I’m going to share with you how to make your own easy-peasy iced lattes and iced macchiatos. And guess what? The ingredients for an iced macchiato vs iced latte are exactly the same. The only difference is the order you add the ingredients to the glass. Because of the density differences between milk, milk foam, and espresso, you can easily make an impressive layered drink.
Iced Macchiato Vs Iced Latte
Iced lattes and macchiatos are my favorite way to drink coffee, but I don’t have the time or money for a daily trip to the local Starbucks, and there’s not an independent coffee shop in my town. I have been making my own at home for years, and honestly, I like it better than most coffees I’ve gotten from any commercial establishment.
Supplies
Whether you want to make an iced macchiato or an iced latte, the supplies are exactly the same.
Ingredients
Espresso
You’ll need a double shot if you want a stronger coffee flavor – this is the standard at Starbucks for both tall and grande size drinks. If you like a milder coffee flavor, use a single shot. If you’re using a Nespresso machine, you’ll need a pod. If you’re using a traditional espresso maker, you’ll need beans and a grinder if one isn’t included with your machine. My recommended products can be found at the end of this post.
Nespresso Vertuo Hack
If you don’t have a double espresso pod handy, or you want more flavors options, use the a regular 7.7 oz pod and double click the button to brew. The light will turn aqua, and it will brew at the 2.7 oz volume of a double espresso. It’s my new favorite method.
Milk
Use your milk of choice. I prefer whole milk, but any fat content will work. You can also use non-dairy “milk.”
Sweetener & Flavoring (Optional)
My favorite is an unsweetened, unflavored latte, but I know that I am in the minority. If you prefer a flavor or sweetener, this is where you can get really creative. Vanilla (or another extract), honey, maple syrup, sugar, cinnamon, cocoa, any flavoring syrup. Go wild.
Ice
Use whatever ice cubes you have available. If you want to be extra creative, you could freeze espresso or milk into cubes to prevent your drink from being watered down later. I never do this because it’s extra work, but you do you.
Equipment
Espresso Maker
My espresso maker of choice is a Nespresso Vertuo. I love it, and you can’t beat the simplicity. Maybe someday I’ll upgrade to a traditional espresso machine.
Milk Frother (Optional)
I LOVE my milk frother. It can do a cold froth when I want a fancy version of an iced macchiato, but it’s not essential for iced lattes nor iced macchiatos. (It can also make warm frothed milk and homemade hot chocolate. It’s been going strong for 10 years!)
Steps
The only difference between an iced latte and an iced macchiato is the order of operations. Due to the different densities of milk, foam, and brewed espresso, the ingredients will either blend or layer depending on the order they are added to the glass.
For a latte, the espresso is brewed into the glass first, the milk (more dense) is added on top, hits the bottom of the glass, and blends with the espresso.
For a macchiato, the milk is added first, the espresso (less dense) is added on top, and it floats there. If you drink it like this without a straw, you’ll get an instant hit of strong espresso, followed by the sweetness of the milk. If there was foam (least dense), on top of the milk, the espresso sinks down below the foam and then sits on top of the milk.
If you make a macchiato and then use your straw to blend it all together, then you’ve turned your macchiato into a regular latte.
Iced Latte
- (optional) Add sweeteners or flavorings to a tall glass.
- Fill a tall glass about halfway with ice.
- Brew a single or double espresso shot over the ice.
- Add frothed or unfrothed milk to fill the glass. Enjoy!
Iced Macchiato
- (optional) Add sweeteners or flavorings to a tall glass. If you’re using a syrup, feel free to drizzle it down the sides of the glass for extra decoration and flair.
- Fill the glass about halfway with ice.
- Add frothed or unfrothed milk to almost fill the glass, leaving enough room for a single or double shot of espresso.
- Brew the espresso on top of the milk and be amazed!
Nutrition Notes
Nutrition Notes: Lattes and macchiatos are my favorite way to drink a glass of milk!
Check out my Easy Fruit Yogurt and Granola Bowls for an easy serving of fruit and dairy. Can you tell that dairy is my favorite food group?!
Iced Macchiato or Iced Latte
Ingredients
- (optional) sweetener
- 1 cup Ice
- 8 oz milk
- 1-2 shots espresso
Instructions
- (optional) Add sweeteners or flavorings to a tall glass.
- Fill a tall glass about halfway with ice.
- (Latte only) Brew a single or double espresso shot over the ice.
- Add frothed or unfrothed milk. For a latte, add enough milk to fill the glass. For a macchiato, leave enough room to brew the espresso on top.
- (Macchiato only) Brew a single or double espresso shot over the milk.
Notes
If you’re using a syrup, feel free to drizzle it down the sides of the glass before adding ice for extra decoration and flair.
Recommended Products
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
1Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving:Calories: 133Total Fat: 5gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 20mgSodium: 136mgCarbohydrates: 14gFiber: 0gSugar: 13gProtein: 8g
Nutrient values will vary based on your chosen milk variety and sweetener.
Recommended Products
If you purchase Nespresso pods from the Nespresso website, they will send you labeled recycling bags for free, and you can ship them off for recycling.
Final Thoughts
Congratulations! You just made your own latte or macchiato in less time than waiting at a coffee shop and for less money than a latte from a coffee shop. Your cost and nutrition will vary depending on your chosen espresso, milk type, and size. If you do a little simple math, I bet your new espresso machine and milk frother will pay for themselves in no time!
