Copycat Starbucks Iced Blonde Vanilla Latte Recipe

If you’ve ever strolled into Starbucks on a warm morning, craving something smoother than plain iced coffee but gentler than a full-bodied espresso hit, you’ve probably fallen for the Iced Blonde Vanilla Latte. It’s silky, lightly sweet, and bright enough to wake you without overwhelming your tastebuds.

This Copycat Starbucks Iced Blonde Vanilla Latte delivers that same smooth vanilla-milk-coffee harmony right from your own kitchen. You’ll get the same café sweetness, the mellow kick of blonde espresso, and that irresistible chilled swirl of coffee and cream dancing over ice. It takes under five minutes to make, no fancy syrups or secret store tools needed. Just good espresso, vanilla syrup, milk, and a glass full of ice.

Whether you’re skipping the drive-thru or just love mastering Starbucks drinks at home, this one is a staple you’ll want on repeat.

How to Make Copycat Starbucks Iced Blonde Vanilla Latte

Start by pulling your espresso shots, Starbucks uses their Blonde roast, which is light and slightly sweet. Stir in vanilla syrup while the espresso is still hot, then pour it over ice and top it off with cold milk. That’s it. Easy, clean, refreshing. Just like the real deal.

Nutrition facts (per 16 oz serving)

• Calories: 190
• Total Fat: 4 g
• Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Sugar: 28 g
• Protein: 8 g
• Caffeine: ~170 mg (from 2 Blonde shots)

Ingredients (1 serving, 16 oz Grande size)

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 1

• 2 shots blonde espresso (about 2 ounces brewed)
• 4 pumps vanilla syrup (2 tablespoons)
• ¾ cup cold 2% milk (or more to fill)
• 1 heaping cup of ice

Tools you’ll need

• Espresso machine or pod brewer (like Nespresso)
• Measuring spoons
• 16 oz glass or reusable tumbler
• Long spoon for stirring
• Milk frother (optional, for extra foam)

Instructions

Brew and sweeten

Pull 2 shots of blonde espresso. While still hot, stir in 4 pumps vanilla syrup (about 2 tablespoons). Mixing it hot helps the syrup dissolve better. (1 min)

Ice it up

Fill your glass about ¾ full with ice. Pour the sweetened espresso over the ice. (30 sec)

Pour and stir

Add ¾ cup cold 2% milk (or enough to fill the glass). Stir gently to blend. (30 sec)

Optional: foam it

For that deluxe texture, froth a splash of milk cold and spoon it on top for a smooth, airy finish. (30 sec)

Tips

• Use Starbucks Blonde Espresso Roast for best results. Pods work great if you don’t have an espresso machine.
• Mix syrup with espresso while hot to avoid syrup clumping.
• Pre-chill your glass or cup so the drink stays colder longer.
• If using regular espresso, your drink will taste bolder and less sweet. Still good, just different.
• Want a more “latte-forward” taste? Add less milk and slightly more ice.

What to Serve With

Sweet breakfast pairings

• Vanilla bean scones: The mellow coffee and sweet vanilla cream in the drink pair beautifully with a tender scone. Try mini scones if you want a lighter bite.
• Buttery croissants with jam: A little strawberry or raspberry jam on warm, flaky pastry plays against the creamy vanilla flavor in every sip.
• Honey Greek yogurt with granola: Slightly tangy yogurt balances the vanilla, while crunchy granola brings texture and contrast.

Afternoon snacks

• Chocolate-covered almonds: Just a few bring a sweet-savory richness that matches the milk-coffee balance.
• Cinnamon raisin toast: The spice and chewiness of the toast deepen the cozy café vibes of the drink.
• Apple slices with peanut butter: Crisp and cool, these are the crunchy, protein-packed contrast to your latte’s creamy calm.

Savory options

• Avocado toast with chili flakes: Smooth, spicy, and earthy, this brings a punchy, grown-up vibe to your iced latte break.
• Cheddar egg bites or mini quiches: Salty, rich bites like these round out your drink into a real meal.
• Everything bagel with cream cheese: A New York classic that always feels right, especially with a sweet iced coffee in hand.

Variations

Iced Blonde Vanilla Oat Latte
Swap the milk for oat milk and keep everything else the same. Adds a slight cookie-like finish and is dairy-free too.

Dirty Blonde Vanilla
Add an extra ristretto shot for a bold, coffee-forward kick without too much bitterness.

Iced Blonde Caramel-Vanilla Latte
Use 2 pumps vanilla and 2 pumps caramel syrup for a split-flavor treat that tastes like Starbucks’ holiday drinks year-round.

Vanilla Sweet Cream Topper
Froth a tablespoon each of cream, milk, and vanilla syrup until silky and spoon it over the drink for a deluxe finish like the “sweet cream cold foam.”

Blonde Vanilla Shaker Latte
Shake the espresso, syrup, and ice in a cocktail shaker before adding milk. This adds a touch of aeration and looks amazing when poured.

Iced Blonde Decaf Vanilla Latte
Same build, but use decaf blonde espresso if you want a chill treat without the buzz. Perfect for evening.

Ingredient Substitutes

Blonde Espresso

• Substitutes: Any light roast espresso works, or use Starbucks Blonde Roast pods for ease. If all else fails, strong brewed coffee (6 tbsp grounds per 8 oz water) can pinch-hit.

Vanilla Syrup

• Substitutes: Any store-bought vanilla syrup works (Torani, Monin, Starbucks-branded). Or make your own with equal parts sugar and water plus a splash of vanilla extract. You can also try maple syrup with a tiny bit of vanilla extract for a cozier twist.

2% Milk

• Substitutes: Whole milk for creaminess, skim for lightness, or non-dairy options like oat (creamy), almond (light), or soy (slightly sweet).

Ice

• Substitutes: Coffee ice cubes (frozen brewed coffee) keep things bold without watering it down.

Milk Frother (optional)

• Substitutes: A French press (pump a few times to froth), a jar with a tight lid (shake vigorously), or whisk by hand if you don’t mind a workout.