5 Delicious Iced Espresso Drinks: Step-by-Step Recipes with Video Tutorials

If you’re a fan of iced coffee just like me, then you’re in for a treat with these iced espresso drink recipes! They’re easy to whip up at home with just a few steps.

Got an espresso machine and know how to use it? Great! But if you don’t, no stress at all. You can still make a coffee base for your drinks using alternatives like Moka pots or AeroPress.

Once you’ve got your coffee ready, all you need is some ice cubes, your preferred milk, and you’re all set to go!

Exploring Popular Iced Espresso Drinks At Home

Whether you’re in the mood for something traditional or ready to venture into the unknown, there’s a drink out there that’s sure to tantalize your taste buds. Some popular iced espresso drinks include:

Here are some of my favorite drinks, and I’ll guide you through making each one step by step. Plus, I’ve included short videos I created for every drink to help you easily replicate them at home. Enjoy crafting these delightful beverages with ease!

1. Dirty Coffee

Dirty Coffee, a Japanese creation now popular across Asia, transforms the iced coffee experience with its striking look.

This drink stands out by pouring hot, strong espresso over cold milk in a freezing cup, creating a beautiful contrast. The mix of hot and cold layers offers a unique taste experience.

How to Make It

1. Chill a glass in the freezer for at least 15 minutes.
2. Add cold milk to the chilled glass.
3. Pour a shot of espresso directly over the milk, holding the glass as close to the spout as possible to achieve that beautiful layered effect.

As you sip, the sweet, cold milk blends with the bold, bitter coffee, creating a flavor that’s truly one of a kind. Check out my dirty coffee recipe for a more detailed introduction and brewing tips.

2. Starbucks Iced Shaken Espresso

Shaking your espresso with ice, and sometimes milk or cream, is the best method to improve its texture and mouthfeel. This vigorous action cools the espresso quickly and mixes the flavors evenly, creating a smooth taste with a delightful frothy top.

How to Make It

1. Pull an espresso shot
2. Transfer the espresso into a cocktail shaker or a mason jar filled with ice cubes.
3. Shake vigorously for 15 to 30 times
4. Add your preferred milk and syrup to customize your shaken espresso drink.

Previously, I shared a detailed Starbucks Iced Shaken espresso recipe, and I also made a short video to show you how to make it; check it out.

In their shaken espresso lineup, Starbucks includes several distinct versions that incorporate unique ingredients.

Take the Iced Brown Sugar Shaken Espresso as an example. It’s infused with brown sugar for added sweetness. Alternatively, the Iced Toasted Vanilla Oatmilk Shaken Espresso combines creamy oat milk with rich toasted vanilla syrup—demonstrating how these drinks are designed to satisfy diverse palates and enable you to discover your ideal flavored coffee experience.

3. Aerocano

In the world of cold coffee beverages, Aerocano has become a sensation on social media. This concoction delivers a creamy consistency and frothy top layer reminiscent of nitro-infused cold brews with only a few simple steps. However, you need to use the steam wand on your espresso machine to make this iced coffee drink.

How to Make It

1. Brew a shot of espresso.
2. Fill a milk jug with ice cubes.
3. Combine the espresso and ice in the jug.
4. Steam the mixture until you achieve the desired amount of foam.
5. Serve over ice and enjoy.

If you don’t have a steam wand, don’t worry! You can still create that excellent foam using tools like a Nanofoamer, cocktail shaker, or French press, similar to making whipped cream at home.

The result is a drink highlighted by its strong espresso taste and a distinctive velvety foam topping, setting the Aerocano apart from your average iced Americano.

4. Iced Caramel Macchiato

The Iced Caramel Macchiato is my summer favorite, too. I found myself spending $5 daily at Starbucks, but it turns out, it’s quite simple to make at home. The combination of caramel and caffeine always brightens my day.

The following short video shows you how I make this drink with a Nespresso machine and a handheld milk frother.

How to Make It

1. Start with 1-2 teaspoons of vanilla syrup as the base.
2. Add ice cubes to your glass.
3. For a special touch, you can swirl caramel sauce inside the glass.
4. Pour in 1 cup of your favorite milk.
5. Use a handheld frother to make the milk creamy.
6. Pull a short of espresso into the frothed milk
7. Top it off with a final drizzle of caramel sauce for the ultimate finish.

There you have it – you’ve saved $5 and created your very own Iced Caramel Macchiato right in the comfort of your home. Enjoy!

5. Espresso Tonic

Espresso Tonic is a refreshing choice for coffee lovers looking for a drink that’s both invigorating and unique. Combining the boldness of espresso with the crispness of tonic water, it offers a delightful balance of flavors that’s perfect for warm weather or when you’re in the mood for something different.

How to Make It

1. Fill a tall glass with ice cubes
2. Pour in tonic water over the ice.
3. Brew a shot of espresso.
4. Gently pour the espresso over the tonic water. The espresso will float on top, creating a visually appealing two-layer effect.
5. Stir gently to mix the layers slightly, or leave as is for a striking visual presentation.
6. Garnish with a slice of lemon or orange peel to add a citrusy aroma and a hint of zest.

What’s fantastic is the opportunity to experiment with various tonic water flavors, allowing you to craft a drink that’s uniquely yours.

Don’t Have An Espresso Machine? Here are Some Alternatives

Using an espresso machine at home is the traditional approach to craft authentic iced espresso beverages. This isn’t the only method available.

Alternative brewing equipment such as Moka pots and AeroPresses can also yield a robust coffee base that’s ideal for concocting chilled drinks in the style of iced espresso—even in the absence of a specialized espresso machine.

For instance, Moka pots or stovetop espresso makers offer both simplicity and portability while delivering a potent brew.

An AeroPress could be a great solution tool. It can create strong brewed coffee that is similar to espresso.

You can even use instant coffee to make espresso if you don’t have a coffee maker.

Enjoy! It’s Time to Craft Your Own Iced Espresso Drinks

Creating iced espresso drinks at home is immensely satisfying. It allows you to experiment with a variety of flavors and tailor the drink to your liking. Hope you find this guide useful! Happy Brewing!