The Cherry Vanilla Iced Latte is a delightful treat that captures the essence of summer in a glass. Picture this: rich, creamy vanilla almond milk swirling with sweet cherry syrup and a bold coffee base. It’s a refreshing drink that combines the sweetness of ripe cherries with the comforting aroma of coffee, making it perfect for those warm days when you crave something cool and energizing. The vibrant pink hue adds a playful touch, making it as beautiful to look at as it is to drink.

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
Recipe FAQs
Cherry Vanilla Iced Latte

I first stumbled upon the idea of a cherry vanilla iced latte while trying to create a unique afternoon pick-me-up. The classic iced latte was great on its own, but I wanted to elevate it with my favorite fruity cherry flavor. Each sip transports me right back to my childhood summers, where cherry-flavored everything reigned supreme. This recipe is easy to whip up and a lovely way to indulge without breaking the bank. I hope you’re just as excited to give this a try as I was!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Simple & Quick: With just about 10 minutes of prep, you can have this refreshing drink ready in no time!
Irresistible Flavor: Imagine sweet cherries melding perfectly with creamy vanilla—your taste buds will thank you.
Eye-Catching Appeal: The gorgeous pink color makes it perfect for serving at brunches or simply enjoying on a sunny afternoon.
Flexible Serving: It’s not just a coffee fix; enjoy it as a snack, breakfast treat, or a glorious afternoon refresher.
Diet-Friendly Options: Easily adaptable for those who have dietary preferences—try it with regular almond milk or skip the sugar and use monk fruit!

Ingredients You’ll Need

2 cups cherries, pitted: You can use frozen cherries for convenience. Their natural sweetness will elevate your drink!
½ cup sugar or monk fruit: Sweeten your cherry syrup to perfection. Monk fruit is a great low-calorie alternative.
½ cup water: Essential for creating the cherry syrup, helping to dissolve the sugar or monk fruit.
½ cup cold brew: Or use 2 shots of chilled espresso if you prefer a stronger coffee flavor. Either option works wonderfully.
½ cup vanilla almond milk: I recommend Califa Farms for a deliciously nutty flavor. Non-dairy options can be used too!
2 tbsp vanilla almond creamer: This enhances the creaminess and boosts the vanilla flavor for a richer drink.
2-3 tbsp homemade cherry simple syrup: Adjust this to match your sweetness preference. You can always add more!

How to Make Cherry Vanilla Iced Latte

Make the Cherry Simple Syrup: Combine 2 cups pitted cherries, ½ cup water, and ½ cup sugar (or monk fruit) in a pot over medium heat. Bring to a gentle simmer while stirring. Don’t forget to press down on the cherries now and then—this releases their juicy goodness!

Dissolve and Strain: Continue cooking until the sugar is completely dissolved and the mixture thickens slightly—your syrup is ready! Strain it into a resealable glass container, leaving the cherries behind, and let it cool. Keep this syrup handy; it’s a fantastic addition to many drinks!

Prepare Your Glass: Fill your favorite glass with ice, and pour in your desired amount of the freshly made cherry syrup. The ice will actually help keep everything cold and refreshing.

Froth Your Milk and Creamer: In a small bowl or pitcher, froth together ½ cup vanilla almond milk and 2 tablespoons vanilla almond creamer using a milk frother. If you don’t have one, no worries—you can simply whisk it together or skip this step for a smoother texture.

Combine and Enjoy: Pour the frothed milk mixture over the cherry syrup. Finally, top it off with ½ cup cold brew or your chilled espresso. Stir gently to watch the beautiful pink color swirl together, and take a moment to admire your handiwork before enjoying!

Storing & Reheating

You can store any leftover cherry simple syrup in a sealed glass container in the refrigerator for up to a week. For longer storage, you can freeze it in ice cube trays for up to 3 months. To refresh your iced latte, simply re-froth your almond milk before mixing it all back together, although note that flavors may mellow slightly after refrigeration.

Chef’s Helpful Tips

Use a sturdy pot for making the syrup to avoid scorching.
If you notice the syrup isn’t thickening properly, let it simmer a bit longer.
Don’t skip the frothing—this adds a delightful creamy texture that elevates the drink!
Adjust the cherry syrup to your taste; if you love it sweeter, go for that extra tablespoon!
Make the cherry syrup in larger batches to have on hand for other drinks like soda or cocktails.

The Cherry Vanilla Iced Latte is a fantastic way to kick back and treat yourself, blending sweet and creamy flavors that hit just right. I encourage you to experiment with different milk or espresso options to find your perfect blend. Whether you’re hosting friends, need a little afternoon boost, or simply want a delicious treat, this drink won’t disappoint. Enjoy every last sip!

Recipe FAQs

Can I use different types of cherries?

Absolutely! While fresh cherries are ideal, frozen cherries work just as well and are often more convenient. If you’re in a pinch, jarred cherries can be used as a substitute, but be sure to drain them thoroughly to avoid excess liquid.

What can I use instead of almond milk?

If almond milk isn’t your thing, feel free to substitute with oat milk, soy milk, or regular milk if you prefer. Just make sure whichever alternative you choose complements the cherry flavor well!

How can I store the cherry syrup for longer?

To extend the life of your homemade cherry simple syrup, store it in a resealable glass container and keep it refrigerated. If you want to keep it for a few months, pour it into ice cube trays, freeze, and transfer the cubes to a zip-top bag.

Can I make this drink ahead of time?

It’s best to prepare the cherry simple syrup in advance and store it, but the final drink is best served fresh. If you must make it ahead, you can refrigerate it, but the texture and frothiness may be slightly affected over time. Just consider re-frothing your milk before consumption!

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Cherry Vanilla Iced Latte

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Author: Julia
Prep Time: N/A
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 0 hours
Yield: 1 serving 1x
Category: Drinks
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

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Description

The Cherry Vanilla Iced Latte offers an irresistible blend of flavors with rich cherries, creamy vanilla almond milk, and a refreshing cold brew base. Perfect for a quick pick-me-up or a delightful afternoon treat, this easy-to-make beverage showcases the sweetness of cherries and the smoothness of almond milk. A homemade delight that brings a burst of flavor to your day!

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

Make Cherry Simple Syrup by combining cherries, water, and sugar or monk fruit in a pot over medium heat.
Bring the mixture to a slight simmer, stirring gently and pressing cherries to dissolve the sugar.
Once the sugar is fully dissolved and the mixture thickens, remove from heat.
Strain the syrup into a resealable glass container, discarding the cherries, and let it cool before use.
For the Cherry Vanilla Iced Latte, fill a glass with ice and add your preferred amount of cherry syrup.
Froth the vanilla almond milk and creamer together; this step can be skipped if you don't have a frother.
Pour the frothed milk and creamer over the ice and syrup, then top with cold brew or chilled espresso.
Stir well to combine and watch the appealing pink hue develop. Enjoy!

Notes

Feel free to adjust the sweetness by varying the amount of cherry syrup used.
This drink can be made vegan by ensuring the ingredients are dairy-free.
For a stronger coffee flavor, increase the amount of cold brew or espresso.