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 in your own kitchen. 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 that is 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; 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 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)
Soy milk is a great option because it is high in protein and calcium, has no saturated fat or cholesterol.
Almond milk provides you with lots of vitamins like A, E & D, which are good for your skin! It also contains iron that can help improve your metabolism.
I added coconut milk to create a tropical flair to this drink – other flavorings might work as well if you’re feeling adventurous!
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!
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
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 61 calories total if using 2% fat milk for each serving of this iced cappuccino.
If you use unsweetened almond milk or any other plant-based milk alternative, the calories will lower.
Most dairy-free alternatives are low in calories, and this means that you can enjoy your iced cappuccino guilt-free, knowing it contains fewer calories than when using dairy!
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 alongside your coffee flavors! - Add in some flavorings like vanilla extract. Try this out and see how it changes the flavors of your beverage, or just add it after adding chocolate syrup into 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 to have in the glass when enjoying this drink on hot summer days or even 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 want more of a sweet taste or something stronger, then adding sugar to the hot espresso would be recommended. If not, then don’t worry since 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 so many possibilities when you begin experimenting with different ingredients that can be added into 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 not using an espresso machine at home, then 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 or any other ingredients added afterward like chocolate syrup since they will probably sink down to the bottom after some time has passed by.
Tip: Did you know you can make espresso-like coffee with your French press? You can check out this easy recipe here for more information.
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 so many ways of making these types of drinks, but the instructions above should help out with what works best if anyone is looking to try something different or even start off 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, no matter their choices when it comes down to adding ingredients like chocolate syrup, vanilla extract, etc.
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!