Coming into summer, a common question we get asked is, what’s the difference between an Iced Coffee and an Iced Latte? We have the FAQs on your favourite summertime coffee orders.
WHAT IS AN ICED LATTE?
Iced lattes are a popular, chilled, espresso-based drink that are made with milk and an optional sweetener. It’s basically the cold version of a regular latte, but there are some key differences.
Firstly, a regular latte is served hot whereas an iced latte is cold. Additionally, the milk in an iced latte isn’t frothed to create a layer of foam at the top which is the signature of a hot latte.
WHAT IS AN ICED COFFEE?
Iced coffees in Australia are a lot sweeter than those made in other parts of the world. They are more like a dessert, as it is served with ice cream and often whipped cream on top.
You will find them on any cafe menu along with iced chocolates and mochas which are made in a similar way. A very popular drink for a hot summer’s day.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ICED COFFEE AND ICED LATTE?
We all love having iced drinks, especially during the summer. So what separates an iced latte from iced coffee? Both are forms of coffee but there are some slight variations that make them each unique. The main difference is the ingredients. An iced latte is made with espresso and milk, some add sugar syrup or even flavoured syrups to customize.
Iced coffees on the other hand are made using coffee, milk, ice cream, and cream. If you’re looking for a refreshing drink on a hot day, an iced latte is a great choice. But if you want something a little more indulgent, an iced coffee is the way to go. Not great however for weight loss.
WHICH IS STRONGER: ICED COFFEE OR ICED LATTE?
When it comes to coffee strength, both iced lattes and iced coffees are similar. However, iced lattes have more caffeine as they are made with 2 shots of espresso. Iced coffees use brewed coffee and are made with more ingredients, so the sweetness can sometimes dilute the coffee flavour.
COLD BREW COFFEE FOR AN ICED LATTE AND ICED COFFEE
There are various reasons as to why cold brew is a great choice to use in iced lattes. For one, cold brew coffee is usually made overnight which allows it to develop a stronger and richer flavour. Additionally, as cold water is used this results in a less acidic coffee and the usual bitter taste is also more subtle allowing you to taste the coffee more easily and truly enjoy its flavor.
COLD BREW COFFEE RECIPE
To make cold brew coffee, coarse-ground coffee beans are steeped in room-temperature water overnight. This yields a coffee concentrate that can be diluted with water or milk, and served over ice or even in baked goods.
Doing this process at home is simple yet time consuming but does create delicious results and your cold brew can last up to two weeks in the fridge. It is great for those that want to adjust the strength of the coffee themselves.
So, how do you make a good cold brew?
What you need:
+ Coffee beans
+ Room temp water
+ Spoon
+ Coffee filter
+ Measuring jug
+ Bean grinder
Method:
+ Find yourself some good quality coffee beans and grind to a medium-fine consistency.
+ Measure out 1/4 cup of your fresh coffee grounds and 1 cup of room-temperature water.
+ Add them together into a jug and combine well by mixing with a spoon. Cover your coffee mixture and leave it on the bench, mixing occasionally, overnight for the best flavour.
+ The next morning, strain your coffee through a coffee filter. This gets rid of the remaining grounds so that your coffee is smooth and ready to enjoy!
+ If you want, you can dilute the coffee with some water if it is too strong. You don’t want to have more water than coffee so try not to dilute it more than 50%. You could also dilute it with more milk to prevent it from becoming watered down.
Cold brew can also be made within a couple of minutes with a french press. A french press is a great device to speed up the process for those that have limited time or patience. However, it’s worth noting that it won’t create the same depth of flavour as other methods.
For those busy weeks when you don’t have time to make cold brew at home, we have a solution that will save you time and still give you a delicious, refreshing drink. Our CFTP Cold Brew is available for purchase in-store. It’s not only delicious but also convenient for those times you need an energy boost.
MAKING ICED COFFEE AT HOME
Making your iced drinks from home is more cost effective, convenient and easier to customize to your liking.
Ingredients:
+ 200-250ml Brewed coffee (preferably cold brew)
+ Ice cubes
+ Milk (whole, almond, oat or soy is best)
+ 1 scoop of vanilla ice cream
+ Whipped cream to top
+ Chocolate syrup (optional garnish)
Method:
+ Get your cold brewed coffee. Either brew at home or purchase a pre-made cold brew such as CFTP Cold brew.
+ Place a small handful of iced cubes into your glass and top with your coffee.
+ Add your scoop of ice cream (or two if you have a sweet tooth)
+ Top with milk until glass is full and add whipped cream and chocolate sauce to garnish (the whipped cream and chocolate sauce is optional).
+ Serve and enjoy!!
MAKING ICED LATTE AT HOME
Ingredients:
+ Double shot of espresso or cold brew (cold brew for an elevated flavour)
+ Ice cubes
+ Milk (whole, oat, soy or almond) (175-200 ml)
Method:
+ Measure out your coffee
+ Add ice cubes to a glass
+ Pour your milk of choice into the glass
+ Add your coffee and watch it begin to mix.
+ Serve and Enjoy!
WHICH IS SWEETER, ICED COFFEE or ICED LATTE?
Iced coffees are usually made much sweeter in Australia. This is because they come with ice cream, and whipped cream and often are chosen for their indulgence. Iced lattes can come with sugar syrup, but other than that it can be easily made into a more bitter drink.
WHICH HAS MORE CALORIES: ICED COFFEE or ICED LATTE?
Iced coffees have significantly more calories than an iced latte. This is due to the additional ingredients such as ice cream and whipped cream that have higher fat and sugar content. If you are wanting a drink lower in calories, then an iced latte is the way to go.
How can I customise my iced latte?
Sure thing! When it comes to the calorie content in beverages, a few different factors come into play such as the size of the drink, type of milk used, and how much sugar is added in. If you’re hoping to find a drink that’s lower in calories, we recommend cutting out the sugar syrup and substituting whole milk for a low-fat or dairy-free option. Additionally, opting for a smaller portion will allow you to still indulge in your favourite drink without all the extra calories.
If you aren’t concerned about calorie counting and you’re feeling adventurous with your iced latte orders, why not try adding chocolate for an iced mocha or a variety of different flavoured syrups?
Vanilla, hazelnut and caramel are all popular syrups or topped with whipped cream and chocolate powder or syrup.
All of these add a unique sweet taste to your simple but classic order. We have a whole list of ideas here on what to add to your coffee to mix it up!
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