The Home Grounds team appreciates the subtle blend of coffee and vanilla. So, when we stumbled upon Starbucks’ yellow iced vanilla latte, we were eager to create our own imitation recipe for this refreshing beverage. This cold coffee drink combines freshly brewed coffee with frothy milk, the warm essence of vanilla syrup, and smooth whipped cream. It’s a fantastic iced latte for any time of the year. Continue reading to discover how to make the best Starbucks-style yellow iced vanilla latte without having to wait in line at your local Starbucks.
Starbucks Iced Vanilla Latte Recipe
Ingredients for Iced Vanilla Latte and What You’ll Need:
- Ice cubes
- 2-½ ounces homemade vanilla syrup
- 3 ounces freshly brewed espresso coffee
- 6 ounces whole milk
- Espresso machine
- Milk frother or French press
- A 20-ounce glass
For Vanilla Syrup:
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 cups water
- 4 tablespoons vanilla extract
- 2 vanilla beans, scraped
- ¼ cup whipped cream or sweetened condensed milk
- A pinch of salt
- Small saucepan
- Whisk
- Fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth (optional)
For Stable Whipped Cream:
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 4 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon gelatin
- 1 tablespoon cold water
- Mixing bowl and electric mixer, chilled
Follow these simple steps to enjoy your homemade Starbucks-inspired iced vanilla latte.
Golden Espresso Coffee
You can use regular coffee beans to brew this Starbucks Iced Vanilla Latte, but Starbucks has recently refreshed its iced coffee formula with golden-roasted espresso. And we couldn’t agree more.
Coffee enthusiasts will notice that Starbucks Blonde Roast is not truly a light roast. It closely resembles a medium roast, so look for a medium or light-medium roasted bean to replicate the flavor at home.
Starbucks Blonde Roast is a blend of Latin American and East African coffees. It has a sweeter taste, with hints of cream and bitter chocolate, complemented by a caramelized apple aroma.
Iced Vanilla Latte
Iced Vanilla Latte Classic at Starbucks typically uses regular ice cubes, and you can do the same for this iced latte. However, Home Grounds prefers unique cold brew coffee ice cubes for their rich coffee flavor that enhances the drink’s overall coldness and uniqueness.
Making a Homemade Iced Vanilla Latte Starbucks-Style
Iced vanilla latte is one of the most refreshing coffee drinks to enjoy on a hot summer day. It’s a top beverage choice at Starbucks, alongside the popular iced caramel macchiato, but we believe you can make it even better at home! This Starbucks Iced Vanilla Latte copycat recipe adds frothy cold milk and stable whipped cream to create a bolder iced coffee experience.
Looking for something a bit less extravagant? Check out our basic iced latte recipe or try one of these 24 vanilla iced coffee variations.
Prepare Cold Brew Coffee Ice Cubes
Make condensed coffee by using a 1:4 ratio of coffee grounds to water. Steep the mixture for 16 hours at room temperature, then strain out the coffee grounds. Alternatively, use leftover hot coffee or store-bought cold brew for the ice tray.
Pour the cold condensed coffee into an ice tray and freeze.
Pro Tip: Avoid refrigerating the cold brew during the 16-hour steeping period for the best flavor. Room temperature allows for better extraction.
Create Vanilla Syrup
Combine 2 cups of room temperature water and 2 cups of granulated sugar in a small saucepan. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, and turn off the heat once the sugar has dissolved.
In the same pan, add 4 tablespoons of vanilla extract, 2 scraped vanilla beans, ¼ cup of sweetened condensed milk, and a pinch of salt. Stir well and simmer on low heat for 20 minutes.
You can strain the vanilla syrup through cheesecloth or a fine mesh strainer for a smoother texture.
Pro Tip: After making this Starbucks Iced Vanilla Latte recipe, you’ll have some homemade vanilla syrup left. To store, strain the syrup into a glass jar with a tight lid and keep it in the refrigerator.
Pull Golden Espresso Shots
Use an espresso machine to pull 3 ounces of espresso coffee, equivalent to a double shot. You can pour the espresso directly over the cold brew ice cubes to save time.
If you don’t have an espresso machine, prepare 3 ounces of strong coffee using a Moka pot, Aeropress, or French press.
Pro Tip: For a perfect Starbucks flavor replication, choose Starbucks’ Blonde Espresso Roast for brewing at home. However, any light-medium or medium-high-quality espresso coffee will work. Look for a coffee with a similar cup profile.
Froth Cold Milk
Froth 6 ounces of cold whole milk using a milk frother. A French press also works well if you don’t have a milk frother. Add cold heavy cream to the French press, then froth the milk by moving the plunger of the French press up and down to incorporate air. You can use a similar technique with non-dairy alternatives, such as almond milk, but achieving the right texture may be more challenging.
Pro Tip: To eliminate larger bubbles, gently tap and swirl the French press on the countertop after every five or six pumps.
Make Stable Whipped Cream
Mix 1 teaspoon of pure gelatin and 1 tablespoon of cold water in a small bowl. Stir until the gelatin is fully dissolved and the mixture thickens. Then, microwave this gelatin mixture for about 5 seconds until it becomes liquid.
Combine 4 tablespoons of powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, 1 cup of heavy cream, and a pinch of salt in a chilled mixing bowl. Stir to combine. Add the liquid gelatin to this whipped cream mixture and stir to incorporate. Incorporate air into the mixture using an electric mixer or a hand whisk.
Pro Tip: You can store any leftover stable whipped cream in a tightly sealed glass jar in the refrigerator. Additionally, you can scoop the whipped cream onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze it in portions.
Execute Starbucks’ Golden Vanilla Latte Formula
Fill a 16-ounce glass with your preferred amount of cold brew coffee ice cubes. Pour 3 ounces of espresso coffee over them, then add 2 ½ ounces of homemade vanilla syrup and frothy cold milk. Top your iced vanilla latte with a dollop of fresh whipped cream.
Now, savor your golden vanilla iced latte!
Interested in crafting a Starbucks-inspired beverage with the flavors of egg custard, whipped cream, and delicious aroma? Here’s how to make a caramel brulee latte at home!
Conclude
This delectable imitation of the Starbucks Iced Vanilla Latte is a visually appealing and well-balanced beverage. Fresh and vibrant espresso, sweet vanilla syrup, and frothy milk come together to create something more than just an ordinary iced coffee. Pair your golden vanilla iced coffee with a soft almond muffin or blueberry scone for a delightful breakfast or an inviting afternoon treat.
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