16 Types of Iced Coffee: A Guide to Every Cold Coffee Drink
Discover 16 types of iced coffee, from cold brew and nitro to the iced latte, iced mocha, and Vietnamese iced coffee. Find your favorite coffee drink, plus the best iced coffee to order at Starbucks or any coffee shop.
Walk into any coffee shop on a hot summer day and you’ll find a long list of cold coffee options. Iced coffee, cold brew, iced latte, iced americano, cold foam, nitro: they all sound similar, but each one is made a different way and tastes a little different.
This guide breaks down 16 types of iced coffee, from the classics to drinks from around the world. You’ll learn how each one is made, what it tastes like, and how to order it, so you can find your favorite coffee and know exactly what you’re getting at Starbucks or your local café.
What Are the Main Types of Iced Coffee?
Most types of iced coffee fall into two families. Brewed iced coffee starts with regular brewed coffee or cold brew. Espresso drinks start with a shot of espresso, then add milk, water, or flavor. A few drinks, like an affogato or a blended coffee, are more like dessert.
| Drink | Base | Milk | Taste |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classic iced coffee | Brewed coffee | Optional | Bright, bold |
| Cold brew | Cold-steeped coffee | Optional | Smooth, mellow |
| Nitro cold brew | Cold brew with nitrogen | Usually none | Creamy, velvety |
| Iced latte | Espresso | Lots | Mild, milky |
| Iced americano | Espresso and water | None | Bold, clean |
| Iced mocha | Espresso and chocolate | Yes | Sweet, chocolatey |
| Vietnamese iced coffee | Strong drip coffee | Sweetened condensed milk | Rich, very sweet |
| Affogato | Espresso | Vanilla ice cream | Dessert-like |
Classic Iced Coffee
Classic iced coffee is regular hot brewed coffee that’s chilled and served over ice. It’s the original cold coffee drink and the easiest to make at home: brew a strong pot, let it cool, and fill a glass with ice.
Because it starts hot, classic iced coffee keeps the bright, bold coffee flavor of a regular cup. Brew it stronger than usual, since melting ice will dilute it. Most people sweeten it with syrup and add a splash of cold milk.
Cold Brew Coffee
Cold brew is made by steeping coarse coffee grounds in cold water for 12 to 24 hours, then straining them out. Because it never touches heat, cold brew coffee tastes smooth and naturally sweet, with less bitterness than hot coffee.
Cold brew is usually made as a coffee concentrate and mixed with water or milk before serving. It’s often described as less acidic, though research suggests the difference in acidity is smaller than many people think. Either way, coffee lovers love it for its smooth, mellow taste.
Nitro Cold Brew
Nitro cold brew is cold brew infused with nitrogen and served from a tap, like a draft drink. The tiny nitrogen bubbles create a creamy, frothy texture and a foamy head on top, without any milk.
It’s one of the most unique types of coffee on any menu. Nitro tastes smooth and slightly sweet, and it’s best enjoyed black to appreciate the texture. Learn more in our complete guide to nitro cold brew.
Iced Latte
An iced latte is espresso with cold milk over ice. A typical one uses one or two shots of espresso and a lot of milk, making it mild, creamy, and easy to drink.
The iced latte is one of the most popular espresso drinks in the world because it’s so customizable. Add vanilla, caramel, or hazelnut syrup, or switch to oat or almond milk. If you find black coffee too strong, an iced latte is a great place to start.
Iced Americano
An iced americano is espresso mixed with cold water and served over ice. It’s made with two shots of espresso in most coffee shops and tastes bold and clean, closer to black coffee than to a latte.
Because it has no milk, an iced americano is a light, refreshing coffee beverage with very few calories. It’s a favorite with people who want a strong coffee taste without the heaviness of milk.
Iced Espresso
Iced espresso is simply a shot of espresso, or a double shot of espresso, served over ice. Some cafés add a little sweetener, and some shake it with ice for a light, foamy texture.
The Italian version, called a shakerato, is espresso shaken hard with ice and a touch of sugar, then strained into a glass. It’s intense, frothy, and perfect for anyone who loves espresso but wants to chill out on a hot day.
Iced Mocha
An iced mocha is an iced latte with chocolate. Espresso, chocolate syrup, and cold milk are mixed over ice, and many coffee shops top it with whipped cream.
It’s sweet, rich, and tastes a little like chocolate milk with a caffeinated kick. The iced mocha is a great choice for anyone who likes dessert-style coffee drinks.
Iced Caramel Macchiato
An iced caramel macchiato is made by layering vanilla syrup and cold milk, then adding espresso shots on top and finishing with a caramel drizzle. The espresso slowly sinks through the milk, creating beautiful layers.
Made famous by Starbucks, it’s now a classic iced caramel drink at coffee shops everywhere. It’s sweet, creamy, and buttery, and it’s best stirred before you drink it.
