Get ready to fall in love with a drink that feels like sunshine in a glass: the **Cherry Vanilla Iced Latte**! With its vibrant pink hue and delightful blend of flavors, this iced latte is not just a treat for the eyes but a refreshing way to kickstart your day.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Bold and Balanced: The combination of cherry and vanilla is perfectly harmonized with the boldness of cold brew, making each sip a delight.
- Simple to Make: With just a handful of ingredients and easy steps, you’ll have this fancy drink ready in under 10 minutes.
- Seasonal Flexibility: You can make this drink year-round using fresh or frozen cherries for that burst of flavor.
- Customizable Sweetness: Adjust the cherry syrup to your preference for a drink that’s just right for your palate.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Crafting this heavenly Cherry Vanilla Iced Latte involves sourcing some simple yet crucial ingredients, each bringing its own magic to the table. Let’s explore why each one is essential:
- Cherries: Whether you use frozen or fresh, cherries provide a natural sweetness and a gorgeous color.
- Sugar or Monk Fruit: Acts as the perfect sweetener, allowing you to control the sweetness level of your syrup.
- Cold Brew or Espresso: The robust base of the latte, giving a caffeine kick that complements the sweetness.
- Vanilla Almond Milk: Adds a creamy, nutty finish with hint of vanilla, making each sip irresistibly silky.
- Vanilla Almond Creamer: Enhances the vanilla notes while adding extra creaminess and richness.
Variations
Unleash your creativity with these delightful variations. Whether adapting to dietary needs or personal taste, this recipe is your canvas:
- Dairy-Free Delight: Swap the vanilla almond milk and creamer with oat milk to make it completely dairy-free.
- Decaf Option: Use decaffeinated coffee for a caffeine-free version that you can enjoy any time of the day.
- Chocolate Infusion: Add a drizzle of chocolate syrup for a cherry mocha twist that’s utterly irresistible.
How to Make Cherry Vanilla Iced Latte
Step 1: Brew the Cherry Simple Syrup
Begin by combining cherries, water, and sugar or monk fruit in a pot over medium heat. Let it simmer gently, stirring and pressing the cherries occasionally, until the sugar dissolves and the mixture thickens into a syrup. Strain into a container, leaving the cherries behind, and let it cool. This syrup captures the essence of cherries and is key to the latte’s flavor.
Step 2: Assemble the Latte
Fill a glass with ice and add your desired amount of cherry syrup. Froth the vanilla almond milk and creamer together, pouring it into the glass next. Finally, top with cold brew or espresso. Stir to combine, and enjoy how the colors swirl to create a delightful visual treat.
Pro Tips for Making Cherry Vanilla Iced Latte
- Optimal Cherry Picking: Use frozen cherries if fresh ones are unavailable as they’re picked at peak ripeness for maximum flavor.
- Perfect Froth: If you lack a frother, shake the milk in a sealed jar until bubbly for a similar effect.
- Caffeine Control: Adjust the strength of cold brew or espresso depending on how bold you want your latte.
- Sweetness Balance: Taste your cherry syrup before adding and adjust to avoid overpowering the other flavors.
How to Serve Cherry Vanilla Iced Latte
Garnishes
Finish off your latte with a sprig of fresh mint or a twist of lemon zest to add a touch of color and a hint of freshness. These garnishes not only elevate the drink visually but complement the cherry and vanilla beautifully.
Side Dishes
Pair your Cherry Vanilla Iced Latte with a flaky croissant or a buttery scone to make a perfect breakfast or afternoon snack combination. These sides enhance the rich flavors of the latte without overpowering it, offering a delightful balance.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun presentation, serve your latte in a clear glass mug or mason jar to showcase its beautiful pink tone. Add a pastel-colored straw or a decorative stirrer to make it pop, especially when entertaining guests.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftover cherry simple syrup, store it in a sealed jar in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. It’s perfect for quick future lattes or as a sweetener in other beverages and desserts.
Freezing
Freeze extra cherry syrup in ice cube trays for a cool twist in other drinks. These can be conveniently popped into any iced beverage for an instant flavor boost.
Reheating
Since this recipe is meant to be enjoyed cold, reheating isn’t typically necessary. However, if you prefer a warm version, simply heat the cold brew or espresso before combining the ingredients.
FAQs
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Can I use sweetened almond milk?
Yes, but keep in mind that it will increase the sweetness of the latte, so you might want to adjust the cherry syrup accordingly to avoid over-sweetening.
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What’s the best way to pit cherries?
A simple cherry pitter works wonders, but if you don’t have one, push a straw through the center to remove the pit easily.
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Can I make this latte without a milk frother?
Absolutely! Just shake your almond milk and creamer vigorously in a jar with a lid until it becomes frothy.
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Is there a non-coffee version of this drink?
Yes, swap out the coffee for a strong brewed herbal tea like hibiscus or rooibos for a delicious non-caffeinated treat.
Final Thoughts
This Cherry Vanilla Iced Latte is more than just a drink; it’s a joyful experience in a glass. Easy to make and stunningly delicious, it’s bound to become a staple in your home coffee repertoire. So why wait? Whip up a batch, sit back, and savor each delightful sip!
Print
Cherry Vanilla Iced Latte Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 1 serving
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Description
This Cherry Vanilla Iced Latte is a refreshing and luscious beverage combining the sweetness of cherry simple syrup with the rich flavor of vanilla and cold brew coffee, perfect for a quick pick-me-up or a relaxing treat.
Ingredients
Cherry Simple Syrup
- 2 cups cherries, pitted (fresh or frozen)
- 1/2 cup sugar or monk fruit sweetener
- 1/2 cup water
Cherry Vanilla Iced Latte
- 1/2 cup cold brew coffee or chilled espresso
- 1/2 cup vanilla almond milk (like Califia Farms)
- 2 tbsp vanilla almond creamer (like Califia Farms)
- 2-3 tbsp homemade cherry simple syrup (adjust to taste)
Instructions
- Make Cherry Simple Syrup: Combine cherries, water, and sugar or monk fruit in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a slight simmer and gently stir, pressing down on the cherries to release their juices, until the sugar dissolves and the mixture thickens slightly. This takes about 5 minutes.
- Strain and Cool: Pour the syrup through a fine mesh sieve into a bowl or jar, pressing gently to extract all the liquid. Discard the cherries or save for another use. Allow the syrup to cool completely before using.
- Assemble the Latte: Fill a glass with ice cubes. Pour 2 tablespoons of the cooled cherry simple syrup over the ice.
- Froth Milk and Creamer: Using a milk frother, froth together the vanilla almond milk and creamer until light and foamy. If you don’t have a frother, you can whisk vigorously or shake in a jar to create some foam.
- Pour and Mix: Pour the frothed milk and creamer into the glass over the cherry syrup. Add the cold brew or chilled espresso on top. Stir gently to combine and enjoy the beautiful pink hue.
Notes
- Adjust the amount of cherry syrup depending on your sweetness preference.
- For a stronger cherry flavor, add more syrup; for a milder taste, use less.
- Replace vanilla almond milk with other plant-based or dairy milk if desired.
- This drink can be made in advance by storing the syrup in the refrigerator for up to a week.
- If you prefer a sweeter latte, add a touch of honey or additional syrup.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 latte (approx. 12 oz)
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 40 mg
- Fat: 4 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
