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Iced Caffè Latte: The Timeless Starbucks Classic

$4.95 – 100 Calories

$5.65 – 130 Calories

$5.95 – 190 Calories

The Starbucks Iced Caffe Latte is the classic iced espresso drink: bold Starbucks espresso shots combined with cold milk and served over ice. It is simple, versatile, and endlessly customizable, serving as the foundation that countless specialty drinks are built upon. If you want to taste Starbucks espresso at its purest in a cold format, this is where you start.

Starbucks Iced Caffe Latte
DetailInfo
TypeIced Espresso Latte
EspressoStarbucks Signature Espresso
Milk2% milk (default)
SweetenerNone (unsweetened)
SizesTall, Grande, Venti
Caffeine (Grande)150 mg
Calories (Grande)130

The Iced Caffe Latte is the most fundamental iced espresso drink at Starbucks. It consists of freshly pulled espresso shots combined with cold 2% milk and served over ice. There are no syrups, no sauces, no foam, no toppings, just pure espresso and milk in their simplest cold form. It is the drink that defines what a latte is at its core: espresso softened and stretched by milk.

What makes the Iced Caffe Latte special is its versatility and purity. It showcases Starbucks’ Signature Espresso Roast, a dark, bold, richly caramelized espresso with notes of dark cocoa and toasted nuts. When combined with cold milk and ice, the espresso’s intensity is tempered into a smooth, drinkable, everyday coffee that provides strong caffeine without overwhelming bitterness.

The Iced Caffe Latte is also the foundation upon which countless Starbucks drinks are built. A Vanilla Latte is an Iced Caffe Latte plus vanilla syrup. A Mocha is an Iced Caffe Latte plus mocha sauce. Understanding the Iced Caffe Latte helps you understand almost every espresso drink on the menu, and it is often the best starting point for people new to Starbucks espresso.

SizeFl OzPrice
Tall12 fl oz$4.95
Grande16 fl oz$5.65
Venti24 fl oz$5.95

What Affects Pricing?

The Iced Caffe Latte is one of the most affordable espresso drinks at Starbucks because it contains no premium ingredients beyond espresso and milk. Prices vary by $0.50-1.00 at airport and premium locations. Choosing alternative milks (oat, almond, coconut) adds $0.70-0.80. Adding syrups or extra shots also increases the price.

Size2% MilkWhole MilkNonfat MilkOat MilkAlmond Milk
Tall100120708050
Grande1301609011060
Venti19023013016090

At just 130 calories for a Grande with 2% milk, the Iced Caffe Latte is one of the lightest espresso drinks on the menu. The calories come almost entirely from the milk since espresso itself has only about 5 calories per shot. Choosing almond milk drops a Grande to just 60 calories, while whole milk raises it to 160.

NutrientAmount
Calories130
Total Fat4.5 g
Saturated Fat2.5 g
Sodium115 mg
Total Carbs13 g
Sugar11 g
Protein8 g
Caffeine150 mg
SizeEspresso ShotsCaffeine
Tall1 shot75 mg
Grande2 shots150 mg
Venti3 shots225 mg

The Iced Caffe Latte uses Starbucks’ standard espresso shots, providing 75 mg of caffeine per shot. A Grande with two shots delivers 150 mg, which is a strong, productive amount for most adults. The Venti reaches 225 mg from three shots. For even more caffeine, you can add extra shots at $0.80-1.00 per shot.

Core Ingredients

  • Starbucks Signature Espresso: Dark-roasted, finely ground espresso with notes of dark cocoa and toasted nuts
  • 2% Reduced-Fat Milk: Default milk providing balanced creaminess
  • Ice: Standard Starbucks ice

The ingredient list is the shortest of any espresso drink at Starbucks. Three ingredients, nothing more. This simplicity is intentional: the Iced Caffe Latte is designed to showcase the espresso and milk at their purest, without any flavor interference.

The standard Iced Caffe Latte contains dairy from the 2% milk. It does not contain eggs, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soy, or fish. Substitute oat milk, almond milk, coconut milk, or soy milk for a dairy-free version. All alternative milks are prepared with shared equipment.

