Iced Macchiato vs. Iced Latte (Explanation & Recipe)

Last Updated on February 16, 2023 by brewthatcoffee

Want to know the difference between an iced macchiato vs. iced latte? Walking up to the coffee shop counter can be necessarily intimidating, so we’re going to help you. This article will teach you exactly what an iced macchiato is, what an iced latte is, and how to order/make them.

Iced Macchiato vs. Iced Latte (Explanation & Recipe)

An Iced Macchiato is created by filling a glass with ice, adding two shots of espresso, and topping it with two teaspoons of milk. Iced Macchiatos are recognized by their marbled/layered appearance. An Iced Latte is made by combining one shot of espresso with low-fat milk and ice. Iced Lattes are typically mixed, and even in color.

Iced Macchiato vs. Iced Latte

Iced Macchiato

The iced macchiato can be pretty confusing to people since it varies by the coffee shop. To understand the iced macchiato, it’s important to first learn what a traditional macchiato is.

Translated from Italian to English, macchiato means “stained”, “spotted”, or “marked”. Macchiatos are made by brewing two shots of espresso and adding one or two teaspoons of steamed milk on top, staining the espresso with milk.

Since macchiatos are characterized by their stained appearance, it doesn’t quite work in a drink with ice. If you go into your local coffee shop, you will notice that macchiatos are mostly milk, topped with two shots of espresso.

Starbucks Version of an Iced Macchiato (Grande) – The iced macchiato at Starbucks is called the Iced Caramel Macchiato, and it’s their only regular menu version of an iced macchiato. It’s made by pouring vanilla syrup and two shots of espresso over milk and ice. Lastly, it’s topped with a caramel drizzle.

Dunkin Donuts Version of an Iced Macchiato (Medium) – The Dunkin Donuts ice macchiato is made by pouring two shots of espresso over milk and ice.

Iced Latte

An iced latte is one part espresso and three parts milk poured over ice and often served with milk/flavorings. Does this sound oddly like a macchiato? That’s because it’s extremely similar.

Many people have voiced their annoyance over the redundancy of these two drinks. How can a macchiato still be a macchiato if it is prepared completely different, and essentially an iced latte that hasn’t been stirred? It’s beyond us too.

However, please take a look below to see how a couple of popular coffee shops prepare their iced lattes and macchiatos. This will give you an idea of what you’re ordering next time you go on a coffee run.

Starbucks Version of an Iced Latte (Grande) – An iced latte at Starbucks is called an Iced Caffè Latte. It is made by pouring two shots of espresso and milk over ice.

Dunkin Donuts Version of an Iced Latte (Medium) – The Dunkin Donuts version of an iced latte is made by pouring one shot of espresso and milk over ice.

What is an iced latte-macchiato?

The iced latte-macchiato is essentially a drink created by Starbucks. It’s made with three shots of espresso poured over milk and ice.

How to Make an Iced Macchiato

Making an iced macchiato at home is very simple. For the purpose of making this iced macchiato as close to a traditional hot macchiato as possible, the ratio is different than what you’d see at Starbucks.

This recipe includes vanilla syrup, which is totally optional. Feel free to add any syrup you like or forgo the syrup altogether.

Iced Macchiato

Iced Macchiato

This refreshing summer favorite is sure to cool you down! Made with espresso, milk, ice, and vanilla syrup, this iced macchiato will keep you energized all day.

Ingredients

  • 2 Shots Espresso
  • 1-2 Teaspoons Milk
  • Ice
  • Vanilla Syrup

Instructions

    1. Fill a tall glass with ice.
    2. Brew two shots of espresso.
    3. Pour milk over top.
    4. Stir in vanilla syrup to taste.
    5. Serve with a straw, and enjoy!

Equipment

  • Glass
  • Espresso Brewer

  • Measuring Spoons

How to Make an Iced Latte

Like the iced macchiato recipe above, this iced latte recipe features optional vanilla syrup. Feel free to take some creative liberties and skip this step or replace the vanilla syrup with another of your choosing.

Iced Latte

Iced Latte

A delicious and energizing drink to quench your thirst! This icy latte combines espresso, milk, ice, and vanilla syrup for a satisfying sweet treat.

Ingredients

  • 1-2 Shots Espresso
  • 3-4 oz Milk
  • Ice
  • Vanilla Syrup

Instructions

    1. Fill a tall glass with ice.
    2. Brew one or two shots of espresso.
    3. Pour espresso over ice into the glass.
    4. Pour 3 or 4 ounces of milk.
    5. Stir in vanilla syrup to taste.

Equipment

    • Glass

    • Espresso Brewer

    • Measuring Spoons

    Caffeine Strength: Is an Iced Macchiato or Iced Latte Stronger?

    The answer to this depends on where you decide to get your iced macchiato/iced latte. The iced latte at Starbucks contains two shots of espresso versus the Dunkin Donuts iced latte, which only has one.

    Both Iced Macchiatos from Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts have two shots of espresso. So if you’re looking to try this drink, you’ll have similar experiences at both these coffee shops.

    For the strongest possible coffee drink, try the iced latte-macchiato from Starbucks. This drink has an impressive three shots of espresso in it.

    For the weakest drink, opt for the Dunkin Donuts iced latte.

    Macchiato vs. Latte vs. Cappuccino

    While all three of these coffee drinks are made with espresso, there are some key differences.

    A cappuccino is typically made of equal parts espresso, steamed milk, and foam while a latte is made with more milk and typically has lower caffeine content.

    A macchiato, on the other hand, is an espresso drink that is “marked” with a dollop of milk foam. This frothed milk rests on top of the espresso and is usually much less milky than a latte.

    FAQ

    An iced macchiato is prepared differently than a hot macchiato, and we can’t help but wonder what the point of it is. However, we’ll try our best to answer this question as best as possible.

    The bottom line is that an iced macchiato just tastes like an iced latte that hasn’t been as thoroughly mixed. Starbucks attempts to distinguish these two drinks by only offering an iced caramel macchiato on their regular menu.

    At Dunkin’ Donuts, the iced latte is distinguishable from the iced macchiato by the number of shots. The iced latte has only one shot, and the iced macchiato has two espresso shots.

    This is subjective to the individual. We all have different tastes. Yes, if you like sweet drinks, an iced caramel macchiato from Starbucks sounds great!

    No, the iced macchiato is not meant to be stirred. You’ve essentially turned it into an iced latte if you stir it.

    No, it would be best not to stir or shake your macchiato. The point of a macchiato is to have a “marked” or “stained” drink. By mixing the ingredients, you’ve destroyed the whole point of the drink.

    Final Thoughts

    That’s all there is to it! Whether you prefer an iced macchiato vs an iced latte, we hope this article has provided helpful details.

    If you have any questions about the article above, feel free to leave a comment and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

    We’re also open to suggestions on what you would like to see from us next. As always, thanks for reading!

    Want to learn more about coffee? Check out these posts:

    Iced Coffee vs. Iced Latte

    Iced Americano vs. Iced Coffee

    The Affogato Shot Explained

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