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By
Bryan Huynh
Coffee drinkers often turn to cold or iced coffee drinks in the summer for a refreshing drink to beat the heat. Which type of coffee drink you choose depends on your individual taste preferences, but two of the most popular cold coffee drinks are iced coffee and iced latte. Knowing the difference between the two allows you to choose wisely so that you can enjoy your iced beverage, whether at home or on the go. Both are available at coffee shops and drive-thrus, making them the perfect quick pick-me-up on a sweltering afternoon, but you can also make them at home. Learn the subtle (and not-so-subtle) differences between iced coffee and iced latte so you can order like a pro when you are on the go or whip up a pitcher to enjoy at home. Check out our Coffee Clubs page to compare and read more reviews of our favorite coffee clubs.
Traditional iced coffee is made from cold-brewed coffee and milk. Cold-brewed coffee is made by steeping medium to coarsely ground coffee beans in cold water for several hours. This brings out the natural flavors of the coffee, giving it a rich, smooth flavor.
Iced coffee is made with 90% coffee to 10% milk and ice, giving it a bit of creaminess. It can be served with or without sweeteners and can even be enjoyed black if you prefer to skip the milk.
Iced latte is made from espresso, milk, and ice with 1/3 espresso and 2/3 cold milk and ice. Because it has more milk than iced coffee, the iced latte is creamier, but the espresso adds a bold coffee flavor. It can be served with sweeteners.
Both iced coffee and iced latte are traditionally made from coffee, milk, and ice and can be sweetened with sugar or sugar alternatives. They can also be flavored with flavor shots such as vanilla, caramel, or mocha. Both drinks contain caffeine, but it may surprise you to learn that a latte made with one espresso shot and milk contains less caffeine than a traditional iced coffee. An iced latte with one espresso shot contains 75mg of caffeine, while an iced coffee from brewed coffee contains 95 mg.
There are subtle differences in the flavor of an iced coffee and an iced latte due to the brewing process of the coffee and the amount of milk (or other creamer) used. An iced coffee made from cold brewed coffee is traditionally smoother with a touch of creaminess. However, if the iced coffee is made from hot brewed coffee, it may be more robust with a trace of bitterness. An iced latte is often thought of as richer and creamier due to the concentrated coffee flavor of espresso and the higher amount of milk or creamer. Both iced coffee and iced latte can be served with milk, cream, or other creamers such as plant-based milk, like almond, oat, or coconut milk, or with flavored coffee creamers. The addition of these creamers alters the flavor of the iced drink. Adding sugar or alternate sweeteners or adding flavor shots to the iced drinks further changes the flavor of your iced drink. Even the type of coffee beans used in the brewing process can have a distinct impact on the flavor of your iced drinks. While you may not have much control over the beans used by coffee shops or drive-thrus, you can use flavored or specialty coffee beans when making your own iced coffee or latte at home.
Iced lattes and iced coffees can be made from your preference of coffee beans. Those you purchase in a coffee shop or drive-thru are likely made from the same coffee beans. The flavor difference is primarily due to the brewing process used. Iced Coffees can be made from either freshly brewed coffee with the hot water method or from cold brewed coffee, while your iced latte is made from steamed espresso. When making iced coffee or iced espresso at home, you can use coffee beans with the roast and flavor notes you prefer in your coffee. There are no right or wrong coffee beans (other than choosing fresh, quality beans) for making iced coffee or iced latte. Choose the coffee beans you prefer, or experiment with different roasts and/or coffee beans with different flavor notes to find the one that is right for you.
Iced coffee is traditionally made from cold brewed coffee. In this process, the coffee beans are steeped in cold water for several hours to extract the natural flavor of the coffee beans. Cold brew coffee has a milder, smoother flavor than hot brew, as it has less acidity. Hot brewed coffee is sharper with a slightly bitter taste. Your iced coffee’s flavor will differ depending on whether you use cold brew or hot brewed coffee. Iced coffee made from cold brew should be smooth and well-rounded with coffee flavor. Whereas Iced Coffee made with hot brewed coffee may have a slight bitterness to it. Iced lattes are made with a shot of espresso. Espresso is brewed by forcing hot water (or steam) through finely ground coffee beans. It has a concentrated coffee flavor. The higher proportion of milk to coffee makes iced lattes taste creamy.
The caffeine content of brewed coffee and brewed espresso differs. Per serving size, espresso contains less caffeine, with one serving of brewed coffee weighing in at 95 mg and a serving of espresso with 65mg. However, that doesn’t mean that an iced coffee the same size as an iced latte will have more caffeine. Because a serving of espresso (65mg of caffeine) is a mere 1 ounce compared to a serving of brewed coffee (95mg), which is 8 ounces, you need to take the number of espresso shots needed to make the cold drink to into consideration to determine which drink has more caffeine. A 12-ounce iced coffee generally contains approximately 120 mg of caffeine as it is made with 10 to 11 ounces of coffee, with the remainder being milk and ice. By comparison, a 12-ounce iced latte requires three shots of espresso (65mg each) or a total of approximately 195 mg of caffeine. While a serving of espresso (1 ounce) contains less caffeine than a serving of brewed coffee (8 ounces), iced coffee and iced latte in identical sizes result in the iced latte containing more caffeine than an iced coffee. Remember that not all coffee shops adhere to the exact proportions of coffee to milk, traditionally defined as iced coffee and iced latte. The caffeine content may vary from one shop to another.
