If you’re a big fan of iced lattes, you’ll be glad to know that there’s a way to make them at home – you don’t have to run to the local coffee shop every time you’re craving one of these. The best thing is that, once you learn how to make iced latte with espresso machine, you’ll be able to experiment with plenty of additional ingredients, as well as garnishes.
It’s time to release your inner barista!
The Perfect Way To Make Iced Latte
Ice Latte on the Coffee Machine
Having the best latte machine will help you on your way to making a perfect latte indeed, but today you will discover something different.
You’ll soon discover that an iced latte is an incredibly easy drink to make, so if you have an espresso machine at hand, keep reading to learn how to make an iced latte like a real barista.
Oh, and pay attention to the little tips and tricks I left you as a conclusion to each step – these „protips“ will truly transform your coffee making experience. (Don’t get me wrong; having the best latte machine is great, but doing it this way is amazing!)
Ingredients: What You’ll Need
- Two ounces of water
- One cup of cold milk
- Three to four tablespoons of ground coffee (aim for 3¾ tablespoons, because that’s how much an average double shot of espresso requires)
- One or two teaspoons of sugar (depending on how sweet you like your coffee)
- Ice cubes
- A tall glass for your latte
Recipe: Step-By-Step Guide To Making An Iced Latte
coffee grinder grinding freshly roasted
Fine Grind – If you typically buy coffee beans instead of ground coffee, you can probably guess what’s the first thing you need to do. Before you proceed to make a double shot of espresso, you’re going to have to grind the coffee beans to a fine grind (a bit finer than table salt should be a good point of reference).
Once you’re done, fill your portafilter with the grounds.
Here’s a tip: When you transfer the grounds in it, tap it a few times, so they spread out evenly. Alternatively, tamp the coffee grounds – it will make the surface flat and firm.
Make A Double Shot Of Espresso – Okay, I’m assuming you know the drill here – if you’re using your home espresso maker, just make a double shot as you would typically do.
Don’t let the water run for more or less than the time recommended, which is around 25 to 30 seconds. You don’t want to know how awful a shot of espresso can be when you don’t prepare it correctly.
Here’s a tip: Did you consider adding sugar directly into the espresso cup before you pull your double shot? I know you’re thinking „What’s the difference, it will melt anyway,” but at least you’ll be sure that the sugar melted adequately.
Mixing Cold Milk And Hot Espresso – Since the goal here is to make an iced latte, and the previous step left you with a double shot of hot espresso, you need to find a way to lower your coffee’s temperature. While some people like to use steamed milk in this step, I prefer to stick to cold milk, and here’s why:
Because that way, I’m left with warm, not hot, espresso.
So, once you pull your double shot of espresso, take a tall glass and pour it in, then add cold milk on top.
Stir, Stir, Stir – You want your ingredients to be mixed well before you move on to adding ice, so keep stirring – at this point, your latte is slowly coming together.
Never Add Ice Into A Warm Espresso – Believe me, I’ve made the same mistake – you’ll be left with an espresso that’s been watered down beyond recognition, and I’m guessing that’s not the kind of iced latte you’re looking to make here.
So, instead of being impatient, let your latte cool down before you add ice – yes, it does take some time, but it is, hands down, your best option.
Also, to avoid any spilling, leave enough room in the glass for the amount of ice you plan on using; that’s the main reason why I recommended using a tall one in the first place.
Here’s a tip: If you absolutely don’t have the time needed to wait for the espresso to cool down, you could try brewing a much, much stronger espresso, so that the melting ice doesn’t mess with the strength of your coffee.
Wrapping It Up
Don’t think that just because we’re months away from hot, summer days, you can’t enjoy an iced latte from time to time. To be honest, iced coffee is my year-round drink of choice, and if you’re anything like me, you’ll be glad to learn all the tips and trick of making the perfect iced latte at home, with nothing more than the espresso machine.
Here’s the final tip: Don’t be afraid to experiment with additional flavoring, or garnishing – you don’t always have to follow the recipe to the letter to get the perfect results. Sometimes a little customization goes a long way, so take my recipe and make it your own.
I hope you liked my recipe – let me know how your iced latte turned out!
