Iced Vanilla Bean Latte, Real Vanilla

Skip the coffee shop and make this barista-style iced vanilla bean latte at home. It's made with pure vanilla bean paste (no fake-tasting syrups here), and sweetened with maple syrup. Top it with vanilla bean cold foam for the ultimate coffee drink.

Well, we've gone to the bad place. If you've been following us for a while, you know we hate coffee. Unfortunately (or fortunately), we've discovered lattes, and we can't stop drinking them (and by them, we mean vanilla bean lattes).

That being said, every time we order a vanilla latte, it tastes different. We stay clear of coffee shops that use commercial syrups, but even the ones that make their own, we find that there's not enough vanilla flavor for us, so we set out to make our own.

The secret to a good iced vanilla latte is pure vanilla bean paste. pour that vanilla liquid gold right into the espresso, then reserve a little bit more for a vanilla bean cold foam. Sweeten how you like with whatever you have at home. Easy, peasy!

Key ingredient: Vanilla bean paste

Vanilla bean paste is basically the middle child of vanilla extract and a real vanilla bean pod. It's a thick paste made from real vanilla bean (it's got a ton of those prized vanilla specks floating in it) cane sugar, and a thickening agent. It's pricier than vanilla extract, but it's worth it.

Now that the vanilla bean paste secret is out, we urge you to stock a bottle in your pantry. We always have it on hand, because we use it in all our baked goods (it's also the secret to good tasting desserts). Yikes, maybe we should stop sharing all our secrets!

The full list of ingredients is in the recipe card.

Step-by-step instructions

Brew, pour, mix, and serve! The beauty of crafting this vanilla bean latte at home is that you can customize it how YOU like it. Add more sweetener, less milk, make it big or small, there are no rules (well, except using real vanilla paste).

Step 1. Add your sweetener and vanilla bean paste to a small cup, then brew the espresso directly over it.

Step 2. Fill a cup with ice, then add your milk of choice.

Step 3. Pour the sweetened espresso mixture over the milk.

Step 4. Top off with vanilla bean cold foam, if desired.

*These are abbreviated instructions. The full list of directions can be found in the recipe card below.

Expert latte tips

• Pour the hot espresso over the sweetener. This will help ensure it dissolves thoroughly along with your vanilla paste.
• For an iced latte, add milk first. Pouring hot espresso over ice cubes will dilute it too quickly. Layer the ice, followed by the milk, espresso, and cold foam for the best results. Alternatively, you can mix the milk and espresso until fully blended, then pour the whole thing over ice.
• Invest in a hand-held frother. For around $10, you can froth hot milk or create an instant cold foam at a moment's notice.

No coffee maker needed

While we love the ritual of brewing a fresh cup of espresso, you don't need to be so fancy. You can use any coffee that you like, including cold brew or instant coffee. Cold brew works especially well if you're like us and prefer a milder (less bitter) cup of Joe.

Choose your own sweetener

Since this vanilla bean latte doesn't contain a sugary syrup, you'll need to use a sweetener of your choosing. We prefer maple syrup, since it's all natural, but you can use:

• Light or dark brown sugar
• Turbinado sugar (Sugar in the Raw)
• Regular granulated sugar
• Honey or agave

Both brown sugar and turbinado sugar add a nice molasses flavor and help the vanilla flavor stand out. We often reach for these after maple syrup, if we're out.

Keeping leftovers

Drink up, our friends, this vanilla latte is meant to be made and served fresh.

If you actually have any leftovers (We're not sure we can be friends), but vanilla latte ice cubes are where it's at. Freeze any leftover latte in an ice cube tray, then use those cubes to chill your next iced latte. Um, brilliant!

Ice Size Matters

Crushed or pebble ice cubes help your latte cool down quickly (and they're cute) but they'll dilute your coffee faster, especially if you're a slow sipper. Stick to larger ice cubes (about 1 inch) for the best results.

Kitchen questions

Can we use cold brew?

Absolutely. If you're short on time or prefer the taste, cold brew is an excellent choice. note when buying cold brew, if it's sweetened or unsweetened, or concentrated versus not concentrated.

Can we use vanilla bean syrup?

Yes! If you prefer a ready-made syrup, then use that instead of the vanilla bean paste. note that commercial-made syrups vary greatly in taste, sweetness, and flavor.

What size cup should we use for this latte?

The ideal size is between 12 and 16 ounces. The larger size is ideal if you are opting to add the cold foam; there will be plenty of room for it!

Coffee isn't for lattes

Give us all the coffee-flavored things!

Ingredients

Makes 1 latte

For the Latte

• 2 tsp maple syrup
• 2 tsp vanilla bean paste
• 2 ounces (60ml) espresso
• ½ cup milk of choice
• ice

Vanilla Bean Cold Foam

• 4 tbsp half and half, chilled
• ½ tsp vanilla bean paste
• 1 tsp maple syrup

Equipment

• espresso maker or Moka pot
• handheld milk frothing tool

Method

1. Add the maple syrup and vanilla bean paste to a mug or espresso cup. Pull the espresso shot directly over top, then stir until smooth and combined.

2. Fill a 12-ounce glass about halfway with ice. Pour in the milk. Slowly pour the espresso mixture over the milk and ice for a layered coffee shop-style look.

3. To make the cold foam, froth the half-and-half, maple syrup, and vanilla bean paste together until thickened and airy. Pour over the latte.

4. Serve immediately. Stir before drinking if desired. Add extra maple syrup for a sweeter latte or more milk for a milder coffee flavor.

Kitchen notes

• Large ice cubes melt more slowly and keep the latte from becoming watered down too quickly.
• Stir the espresso, maple syrup, and vanilla bean paste well before adding to the milk so the vanilla distributes evenly.
• Adjust the sweetness to taste by adding more or less maple syrup depending on your milk and preference.
• For a less intense coffee flavor, add a splash more milk or extra ice.
• Cold brew can be used in place of espresso for a smoother, less bold flavor.
• Decaf espresso works perfectly if you want the flavor without the caffeine.
• If you don't have a hand frother, place the cold foam ingredients in a Mason jar with a tight-fitting lid. Shake like you mean it for 45-60 seconds or until fluffy.