Iced Vanilla Lavender Latte Recipe

Floral coffee drinks are everywhere right now. From rose lattes to hibiscus cold brews, coffee lovers have developed a serious appetite for drinks that bring something a little more interesting to the table than your standard milk and two sugars. 

And leading that floral charge is the iced vanilla lavender latte. Espresso, lavender syrup, vanilla, and cold milk over ice, creating something that's equal parts addictive and aesthetic.

This guide covers everything you need to make one at home: what the drink actually is, the full ingredients list, a step-by-step method, calorie breakdown, and a full flavour profile. We'll also show you how Grind's coffee pods and speciality coffee products make the whole process easier (and the result a lot better) without needing a full café setup. 

Consider this your complete guide to the Iced Lavender Vanilla Latte, made accessible for home coffee lovers who want something a bit special without the faff. 

What Is an Iced Vanilla Lavender Latte? 

An iced vanilla lavender latte is a cold espresso drink made with lavender syrup, vanilla, milk or cream, and plenty of ice. The lavender brings a floral, lightly herbal sweetness, the vanilla rounds it out with warmth and familiarity, and the espresso grounds the whole thing in proper coffee territory so it never tips into being more dessert than drink.

It's the kind of drink that looks like it took considerable effort and tastes like it cost considerably more than it did. The reality, as you're about to find out, is that it takes about five minutes and a handful of straightforward ingredients. 

The iced lavender vanilla latte has become a staple for coffee lovers who want something seasonal, something interesting, and something that happens to photograph extremely well as a bonus. 

Iced Vanilla Lavender Latte Ingredients

Simple ingredients, properly sourced, make all the difference here.

Espresso

The backbone of the drink. You'll need a double shot (around 60ml) of good quality espresso. This is where Grind’s coffee earn its place. The floral notes of lavender and vanilla need a strong, flavourful espresso to hold their own against, and a speciality-grade shot delivers exactly that. A weak or bitter espresso will throw the whole drink off balance, so don't cut corners here. You can use an espresso machine, cafetière, or V60 with our whole bean or ground coffee; a couple of Grind coffee pods; or our speciality instant coffee. 

Lavender Syrup

The ingredient that makes an iced lavender vanilla latte an iced lavender vanilla latte. You can buy lavender syrup ready-made, or make your own at home by combining equal parts sugar and water with dried culinary lavender, simmer for 10 minutes, then strain and cool. Homemade gives you more control over intensity, and it's easier than it sounds. Around 2 tablespoons per serving is a good starting point. Adjust to taste from there.

Vanilla

Vanilla and lavender are old friends, and this drink relies on both. Vanilla syrup is the most convenient option–around 1 tablespoon per serving–but pure vanilla extract works brilliantly as a more natural alternative. Start with a quarter teaspoon and adjust upwards. If you want the vanilla to be more prominent, a small scrape of a vanilla pod added to the lavender syrup while it simmers is worth the extra effort.

Milk or Cream

Your choice of milk defines the texture and richness of the drink. Whole milk gives the creamiest, most traditional result. Oat milk is our top plant-based recommendation: its natural sweetness and creamy body complement the lavender and vanilla without overpowering either. Almond milk works well for a lighter, slightly nutty finish, and coconut milk adds a tropical edge that's unconventional but worth trying. For something more indulgent, a small pour of cream in place of some of the milk takes the drink into dessert territory, in the best possible way.

Ice

The cold temperature is part of what makes the floral notes of lavender sing rather than overwhelm. Warmth amplifies lavender intensity, so keeping everything properly cold keeps the drink balanced and refreshing. Coffee ice cubes are a great option if you're worried about dilution.

Optional Extras

For a more natural sweetener, a small drizzle of honey pairs beautifully with lavender and can reduce the amount of lavender syrup required. A light dusting of dried culinary lavender on top adds a visual finish that's worth the extra seconds. A few drops of butterfly pea flower extract will turn the drink deep purple. Completely optional, very impressive.

Iced Vanilla Lavender Latte Recipe

This is simpler than it sounds, even if you've never made a floral iced coffee at home before. The lavender syrup takes the most time, but only if you're making it from scratch. And even then it's a ten-minute job. Everything else comes together in under five minutes. Here's how to make an iced lavender vanilla latte at home.

You'll need:

• 60ml espresso (double shot)

• 2 tbsp lavender syrup

• 1 tbsp vanilla syrup (or ¼ tsp vanilla extract) 

• 150ml milk or cream of your choice

• Plenty of ice 

• A tall glass and a long spoon 

Step 1: Brew Your Espresso

Brew a double shot of espresso using two Grind coffee pods, 18g of Grind ground coffee or coffee beans, or 2 tsps of Grind instant coffee. You're aiming for around 60ml, a proper double shot with enough strength and character to hold its own against the lavender and vanilla.

Set it aside and allow it to cool for 2–3 minutes before assembling. Pouring hot espresso directly over ice will melt it too quickly and dilute the drink before you've had a chance to enjoy it. 

Step 2: Prepare Your Lavender Syrup

If you're using a store-bought lavender syrup, you're good to go. Skip to the next step. 

If you're making your own, here's how: combine 100g of caster sugar with 100ml of water in a small saucepan over a medium heat. Add 2 tablespoons of dried culinary lavender (food grade, not the stuff from the garden centre) and stir until the sugar dissolves. Bring to a gentle simmer, leave for 10 minutes, then remove from the heat and allow to cool completely. Strain through a fine mesh sieve to remove the lavender buds.

