If you love the classic French custard with a crisp burnt sugar top, I have a feeling you’re going to love this Iced Crème Brûlée Latte recipe. Featuring a creamy toasted vanilla latte base topped with a caramel cream cold foam crown, sprinkled with sugar granules and torched, this decadent sipper truly tastes like dessert.
I have always had a sweet tooth and a caffeine addiction, so iced coffee drinks that are built to taste like my favorite desserts are basically my love language. From this iced creme brulee latte and my carrot cake latte with cream cheese cold foam to cookie dough iced coffee and chocolate hazelnut cookie cold brew, there’s a whole lot of yum to choose from.
Here, we harness the power of both toasted vanilla syrup and caramel syrup, mixing the first with espresso and milk for our base and mixing the second into a fluffy cloud of cold foam. The resulting creme brulee coffee is more than the sum of its parts!
Imagine an iced vanilla latte or caramel iced coffee—sweet and creamy with just enough bold espresso to make it interesting.
Adding the dreamy cold foam on top offers a delectably rich mouthfeel that is reminiscent of custard, while the burnt sugar adds the perfect amount of crisp. And the combination of toasted vanilla and salty caramel? Every sip screams “creme brulee!”
Jump to:
- What does it taste like?
- Why You’ll Love This Special Iced Latte Recipe
- Ingredients Needed
- Substitutions
- How To Make An Iced Crème Brûlée Latte With Caramel Cold Foam
- Optional Variations & Dietary Adjustments
- Serving Suggestions
- Recipe Success Tips
- FAQs
- Homemade Iced Crème Brûlée Latte Nutrition
- Other Iced Latte Recipes
- Iced Crème Brûlée Latte
What does it taste like?
The first flavor you’ll taste is the bold essence of espresso that melds seamlessly with creamy milk. The toasted vanilla bean syrup adds a layer of warm sweetness that evokes the comforting flavors of a freshly torched crème brûlée.
As the caramel cold foam cascades over the top, it adds a luxurious creaminess, while the delicate sprinkle of torched sugar granules provides a satisfying crunch, mirroring the crisp caramelized top of the classic dessert. Delightful!
Why You’ll Love This Special Iced Latte Recipe
- Quick & Easy - It takes just 5 minutes to make this café-style stunner—less time than it’d take to order in stores!
- All-Natural - With just 7 basic ingredients and no artificial colors, preservatives, or emulsifiers, my homemade creme brulee latte is better for you than typical café drinks.
- Budget-Friendly - I seriously still can’t get over how expensive coffee drinks have gotten. $7 for ONE DRINK?!? You’ve gotta be kidding me! Luckily, DIYing your barista favorites at home will save you a boatload. I was able to make this bad boy for just $1.50 in 2026 prices!
Ingredients Needed
- Heavy Cream & Whole Milk - This dynamic dairy duo ensures our caramel cold foam froths up into a dreamy cloud. Make sure they’re nice and cold!
- Caramel Syrup - For flavoring the cold foam with a caramelly flavor reminiscent of the burnt sugar topping on a creme brulee.
- Toasted Vanilla Syrup - For flavoring the iced latte base with the rich, aromatic warmth of toasted vanilla beans.
- 2% Milk - My preferred milk for daily drinking. If you have the option, I highly recommend swapping in an ultra-filtered variety like Fairlife for an extra creamy mouthfeel and protein boost.
- Espresso - Because you can’t have a latte without coffee!
- Granulated Sugar - A little sprinkle of sugar on top helps replicate the creme brulee vibe, particularly if you hit it with a torch.
Substitutions
- Heavy Cream & Whole Milk - Feel free to swap in slightly lighter whipping cream. For a dairy-free alternative, use vegan whipping cream or well-shaken full-fat canned coconut milk and full-fat oat milk or soy milk.
- Caramel Syrup - Caramel sauce will also do the trick!
- Toasted Vanilla Syrup - Plain vanilla syrup offers a similar boost of vanilla warmth, but without the same toasty depth. In a pinch, it’ll do!
- 2% Milk - You’re welcome to use any percentage of dairy milk or any plant-based milk (preferably a “barista blend”) you prefer.
- Espresso - You can use twice as much cold brew coffee for a smoother, less acidic latte.
- Granulated Sugar - Feel free to omit it, or swap in other sweet toppers like turbinado sugar or toffee bits. (You don’t have to torch those.)
How To Make An Iced Crème Brûlée Latte With Caramel Cold Foam
Step 1: Make the Cold Foam. In a small jar or glass, froth together the heavy cream, caramel syrup, and whole milk with a milk frother. (Make sure they’re all cold from the fridge for the best results.) Set aside.
Step 2: Sweeten Milk. Add ice to a glass, then pour in the vanilla syrup. Add the milk, then stir.
Step 3: Brew your espresso, then pour over the vanilla milk and stir again.
Step 4: Top with caramel cold foam.
