Iced Latte vs. Iced Coffee vs. Cold Brew: What's the Difference?

The age-old debate: iced latte, iced coffee, or cold brew. They’re all cold, they’re all coffee… so what makes them different? Let’s get into it.

First up is the iced latte… probably our most popular order and how all of our seasonal drinks are made. Iced lattes consist of espresso + milk + ice. A latte is usually creamy and rich due to the 1:4 coffee-to-milk ratio. Lattes can be made stronger with an additional shot of espresso, adding more caffeine to your cup. Our iced lattes are typically made with our evergreen roast, Soulmate. It’s the perfect medium roast with notes of chocolate, clementine, and candied walnuts, and when paired with a syrup, it adds a little extra sweetness. You can shop Soulmate here.

Second is the iced coffee- another trendy choice that is simply brewed coffee served over ice. At Alma, we use “flash brew,” which is the process of pouring hot coffee directly over ice to lock in aromatics, preserve acidity, and create a bright, crisp iced coffee without dilution. Our iced coffees are typically made with a light or medium roast, with our new Otoño roast currently available on tap. You can shop the Otoño roast here.

Lastly, the cold brew… this is the perfect order for when it’s a Monday morning, you’ve had a little too much fun over the weekend, and you need to LOCK IN. Cold brew is made when coffee is brewed and steeped for an extended period of time (about 18–24 hours). This slow extraction creates a smooth, low-acid, naturally sweet cup with a full body and minimal bitterness. Our cold brew is made with medium and darker roasts on rotation, with our Frio roast being a popular choice. You can shop the Frio roast here.

The amount of caffeine in each order can vary depending on serving size and recipe, but all three are guaranteed to get you out of your morning slump. So tell us, which is your go-to?