Best DIY Vanilla Starbucks Iced Coffee | 3-Ingredient Recipe
Craving a Starbucks fix? Whip up a refreshing DIY Vanilla Starbucks Iced Coffee at home! Simple, budget-friendly, and ready in minutes. Savor that creamy vanilla goodness today!
Jump to Recipe Jump to RecipeDIY Vanilla Starbucks Iced Coffee.
An iced latte is a delight on a hot summer day. You get your source of caffeine and in a refreshing way. However, sometimes you want a Starbucks iced vanilla latte without having to leave home. Whatever the reason, the goal of this recipe is to help you enjoy a delicious cold coffee drink from the comfort of your home at a fraction of the price, and without having to wonder about additives or extras in your drink.
Two Ways to Make Your Iced Vanilla Latte: Easy & Easier.
The easy and preferred way is to use what you already have at home: your favorite coffee, favorite milk (or plant-based milk), and some vanilla syrup. You may or may not have vanilla syrup at home. If you do not, you can buy it or easily make it with water, sugar, and vanilla extract. I provide the whole recipe below so that you always have fresh syrup at hand.
The easier way is to buy Starbucks brand items. In other words, Starbucks trademarks coffee and vanilla syrup as well as some half and half. You will still have to brew the coffee but everything else is add- and-go. Plus, it will taste the most like their iced vanilla latte recipe. If it is flavor precision you seek, this is the way. 😊
Type of Coffee for Your Classic Iced Vanilla Latte.
The greatest advantage of making your own iced coffee is that you can brew it to your standard of perfection. Some people like their coffee so strong they prefer an espresso shot. Others prefer the flavor and strength of the cold brew, while others prefer good drip coffee. However you like your coffee, that is what you should use for this recipe! Whether it is instant coffee, coffee grounds or coffee beans or a shot of espresso, the type of coffee is up to you.
The same applies to the brew method. I like to make my own cold brew concentrate (with a French press). It is simple, strong, and allows me to have a few days’ worth of coffee ready to go. Feel free to check this recipe if you want to make your own!
Cream Component.
As far as dairy goes, any kind you typically like with your coffee is perfect. My go-to for most iced coffees is heavy cream. It allows me to add sweetener or flavoring of choice while creating the perfect sweet cream for my coffee. Nonetheless, feel free to use whole milk, creamer, or whatever your heart desires.
When it comes to dairy-free alternatives, I prefer oat milk or coconut milk. The flavors pair beautifully with the coffee and the vanilla, and it still yields a creamy coffee. Still, feel free to use your favorite. Your kitchen, your rules!
Make Your Own Vanilla Syrup.
For homemade vanilla syrup, all you need is:
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup sugar
- 1.5 tbsp vanilla extract
- To a small saucepan at medium high heat, add the cup of water and the cup of sugar and stir to dissolve until it comes to a boil.
- Once it boils remove from the heat and mix in the vanilla extract. Allow it to cool –it will thicken as it cools down.
- Once cooled, transfer it to your storage container of choice for your next cup of coffee (e.g. mason jar).
Sidenote: if you prefer to use vanilla bean, simply add it to the pan with the rest of the ingredients and strain the water mixture once it cools.
The best part about making your own simple syrup is that it is affordable, you always have it at hand, and you do not have to worry about additives. For a keto version, view this sugar-free vanilla syrup recipe.
How To Make Vanilla Starbucks Iced Coffee at Home?
Easy! All you need is three simple ingredients:
- 1 oz vanilla simple syrup
- 1.5 oz dairy of choice
- 6-8 oz brewed coffee
- Tall glass
- Crushed ice
To make it all you need to do is brew your favorite coffee and allow it to come to room temperature (or chill). Then prepare a tall glass with crushed ice. Add coffee and top with cream and simple syrup. Stir with a straw and enjoy!
If you are impatient like me and do not like to wait for the coffee to cool there are a few things you can do:
- Have coffee ice cubes ready to go
- Use cold brew coffee
- Pour the hot coffee over a BUNCH of ice and hope for the best (LOL)
I hope you enjoyed this easy and delicious homemade version of the Vanilla Starbucks Iced Coffee recipe! I love being able to make my favorite beverages at home whenever I feel like them. After a few tweaks, you usually end up enjoying your version even more!
For seasonal cold foam recipes, check out this Pumpkin Cold Brew Foam Recipe. If you are a fan of iced coffees this 5-Min Iced Coffee with Condensed Milk will not disappoint! Lastly, for a taste of the Caribbean in your daily cup of joe, give this Authentic Puerto Rican Coffee 3 Ways a try.
As always, ¡buen provecho from The Happy Wookiee!
Best DIY Vanilla Starbucks Iced Coffee | 3-Ingredient Recipe
Equipment
- Preferred brewing vessel E.g. Coffee pot, French press, pour over
- small saucepan if making your own simple syrup
- Tall glass
Ingredients
- 1 oz vanilla simple syrup
- 1.5 oz dairy of choice
- 6-8 oz brewed coffee
- Crushed ice
Instructions
- Brew coffee to your liking and allow it to come down to room temperature (or chill).
- Fill a tall glass with crushed ice and add coffee. Then top with dairy of choice and simple syrup, then stir with a straw.
- ¡Buen provecho from The Happy Wookiee!
Notes
- You can use store-bought vanilla syrup or make your own. The recipe for the homemade version is included below.
- If you are impatient like me and do not like to wait for the coffee to cool there are a few things you can do:
-
- Have coffee ice cubes ready to go
-
- Use cold brew coffee
-
- Pour the hot coffee over a BUNCH of ice and hope for the best (LOL)
Vanilla Simple Syrup
Equipment
- 1 small saucepan
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup sugar
- 1.5 tbsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- To a small saucepan at medium high heat, add the cup of water and the cup of sugar and stir to dissolve until it comes to a boil.
- Once it boils remove from the heat and mix in the vanilla extract. Allow it to cool –it will thicken as it cools down.
- Once cooled, transfer it to your storage container of choice for your next cup of coffee (e.g. mason jar).