Iced Cappuccino
A traditional cappuccino is espresso topped with thick, airy milk foam. An iced cappuccino follows the same idea, with espresso and a little cold milk over ice, topped with a layer of frothy foam.
It has a stronger coffee taste than an iced latte because it uses less milk. Many cafés now make it with cold foam on top.
Cold Foam Cold Brew
Cold foam is milk frothed cold until it becomes thick and velvety. It’s usually made with nonfat milk or a mix of cream and milk, often flavored with vanilla or caramel.
Spooned on top of cold brew, cold foam adds a creamy, sweet layer without diluting the coffee. You can find many cold foam drinks at Starbucks, and you can make cold foam at home with a handheld frother.
Vietnamese Iced Coffee
Vietnamese iced coffee, or cà phê sữa đá, is one of the most famous types of iced coffee in the world. Strong coffee is brewed slowly through a small metal filter called a phin, straight onto a layer of sweetened condensed milk, then stirred and served over ice.
It’s often made with dark-roasted robusta beans, which give it a bold, chocolatey flavor. The result is rich, strong, and very sweet, a perfect summer drink.
Japanese Iced Coffee
Japanese iced coffee is brewed hot directly onto ice. About half the water goes into the cup as ice, and the other half is used to brew the coffee, which chills instantly.
This flash-chilling locks in the bright, fruity flavors of the beans. It’s a favorite of specialty coffee shops for showing off light-roast coffee.
Greek Frappé
The Greek frappé is made by shaking instant coffee, cold water, sugar, and ice until it forms a thick, frothy foam. It’s said to have been invented by accident at a 1957 trade fair in Thessaloniki, Greece.
Today, it’s a summer staple across Greece, usually served with a straw and a splash of milk. It’s a fun, foamy way to make cold coffee with instant coffee.
Blended Coffee
Blended coffee is coffee or espresso blended with ice, milk, and syrup until thick and slushy. The best-known version is the Starbucks Frappuccino, but most coffee shops have their own.
Blended coffee drinks are sweet, icy, and often topped with whipped cream and caramel or chocolate syrup. They’re more of a treat than an everyday cup of coffee.
Affogato
An affogato is a scoop of vanilla ice cream “drowned” in a hot shot of espresso. The name means “drowned” in Italian.
As the hot espresso melts into the cold ice cream, it creates a sweet, creamy, and bittersweet dessert. It’s half coffee, half dessert, and one of the simplest ways to enjoy espresso.
Iced Coffee With Coffee Ice Cubes
This simple trick turns any iced coffee drink into a stronger one. Freeze leftover coffee in ice cube trays, then use the coffee ice cubes in place of regular ice.
As the cubes melt, they add more coffee instead of water, so your drink never gets watery. It works with classic iced coffee, cold brew, or an iced latte.
How to Choose the Best Iced Coffee for You
- Love a smooth, mellow taste? Try cold brew or nitro cold brew.
- Want something creamy and mild? Order an iced latte or a cold foam cold brew.
- Prefer strong, black coffee? Go for an iced americano or iced espresso.
- Have a sweet tooth? Choose an iced mocha, iced caramel macchiato, or Vietnamese iced coffee.
- Want dessert? Try a blended coffee or an affogato.
Want to make your own? Our complete guide to iced coffee covers easy ways to make it at home, and our list of iced coffee flavors has dozens of ideas to try.
Cold Brew and Nitro at Your Next Event
At Mabu Iced Coffee, we keep it simple with two of the most refreshing types of iced coffee: cold brew and nitro cold brew, served over ice with vanilla, hazelnut, caramel, or mocha. Our team brings the cart to events across Orlando and Central Florida.
Get pricing for iced coffee catering at your next event.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between iced coffee and cold brew?
Iced coffee is brewed hot and then chilled. Cold brew is made by steeping coffee grounds in cold water for 12 to 24 hours. Cold brew tastes smoother, while iced coffee tastes brighter.
What’s the strongest type of iced coffee?
Iced espresso and cold brew concentrate are the strongest in flavor. For total caffeine, a large cold brew usually has the most, because it’s made with a high ratio of coffee to water.
What’s the most popular iced coffee at Starbucks?
Some of the best-known iced drinks at Starbucks include the Iced Caramel Macchiato, Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew, and iced shaken espresso drinks. Read our guide to vanilla sweet cream cold brew to make one at home.
Is an iced latte the same as iced coffee?
No. An iced latte is made with espresso and lots of cold milk. Iced coffee is made with brewed coffee and may or may not include milk.
Key Takeaways
- Most types of iced coffee are made from either brewed coffee or espresso.
- Classic iced coffee is brewed hot and chilled; cold brew steeps in cold water for 12 to 24 hours.
- Nitro cold brew is cold brew infused with nitrogen for a creamy texture.
- Iced latte, iced americano, iced mocha, and iced cappuccino are all espresso drinks.
- Vietnamese iced coffee, Japanese iced coffee, and the Greek frappé are favorites from around the world.
- Blended coffee and affogato are dessert-style coffee drinks.
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