Oh my gosh, you guys, when the weather heats up, I absolutely *need* a cold coffee hit that packs a punch, but I’m not always ready to fork over eight dollars for a slightly watery coffee shop version. Seriously, those trips were draining my wallet! That’s why I perfected what I think has to be the easiest and most flavorful **Vanilla Cinnamon Iced Latte** recipe you will ever come across. It takes five minutes, tops, and the flavor combination of warm spice and sweet vanilla is just perfection over ice. I used to run out constantly, but now I whip this up before I even finish checking my emails. Trust me, you won’t miss the drive-thru after you try this simple, vibrant mix!

Why You Will Love This Vanilla Cinnamon Iced Latte

This little drink is a game-changer for my daily routine. It’s fast, it tastes unbelievably fresh when you make it yourself, and honestly, it’s just really simple. Sometimes coffee feels complicated, but this isn’t!

It comes together faster than waiting in the drive-thru line.
The spiced vanilla flavor is warm even when it’s ice cold.
You are completely in control of how sweet it gets!

Quick Prep Time for Your Vanilla Cinnamon Iced Latte

Seriously, we’re talking about five minutes total. If you have strong coffee brewed or espresso pulled, you are done before you can even decide what podcast to listen to. It’s the ultimate quick fix when that afternoon slump hits hard.

Customizing Your Perfect Vanilla Cinnamon Iced Latte

This is where you make it yours. I learned early on that everyone likes their coffee differently, so feel free to tweak the vanilla syrup amount—maybe you need a little extra sweetness today! Also, the milk choice is totally open: oat milk is heavenly in this **Vanilla Cinnamon Iced Latte**, but whole milk gives it that rich texture I love.

Essential Ingredients for a Delicious Vanilla Cinnamon Iced Latte

Okay, let’s talk about what actually goes into this magic drink! You only need a handful of things, but the quality of that coffee base really matters. Because this is an iced drink, if you use weak coffee, it just tastes watery once the ice melts, and trust me, we don’t want that heartbreak. I always recommend using a double shot of espresso if you can swing it, or if you’re using brewed coffee, make it strong enough to stand a spoon up in!

The vanilla and cinnamon are what tie it all together. A good quality vanilla syrup makes a huge difference. If you’re feeling ambitious, you can always make your own simple syrup and infuse it, but the store-bought versions are totally fine for this quick fix.

Here’s the simple list of what you’ll need:

1 shot espresso (or 1/2 cup really strong brewed coffee)
1/2 cup milk (I love oat milk, but use what you keep on hand)
1 tablespoon vanilla syrup
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Ice cubes

That’s it! No fancy frothing needed, just pure, spiced, cold coffee perfection waiting to happen.

Step-by-Step Instructions for the Vanilla Cinnamon Iced Latte

The beauty of this drink is its simplicity, but there’s one small trick that makes the flavor base absolutely pop. Don’t just throw everything under the ice! We need to bloom that cinnamon just right. Ready? Let’s get mixing!

Here are the steps to make your fantastic iced drink. And remember, if you pre-brewed your coffee and it’s already room temperature or chilled, don’t worry about waiting around—you can skip right to the layering part, although using warm espresso helps dissolve things faster!

First, brew up that strong espresso shot or your half-cup of super strong coffee.
Grab a sturdy glass—the one you’ll be mixing in first—and add your vanilla syrup and the ground cinnamon right to the bottom.
Pour that warm coffee straight over the syrup and spice. Now, stir this really well! You want that cinnamon mostly dissolved here. This is how you get that amazing, full-bodied flavor throughout your **Vanilla Cinnamon Iced Latte** without gritty bits later.
Grab your serving glass and fill it—and I mean *fill it*—with ice cubes. Don’t be shy with the ice; we want this frosty!
Pour your cold milk right over the ice. If you like it extra sweet, now is a good time to add a tiny extra drizzle of syrup directly to the milk.
Now for the grand finale! Slowly pour that beautiful, sweetened coffee mixture over your milk. Pouring it gently keeps that lovely layered look for a second before you dig in!
Give it a gentle stir right before you take that first sip. Enjoy that perfect moment!

Preparing the Flavor Base for Your Vanilla Cinnamon Iced Latte

You absolutely must combine that vanilla syrup and the cinnamon with your warm espresso or coffee first. If you dump the dry cinnamon directly into cold milk? You’ll end up with little spice mountains floating around! Heating the coffee just slightly helps the cinnamon release its oils, giving your **Vanilla Cinnamon Iced Latte** that deep, comforting aroma right from the start.

