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This colorful cherry vanilla iced latte blends strong coffee with sweet fruit notes, making a home-crafted drink that's cheaper and better for you than what you'd buy at a coffee shop.
I've tweaked this drink over many summer breakfasts until I found the sweet spot between treat and nourishment.
Key Components
- Cherries: Go for dark sweet ones, fresh or frozen, for the richest color and taste
- Coffee: Cold brew gives the smoothest results, but cooled espresso isn't bad either
- Almond Milk: The vanilla kind adds more flavor layers
- Sweetener: Monk fruit keeps it sweet without adding sugar
- Ice: Bigger cubes melt slower, preventing watery drinks
Step-By-Step Method
- Whip Up Cherry Syrup:
- Mix pitted cherries with sweetener and water in a pot. Cook slowly, squashing cherries against the sides until the mix gets thick enough to stick to a spoon, around 10 minutes. Push through a fine strainer.
- Nail Your Cold Brew:
- Mix coffee and water at a 1:4 ratio for a strong base. Let it sit in your fridge for 12-24 hours. Run it through paper filters twice to make it crystal clear.
- Put It All Together:
- Stack your ingredients in this order: syrup at the bottom, then ice, followed by your frothed milk mix. Add coffee last to create a cool swirled pattern.
- Get Fluffy Milk:
- Mix cold milk and creamer together. Froth until it's twice as big. Pour it over ice right away for the best bubbly texture.
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That homemade cherry syrup really makes this drink stand out. We love using dark cherries from nearby farms when they're in season.
Keeping Things Cool
Make sure everything's cold before mixing. Stick your glass in the freezer first to keep your drink chilled longer.
Picking Your Cherries
Look for dark, firm cherries. The frozen ones are often cheaper and just as good.
Prep Ahead Plan
Fix your syrup and cold brew beforehand. Keep them apart until you're ready to mix your drink.
Keeping It Fresh
Store syrup in a glass jar. Your cold brew will stay good for 7-10 days in the fridge.
Ways To Serve
Put extra cherry syrup on the table. Maybe add some coconut whipped cream on top for a fancy touch.
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After tons of testing in my kitchen, I've found this mix hits the sweet spot between coffee kick and fruity flavor while staying on the healthier side.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → How long will the cherry syrup keep?
- Store it in the fridge for up to 2 weeks in a sealed container.
- → Can I switch almond milk for something else?
- Absolutely! Use any milk or creamer you like.
- → Will regular coffee work instead of cold brew?
- Yep, strong chilled coffee is totally fine too.
- → Can this be made sugar-free?
- Sure, swap sugar for monk fruit or your favorite sweetener.
- → Is a milk frother required?
- Not at all! Frothing is optional but adds a nice texture.