5 Best Iced Lattes from Starbucks

Starbucks is no stranger when it comes to tasty coffee, excellent flavor combinations, and refreshing beverages. On top of this, personalizing your order is encouraged. As of 2020, there were 170,000 ways to customize your beverage.

The company also prides itself on a menu that offers 230 different types of beverages and over 87,000 drink combinations to choose from. Of this long list, one popular beverage is the iced latte. Traditionally, iced lattes are made by combining a shot or two of espresso with milk, which is then poured over ice. As beverage customization evolved and new trends arose, iced lattes made with tea, rather than espresso, have also gained popularity. 

In this article, we will investigate five scrumptious iced lattes, made with either espresso or tea, that Starbucks has to offer. We will also explore the tastes, textures, and nutritional values of each and describe some of the different options available for personalization.

1. Iced Caffè Latte

The first iced latte that should be considered when looking at the greats is the original, an iced caffè latte. When you order this classic beverage, the size determines the number of espresso shots that the drink will have. For example, the 12 oz (Tall) is made with one shot of espresso, 2% milk, and ice.

Taste, Texture, & Nutritional Value

The 2% milk in this beverage complements the bold coffee flavor, creating a smooth and creamy texture. If you like a robust coffee taste, this iced latte could be your new favorite.

Without any extras added, a 12 oz iced caffè latte only has 100 calories. Since it’s made with one shot of espresso, it contains 75 mg of caffeine. Coupled with this, the 12 oz serving size contains 3.5 g of fat, 6 g of protein, and 9 g of sugar.

2. Iced Blonde Vanilla Latte

Vanilla is a classic and elegant flavor, which leads us to another popular choice, the iced blonde vanilla latte. A 12 oz serving is made by combining one shot of blonde espresso, 2% milk, 3 pumps of vanilla syrup for flavoring, and ice. 

Taste, Texture, & Nutritional Value

The mild, citrusy, and subtly sweet blonde espresso complements the vanilla flavoring. Since this iced latte is made with a sugary flavored syrup, it’s on the sweeter side. In fact, there are 22 g of sugar in the 12 oz serving.

Since it’s made with blonde espresso, which has slightly more caffeine than dark roast, the 12 oz serving has 85 mg of caffeine. This serving size also has 3 g of fat and 6 g of protein.

3. Iced Chai Tea Latte

Although this flavored iced latte is not prepared with the traditional shot of espresso, it’s made with another caffeinated beverage: black tea. A 12 oz iced chai tea latte is made with milk, chai tea concentrate, and ice. 

Some of the ingredients that can be found in the black tea concentrate include:

  • Black Tea
  • Cardamom
  • Black Pepper
  • Ginger
  • Cinnamon
  • Cloves
  • Star Anise 
  • Sugar
  • Honey
  • Vanilla

Taste, Texture, & Nutritional Value

The perfect way to describe this iced latte is sweet and spicy. The black tea is sweetened with sugars, which blend well with the milk and creates a creamy texture. The added spices complement the intense and malty flavor black tea is known for. 

A 12 oz iced chai tea latte contains 180 calories, 3 g of fat, 31 g of sugar, and 5 g of protein. This serving size also contains 70 mg of caffeine.

4. Iced Cinnamon Dolce Latte

This decadent iced latte is made by combining steamed milk, cinnamon dolce-flavored syrup, espresso, and ice. The 12 oz is made with 3 pumps of flavored and sweetened syrup and 1 shot of their signature espresso roast. The iced cinnamon dolce latte also comes topped with whipped cream and cinnamon dolce sprinkles.

Taste, Texture, & Nutritional Value

This iced latte offers a punch of flavor and a variety of textures. With so much sweetness added, the coffee is harder to taste. The whipped cream on top is light and airy, the sprinkles add an element of spice and extra cinnamon flavor, and the milk creates a velvety smooth consistency in this cold beverage.

In the 12 oz serving, there are 240 calories, 12 g of fat, 27 g of sugar, and 6 g of protein. This serving size, since it’s prepared with one espresso shot, contains 75 mg of caffeine.

5. Iced Caramel Brulée Latte

If you like a little coffee with your sugar, then this supersweet iced latte is for you. A 12 oz iced caramel brulée latte is made with one shot of espresso, 2% milk, 3 pumps of caramel brulée sauce, and ice. It’s also topped off with whipped cream and caramel brulée topping.

Taste, Texture, & Nutritional Value

As with the iced cinnamon dolce latte, the iced caramel brulée latte is packed with flavor and sugary goodness, which masks the taste of coffee. The whipped cream on top is fluffy and light, the topping adds an extra layer of flavor, and the milk creates a smooth and dreamy consistency. 

One 12 oz serving of this iced latte contains 300 calories, 11 g of fat, 33 g of sugar, and 6 g of protein. As with most iced lattes created with one shot of regular espresso, it also contains 75 mg of caffeine.

There’s Room to Personalize

When ordering iced lattes, as with almost every other beverage at Starbucks, there are several areas that can be customized. For example, there are 10 dairy and non-dairy options that you can choose between. There are also handfuls of syrups and sauces that can add both flavor and sweetness to your beverage.

As if those choices weren’t enough, Starbucks offers toppings, drizzles, cold foams, and powders to complete your favorite drink. There are also six espresso options, including decaf options, to create the coffee of your dreams.

Conclusion

Starbucks offers intense, flavorful, sweet, and elegant iced latte options. If you want to keep it simple and classy, consider the iced caffè latte. If scrumptious and flavorful options are more your thing, try an iced blonde vanilla latte, an iced caramel brulée latte, or an iced cinnamon dolce latte. Better yet, if you’re more of a tea person, the iced chai tea latte might be right up your alley. 

Whatever iced latte option you choose to explore, don’t forget to make it your own. After all, Starbucks encourages it.