Are you searching for a chilly but well-balanced coffee flavor? There are many options available, but you need to find the best taste. One popular choice is an iced cortado. It features a strong espresso flavor, steamed milk, and ice cubes, creating a crisp, cold, and rich combination.
Also, check how to make Caffe Misto at home.
If you like cold beverages and don’t want to taste all flavors, I recommend the iced Cortado, which is the best with all its ingredients.
In this article, I will discuss the iced Cortado recipe and how it differs from other iced drinks. I will provide a detailed description of its caffeine and calorie content.
Let’s dive into more details.
Also, check the recipe for Iced White Chocolate Mocha
What is an iced Cortado?
An Iced Cortado is a classic espresso-based drink served cold. It’s made with equal parts espresso and cold milk, poured over ice and lightly stirred, clean, balanced, and full-flavored.
What makes a cortado unique is that it has an equal volume of steamed milk and espresso shots. The balanced ingredients make a balanced taste.
Unlike other flavors like latte or Macchiato, you will get an imbalance of ingredients, and one flavor dominates the taste.
For instance, a latte has more milk and less espresso, and the dominant taste is milk.
Similarly, Macchiato has less milk content and more espresso-based drinks.
So, I prefer a balanced coffee taste where the milk and espresso have equal parts to get the right combination.
We should remember that Cortado is an espresso drink with equal amounts of milk.
An iced Cortado is prepared with two espresso shots with two ounces of milk, and is added with ice cubes.
However, you can add ice cubes according to your choice.
Also, you can make it with milk or other non-dairy products, but it needs two espresso shots to make it bitter and pungent.
When you add ice cubes, it will become a cold drink.
This drink is perfect for those who want to avoid extra calories.
Because an iced Cortado has fewer calories, it only adds calories from milk.
How to make an iced Cortado at home?
It isn’t challenging to make this cold drink at home. I will give simple steps to make this amazing drink. Also, this drink doesn’t require many ingredients to make.
Iced Cortado
Ingredients
- 2 shots espresso
- half glass iced cubes
- 60 ml whole milk
- added flavors (optional)
Instructions
- First, brew two shots of espresso
- Let it cool down for a few minutes
- Add iced cubes into the glass
- Pour steamed milk into the glass
- Now, gently pour espresso shots on top
- Optionally, add your favorite flavor to the glass
- Stir the glass well
- Garnish with a light dusting of cinnamon or cocoa powder if you like.
- An iced cortado glass is ready to enjoy
Notes
If you have an espresso machine, that will be perfect, but you can also make it with a Moka pot or any other coffee maker.
Ingredients
You need the following ingredients.
- Two espresso shots
- Ice cubes
- 60 ml Skimmed Milk or whole Milk
- Added flavors (optional)
Making this drink will take only around 5 minutes to make this delicious beverage at home.
Pro Tips for a Perfect Cup of Iced Cortado
A skilled barista knows how to prepare an iced cortado that has superior taste and texture.
- Use chill glass to ensure drinks stay colder longer.
- Always use freshly ground beans for cold coffee.
- Add slightly steamed milk for a cold flavor.
- If you don’t have an espresso maker, try using a stovetop Moka pot or a strong AeroPress brew.
- Use a metal straw to help keep your drink chilled for longer.
What type of milk is used in an iced cortado?
You can use a different type of milk for an iced cortado. You may use whole Milk or skimmed Milk. Usually, for a hot Cortado, whole milk is the preferred option.
However, you should go with skimmed milk if you don’t want heavy dairy. Here are the types of milk you can add to your favorite cortado iced.
| Milk Type | Texture | Flavor | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whole milk | Creamy | Rich | Classic taste |
| Oat milk | Smooth | Sweet-neutral | Non-dairy favorite |
| Almond milk | Light | Nutty | Lower calories |
| Soy milk | Bold | Full | Protein boost |
Which flavor is best to add to an iced cortado?
If you want to add flavors to an iced cortado, there are many options available that can enhance it. A few of the known options are
- caramel sauce
- hazelnut syrup
- vanilla syrup
These favors not only enhance the flavors but also help reduce bitterness. Also, they improve the richness and taste of this drink. Also, you can add sugar to make it sweeter.
Another option that you may add is coffee syrup if you like coffee syrup with a combination of espresso.
Check this interesting article on How to make iced doppio.
Iced cortado recipe (step-by-step instructions)
Pick the right coffee beans for two espresso shots. Medium-roasted coffee beans are my preference for a cortado. But light-roasted coffee beans are also better for this cold drink.
