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My wallet was taking a serious hit from daily coffee shop runs during a scorching summer. That's when I whipped up this dairy-free iced latte that brings fancy coffee vibes straight to your home. It's now my favorite cooling treat.
This drink was born on a day I was working from home and craved a coffee shop treat but couldn't be bothered to change out of my PJs. Now it's my afternoon habit that puts hundreds back in my pocket every month.
What You'll Need
- Cold coffee (extra strong): Creates the foundation and gives you that bold coffee kick without getting watered down
- Vanilla Brown Sugar Syrup: Delivers a sweet, caramel-like richness that makes this way better than ordinary iced coffee
- Non-dairy milk (unsweetened): Adds creamy texture while keeping things light - try almond for a nutty flavor or coconut for tropical vibes
- Ice cubes: Do double duty by cooling your drink and helping create that frothy texture during shaking
How to Make It
- Mix Your Coffee:
- In a mason jar with a secure lid, mix your cold coffee with 1-2 tablespoons of Vanilla Brown Sugar Syrup. Start with less syrup if you don't like things too sweet - you can always add more.
- Shake It Up:
- Toss in about half a cup of ice cubes. Make sure that lid is tight, then shake hard for 30 seconds until you see frothy bubbles forming. All that shaking creates tiny air pockets that give your drink its special texture.
- Set Up Your Glass:
- Fill a tall glass with ice cubes. Pour your non-dairy milk over the ice to form the creamy bottom layer. The cold milk and ice will keep everything perfectly chilled.
- Put It All Together:
- Slowly pour your frothy coffee mix over the milk to create pretty layers. Give it a gentle stir to blend the flavors while keeping some of that nice froth. Throw in extra ice if it's not cold enough.
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I stumbled on the real magic of this drink by accident when my simple syrup ran out. The brown sugar vanilla syrup I threw together instead was a game-changer. Those deep molasses hints mixed with vanilla create flavors that regular sugar just can't touch.
Syrup You Can Prepare Early
Save yourself time by making a batch of brown sugar vanilla syrup beforehand. Just mix equal amounts of brown sugar and water in a small pot, heat until the sugar melts, then stir in a teaspoon of vanilla extract. Keep it in your fridge for up to two weeks. Having this ready makes morning coffee so much easier and gives you the same great taste every time.
Different Takes To Sample
Don't be afraid to play around with flavors. Try adding a sprinkle of cinnamon or cardamom to your syrup for warmth. If you love chocolate, add a spoonful of chocolate syrup to the milk part. During autumn, I toss in some pumpkin pie spice – about a quarter teaspoon – to get those seasonal flavors without the coffee shop prices.
What Goes Well With It
This iced latte tastes amazing with morning pastries, especially ones with cinnamon or nuts. For a midday boost, enjoy it with a small piece of dark chocolate. When friends come over, serve in clear glasses with reusable straws and maybe dust a little cinnamon or cocoa on top for a fancy touch.
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This iced latte will brighten your day without emptying your wallet.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → What non-dairy milks work best in this latte?
You can go with almond, cashew, or coconut milk for this drink. Oat milk is really good too since it adds extra creaminess. Each kind brings its own flavor notes, so try different ones to see what you like best.
- → Can I make the Brown Sugar Vanilla Syrup ahead of time?
For sure! You can mix up bigger batches of the Brown Sugar Vanilla Syrup and keep it in a sealed container in your fridge for up to 2 weeks. This way you can fix your fancy coffee even faster when you want one.
- → How do I make strong cold coffee for this drink?
You've got options. Try cold brew concentrate, double-strength coffee that's cooled down, or just pour espresso shots over ice. For cold brew, just soak coffee grounds in cold water overnight or up to 24 hours, then strain it. This longer soaking makes smoother, less bitter coffee that works great in this drink.
- → Why is shaking the coffee important?
When you shake the coffee with ice and syrup, you create that fluffy foam layer that makes this drink so special. The shaking adds air bubbles to the mix, giving you that creamy feeling in your mouth just like what a pro barista would make with fancy equipment.
- → Can I make this with dairy milk instead?
You bet! While we suggest plant milk in the original version, you can totally use whole milk, 2% milk, or even half-and-half if you want something richer. The shaking trick works just as well with dairy milk too.
- → How do I make Brown Sugar Vanilla Syrup at home?
Mix 1 cup brown sugar with 1 cup water in a pot. Heat it up until it starts to bubble gently, stirring until all the sugar melts. Take it off the heat, add 1-2 teaspoons of vanilla extract, and let it cool down. Then pour it into a bottle or jar and stick it in the fridge.