Welcome to the ultimate refreshing treat for the hot summer days—a delightful Cherry Vanilla Iced Latte! Combining the rich flavors of cherry and vanilla with freshly brewed coffee, this drink proves to be not just a pick-me-up but also a flavorful indulgence. As you sip on this charming beverage, you’ll experience the sweet and tart notes of cherries accentuated by creamy vanilla almond milk, taking an ordinary iced coffee experience to new heights.

It’s the perfect compromise between your coffee routine and a sweet dessert, making it a wonderful addition to lazy afternoons or social gatherings. Easily customizable to suit your sweetness preference, this Cherry Vanilla Iced Latte is an enticing alternative to store-bought versions, and I assure you, it tastes even better. Grab your favorite glass and let’s whip up something special that will impress your taste buds and friends alike!

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Ingredients You’ll Need
How to Make Cherry Vanilla Iced Latte
Storing & Reheating
Chef’s Helpful Tips
Recipe FAQs
Cherry Vanilla Iced Latte

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Simple & Quick: Ready in about 10 minutes, this recipe is perfect for busy mornings or spontaneous afternoon treats.
Irresistible Flavor: The delightful union of sweet cherries and smooth vanilla will have you craving this drink over and over again.
Eye-Catching Appeal: With its vibrant pink hue, this iced latte is visually stunning and will be a hit on your social media feed!
Flexible Serving: Perfect for any time of the day—enjoy it for breakfast, an afternoon snack, or even as a post-dinner dessert.
Diet-Friendly Options: Easily made dairy-free with vanilla almond milk and sugar substitutes, it suits a variety of dietary needs.

Ingredients You’ll Need

2 cups cherries, pitted: I often use frozen cherries since they are just as flavorful and conveniently ready to go. Feel free to use fresh ones if they’re in season!
½ cup sugar or monk fruit: Sugar gives you that classic sweetness, but monk fruit is a great, low-calorie alternative if you’re watching sugar intake.
½ cup water: This helps to create the cherry simple syrup, balancing the flavors beautifully.
½ cup cold brew: Choose your preferred cold brew coffee or two shots of chilled espresso for a more robust flavor.
½ cup vanilla almond milk: I use Califia Farms vanilla almond milk for its creamy texture without the dairy, but any brand will do!
2 tbsp vanilla almond creamer: This adds an extra layer of richness; you can adjust based on taste.
2-3 tbsp homemade cherry simple syrup: Adjust to your sweetness preference—homemade syrup is far superior to store-bought in flavor!

How to Make Cherry Vanilla Iced Latte

Make Cherry Simple Syrup: Combine 2 cups of pitted cherries, ½ cup of water, and ½ cup of sugar or monk fruit in a small pot over medium heat. Stir the mixture gently and press down on the cherries with a wooden spoon as it heats. This helps break them down as the sugar dissolves.

Simmer Until Thickened: Keep an eye on the mixture and allow it to come to a slight simmer, where it bubbles gently. Once the sugar is completely dissolved and the mixture thickens (about 5-7 minutes), your cherry simple syrup is ready!

Strain the Syrup: Carefully strain the syrup into a resealable glass container using a fine mesh strainer. Discard the leftover cherries (or save them for a snack!) and let the syrup cool down to room temperature before using it in your iced latte.

Assemble Your Iced Latte: Fill your favorite glass with ice cubes. Pour in your desired amount of the homemade cherry syrup—2 to 3 tablespoons should give you a great balance of flavor.

Froth the Milk: In a separate jar, froth together ½ cup of vanilla almond milk and 2 tablespoons of vanilla almond creamer using a milk frother until creamy and slightly thick. If you don’t have a frother, simply whisk the milk and creamer together in a container until bubbly.

Combine with Coffee: Pour the frothed milk mixture into the glass over the ice and cherry syrup. Then, top with ½ cup of cold brew or 2 shots of chilled espresso. Stir gently to create a beautiful blend of pink and brown swirls.