Instructions
- First, make two shots of espresso.
- Pour iced cubes to fill half a glass. You can add more iced cubes if you like.
- When the espresso shots are ready, let them cool down with ice cubes.
- Prepare steamed milk with a steam wand or any manual method.
- Add milk to the glass of iced cubes.
- Lastly, now pour the espresso gently into the glass.
- Optionally, you can add flavors, such as one tablespoon of vanilla or caramel syrup.
- Stir the glass well
- Garnish with a light dusting of cinnamon or cocoa powder if you like, and serve immediately.
Your delicious beverage is ready to drink.
Frozen Whipped Coffee Recipe (Dalgona coffee)
How many calories per serving?
If you use whole milk, an iced cortado has around 45 to 50 calories per serving.
This Iced Cortado has fewer calories without adding flavors. Espresso shots contain only ten calories per drink. The calories are primarily contributed by the steamed milk.
When making iced cortado, remember that calorie content depends on the type of milk you use. if you make it with Whole milk. It will add 34 calories per drink.
Also, adding a spoonful of sugar will add 16 calories. On the other hand, if you add low-fat milk, it will contain fewer calories.
Another exciting post on how to make iced Americano with cream.
What is the difference between iced cortado and cold brew?
Iced coffee is prepared at a hot temperature, then ice is added to make it a cold drink. As I discussed, an iced Cortado is made with iced cubes. Whereas cold brew is prepared with cold water.
Also, the brewing process of cold brew makes it a lot more bitter and pungent in taste compared to iced cortado. Also, cold brew is a highly caffeinated drink due to the 12-hour steeping process.
Both drinks have certain benefits and a few shortcomings. You can pick anyone for your next drink.
They differ in the brewing process, ingredients, and taste. Cold brewing takes 12 to 18 hours to get excellent cold-brewed coffee.
Since no heat is involved while making this coffee, it tastes different from iced coffee. And iced cortado can brew within 5 minutes.
Iced Cortado vs iced latte: what is the difference?
Both drinks are highly consumed and unique in terms of taste, ingredients, and brewing methods.
The first significant difference between an iced Cortado and an iced latte is the use of milk in the two beverages. The iced latte comes with 2/3 milk and 1/3 of the espresso shot.
In contrast, the iced Cortado is prepared with an equal volume of milk and espresso. So the Cortado has a much more bitter and stronger taste than the latte. The use of milk cuts the intensity of the latte coffee.
Related article. Iced latte vs iced Macchiato: Why are they different?
An iced latte is a better option if you like milk drinks. However, an iced latte contains more calories and caffeine. An iced Cortado has more caffeine and fewer calories.
Does Starbucks have an Iced Cortado?
Starbucks doesn’t have iced Cortado on its menu. If you want it at Starbucks, they can make a customized drink for you.
A barista can make this cold drink according to your given instructions.
How to order an iced Cortado at Starbucks?
Suppose you enter a Starbucks and you are craving an iced cortado. Ask the barista for two espresso shots with steamed milk. The milk and espresso shots should have the same volume.
You can phrase it as.” Can I get a double espresso over ice with a small splash of milk — about equal to the espresso?”
Alternatively, you should preferably avoid steamed milk and ask for whole milk instead. Lastly, ask the barista to add ice cubes to your drink.
Is an Iced Cortado available at the Costa Coffee shop?
Costa is also known for its unique and robust coffee taste. You will get an iced cortado on Costa’s menu.
Additionally, you can add ice, fresh espresso, and chilled milk at Costa. It creates creamy, solid, and cold coffee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Cortado is made with milk and espresso at a 1:1 ratio. So, add ice cubes to it, but avoid steamed milk.
Yes, Cortado is a healthier drink; it contains fewer calories. It also has a balanced caffeine content. Cortado is a healthy beverage whether you add ice or not.
Cortado uses the same amount of milk and espresso in one cup. People prefer to get less steamed milk.
Also, it is a strong drink with fewer calories. This is the perfect drink for the summer season.
Yes! Use a Moka pot or strong AeroPress brew. Just keep the ratio close to 1:1 (espresso to milk).
Related article.
Nitro cold brew vs cold brew: what is the difference?
Final thoughts
Here, I discussed everything about iced cortado—a well-deserved inclusion in your priority list—and an easier drink to brew at home. What I like about this is its consistent and balanced taste.
This coffee has several advantages over other iced drinks. Anyone who knows the basics of coffee flavors can brew this iced drink; it has fewer calories and a balanced taste.