There is truly nothing better than a cold coffee drink sitting next to me during the summertime! It’s the dependable way to cool off and you get the added bonus of a caffeine boost to keep the energy going.

And I have been known to visit our local coffee shop on the regular. This girl LOVES coffee!

When I stopped to think how much money I was spending, I figured it was time for me to get my barista on. After a bit of experimenting, I have managed to make an memorable iced caramel latte recipe! The dependable part is that you only need some basic ingredients and about five minutes!

Why A regular here this method!

Speedy + straightforward – This coffee drink is ready in five minutes! That is way less time than heading to your regular coffee shop!
Minimal ingredients – You only need 5 simple ingredients. Most shelf stable for weeks.
Hot or cold – This method can easily be enjoyed both hot or cold! For a hot caramel latte, you’ll steam and froth a hot milk mixture. Grab that full recipe, HERE!
Saves money – Sure, Starbucks Iced Caramel Lattes are good, but they’re also pricey. Make thIS right at home and I bet your bank account will be thanking you!

Ingredients needed

Espresso or strong coffee. Either work, but I like using espresso for a stronger coffee flavor.
Brown sugar. A small amount of brown sugar is used as the sweetener to give the lattes an striking rich taste.
Caramel sauce. From-scratch caramel sauce is particularly unfussy to make and it’s SO much tastier than store-bought options, but feel free to use any caramel you have available.
Vanilla extract. To bring out the sweet flavors.
Milk. Use whatever type of milk you like go-to. To keep this method dairy free, try barista grade oat milk!

Step-by-step instructions

This drink is unfussy to make and you don’t need any specialty tools or machine. Here’s how to make an iced caramel latte, but reference the recipe card at the bottom of the post for the printable recipe.

Prep. For an extra fancy touch, drizzle caramel sauce along the inside of your serving glass, fill with ice and set aside.
Make drink. In a separate large cup, combine the hot coffee, brown sugar, and caramel and whisk continuously until the sugar and caramel are fully dissolved. Pour the coffee mixture into the glass with the ice.
Serve. Top with the milk and stir to combine. Top with optional whipped cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce. ENJOY!

Variations

Hot caramel latte. Pour hot coffee or espresso into a mug and top with steamed milk. Grab the full recipe HERE!
Flavored sweetener. Instead of (or in addition to) the caramel use a vanilla or other flavored simple syrup to change it up. If you do this, you more than likely will not need any or as much brown sugar.

Frequently asked questions

What is an iced latte?

A latte is espresso or strong brewed coffee that is served over ice, mixed with cream or milk, and then sweetened with either syrup or sugar. The difference between an iced latte and an iced coffee is that iced coffee uses brewed coffee and optional milk, and because traditionally an iced latte uses espresso, it has a stronger, darker flavor.

Will this drink taste the same using strong coffee?

Feel free to use a strong cup of brewed coffee, or even cold brew, in place of the espresso in this dish. The end result will be flavor-packed, however it may not have as bold of a coffee flavor.

Can I make this latte vegan and dairy free?

It’s straightforward to keep this caramel coffee vegan and dairy free. Use a barista grade oat milk or any plant based milk and my from-scratch caramel sauce. If you’d like to add the whipped cream topping, be sure to use almond whipped cream or coconut whipped cream.