Step 5: Sprinkle granulated sugar over the top of the cold foam, then carefully use a culinary torch to caramelize the sugar. Drink up!
Optional Variations & Dietary Adjustments
- Dairy-Free - Swap in vegan whipping cream or full fat canned coconut milk for the cream, full-fat oat or soy milk for the whole milk, and your favorite plant-based (preferably barista blend) milk for the latte base.
- Sugar-Free - Use (or make) sugar-free syrups and omit the burnt sugar topping to make a diabetic-friendly version.
- Decaf/Caffeine-Free - Use your favorite decaf roast espresso to cut back the buzz. If you can’t handle any caffeine, swap in your favorite alternative (e.g. roasted chicory “coffee” or Dandy Blend).
Serving Suggestions
When serving your iced crème brûlée latte, consider presenting it in a clear glass to showcase its beautiful layers. I like to freeze my serving glass for about 30 minutes ahead of time to keep everything nice and frosty to the last sip. Considering how sweet the drink is, I also like to pair it with fiber- and protein-rich foods to keep my blood sugar from spiking.
For breakfast, try it with a coconut chia protein pudding, whole wheat protein powder pancakes, or high protein strawberry overnight oats. If you’re having a mid-day coffee break, oatmeal protein cookies or protein cookie dough are delightful. And if you’re craving something savory to counter all the sweet, you can’t go wrong with avocado toast!
Recipe Success Tips
- Choose Quality Ingredients: Opt for high-quality espresso beans for a rich flavor. Freshly toasted vanilla bean syrup will improve the overall taste, so consider making your own if you have the time.
- Chill Your Ingredients: For the best experience, ensure your milk and any other components are well-chilled beforehand. This helps maintain the drink’s refreshing nature, and also ensures the cold foam whips up in a jiffy.
- Adjust Sweetness: Taste your latte before serving and adjust the sweetness if necessary. Depending on your preference, you can add more syrup or sugar to achieve the perfect balance.
FAQs
It depends on the recipe! My iced creme brulee latte is made with heavy cream, whole milk and caramel syrup for the cold foam, 2% milk, toasted vanilla bean syrup and espresso for the latte base, and then is topped with granulated sugar and torched to replicate the creme brulee burnt caramel experience.
Starbucks caramel brulee latte is as close as they’ve come to a creme brulee latte. That one is a seasonal drink that is normally available as part of their winter offerings, is often served hot, and focuses more on caramel flavors than on the vanilla bean you’d find in a creme brulee.
Yes! Since it’s made with espresso and served cold, I’d consider this iced creme brulee latte to be an iced coffee drink.
Homemade Iced Crème Brûlée Latte Nutrition
This iced crème brûlée latte is undeniably indulgent—more of a treat than an everyday coffee—but that’s part of its charm! Each serving comes in at 356 calories, delivering a rich, dessert-like experience in drinkable form. With 15 grams of fat, this latte gets its signature creamy, velvety texture, while the 8 grams of protein add a small but meaningful boost.
The 48 grams of carbs—45 of which come from sugar—are what give this drink its its caramelized, almost custard-like flavor profile. If you’re concerned about it, feel free to swap in sugar-free syrups or reduce the amount of syrup you use. I also recommend pairing it with protein or fiber-forward snacks to keep your blood sugar level.
Despite its decadent taste, the sodium content remains relatively low at 109 mg per serving, making it a reasonable option when you’re craving something sweet. Overall, this iced crème brûlée latte is best enjoyed on occasion—perfect for when you want to treat yourself with something a little more luxurious than your regular morning brew. Savor every drop!
Total nutritional content per serving is:
- Calories: 356 calories
- Total Fat: 15 grams
- Protein: 8 grams
- Sodium: 109 mg
- Carbohydrates: 48 grams
- Sugar: 45 grams
*This nutritional information is an estimate and calculated based on the ingredients used to create the recipe. The nutritional value of your ingredients may differ slightly. Furthermore, this food is not intended to prevent, diagnose, cure, or treat any disease.
Other Iced Latte Recipes
Iced Crème Brûlée Latte
Equipment
- 1 culinary torch
Ingredients
Caramel Cold Foam:
- 2 tablespoon heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon caramel syrup (or sauce)
- 1 tablespoon whole milk
Iced Crème Brûlée Latte:
- 2 tablespoon toasted vanilla syrup
- ¾ cup milk of choice (I used 2%)
- 2 oz espresso
- ice
- 1 tsp granulated sugar for topping
Instructions
- Make the cold foam. In a small jar or glass, froth together the heavy cream, caramel syrup, and whole milk with a milk frother. Set aside.
- Add ice to a glass, then pour in the vanilla syrup. Add the milk, then stir.
- Brew your espresso, then pour over the vanilla milk and stir again.
- Top with caramel cold foam.
- Sprinkle granulated sugar over the top of the cold foam, then carefully use a culinary torch to caramelize the sugar. Drink up!
Nutrition
xoxo Megan
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