Taste and Enjoy: Take a moment to appreciate the stunning colors before mixing everything together. Once combined, indulge in your homemade Cherry Vanilla Iced Latte!

Storing & Reheating

If you have leftover cherry simple syrup, store it in a sealed glass container in the refrigerator. It will keep fresh for about two weeks. You can also freeze the syrup in ice cube trays for up to 3 months. Simply pop out a cube to use whenever you crave iced lattes! Reheat cherry syrup gently on the stove or in the microwave for a few seconds if you want it warm, though it’s best served cold in this recipe.

Chef’s Helpful Tips

To avoid a watery iced latte, be mindful of how much ice you use. You want enough to chill the drink without diluting it too quickly.
Use fresh cherries if they’re available for a more vibrant flavor, but frozen ones are super convenient year-round!
Don’t skip the frothing—it adds creaminess and makes the drink even more enjoyable.
If you find your syrup is too sweet, add a splash of lemon juice to balance out the flavors.
Experiment with the ratio of milk and coffee to find your perfect balance; everyone has their own latte preferences!

Sipping on a homemade Cherry Vanilla Iced Latte can be incredibly enriching for your palate. It embraces the freshness of cherries while bringing warmth through its vanilla undertones. Not only that, but crafting this delightful drink allows you to play with flavors and ratios until it’s just right for you.

This simple yet satisfying drink invites room for creativity, so don’t hesitate to experiment with flavors and garnishes that speak to you! Perhaps a sprinkle of cinnamon or a sprig of mint could elevate your drink to new heights.

Recipe FAQs

Can I use regular milk instead of almond milk?

Absolutely! If you prefer regular milk, feel free to swap it directly for the almond milk in this recipe. Just keep in mind that it may alter the overall flavor slightly, but it will still be delicious!

How sweet should my cherry syrup be?

The sweetness of your cherry syrup depends on personal preference. Start with the recommended amount, taste it, and adjust by adding more sugar or monk fruit if you’d like a sweeter flavor.

Can I use instant coffee instead of brewed coffee?

Yes, instant coffee can be used in a pinch! Just dissolve 2 tablespoons of instant coffee granules in ½ cup of hot water, then let it cool before adding it to your latte.

Is this drink vegan?

Yes, if you use plant-based milk and avoid any dairy products, this Cherry Vanilla Iced Latte is completely vegan-friendly! Enjoy it without guilt!

More Drinks Recipes

Recipe Card

Cherry Vanilla Iced Latte

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Author: Dorothy
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Yield: 1 serving 1x
Category: Drinks
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

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Description

This Cherry Vanilla Iced Latte delivers a refreshing blend of sweet cherries and creamy vanilla almond milk. Quick to prepare, this drink is perfect for any time you crave a delicious, chilled beverage.

Ingredients

Scale

2 cups cherries, pitted (i use frozen)
½ cup sugar or monk fruit
½ cup water
½ cup cold brew (or 2 shots chilled espresso)
½ cup vanilla almond milk (i use califia farms)
2 tbsp vanilla almond creamer (i use califia farms)
2–3 tbsp homemade cherry simple syrup (more or less to taste depending on sweetness preference)

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Instructions

Make the Cherry Simple Syrup by combining cherries, water and sugar in a pot over medium heat.
Bring the mixture to a slight simmer, stirring and pressing down on the cherries as the sugar dissolves.
Once the sugar has fully dissolved and the syrup thickens, strain it into a glass container, discarding the cherry solids, and let it cool.
For the Iced Latte, fill a glass with ice and pour in your desired amount of cherry syrup.
If you have a milk frother, froth the milk and creamer together.
Pour the frothed milk and creamer over the ice and cherry syrup, then top with cold brew or chilled espresso.
Stir to combine and enjoy the beautifully pink drink.

Notes

For a sweeter latte, adjust the amount of cherry syrup to your taste preference.
You can use fresh cherries when in season for even more flavor!
If you prefer a non-dairy version, use a dairy-free milk alternative.