Description
Learn how to make refreshing iced coffee with homemade vanilla, chocolate, and dulce de leche syrups to customize your drink. This recipe guides you through making simple syrups from scratch and assembling a delicious iced espresso beverage topped with milk and ice cubes, perfect for a sweet and energizing treat.
Ingredients
Syrups
- 1 cup water
- 3 cups sugar (divided: 1 cup for simple syrup, 2 cups for additional simple syrup)
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp cocoa powder
- 1/4 cup dulce de leche
For the Drink
- Handful of ice cubes
- 2 espresso shots
- 1/2 cup milk (2%, skim, whole, or non-dairy options)
Instructions
- Prepare Simple Syrup: Bring 1 cup water and 1 cup sugar to a boil in a large pot on the stove. Boil for 1 minute to create simple syrup.
- Divide Simple Syrup: Divide 2 cups of the simple syrup among 2 heat-safe mason jars, with 1 cup of syrup in each jar.
- Make Flavored Syrups: Stir cocoa powder into one mason jar to make chocolate syrup. Stir vanilla extract into the other jar to make vanilla syrup.
- Prepare Dulce de Leche Syrup: With the remaining simple syrup left in the pot on the stove, stir in the dulce de leche. Warm gently on the stove as needed and stir to dissolve the dulce de leche completely. Pour this syrup into a third mason jar.
- Cool Syrups: Allow all three syrups to cool for 30 minutes before using. Store syrups in the refrigerator for up to 4 weeks.
- Brew Espresso: Use an espresso maker to prepare 2 espresso shots.
- Assemble Iced Coffee: Add a handful of ice cubes to a large glass. Pour espresso shots and milk over the ice. Add 1-2 tablespoons of your preferred syrup and stir.
- Make Iced Macchiato (Optional): Add syrup to the bottom of a glass, top with ice, pour milk, then slowly pour espresso shots over the back of a spoon to create a layered effect. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- The syrups can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 weeks.
- Use any type of milk you prefer: 2%, skim, whole, or non-dairy alternatives.
- Adjust syrup quantity to taste — start with 1 tablespoon and add more if desired.
- For a stronger coffee flavor, increase the number of espresso shots accordingly.
- To dissolve dulce de leche faster, gently warm the simple syrup on low heat while stirring.
