There are many common misconceptions about the various iced coffee variations. For example, many people think that iced lattes are the same as iced Americanos, and there’s some truth to this comparison.
However, there are some important distinctions between these two drinks that are worth highlighting.
It’s important to know which coffee drink is right for you. Here are the differences between iced Americano and iced latte to help make your choice easier.
Iced Americano vs. iced latte, what’s the difference?
It’s important to learn the differences between iced Americanos and iced lattes. There are three key differences: steamed milk, espresso, and ice.
The overall process is the same for making both, but iced lattes have more ingredients than iced Americanos.
The difference between an iced Americano and an iced latte is that an iced Americano is made with espresso shots and cold tap water. In comparison, an iced latte is made with espresso shots and milk. Both coffees use ice cubes for that refreshing touch.
The milk in an iced latte is either cold foamed or is added without any preparation method. The texture in iced lattes can change because of this, but the ratios will stay the same.
Most of the time, these iced coffees are made up as follows:
- An iced Americano is made with two shots of espresso and double the amount of cold tap water.
- On the other hand, an iced latte is made with a single shot of espresso and triple the amount of milk.
Some people like their iced Americano a bit stronger. If you’re like me and love strong coffee, it’s best to ask your barista to use less water when ordering an iced Americano.
Is there a difference in the number of calories?
There is a big difference in calories when comparing an iced Americano and an iced latte. Because an iced Americano is made with just coffee and cold water, there are no calories in this drink. An iced latte comes in at 110 calories per serving.
The number of calories in your iced latte can change depending on the milk you like to use. Because most coffee bars use whole milk for their lattes, I’ve calculated the number of calories for this.
However, I’ve recently really enjoyed adding almond milk to my coffee drinks. Almond milk is much lower in calories and comes in at 30 calories for an iced latte; now, that’s a big difference.
So it depends on which milk you like to use to prepare your coffee at home or like to order at your favorite coffee shop.
What is the difference in caffeine content?
Between an iced Americano and an iced latte, there is a difference in caffeine of 68 mg. This is because an iced Americano is made with two espresso shots, while an iced latte uses one.
There’s a double shot of espresso in an iced Americano, which contains 136 mg of caffeine. While an iced latte uses a single espresso that contains 68 mg of caffeine. (source)
This can change depending on where you order your iced coffee, though. Most coffee bars use a 1:2 ratio of espresso to cold tap water to make an iced Americano and a 1:3 ratio of espresso to milk for an iced latte.
Although the number of espresso shots can change, including the amount of caffeine, most of the time, an iced Americano will still be the coffee with the highest caffeine content.
Iced Americano vs. iced latte, which is right for you?
There are very distinct differences between these iced coffees. However, if you can’t decide which is better for you, have a look below:
- If you’re a fan of strong coffee, you’ll love an iced Americano. The coffee is strong, and you taste all the coffee notes. But because of the added water, you’ll enjoy it for a longer period of time.
- If you’d rather have an easy-going coffee that isn’t overly strong but still has that unique coffee taste, go with an iced latte instead.
It’s all about what flavor you’re looking for in your coffee. If you’re like me and love to drink coffee without any add-ins, you’re going to love an iced Americano.
If you enjoy a sweeter coffee that doesn’t have such a powerful coffee flavor, an iced latte is perfect for you.
Extra tips for the best iced coffees at home
Now that you know the difference between these iced coffees, it’s time to order them like a boss or try them out at home.
If you plan on making either of these coffees at home, I suggest preparing coffee ice cubes in advance.
Coffee ice cubes are much better than regular ice cubes because once they start melting, you’ll be left with an even stronger coffee taste in your drink. If you’re interested, you can check out my guide here.
If you want to have some fun with these coffees, you can also make them at home and compare them side by side, which is a great way to learn about coffee, and you get to taste the difference in taste yourself.
Making Your Dream Coffee has never been easier. If you’d like to learn how to make an iced Americano and iced latte at home, you can check them out by clicking on their names; it’ll bring you to my step-by-step recipes!
Related coffee comparison articles
Are you wondering how the iced Americano and iced latte compare to other coffees?
Great! Check out the articles below for more in-depth coffee comparisons:
- Iced Americano vs. Cold Brew
- Iced Americano vs. Iced Coffee
- Iced Americano vs. Iced Espresso
- Iced Latte vs. Iced Macchiato
- Iced Latte vs. Iced Mocha
And to compare more coffees, visit the coffee comparison hub!
Conclusion
These iced coffees are some of my favorites to drink during the summertime. I love a good iced coffee.
The great thing about these coffees is that you can prepare them in advance. You can already brew the espresso basis the day before and cool it down in the refrigerator.
Then, the following day, you can simply add a few ice cubes and cold tap water or milk, depending on the coffee you’re going for. It’s certainly a great start to your day.
If you like reading about the differences between coffees, then I suggest you have a look below, as I’ve listed a few more coffee comparisons for you to check out.
Which of these iced coffees is your favorite? Let me know by leaving a comment down below. If you have any other questions regarding coffee, you can also contact me directly by pressing the “Contact Me” button at the top!
