Iced Vanilla Latte vs Iced Caramel Macchiato

8 min read MAY 05, 2022

Can’t decide between an iced latte and a macchiato? Don’t know the difference between the two? Let us help you out and answer those questions.

We are going to look at the battle between an iced vanilla latte and an iced caramel macchiato. 

From how they’re made to what they contain, we cover everything you need to know before picking a side.

We are also going to cover the difference between macchiato and latte so that you’re familiar with the two types of beverages.

What this article covers:



Macchiatos and Lattes

iced caramel macchiato

Whether we’re talking about their iced variations or the standard hot beverage, the difference between the two is always the same.

It’s easy to become overwhelmed with all these coffee terms and not be able to identify the difference between all of them.

Both macchiatos and lattes are espresso-based beverages that have a beautiful coffee aroma. The difference however is the ratio of milk to espresso used in each drink.

The former is mostly espresso and steamed milk, the latter however is more complex in its creation and ingredients. 

Lattes tend to have more milk and use cream to make for a less overpowering coffee flavor.

Macchiatos, iced or regular, are much stronger than an iced latte. This remains true despite the addition of caramel or vanilla to the macchiato mix as the espresso is usually a double shot.

In the battle of macchiato vs espresso, it all comes down to preference. There’s espresso in macchiatos so it all comes down to whether you want milk in your drink or not.

And when it comes to americano vs macchiato, both iced and regular, the difference is the addition of water. If you are serving a hot americano, you will add boiling water to the mix.

Latte translates to milk coffee in English, meaning that this is a much creamier beverage. It also consists of espresso, but the star of the show here is the steamed and frothed milk that gets added to the top. 

Flavors such as caramel or vanilla are more prominent in a latte than in a macchiato as there’s more milk than espresso being used.

What is an Iced Vanilla Latte?

difference between iced vanilla latte vs iced caramel macchiato

Having yourself an iced vanilla latte on a hot summer’s day transports you into a land of cool relaxation while still giving you that caffeine boost.

When the sun is beaming outside, having a warm coffee is the last thing on our minds. An iced vanilla latte, however, is something that we could all use as a substitute for a hot cup of coffee on a warm day.

Iced lattes contain espresso, milk, ice, and sweeteners or syrups with the flavor you choose. 

The milk can be frothed to give it that latte texture, but if you’re in a rush to enjoy a cold espresso drink, it’s not necessary.

It’s the perfect combination of bitter and sweet as the individual elements fuse to create a creamy and tasty treat.

Ingredients


Iced vanilla lattes, whether you are enjoying them at home or at a local coffee shop, don’t require many ingredients to make.

Firstly, you are going to need that vanilla flavor. This can be simple storebought syrup or you can make some in the comfort of your home.

This is done by boiling water, adding sugar to the mix, and removing the vanilla beans from the pod. 

Once the beans are out of the pod, add them into the mix and voila, you have yourself homemade vanilla syrup.

Secondly, we are going to need some milk. You don’t have to look for specific kinds of milk or cream to use when creating an iced vanilla latte, simply use your preferred choice and the flavors will shine through.

Thirdly, we need that source of caffeine and there’s no better place to look than Lifeboost’s French vanilla bean or ground coffee. 

what's the difference between iced vanilla latte vs iced caramel macchiato

You are not only getting that flavourful hint of espresso, but are the taste and aroma of vanilla.

You’re killing two birds with one stone (we don’t mean this literally so don’t harm any birds when making an iced vanilla latte)

Finally, we’re going to need some ice to lower the temperature, but not too much as we don’t want a watered-down beverage.

Feel free to add anything extra to top it off. Something chocolatey like chocolate sauce or grated chocolate compliments the vanilla flavor excellently.

How it’s Made


The preparation time for both beverages is relatively similar. The only difference is the ingredients.

We start by preparing our cup with the vanilla syrup base, a teaspoon or 2 will do.

Then take your milk and add about 8 ounces of it into the vanilla base, stirring as you pour it. We want the ingredients to be well blended with each other so stirring properly is crucial.

Lattes have foamed milk that adds to their richness, so foam that milk up before you add it to your mix.

Add in your 4 or 5 ice blocks but no more as it’ll make the drink too watery.

Lastly, add your 2 ounces of caffeine into the mix. Notice the difference in measurements between the milk and caffeine, therefore lattes are so creamy in texture and taste.

