We all crave a cold and fresh homemade caffeine boost on busy mornings. Instead of buying a pricey cup at the store I started making this easy iced lavender latte.

Using your own espresso machine or coffee maker means you skip the long lines and mix a beautiful drink in a fraction of the time. The cold ice creates a delicious crisp chill while keeping the drink perfectly sweet and creamy.

If you want a comforting homemade cold treat fast this recipe is for you.

Why Making an Iced Lavender Latte at Home is a Game Changer

Mixing a homemade iced lavender latte saves so much time and money. You do not need to wait for a barista to call your name when you are craving caffeine.

You can adjust the sweet floral flavors much easier than traditional cafe orders. The ice gives you a wonderful contrast between the rich dark espresso and the light sweet milk.

It turns basic coffee and milk into a bright treat with surprisingly little effort. I love that it feels like a fancy weekend luxury but comes together so quickly.

The Secret to a Perfect Iced Lavender Latte

The main secret to a great iced lavender latte at home is using a high quality floral syrup. This infuses the cold milk and makes the drink incredibly flavorful and smooth.

Pouring the hot espresso over the sweet syrup first before adding the milk is incredibly important. This keeps the small syrup molecules perfectly dissolved and prevents the flavor from sinking to the bottom.

The cold ice chills the hot espresso fast. Giving the glass a quick stir before drinking allows the sweet milk to distribute evenly through the coffee every single time you mix it.

Iced Lavender Latte

Recipe by By butter u0026 berriesCourse: Cold Coffee

Servings

1

servings

Prep time

5

minutes

Cooking time

5

minutes

Calories

160

kcal

Ingredients

• 2 shots espresso

• 150ml cold oat milk or whole milk

• Lots of ice

• For lavender syrup: 100g white sugar, 100ml water, 2 tbsp dried culinary lavender

• Dried lavender flowers to garnish

Directions

• Make lavender syrup: combine sugar and water in a small pan. Bring to a simmer.
• Add dried lavender. Simmer 2 minutes. Remove from heat.
• Steep for 10 minutes. Taste. Steep up to 15 minutes for stronger flavour.
• Strain through a fine sieve. Cool and refrigerate.
• Pull 2 shots of espresso.
• Fill a tall glass with ice.
• Add 1.5 to 2 tablespoons of lavender syrup to the glass.
• Pour cold milk over the ice and syrup. Watch the slight purple tint develop.
• Pour espresso over the milk.
• Garnish with a few dried lavender flowers.
• Serve immediately.

Tips

• Use culinary lavender specifically. Ornamental lavender varieties can contain camphor and other compounds that are unpleasant in food and drink.
  Do not over-steep the lavender syrup. Ten minutes is ideal. Fifteen minutes maximum. Longer produces a soapy, overpowering flavour that dominates the drink unpleasantly.
  Taste the syrup before using in the drink. It should be floral and sweet but not overwhelming. If too strong dilute with a small amount of plain simple syrup.
  The purple colour is subtle and beautiful. It is most visible in the milk before the espresso is added. Use a clear glass to appreciate the visual.
  Oat milk produces a slightly creamier, slightly sweeter result than dairy milk and is the most popular pairing for lavender lattes.
  One and a half tablespoons of syrup is the recommended starting amount. Add more gradually. It is easier to add more lavender than to correct an over-lavender-flavoured drink.
  Dried lavender flowers as a garnish scattered on the foam or milk surface are the finishing visual that makes this drink look genuinely special.

Make a lavender honey latte by adding honey to the lavender syrup for a more complex sweetness. Replace espresso with matcha for a lavender matcha latte that is completely caffeine-different but equally beautiful. Add vanilla to the lavender syrup for a vanilla lavender latte. Make a lavender chamomile latte by combining chamomile tea with the lavender syrup for a caffeine-free version. Replace lavender with rose for a completely different but equally beautiful floral latte.

Storage and Serving

Serve immediately in a clear glass for maximum visual impact. Garnish with dried lavender flowers. The lavender syrup keeps refrigerated for 2 weeks. The assembled drink does not keep. The purple tint in the milk begins fading within minutes after the espresso is added.

FAQs

Q: Where do I buy culinary lavender?
A: Health food stores, specialty food shops, and online retailers including Amazon stock dried culinary lavender. Ensure it specifically states culinary grade.

Q: Why does my lavender latte taste soapy?
A: The lavender was steeped too long or too much was used. Lavender has a very narrow window between perfectly floral and overwhelmingly soapy. Use less and steep for a shorter time.

Q: Can I use lavender essential oil instead?
A: No. Essential oils are extremely concentrated and not safe to consume in this form. Use only dried culinary lavender flowers.

Q: What makes the drink purple?
A: The anthocyanin pigments in lavender create a pale purple or lilac tint in the syrup which shows as a subtle colour in the milk.

Q: Can I use fresh lavender?
A: Fresh lavender can be used but is more intensely flavoured. Use half the quantity and taste frequently during steeping.

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