Cold brew coffee is prized for its smooth, mellow flavor as it has less acidity than hot brewed coffee. However, the type of beans used also affects the flavor of the coffee. Likewise, espresso has a more concentrated flavor as the flavor is extracted from the beans under high heat and pressure. The intensity of espresso flavor is affected by the type of beans used to make the espresso.
There are several ways to make Iced Coffee at home. Many prefer to simply brew a pot of coffee and let it chill before adding milk and ice. This is certainly an option, but if you are drinking iced coffee on a hot day, using chilled brewed coffee may result in diluted coffee as the cubes melt, leaving you with a lack of flavor. To solve this problem, freeze leftover brewed coffee in ice cube trays for your iced coffee.
Iced coffee flavor ranges from smooth and full-bodied (typically from cold brew) to bold and slightly bitter when made with hot brewed coffee. Other factors affecting the taste of iced coffee are the type of coffee beans used, the amount and type of creamer, and the addition of sweeteners and flavored syrups.
Although iced coffee is traditionally flavored with milk, you can use any creamer (or none at all if you like your coffee black). Half n half or cream will give you a creamier flavor, while plant-based creamers, like almond, oat, or hazelnut milk, are an excellent alternative for those who must limit dairy. Other options include flavored creamers or other liquid coffee creamers.
While many prefer Iced Coffee with sugar, it can be made without sweetener or with any variation of alternative sweeteners. Generally, sweeteners used in hot coffee taste great in iced coffee, too.
Iced latte is made from espresso and milk with a ratio of 1/3 espresso to 2/3 milk. To make this drink at home, you will need an espresso maker.
To make a 12-ounce Iced latte, you will need four shots of espresso (4 ounces) and 8 ounces of milk or other creamers.
Because iced latte is made with espresso, it has a rich, concentrated coffee flavor, but the intensity is offset by the creaminess of the milk (or other creamers). The addition of sweeteners also determines the flavor, the type of creamer used, and whether you choose to add flavored syrups.
You can use a variety of flavors in your iced latte. Popular variations include mocha, vanilla, caramel, hazelnut, or even Pumpkin Spice. You can achieve a signature flavor with flavored syrups, spices (such as cinnamon or nutmeg), flavored coffee creamers, or with plant-based creamers like almond, hazelnut, or oat milk. Try cream or half-n-half instead of milk for a rich and creamy latte. Likewise, for a low-fat version, use skim or low-fat milk for all or part of the milk.
You can purchase a variety of flavored syrups at your local grocery or specialty shop. These range from sugary syrups and sugar-free versions made with sugar alternatives to unsweetened syrup that adds a burst of flavor without adding sweetener.
There are no right and wrong coffee beans for brewing espresso, but they do need to be finely ground. While many prefer a dark roast, you can use mild or medium roast beans if you prefer. Likewise, choose coffee beans with the characteristic flavor you enjoy. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different types of coffee beans or switch up the roast to fit your mood.
Feeling adventurous? Try some curated coffee beans from around the world.
Coffee can be either hot or cold brewed. Both are made with fine to medium-ground coffee beans and water. Cold brew coffee is made by steeping the ground beans in cold water for several hours to extract the natural flavors from the beans. Hot brewed coffee is made with hot water forced over the grinds to extract the flavor quickly. Cold brew coffee is smooth and full-bodied as it contains less acidity than hot brewed coffee. Espresso is made in an espresso maker that quickly forces pressurized steam and hot water over the finely ground beans. This creates a concentrated coffee drink. It has a more intense coffee flavor than either cold or hot brewed coffee.
Ounce-per-ounce, an iced latte has more caffeine than a serving of iced coffee. However, it may taste creamier and milder because it has more milk. Additionally, iced coffee from hot brewed coffee may have a more robust coffee flavor, while iced coffee from cold brew coffee is typically mild and smooth. Is iced coffee or iced latte sweeter? The sweetness of an iced coffee or iced latte is determined by the amount of sweetener added to the drink. Remember, if you are using coffee creamers or flavored syrups, this will also add sweetness to your coffee drink.
As a rule, an iced coffee has a balanced coffee flavor with a hint of bitterness, while an iced latte has a more concentrated coffee flavor tempered with rich creaminess from the milk or creamer. Iced coffee and iced lattes are similar drinks served in coffee shops, particularly in the summer. While they are not the same beverage, it isn't easy to describe the taste difference as their flavor depends on the additives used. With a wide assortment of plant-based or nut milk, flavored creamers, flavored syrups, and sugar alternatives, plus a host of add-ins like cocoa, spices, and seasonal flavorings, the flavor of iced coffees and iced lattes can vary greatly.
Bryan Huynh
Product Tester & Writer
Bryan Huynh is a determined Product Tester & Writer. Being a coffee addict, it is only right that he mainly tests and reviews different coffee from around the world and coffee subscription services.
Bryan Huynh is a determined Product Tester & Writer. Being a coffee addict, it is only right that he mainly tests and reviews different coffee from around the world and coffee subscription services.
Edited by:
Bryan Huynh
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Product Tester & Writer
