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This eye-catching cherry vanilla iced latte mixes bold coffee with sweet fruit notes, making a drink that tastes like it's from your favorite café but costs way less and isn't packed with junk.
I've tweaked this drink many times during hot summer days and finally got the mix of tasty and healthy just right.
Key Components
- Cherries: Go for dark sweet ones, fresh or frozen for the richest color and taste
- Coffee: Cold brew gives you the least bitter taste, but cooled espresso can do the trick
- Almond Milk: The vanilla kind adds more flavor layers
- Sweetener: Monk fruit keeps it no-sugar but still sweet enough
- Ice: Bigger cubes won't water things down so fast
Step-By-Step Guide
- Whip Up Cherry Syrup:
- Put pitted cherries, sweetener and water in a pot. Let it bubble gently while smooshing cherries on the sides until it's thick enough to coat your spoon, around 10 minutes. Strain it through a fine sieve.
- Nail The Cold Brew:
- Mix 1 part coffee to 4 parts water. Let it sit in your fridge for 12-24 hours. Run it through paper filters twice to get rid of any bits.
- Put It All Together:
- Build in this order: first syrup, then ice, next the fluffy milk mix. Pour coffee in last to get those pretty swirls.
- Fluff Up The Milk:
- Mix cold milk and creamer. Froth until it's twice as big. Pour it over ice right away for the best feel.
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That homemade cherry syrup really makes this drink stand out. We love grabbing local dark cherries during season at our house.
Keeping Things Cool
Make sure everything's cold before mixing. Stick your glass in the freezer first so your drink stays colder longer.
Picking Your Cherries
Look for dark, not-squishy cherries. Honestly, frozen ones are often cheaper and just as good.
Prep Ahead Tricks
Get your syrup and cold brew ready early. Keep them apart until you want to drink up.
Keeping Leftovers
Store syrup in something glass. Your cold brew will stay tasty for 7-10 days in the fridge.
Ways To Serve
Put extra syrup in a little cup on the side. Try some coconut whipped cream on top if you're feeling fancy.
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After tons of kitchen tests, I've found this mix hits the sweet spot between coffee kick and fruity freshness while still using ingredients that won't wreck your health goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → How long can I keep the syrup?
- Store the cherry syrup in a sealed container in the fridge, and it’ll stay good for up to 2 weeks.
- → Can I swap almond milk for regular milk?
- Absolutely! Use any milk or creamer you prefer.
- → Will regular coffee work here?
- Strong chilled coffee can replace cold brew or espresso with no problem.
- → What about a sugar-free option?
- Totally! Use monk fruit or your go-to sweetener in the syrup.
- → Do I need fancy tools for milk frothing?
- Nope! Frothing is a nice touch but isn’t essential.