Assembling the Vanilla Cinnamon Iced Latte

Layering is key to making this look as good as it tastes, right? Ice first, definitely! Then the milk goes in. Once your spiced coffee concentrate is brewed, you slowly drizzle it on top. It creates those beautiful streaks of brown against the white milk. I always try to get a picture before I stir it up, because honestly, presentation matters!

If you enjoy layering drinks, you might also want to check out my guide on how to make an iced mocha latte—same layered principle, totally different flavor!

Pro Tips for the Best Vanilla Cinnamon Iced Latte Experience

So you’ve got the basic steps down, but to take this from a good iced coffee to *the best* **Vanilla Cinnamon Iced Latte** you’ve ever had? A few tiny tweaks make all the difference. I’ve messed this up enough times to know exactly what *not* to do, and I want to save you the trouble!

First, let’s talk temperature control. If you use piping hot espresso pulled straight from the machine and dump it over a glass full of ice, what happens? Instant melt! That dilutes your whole beautiful drink. If your espresso is hot, let it sit for 30 seconds before you mix it with the syrup. If you brewed coffee, chill it completely first; if you have time to plan ahead, this is worth it!

Also, don’t shake it unless you love foam! I know some people like to shake their iced drinks, but because we are using ground cinnamon, shaking just makes a mess and doesn’t fully dissolve the spice. Stirring the concentrate thoroughly is much better, as it keeps that smooth texture. If you want a little bit of airiness, try using a milk frother just on the cold milk for about 15 seconds before layering the coffee on top.

If you’re looking for other great coffee uses in baking, you should check out these fantastic coffee-infused sugar cookies—they match perfectly with this latte!

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Your Vanilla Cinnamon Iced Latte

Because we are talking about something you make right in your kitchen instead of grabbing from a barista, we have some wiggle room, which I love! Substitutions are super important, especially when it comes to milk and sweetener in your **Vanilla Cinnamon Iced Latte**.

Let’s start with milk. Dairy milk—whole milk, specifically—gives the richest flavor and the best mouthfeel because of that fat content. But if you’re going non-dairy, you really need to pay attention to the label! Brands like Oatly or Califia Farms make barista blend versions of oat or almond milk, and those are great because they don’t separate or curdle when they hit that slightly warm coffee concentrate. Almond milk can sometimes taste a little thin here, if I’m being honest.

Now, the vanilla syrup. Store-bought is great for speed, and look for one with real vanilla extract if you can find it. If you aren’t using store-bought, or if you’re cutting back on processed sugar, I highly recommend making a batch of homemade simple syrup. It’s shockingly easy—just heat equal parts water and sugar until the sugar dissolves! You can add vanilla bean to that while it’s warm. If you check out my guide on making simple syrup, you’ll see how quickly you can whip up a whole jar to use in all your summer drinks!

Finally, the cinnamon! If you run out of ground cinnamon, you *could* try using a tiny pinch of ground cardamom for a slightly different spice note, but it changes the flavor profile away from the classic **Vanilla Cinnamon Iced Latte**. I’d rather just run to the store for the cinnamon than mess with the spice balance!

Serving Suggestions for Your Vanilla Cinnamon Iced Latte

You’ve got this perfectly cold, slightly sweet, and wonderfully spiced latte in your hand—what’s next? You need something simple to enjoy alongside it! Since this drink is rich with vanilla and cinnamon, I usually lean toward breakfast items that echo those warm, comforting flavors, but aren’t too heavy.

A plain croissant is just heavenly; the butteriness contrasts nicely with the spice. If I’m having it as an afternoon treat instead of breakfast, I love pairing it with something simple, like a couple of shortbread cookies. I just prefer things that contrast the cold temperature and the liquid texture of the latte.

If you are looking for something slightly sweeter to dunk, I highly recommend making a batch of my favorite easy chocolate chip cookies. The little melt of chocolate always seems to boost the warmth of the cinnamon for me. It’s the perfect afternoon pairing, honestly, and it makes that five-minute coffee feel like a true moment of indulgence!

Storing Leftovers of Your Vanilla Cinnamon Iced Latte

Here’s the tough love part of being a home barista: this drink truly shines brightest the moment you make it. Like, seriously, drink it right away! Once you add that huge pile of ice into your **Vanilla Cinnamon Iced Latte**, you know that melting is inevitable. Even if you only drink half now, that remaining half in 30 minutes is going to be watery and sad.

