Cherry Vanilla Iced Latte is a deliciously refreshing drink that captures the essence of summertime. Picture this: a creamy, dreamy blend of rich coffee flavors, the sweet tartness of vibrant cherries, and a hint of smooth vanilla cascading over ice. Each sip dances on your palate with that delightful sweetness, making it a perfect treat to cool off on a warm day. Homemade cherry syrup takes this iced latte to the next level, offering a burst of flavor that you simply can’t find in store-bought versions.

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Ingredients You’ll Need
How to Make Cherry Vanilla Iced Latte
Storing & Reheating
Chef’s Helpful Tips
Cherry Vanilla Iced Latte

I first stumbled upon this delightful mixture when I was looking for a way to enjoy my afternoon coffee without the heaviness of traditional desserts. This beautiful beverage satisfies my sweet tooth while giving me that needed caffeine kick! It’s quick to prepare too, allowing you to whip up an impressive drink in just under ten minutes. If you’re ready to embrace the cherry magic, you’re going to love this Cherry Vanilla Iced Latte recipe!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Simple & Quick: Prep your Cherry Vanilla Iced Latte in about 10 minutes—perfect for busy mornings!
Irresistible Flavor: The combination of sweet cherries, vanilla, and cold brew creates a delightful taste explosion.
Eye-Catching Appeal: Its vibrant pink hue makes it a showstopper at gatherings or for a pampered self-care moment.
Flexible Serving: Great as a refreshing pick-me-up any time of day—breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon treat.
Diet-Friendly Options: Easily customizable with sugar substitutes like monk fruit for a lower-calorie option.

Ingredients You’ll Need

2 cups cherries, pitted: Fresh or frozen cherries can be used, but frozen ones are perfect for a quick, chilled syrup. They pack full flavor and sweetness.
½ cup sugar or monk fruit: Use regular granulated sugar for sweetness or monk fruit for a low-calorie alternative.
½ cup water: This helps to create the perfect syrup consistency.
½ cup cold brew: I love using cold brew for a smoother taste, but 2 shots of chilled espresso work well, too.
½ cup vanilla almond milk: A delightful non-dairy option. Califia Farms’ version gives a lovely flavor, but feel free to use any brand.
2 tbsp vanilla almond creamer: This adds extra creaminess and depth—sans dairy!
2-3 tbsp homemade cherry simple syrup: A sweetener packed with cherry flavor that elevates this drink to a whole new level.

How to Make Cherry Vanilla Iced Latte

Prepare the Cherry Simple Syrup: Start by combining 2 cups of pitted cherries, ½ cup of water, and ½ cup of sugar or monk fruit in a pot over medium heat. Stir occasionally and press down on the cherries as the sugar dissolves, releasing their juices. You want to achieve a slight simmer—keep an eye on it to prevent boiling.

Simmer Until Thickened: Once the sugar is thoroughly dissolved and the mixture has thickened slightly, remove it from the heat. Strain the syrup through a fine mesh sieve into a resealable glass container to remove the cherry solids. Let the syrup cool before using, which will give a concentrated cherry flavor.

Fill Your Glass with Ice: Take your favorite glass and fill it with ice cubes, allowing the coldness to chill the glass. Pour in your desired amount of the homemade cherry syrup—start with 2-3 tablespoons, then adjust based on your sweetness preference.

Froth the Milk and Creamer: Using a milk frother, froth together ½ cup of vanilla almond milk and 2 tablespoons of vanilla almond creamer. This step is optional if you don’t have a frother, but frothed milk adds a delightful texture to your latte.

Pour in the Cold Brew: Carefully pour in ½ cup of cold brew (or your 2 shots of chilled espresso) over the frothed milk mixture. This layering effect creates a beautiful visual and adds to the coffee flavor.

Mix and Enjoy: Stir your Cherry Vanilla Iced Latte gently to mix the flavors while enjoying the stunning pink hue that forms. Take a moment to appreciate your work—I promise it’ll be a moment well spent as you sip!

Storing & Reheating

You can store any leftover cherry simple syrup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. If you need a chilled drink later, just pour over ice and add your milk and espresso. The flavor may mellow a bit after storage, so consider adding a bit more syrup to refresh it! You can also freeze the syrup in an ice cube tray for up to 3 months. Just pop out a cube whenever you want a quick treat, letting it thaw before adding it to your drink.

Chef’s Helpful Tips

Avoid Overheating the Syrup: Keep the heat moderate to gently dissolve the sugar without scorching the mixture.
Use Quality Ingredients: The best flavors come from using quality cherries and vanilla products—don’t skimp here!
Adjust Sweetness to Taste: Everyone’s sweet tooth is different; start with the lesser amount of syrup and increase it as needed.
Caffeine Variability: For a stronger flavor, consider using a bold coffee or a darker roast for the cold brew.
Experiment with Flavors: Try adding a pinch of cinnamon or a splash of almond extract for unique flavor variations!

Enjoying your Cherry Vanilla Iced Latte can be one of life’s little pleasures. Its light, fruity essence pairs so well with coffee, making it delightful for a warm summer afternoon or any time you need a refreshing beverage. Encourage experimentation as you add different flavors like hazelnut or coconut for a personalized touch!

Recipe FAQs

Can I use other kinds of cherries?

Absolutely! You can use any kind of cherries—sweet cherries work great! If you’re using tart cherries, you might want to add a bit more sugar to balance the flavor.

How long does the homemade cherry syrup last?

The homemade cherry syrup will last in the refrigerator for about two weeks when stored in an airtight container. If you want to keep it longer, you can freeze it for up to three months. Just remember to thaw it before using!

Can I make this drink dairy-free?

Yes! This recipe is already dairy-free since it includes almond milk and creamer. You can also use other plant-based milks like oat or coconut if you prefer.

How can I make it less sweet?

If you’re not a fan of sweetness, you can reduce the sugar in the simple syrup or use a sugar substitute like monk fruit. Start with a small amount of syrup, then taste and adjust based on your preference!

Whip up your Cherry Vanilla Iced Latte today and savor every sip of this delightful fusion! Your taste buds will thank you!

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Cherry Vanilla Iced Latte

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Author: Lina
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Yield: 1 serving 1x
Category: Drinks
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

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Description

This Cherry Vanilla Iced Latte features a delightful blend of sweet cherry syrup, creamy vanilla almond milk, and rich cold brew coffee. It’s easy to make and perfect for those seeking a refreshing drink anytime!

Ingredients

Scale

2 cups cherries, pitted (i use frozen)
½ cup sugar or monk fruit
½ cup water
½ cup cold brew (or 2 shots chilled espresso)
½ cup vanilla almond milk (i use califia farms)
2 tbsp vanilla almond creamer (i use califia farms)
2–3 tbsp homemade cherry simple syrup (more or less to taste depending on sweetness preference)

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Instructions

Combine cherries, water, and sugar or monk fruit in a pot on the stove over medium heat.
Bring to a slight simmer, mixing lightly and pressing down on the cherries as the sugar dissolves.
Once the sugar is completely dissolved and the mixture has thickened, remove from heat.
Strain the syrup into a resealable glass container, discarding the cherries, and let cool before using.
Fill your favorite glass with ice, then pour in your desired amount of cherry syrup.
Froth the milk and creamer together using a milk frother (optional).
Pour in the frothed milk and creamer, then top with cold brew or chilled espresso.
Mix everything together to see the beautiful pink color and enjoy!

Notes

You can use fresh or frozen cherries for the syrup.
Feel free to customize the sweetness of the cherry syrup based on your taste preference.
For a non-dairy option, choose your favorite non-dairy milk and creamer.