Stir everything together and serve cold.

Give it a Boost with LifeBoost


We mentioned that we recommend using the French vanilla bean Lifeboost product to make the perfect iced vanilla latte.

Well, in doing so, you are not only creating a more authentic latte, but saving yourself time in the production process.

Using our product saves you from purchasing or having to make vanilla syrup and running to the store to get some espresso powder.

Simply add your milk, ice, and the brewed Lifeboost coffee and you’re all set to enjoying the perfect iced vanilla latte.

What is an Iced Caramel Macchiato?

Iced Vanilla Macchiato vs Iced Caramel Latte

Having a hot cup of espresso on a warm summer’s day might give us that caffeine boost we need, but it’s going to make you feel hotter and more bothered. 

So, let’s cool that bad boy down with some ice and a drizzle of caramel.

An iced caramel macchiato is a combination of espresso, milk, ice, and a flavoring of your choice in the form of syrup. Today we are going to focus on caramel.

Many get confused about the difference between a frappuccino and a macchiato as they’re similar. Just remember that the main difference is the espresso to milk ratio.

The former has equal amounts of milk and espresso, whilst the latter has an espresso-dominated taste.

This is similar to the battle between cappuccino vs macchiato as the former is all about equal amounts of coffee and milk.

Ingredients


First things first, we need that caramel flavor, a primary ingredient to ensure that we achieve that sweet, nutty aroma and taste.

Again, you can either buy caramel syrup from the store or you can make it yourself using 4 simple ingredients.

Simply melt butter in a pan, add sugar and lemon juice, and continue to stir the mixture for 6 minutes. Once it’s turned a golden-brown color, add a splash of fresh cream to reach the desired consistency.

This gives you a more authentic caramel flavor and saves you a few bucks on purchasing a bottle of caramel syrup.

Next up is that source of caffeine, and we recommend using Lifeboost’s caramel macchiato coffee. 

difference between iced vanilla latte vs iced caramel macchiato

It’s the perfect blend of caramel and coffee, ensuring that you don’t add too much espresso or caramel to the mix.

We need some milk or non-dairy alternative, so use your preferred choice and enjoy. And we can’t forget the ice so make sure that you have some ice blocks ready to use.

While it's not a must, the next ingredient makes the trip to flavor town an enjoyable one. We are talking about the addition of vanilla syrup.

How it’s Made


Take your cup and create your caramel base. If you’re spicing things up with vanilla, you can add it into the mix. 2 tablespoons of each will suffice.

Mix these syrups well before adding the milk. We won’t be using 8 ounces as we would in the iced vanilla latte, instead we will just use half a cup of milk.

Once the milk is in the cup, give it a stir and you will start noticing a change in consistency and color as the ingredients blend.

Add your ice blocks but make sure there’s still enough space to add your caffeine mix.

Once you get that out of the way, the last step is to add your coffee and stir everything up.

If you really want to wow whoever you’re making this for (yourself included), add some whipped cream and drizzle a little bit of chocolate sauce on top.

Lifeboost


Using the caramel macchiato Lifeboost coffee beans saves money, time, and ends up giving you a healthier and tastier iced caramel macchiato.

Syrups are high in sugar so not having to use them means that you cut down on your sugar intake.

All you need to do is add milk and ice blocks to your brewed Lifeboost product and your macchiato will be ready to enjoy.

Do we Have a Winner?

the difference between iced vanilla latte vs iced caramel macchiato

When putting an iced vanilla latte and an iced caramel macchiato in the ring, the winner is decided by whatever flavors and textures you enjoy more.

Macchiatos are much stronger than lattes, so if you’re looking for an ice-cold boost in the morning or afternoon you’ll have a better time sipping on an iced caramel macchiato.

However, if you’re just wanting to cool down on a hot summer’s day and want something a little creamier, nothing beats an iced vanilla latte.

What sets these drinks apart is the ratio between their ingredients. While it sounds minor, these differences result in significantly different textures and tastes.

Whichever side you choose, you’ll soon realize that you’re saving money by making these beverages at home.

Conclusion


If you put these 2 giants up against each other, there won’t be a clear winner. It all comes down to your preference.

Whatever you choose, we recommend using Lifeboost’s products to make for an authentic and healthy product. 

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