The syrup should be lightly fragrant, faintly purple, and sweet without being overwhelming. It keeps in a sealed jar in the fridge for up to two weeks. Well worth making a big batch.

Step 3: Mix with Milk and Vanilla

In a small jug, combine your cooled lavender syrup with the vanilla syrup or vanilla extract and your chosen milk. Stir gently to combine. If you'd like a cream layer on top rather than milk throughout (which gives a more dramatic, café-style finish) keep the milk and cream separate for now and refer to the assembly step.

For a vegan version: Every element of this drink is naturally plant-based as long as you use a non-dairy milk. Oat milk is our first recommendation for its creaminess, but almond, soy, and coconut all work well. Full-fat coconut cream is particularly indulgent if you want a layered finish without any dairy.

Step 4: Assemble and Serve

Fill your tall glass generously with ice, right to the top. Pour the lavender and vanilla milk mixture over the ice first, then slowly pour your cooled espresso over the back of a spoon held just above the surface of the drink. This allows the espresso to settle on top of the milk in a distinct layer before it gradually swirls down. It looks as good as it tastes, and it takes about ten seconds.

If you're going for a cream topping rather than milk throughout, pour 150ml of your chosen milk over the ice first, then spoon over a small amount of lightly whipped cream mixed with a little extra vanilla syrup. Pour the cooled espresso over the back of the spoon on top of that.

Taste before you serve and adjust the sweetness. A little more lavender syrup if you want more floral intensity, a little more vanilla if you'd prefer it warmer and sweeter. A dusting of dried culinary lavender or a light sprinkle of cinnamon on top finishes the drink nicely.

Serve immediately. Total time: around 5 minutes, plus lavender syrup cooling time if made from scratch.

How Many Calories Are in an Iced Vanilla Lavender Latte? 

A standard iced vanilla lavender latte made with whole milk, lavender syrup, and vanilla syrup comes in at roughly 150–190 calories per serving. Here's approximately where those calories come from:

• Lavender syrup (2 tbsp): ~80 calories

• Vanilla syrup (1 tbsp): ~40 calories

• Whole milk (150ml): ~95 calories

• Espresso (double shot): ~5 calories

Lower calorie swaps: 

• Replace whole milk with semi-skimmed, oat, or almond milk.

• Make your own lavender syrup using a natural sweetener like honey or agave in place of sugar for a lower-glycemic alternative.

• Reduce lavender syrup to 1 tablespoon and compensate with a little more vanilla extract, which adds flavour with minimal calories. 

This is one of the lighter iced coffee drinks you can make at home, particularly compared to cream-heavy café alternatives. Using Grind’s speciality espresso means the coffee flavour is strong enough to carry the drink without needing excessive syrup to compensate.

What Does an Iced Vanilla Lavender Latte Taste Like?

Floral, sweet but grounded firmly enough in espresso that it never loses its identity as a proper coffee. The lavender brings a soft, herbal sweetness that's distinctive without being overpowering. The vanilla adds warmth and familiarity that smooths out the more unusual edges of the lavender. And the espresso ties everything together with enough bitterness and depth to keep the drink balanced.

It's refreshing in a way that a standard iced latte isn't. There's a lightness to the floral notes that makes it feel particularly well-suited to warmer weather, which goes some way to explaining why the iced lavender vanilla latte has become such a seasonal staple.

Coffee enthusiasts have developed a genuine appetite for drinks that bring something beyond the expected. Interesting flavour profiles, unexpected combinations, ingredients that make you think differently about what coffee can taste like. The lavender latte delivers all of that, without sacrificing any of the coffee credentials that matter.

It's also one of the most visually satisfying drinks you can make at home. The pale purple hue, the layered espresso, the optional lavender dusting on top… it looks like considerably more effort than it actually was. 

Ready to Make Your Own Iced Vanilla Lavender Latte?

The iced lavender vanilla latte is one of those drinks that sounds complicated, looks impressive, and is actually straightforward enough to make on a Tuesday morning before work. Speciality espresso, homemade or store-bought lavender syrup, a splash of vanilla, cold milk and ice. Five minutes and you're done. 

Get what you need here: 

Shop Grind Whole Bean & Ground Coffee

Shop Grind Coffee Pods

Shop Grind Instant Coffee

Shop Grind Coffee Equipment & Accessories 

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does an iced vanilla lavender latte last in the fridge? 

The assembled drink is best consumed immediately. The ice will dilute it if left to sit, and the layered effect won't survive long in the fridge. But the lavender syrup keeps in a sealed jar in the fridge for up to two weeks, which means the hard part is already done for your next one. Brew the espresso fresh each time and assemble to order for the best result.

Is lavender good in an iced latte?

Very. Lavender adds a floral, lightly herbal sweetness that works beautifully alongside espresso, particularly when vanilla is in the mix to soften the more unusual edges. The key is balance. Too much lavender and the drink tips into soap territory. The right amount and it's one of the most interesting flavour combinations in cold coffee. Start with one tablespoon and work up from there until you find your level.

Do lavender and vanilla go together in an iced latte? 

Lavender and vanilla are a classic flavour pairing. The floral intensity of the lavender and the warm, familiar sweetness of vanilla complement each other in a way that feels both surprising and completely natural. In an iced latte specifically, vanilla does the important job of rounding out lavender's sharper herbal edges, making the overall drink smoother, sweeter, and more approachable without losing any of the floral character that makes it interesting in the first place.

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