DIY Lavender Iced Coffee (Simple Starbucks Copycat That Feels Like a Coffee Shop Treat)
Bring a little cozy cafe charm into your kitchen with this easy lavender iced coffee. Made with just a few simple ingredients, this summer drink swirls together rich coffee, floral notes of lavender, and a splash of creamy milk for a refreshing sip that brightens your day.
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If you love a lavender latte or fancy coffee at home, this recipe is a simple way to recreate that feeling—no drive-thru needed. Perfect for fans of home cafe recipes, this ice coffee recipe uses brewed coffee, lavender syrup, vanilla, and milk to make a lightly sweet and beautifully fragrant drink. You’ll love keeping this lavender drink on repeat for warm afternoons, brunches, or anytime you want something a little special.
Why You’ll Love This Lavender Iced Coffee
- Simple Ingredients: With just 5 ingredients or less, this drink is easy to make with everyday staples.
- Home Cafe Vibes: Enjoy a cozy home cafe recipe that feels like a treat without needing expensive equipment.
- Floral and Refreshing: The mix of coffee, vanilla, and lavender syrup creates a smooth floral note that’s perfect for a relaxing summer drink.
- Beautiful Presentation: The soft purple hues and optional whipped topping make it look as good as it tastes — perfect for brightening your day.
Ingredients
Coffee: Fresh-brewed coffee cooled over ice works well, or use cold-brew coffee for an even smoother base.
Lavender Syrup: Store-bought lavender syrup is easy to use, or you can make a simple lavender syrup recipe for coffee at home using water, sugar, and culinary lavender.
Milk Options: Whole milk creates a creamy iced coffee, while oat or almond milk offer a great dairy-free coffee option with a hint of natural sweetness.
Vanilla Extract: Adds a soft background note that pairs perfectly with the floral tones, giving this drink a soft lavender honey feel without being overpowering.
See the recipe card for the complete list of ingredients and quantities.
Step-by-step Instructions
Step 1: Brew the coffee using your preferred method and allow it to cool. Fill a tall glass with ice cubes for a crisp, cold start. Pour the chilled coffee over the ice. Top off the drink with your choice of milk.
Step 2: Add the lavender syrup and vanilla extract. Stir well to combine, creating a beautiful swirl of floral and coffee notes.
Step 3: For a little extra fancy coffee at home touch, top with whipped cream and sprinkle with dried culinary lavender.
Expert Tips
- Use high-quality culinary lavender to avoid bitter or soapy flavors.
- Start with 1 tablespoon of lavender syrup, taste, and adjust if you prefer a stronger floral note.
- Chill your coffee completely to create a true refreshing drinks recipe without watery ice melt.
- For a creamy coffee upgrade, blend the milk with a little extra vanilla and whip it slightly for a quick cold foam topping.
Variations and Customizations
- Dairy-Free Option: Use oat milk or almond milk for a light and silky almond milk coffee.
- Lavender Iced Latte: Add a shot of espresso instead of brewed coffee for a stronger, bolder lavender coffee flavor.
- Cold Foam Topping: Whip milk and a splash of lavender syrup into a soft foam and spoon it on top for a café-style finish.
- Lavender Honey Sweetener: Swap the lavender syrup with a lavender honey drizzle for a more natural sweetness.
- London Fog Twist: Combine this base with a little brewed Earl Grey tea to create a floral spin on a London Fog tea latte.
Serving Ideas
This lavender latte recipe pairs beautifully with lemon shortbread cookies, almond croissants, or simple scones for a light and elegant brunch. It’s also a lovely way to add something special to your collection of flavored latte recipes and unique coffee drink recipes for weekends and gatherings.
Recipe FAQs
Yes! Coldbrew coffee creates an even smoother, low-acid base that pairs perfectly with lavender.
Absolutely. To make a simple lavender syrup recipe for coffee, simmer 1 cup water, 1 cup sugar, and 1 tablespoon culinary lavender until fragrant. Strain and cool before using.
Lavender has a soft floral note that can be delicate or bold depending on how much syrup you add. Start with less and adjust to your taste.
Next time you want to brighten your day with something cozy and refreshing, skip the coffee shop and make this dreamy lavender vanilla iced coffee right at home.
More Starbucks Recipes
- Warm up with this creamy, Starbucks-inspired Mocha Hot Chocolate! A rich and chocolatey homemade drink that’s perfect for breakfast or a cozy afternoon break.
- If you love the idea of a dessert you can sip, this Strawberry Cheesecake Frappuccino is the perfect frozen treat. It’s smooth, creamy, and packed with real strawberry flavor, blending everything you love about a cheesecake into one refreshing drink. Easy to make, fun to serve, and perfect for recreating that café-style experience at home.
- Your favorite coffee order, made better at home! This Starbucks Copycat Iced White Chocolate Mocha has all the creamy, chocolatey goodness you love—without the extra cost. Plus, the homemade syrup? Absolute perfection.
- Make this Strawberry Acai Refresher at home for a light, fruity drink inspired by the Starbucks favorite. It’s easy to mix, made with real ingredients, and a great way to enjoy your favorite refresher without the trip to the café.
- Cool, creamy, and full of cinnamon flavor—this homemade Iced Cinnamon Dolce Latte is an easy Starbucks copycat recipe you can whip up in minutes, complete with a simple brown sugar cinnamon syrup.
If you tried this Lavender Vanilla Iced Coffee Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below.
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup brewed coffee cold or iced
- 1-2 tablespoons lavender syrup adjust based on sweetness preference
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup milk
- Ice cubes
- Whipped cream for topping
- Dried culinary lavender for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare coffee in a French Press by adding 1 tablespoon of coarsely ground coffee per 4 ounces of hot water (about 200°F). Let it steep for 4 minutes, then slowly press down the plunger to separate the grounds.
- Let the brewed coffee cool to room temperature, or refrigerate it until chilled. Cooling prevents the ice from melting too quickly when assembling the drink.
- Fill a glass with ice cubes and pour the cooled coffee over the ice. Add the lavender syrup and vanilla extract, stirring to combine. Pour in the milk of your choice, adjusting the amount for your preferred creaminess.
- Top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of dried culinary lavender for a beautiful and fragrant finish. Give it a quick stir and enjoy.
Notes
- Use high-quality culinary lavender to avoid bitter or soapy flavors.
- Start with 1 tablespoon of lavender syrup, taste, and adjust if you prefer a stronger floral note.
- Chill your coffee completely to create a true refreshing drinks recipe without watery ice melt.
- For a creamy coffee upgrade, blend the milk with a little extra vanilla and whip it slightly for a quick cold foam topping.