When I realize I made too much spiced coffee concentrate (the mix of espresso, syrup, and cinnamon), I treat that part separately. I store that leftover concentrate in a small jar in the fridge—just keep it away from anything strong-smelling! It stays good for a day, maybe two, if it’s sealed up tight. When you wake up the next day craving that flavor, you can bring that concentrate out, skip step 2 and 3 of the main recipe, and just mix it with fresh cold milk and ice. Instant, fresh flavor again!

But if you’ve already assembled the whole thing—ice, milk, and coffee all mixed together—I’m just going to tell you, dump it. Don’t try to save it! The texture is completely gone once the ice melts too much. Pouring watered-down, lukewarm **Vanilla Cinnamon Iced Latte** down the sink is sad, but drinking it is worse. Make a fresh, perfect batch next time you need a fix!

Frequently Asked Questions About the Vanilla Cinnamon Iced Latte

I get so many great questions when people start making this drink at home! It’s fantastic that everyone is experimenting. Here are a few of the things I hear most often when folks are whipping up their first **Vanilla Cinnamon Iced Latte** batch.

Can I make this Vanilla Cinnamon Iced Latte without espresso?

Yes, absolutely! Espresso is my first choice because it’s so concentrated and rich, which helps it stand up against the ice and the milk without tasting weak. But if you don’t have an espresso machine, don’t stress! Just use half a cup of coffee that you brewed extra strong. Think of it like a French press or Moka Pot brew—it needs that deep flavor profile to really shine through in this cold drink.

How do I make this a healthier cinnamon coffee drink?

That’s a smart question! If you’re watching your sugar intake, that’s the easiest thing to adjust. The vanilla syrup is where most of your sugar is coming from. You can swap that out for a zero-calorie sweetener if you prefer, or use a store-bought sugar-free vanilla syrup. I also sometimes just use a tiny splash of pure vanilla extract and sweeten with a little stevia or monk fruit sweetener instead of the full tablespoon of the syrup. You never have to give up your favorite spiced coffee flavor!

Speaking of other amazing coffee options, if you have extra espresso lying around, you should really try my recipe for an iced mocha latte next time. It’s just as fast!

Is the ground cinnamon essential for this espresso drink?

Oh, yes, it really is! While you *could* skip it, then you just have a vanilla iced latte, not the spiced version we love. The cinnamon is what provides that cozy, warm complexity that lifts the whole drink. It balances the sweetness of the vanilla perfectly. Don’t skip it unless you absolutely can’t stand cinnamon!

Share Your Perfect Vanilla Cinnamon Iced Latte Creation

Well, that’s it! You’ve officially graduated from coffee shop queues to making your own amazing cold brew right on your counter. I really hope this recipe brings you as much joy and quick refreshment as it brings me every single week. I put so much care into testing this so you wouldn’t have to waste time on watery, bland drinks.

Now that you’ve mastered your **Vanilla Cinnamon Iced Latte**, I would absolutely *love* to hear what you thought! Did you use oat milk? Did you stick to one tablespoon of syrup or go a little wild with two? Drop your rating below—five stars if it saved you a trip to the café! And please, please leave any questions you still have in the comments. My goal is for everyone to sip the very best homemade iced coffee, so let’s chat about your perfect version!

Vanilla Cinnamon Iced Latte

Author: ferecipe.com
Total Time: 5 min
Yield: 1 serving 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

A simple recipe for a refreshing iced latte flavored with vanilla and cinnamon.

Ingredients

Scale

1 shot espresso (or 1/2 cup strong brewed coffee)
1/2 cup milk (dairy or non-dairy)
1 tablespoon vanilla syrup
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Ice cubes

Instructions

Brew your espresso or strong coffee.
In a glass, combine the vanilla syrup and ground cinnamon.
Pour the warm espresso or coffee over the syrup and cinnamon. Stir well until the cinnamon is mostly dissolved.
Fill a separate serving glass with ice cubes.
Pour the milk over the ice.
Slowly pour the sweetened coffee mixture over the milk.
Stir gently before drinking.

Notes

Adjust the amount of vanilla syrup to match your preferred sweetness level.
For a colder drink, chill the brewed coffee before mixing.

Prep Time: 5 min
Cook Time: 0 min
Category: Beverage
Method: Mixing
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 150
Sugar: 18g
Sodium: 50mg
Fat: 4g
Saturated Fat: 2g
Unsaturated Fat: 2g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 19g
Fiber: 0g
Protein: 8g
Cholesterol: 15mg

Keywords: vanilla, cinnamon, iced latte, coffee, espresso, cold drink