The Iced Caffe Latte tastes like bold, smooth espresso softened by cold, creamy milk. The Signature Espresso provides intense coffee flavor with dark cocoa undertones and a slightly smoky finish. The 2% milk rounds out the bitterness and adds a subtle sweetness that makes the drink approachable without being sweet. The ice keeps everything refreshing and crisp.

Without any syrup, the natural flavors of the espresso and milk take center stage. You can taste the roast quality, the milk’s subtle creaminess, and the way the two interact on your palate. It is a clean, honest coffee experience that reveals exactly what Starbucks espresso tastes like. For people who appreciate coffee for its own merits rather than as a vehicle for sweetness, the Iced Caffe Latte is the perfect order.

Who Will Love It

  • Coffee purists who want to taste the espresso
  • People who prefer unsweetened drinks
  • Customers looking for a low-calorie espresso option
  • Those who use lattes as a base for their own customizations
  • Budget-conscious customers who want affordable espresso

Who Might Not Like It

  • People who prefer sweet, flavored coffee drinks
  • Those who find straight espresso too strong or bitter
  • Customers who want toppings, foam, or visual flair

At $5.65 for a Grande, the Iced Caffe Latte is one of the most affordable espresso drinks at Starbucks. You get two shots of espresso, milk, and ice for less than most flavored drinks. The value is in the espresso: strong, reliable caffeine (150 mg) with minimal calories (130) and no added sugar. For daily coffee drinkers who want a clean, no-frills espresso drink, the Iced Caffe Latte is the most sensible and economical choice.

Compared to ordering a fancy specialty drink and removing all the syrups and toppings, the Iced Caffe Latte gives you the same core experience at a lower price. It is the smart baseline order that you can customize freely or enjoy exactly as it comes.

FeatureIced Caffe LatteIced AmericanoIced Flat White
Calories (Grande)13015130
Protein8 g1 g7 g
Caffeine150 mg225 mg195 mg
Price$5.65$4.45$6.25
Milk AmountHigh (mostly milk)None (water)Moderate (less than latte)
Best ForBalanced coffee + creamMax caffeine, minimal calStrong espresso, some milk

The Iced Caffe Latte is the creamiest option with the most milk. The Iced Americano is the strongest coffee flavor with almost no calories but no milk. The Iced Flat White has extra ristretto shots for a more concentrated espresso experience. Choose based on your preference for milk amount and espresso intensity.

In-Store Order

Simply say “Grande Iced Latte” or “Grande Iced Caffe Latte.” Specify your preferred milk if different from 2%. The barista will pull espresso shots and combine with cold milk and ice. It is one of the fastest drinks to prepare.

Mobile App Tips

Search for Iced Latte or Iced Caffe Latte in the Starbucks app under Espresso Drinks. The app lets you customize milk type, espresso shots, syrups, and ice level. This is the best base for building custom drinks through the app.

Add Vanilla Syrup (2 pumps)

Two pumps of vanilla adds subtle sweetness without overwhelming the espresso. This creates a light vanilla latte for about $0.70 extra that is less sweet than the official Vanilla Latte (which uses 4 pumps).

Oat Milk Swap

Replace 2% milk with oat milk for a slightly sweeter, nuttier flavor that is also dairy-free. Oat milk is the most popular alternative milk for lattes because it froths and blends beautifully.

Extra Shot

Add a third espresso shot to a Grande for 225 mg total caffeine. The extra shot intensifies the coffee flavor and provides a stronger energy boost.

Light Ice

Order with light ice for more milk and a creamier, less diluted drink. The tradeoff is that it stays cold for less time.

