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Here’s how to make an iced cappuccino! This refreshing coffee drink combines espresso and a splash of milk with ice, then is topped with a layer of fluffy cold foam.
Here’s a refreshing espresso drink that all coffee lovers should try: the iced cappuccino! Combine espresso and a splash of milk with ice, then top it off with the Starbucks invention for iced drinks: cold foam.
Alex and I are master home baristas and love cold foam: the extra fluffy, frothy layer mimics the steamed milk in a cappuccino and infuses an airy, lightly sweet lift to each sip. This drink is a staple in our Home Barista Series, where we teach you how to make all your favorite coffee drinks at home. Here’s how to make an iced cappuccino that’s even better than Starbucks!
Ingredients in an iced cappuccino
An iced cappuccino is a coffee drink with espresso, milk, ice, and optional sweetener. It’s similar to an iced latte, since a cappuccino and latte are simply espresso drinks with different ratios of steamed milk.
A Starbucks iced cappuccino uses just a splash of milk in the espresso and adds cold foam as a frothy topping. In contrast, a Starbucks iced latte simply combines espresso and milk, served over ice with no cold foam. We’ve gone with the Starbucks definition here for our iced cappuccino—and the cold foam absolutely makes the drink!
How to make an iced cappuccino: basic steps
Want to make an iced cappuccino at home? It tastes even better than the Starbucks version! Here’s the outline of how to make an iced cappuccino at home—then keep reading for notes on the methods:
- Step 1: Make a double shot of espresso.
- Step 2: Make 1 recipe cold foam.
- Step 3: Pour the espresso over ice with 2 tablespoons milk and 1 teaspoon simple syrup. Top with cold form and serve!
Making the espresso
The trickiest part to making an iced cappuccino is making the espresso. Find a great espresso method and you can use it for all your espresso drinks. Make sure to use dark roast or espresso roast coffee here for the best flavor: see How to Make Espresso. Here are our top methods for espresso:
- Espresso machine: An espresso machine is the best option, but the priciest. This one is for coffee aficionados, and makes espresso even better than your local coffeeshop.
- Portable espresso maker: A manual espresso maker is a more affordable option and it gets very close to real espresso.
- French press: French press espresso tastes great and is an ideal option if you have one.
- Moka Pot: You can also make strong espresso-like coffee in a Moka Pot (Bialetti).
How to make cold foam
What makes an iced cappuccino? The cold foam topping! Here’s more about it and what you’ll need to make it:
- Cold foam is frothed nonfat milk that makes a frothy topping for cold coffee drinks like iced coffee, cold brew, and more. This Starbucks invention simulates the frothy topping of the steamed milk in a latte, but at a cold temperature so it doesn’t melt when hitting the drink.
- What do you need to make cold foam? Skim milk and a milk frother. You can also use a French press, but the milk frother is the best tool for the job. At $12, it’s absolutely worth it (and you can use it to froth milk for hot lattes, too).
- How to do it? Go to How to Make Cold Foam.
And that’s it: all you need to know to make an iced cappuccino at home! Once you’ve combined your iced espresso with the cold foam topping, add a sprinkle of cinnamon for the garnish. It adds a great spiced scent to each sip!
Iced Cappuccino
The Iced Cappuccino is so refreshing! Combine espresso and a splash of milk with ice, then top with a layer of fluffy cold foam.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 1 drink 1x
- Category: Drink
- Method: Espresso
- Cuisine: Coffee
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 1 doubleshot espresso (2 ounces or ¼ cup)
- 1 ounce milk of choice (2 tablespoons)
- 1 teaspoon simple syrup or maple syrup
- 1 recipe Cold Foam
- Cinnamon, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Make the espresso using your desired method: go to How to Make Espresso.
- Make the Cold Foam.
- Stir together the espresso, milk, and syrup in a glass, and fill it with ice. Top with cold foam and sprinkle with cinnamon, if desired.
More iced coffee drinks
This iced cappuccino is one of our favorites in a long list of iced coffee drinks! Here are a few of our favorites:
- Go for an iced latte or iced vanilla latte.
- Try iced espresso, iced white chocolate mocha, iced mocha, mocha frappe, frozen coffee, vanilla iced coffee or iced Americano
- Try the Starbucks special, the iced brown sugar oat milk espresso.
- If the season is right, go for an iced pumpkin spice latte or iced chai latte.
- Go green with an iced matcha latte.
Let us know if you have any questions!