It's summertime, and that means it is time to enjoy cold beverages. Iced cappuccinos are a great way to do just that.
Luckily, I have the perfect recipe for you here.
This iced cappuccino recipe will show you how easy it is to make an iced version of this delicious drink right at home. It takes less than 5 minutes and only requires two ingredients!
What is an iced cappuccino?
You might have guessed it already, but an iced cappuccino is a cold version of the classic hot drink, made with espresso and steamed milk.
It has all the same ingredients as its counterpart, but they are mixed and poured over ice to create this refreshing summer beverage.
How does it differ from a hot cappuccino?
The big difference is, of course, the temperature.
A regular (hot) cappuccino mixture is made with steamed milk and espresso, while an iced version has cold foamed milk and ice added to it instead.
Another key difference in how these drinks are made, though, is that you don't have to steam milk for an iced version. Instead, you'll cold foam the milk!
Some recipes call for cream or half-and-half in addition to the coffee, but that's totally up to you!
Tip: If you want to learn how to make cold foam at home, you can check out five different ways to do so here.
What ingredients are in an iced cappuccino?
To make your own homemade iced version at home, all you need are three simple ingredients:
- Single or double espresso shot
- 2% fat milk
- Ice cubes
You will also want sugar or a sweetener if needed, as well as vanilla extract or other flavorings.
That's it!
No secret ingredients here; just some simple everyday items you can find at your local grocery store.
Milk alternatives that are worth trying for your iced cappuccino
Not everyone loves, can, or wants to drink milk, so here are some great milk alternatives that you can use for this recipe:
- Soy milk
- Almond milk
- Coconut Milk (I love this for adding a touch of tropical flavor to my drinks)
I added coconut milk to give this drink a tropical flair; other flavorings might work as well if you're feeling adventurous!
Here is the iced cappucino recipe:
Iced Cappuccino
This iced cappuccino is the perfect 5-minute recipe to get a refreshing and caffeine-packed drink!
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup (0.12 l) of 2% fat milk
- A single or double espresso shot
- Optionally, a sweetener of choice
- Ice cubes
Instructions
Here's what you need to do in order to get started making your own homemade iced version of the classic coffee drink right away:
- First, you'll need to brew the espresso coffee. You can use your espresso machine, Moka pot, or AeroPress for this.
- After brewing, pour it into a glass and add a few ice cubes to cool it slightly.
- Start cold foaming your milk. I'm using a milk frother today.
- Then, fill a glass with ice cubes to about halfway.
- Pour the cold foamed milk into the glass.
- Slowly pour the cooled espresso coffee on top of the cold foamed milk.
- Finally, you can sweeten your iced cappuccino with a coffee syrup you prefer most!
Now, all there's left to do is enjoy your homemade iced cappuccino!
Notes
You can also brew the espresso coffee a day before making this recipe. Store the espresso coffee overnight in the fridge so you can use it the next day!
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Nutrition Information:
Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 61Total Fat: 2.4gSaturated Fat: 1.5gUnsaturated Fat: 0.6gCholesterol: 10mgSodium: 50mgCarbohydrates: 5.7gSugar: 6.2gProtein: 4g
How many calories are in an iced version of this drink?
This recipe has a total of 61 calories if using 2% fat milk for each serving of this iced cappuccino.
Unsweetened plant milks can make the drink taste lighter, and they'll also change the texture and foam.
5 recipe variations tips to make your own unique iced cappuccinos!
Now that you know how to make a homemade version of the drink, here are some fun ways to customize it and take your beverage up a notch:
- Add chocolate syrup at the end. This is one of my favorite parts!
I love how each sip feels like an icy treat. It's perfect for summertime or whenever you want something sweet to pair with your coffee flavors! - Add some flavorings, such as vanilla extract. Try this out and see how it alters the flavors of your beverage, or simply add it after adding chocolate syrup to the mix.
- Put coffee ice cubes in there instead of regular ones. This is a great idea if you're looking for something different but still super tasty!
Coffee ice cubes are perfect for adding to a glass when enjoying this drink on hot summer days or even cold winter ones that require warm beverages. You can get the recipe for coffee ice cubes here. - Add a few tablespoons of sugar to your beverage while making the espresso.
This is up to your preferences, which I understand can differ from one person to the next.
However, if you prefer a sweeter taste or something stronger, adding sugar to the hot espresso is recommended. If not, don't worry; it'll still turn out great! - Add some chocolate chunks into your espresso after brewing. Who doesn't love chocolate in their beverages? It adds an extra boost of flavor that's needed alongside coffee flavors like this, so why not try it out for yourself?
As you can see, there are numerous possibilities when experimenting with different ingredients that can be added to drinks like these, which is what I love most about them.
Plus, they taste amazing each time, too. It's also great because everyone has their own unique way of making iced beverages at home, depending on their preferences... even I do.
Just make sure not to overdo any particular ingredient since sometimes less is more when trying something new!
If you don't have an espresso machine at home, use instant coffee instead.
While most people who enjoy their morning cup of joe may prefer making espressos at home, which taste amazing compared to pre-made ones, I understand that sometimes it's just not possible to have one of these machines nearby.
That doesn't mean you still can't enjoy an iced cappuccino, though! You can use instant coffee instead, which works perfectly for this recipe and tastes delicious too.
Just make sure to dissolve the powder in water before adding the milk, so there are no chunks left behind.
Also, avoid adding other ingredients afterward, such as chocolate syrup, as they may sink to the bottom over time.
Tip: Did you know you can make espresso-like coffee with your French press? For more information, you can check out this easy recipe here.
Conclusion
That's it for this recipe!
I hope you've enjoyed reading about how to make an iced cappuccino that tastes amazing and can be made at home each time.
There are many ways to make these types of drinks, but the instructions above should help determine what works best if anyone is looking to try something different or start by using instant coffee instead next time they're in need of a cup.
It's up to your preferences, which I understand can differ from one person to the next. However, there are many options here for everyone, regardless of their choices, when it comes to adding ingredients like chocolate syrup and vanilla extract.
Plus, experimenting is half the fun, too, along with enjoying beverages like these since they taste amazing each time!
If you have any questions about making an iced cappuccino or have tried out this recipe after reading this article, feel free to leave a comment below!