Health Pros

  • Only 130 calories for a Grande, one of the lightest espresso drinks
  • No added sugar (all 11g comes naturally from milk lactose)
  • 8g protein from 2% milk
  • 150mg caffeine for strong energy and mental focus
  • Can be made even lighter with nonfat or almond milk

Health Cons

  • 2.5g saturated fat from 2% milk
  • Espresso can cause acid reflux in sensitive individuals
  • Ice dilutes the drink over time, reducing flavor

Ways to Make It Healthier

  • Choose nonfat milk for 90 calories per Grande
  • Choose almond milk for just 60 calories per Grande
  • Avoid adding syrups to keep the no-added-sugar advantage
  • Order a Tall for approximately 100 calories

The Iced Caffe Latte’s clean, unsweetened flavor pairs well with both sweet and savory foods. A Butter Croissant with an Iced Latte is a classic European-inspired breakfast combination. An Everything Bagel offers a hearty, savory pairing. For something sweet, a blueberry muffin or a cinnamon coffee cake complements the coffee flavors beautifully without competing for attention.

DIY Recipe

  1. Pull 2 shots of espresso using an espresso machine, or brew 1/3 cup of very strong coffee using a Moka pot or AeroPress
  2. Let the espresso cool for 2-3 minutes (or pour directly over ice to flash-chill)
  3. Fill a 16 oz glass with ice
  4. Pour 3/4 cup of cold 2% milk over the ice
  5. Add the espresso shots on top
  6. Stir gently and enjoy

The homemade version costs about $0.75-1.00 per serving. The key to matching Starbucks’ taste is using a true espresso extraction (15-20 seconds under pressure) rather than regular drip coffee. A Moka pot or AeroPress produces the closest result for people without an espresso machine.

The Iced Caffe Latte is the everyday workhorse that millions of Starbucks customers rely on daily. It is praised for its consistency, simplicity, and reliable caffeine delivery. Coffee enthusiasts appreciate that it lets the espresso flavor shine without interference. Budget-conscious customers love that it is one of the most affordable espresso drinks.

The main criticism is that some find it too simple or boring compared to the exciting specialty drinks on the menu. Others note that the ice-to-milk ratio means you get less actual liquid than you might expect. But for customers who know exactly what they want, the Iced Caffe Latte delivers exactly that, every single time.

  • Already affordable: At $5.65 Grande, it is one of the cheapest espresso drinks
  • Starbucks Rewards: Redeem 150 Stars for a free drink of any size
  • Skip add-ons: The base drink is already complete, no need for extras
  • Make at home: $0.75-1.00 per serving with an espresso machine or Moka pot
  • Order a Tall: $4.95 for a solid one-shot iced latte

Is the Iced Caffe Latte sweetened?

No, the standard Iced Caffe Latte contains no added sugar or sweetener. The only sugar (11g per Grande) comes naturally from the milk’s lactose. Add syrup at the counter or through the app if you prefer it sweet.

How much caffeine is in an Iced Latte?

A Grande has 150 mg of caffeine from two espresso shots. A Tall has 75 mg (one shot) and a Venti has 225 mg (three shots).

Can I use the Iced Latte as a base for other drinks?

Absolutely. The Iced Caffe Latte is the foundation for many Starbucks drinks. Add vanilla syrup for a Vanilla Latte, mocha sauce for a Mocha, or caramel for a Caramel Latte. Customizing the base latte is often cheaper than ordering the named specialty version.

What is the difference between an Iced Latte and an Iced Macchiato?

An Iced Latte combines espresso and milk together. An Iced Macchiato pours the espresso on top of the milk for a layered effect. The ingredients are the same but the drinking experience differs, with the macchiato giving you stronger espresso flavor first.

Is the Iced Latte dairy-free?

The default uses 2% dairy milk. Substitute oat, almond, coconut, or soy milk for a dairy-free version. There may be an upcharge of $0.70-0.80 for alternative milks.

How many calories are in an Iced Latte?

A Grande with 2% milk has 130 calories. With whole milk it is 160, nonfat is 90, and almond milk is just 60. The espresso itself adds only about 5 calories per shot.

The Starbucks Iced Caffe Latte is the most honest, no-nonsense espresso drink on the menu. At $5.65 for a Grande with 150 mg of caffeine, 130 calories, no added sugar, and 8 grams of protein, it delivers exactly what you need from a daily coffee without the extras you do not. It is affordable, customizable, and consistently reliable. For coffee drinkers who want quality espresso, cold milk, and nothing else, the Iced Caffe Latte is and always has been the smartest order at Starbucks.

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