latte: Caffeine Intensity

Some folks are sensitive to caffeine. Knowing the caffeine content helps pick the perfect coffee for you. 

Does iced latte or iced coffee have more caffeine?

Dive into the world of espresso vs. coffee: espresso packs more caffeine punch per ounce. However, an 8-ounce iced coffee beats a single-shot iced latte with 95 mg of caffeine to 63 mg. Plus, milk in the latte softens the caffeine kick.

An 8-ounce iced latte packs a punch with a double shot of espresso, totaling 126 mg of caffeine. That’s more than you’ll find in a regular iced coffee!

Frequently Asked Questions

Do iced lattes have caffeine?

Yes, iced lattes are caffeinated drinks. In fact, a collaborative study conducted by Crema Coffee Garage has found that espresso shots contain the most caffeine (63 mg per shot) of any brewing method. 

The type of coffee bean for your iced latte also matters. Arabica and robusta beans are the primary coffee beans for iced lattes. NIH discovered that robusta beans have a higher caffeine level than arabica beans. Hence, if you want to be more caffeinated, you should choose robusta beans for your iced latte.

Which Should You Drink: Iced Coffee or Iced Latte?

Iced coffee and iced latte both make for a refreshing drink, but they cater to different tastes. If you’re all about that bold coffee flavor, go for an iced coffee. Prefer something creamier and not so strong? An iced latte is your match. Now, when you visit a cafe, you’ll know exactly which one to pick.

Diving into the world of cold coffee drinks goes beyond just iced coffee and lattes. For those who prefer a smoother taste, cold brew is a must-try. And if you’re a fan of the creamy texture similar to Guinness, why not whip up a homemade nitro cold brew? Explore these unique coffee drinks to elevate your cold coffee experience.

Iced coffee vs iced latte: know your cold joe

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