Adding ice to coffee creates an amazing experience. It provides a refreshing twist to a traditional flavor. Unlike a hot coffee, it delivers a cold caffeine kick.
Three classic coffee flavors—latte, cappuccino, and macchiato—have cold versions with icy taste and similar caffeine punch.
Iced latte, iced cappuccino, and iced macchiato are three high-quality cold coffee drinks that will be discussed and compared in this article.
Iced latte vs iced cappuccino vs iced Macchiato: What are the differences?
All three drinks have a classic hot version; their only addition of ice cubes makes them cold and energizing.
An iced latte is a milky drink with iced cubes and two espresso shots, while a cappuccino has an ideal balance of cold milk and espresso. An iced macchiato has a strong espresso flavour with a hint of creaminess.
How to enjoy these flavors?
All these drinks have a great fan following, and you can get these flavors in every coffee shop. People prefer these cold flavors due to their unique and refreshing taste.
- Iced latte
If you enjoy something creamy, milk with a strong espresso flavor, the iced latte is unbeatable. It is an ideal drink to start your morning, offering a milder, sweeter coffee taste.
- Iced Cappuccino
This drink is fantastic with its perfect balance of milk and espresso. Adding ice to a Cappuccino can energize you on a hot, sultry day. You can enjoy it throughout the day.
- Iced Macchiato
Macchiato has a dominant espresso flavor with a splash of milk, adding iced cubes makes it a cold, robust drink. If you love strong, cold coffee, iced macchiato is the perfect choice.
Also, check the difference between iced latte vs iced flat white.
Now let’s dive into every difference in detail.
What is the difference in ingredients?
The cold version of the traditional drinks has certain variations in ingredients.
All three flavors have espresso, milk, and iced cubes. However, the variations in the volume of milk differentiated them.
- Iced latte ingredients
An iced latte has more milk than the iced cappuccino or iced Macchiato. It has ¾ of milk and ¼ of espresso. Also, it requires a quarter of ice cubes in a glass.
Milk is steamed, and it is put into the refrigerator to make it cold. Also, you can add milk foam on top.
- Iced Cappuccino ingredients
An iced cappuccino glass has less milk than an iced latte but more milk than an iced Macchiato.
A glass of iced cappuccino has one part of espresso and two parts of milk. Also, it contains one part of ice cubes.
- Iced Macchiato ingredients
It has only a slight volume of milk, unlike iced latte and iced cappuccino. However, it is an espresso-dominant drink with iced cubes.
An iced Macchiato has espresso to milk with the ratio of 2:1, and add ice cubes according to your choice.
What is the difference in Brewing method?
All three have slight variances in brewing method. However, they have a similar espresso brewing process.
- Iced Cappuccino brewing process
First, make two shots of espresso and let them cool down for a few minutes in the refrigerator.
Now, steam the milk and let it cool down for a few minutes. You can separate milk foam from the top.
Pick a glass, add some ice cubes, and pour espresso shots. Gently add the milk and add milk foam on top.
- Iced Latte brewing process
It has quite a similar brewing process to iced cappuccino.
Brew two shots of espresso and let them cool down for a few minutes.
In the next step, chill the milk before adding it to the glass.
Add ice cubes to the glass and pour cool espresso into it. Now add the milk to the glass.
- Iced macchiato brewing process
It requires two espresso shots and then cooling it down. Add espresso to the glass of iced cubes.
A small volume of milk is added on top.
Which iced flavor has a stronger taste?
These drinks have some differences in taste and texture.
- Iced Macchiato
An iced macchiato has a much stronger, more robust, and bitter flavor than the other two.
It contains two espresso shots with a minimal amount of milk. As a result, espresso dominates the taste with slight creaminess.
- Iced Cappuccino
Using equal parts of milk and espresso, the iced Cappuccino has a milder, sweeter, and creamier flavor.
An iced Cappuccino is much smoother and sweeter than an iced macchiato; however, it is less creamy and sweet than an iced latte.
- Iced latte
An iced latte cold coffee flavor that is highly creamy and sweet. Unlike iced macchiato and iced cappuccino, the iced latte has a creamier and smoother flavor.
Check the recipe for Frozen Whipped Coffee.
The difference in serving size?
All three drinks have different cup sizes. An iced latte is typically served in the largest glass, followed by an iced cappuccino and iced macchiato.
- Iced latte serving size
It is served in 12 to 16 oz. Cup size.
- Iced cappuccino serving size
An iced cappuccino is served in a 6 to 8-oz cup size.
- Iced Macchiato serving size
It has a serving of 4 to 6 ounces.
Iced latte vs. iced cappuccino vs. iced Macchiato: which drink has the most calories?
The drink with higher milk content contains more calories. In this case, iced latte has the most calories, followed by iced cappuccino, and then iced macchiato.
- Iced latte calories
An iced latte has 120 to 150 calories per serving.
- Iced cappuccino calories
It contains around 60 to 90 calories per cup.
- Iced Macchiato calories
Iced Macchiato has 10 to 20 calories per cup.
Caffeine content?
All three have a similar level of caffeine since all these flavors are served with two cups of espresso.
So all three iced coffee flavors have 126 mg of caffeine.
Check the difference Iced americano vs iced latte vs iced coffee.
Final thought: Which drink tastes better?
It depends on your taste and preference; each drink has some features. If you’re looking for a creamy and milky drink with strong espresso, an iced latte should be your choice.
On the Other hand, if you want a strong, pungent drink, pick an iced macchiato. However, the iced cappuccino comes with an equal balance of milk and coffee. Additionally, you can make all these drinks interchangeably, as they each have an amazing flavor profile.