You know, sometimes the best ideas come from, well, *necessity* and a happy accident! I was trying to figure out a totally dairy-free way to make my morning iced latte, and after a few… less-than-stellar attempts with other plant milks (anyone else had a truly *gritty* experience?), I landed on this absolute gem: the Iced Vanilla Latte With Quinoa Milk. Trust me, it sounds a little out there, but the quinoa milk is surprisingly smooth and has this subtle, nutty richness that pairs beautifully with vanilla. It’s become my go-to when I want something refreshing and totally guilt-free!

Why You'll Love This Iced Vanilla Latte With Quinoa Milk

So, what makes this latte a winner? Let me tell you:

It’s incredibly refreshing, perfect for a warm afternoon pick-me-up!
Totally dairy-free and vegan thanks to that amazing homemade quinoa milk.
Seriously easy to whip up – you’ll be sipping in no time.
That subtle nutty flavor from the quinoa milk is a delightful twist you won’t find anywhere else!

Crafting Your Perfect Iced Vanilla Latte With Quinoa Milk: Ingredients

Alright, let’s get down to what you’ll need for this dreamy dairy-free latte! The star, of course, is our homemade quinoa milk. You’ll want about 1 cup of cooked quinoa – I find day-old quinoa works perfectly, no need to cook it fresh unless you’re really in a pinch! Then, grab 3 cups of water for blending. For sweetness, I like using about 1/4 cup of maple syrup, but agave or even a touch of stevia works too, whatever floats your boat! And you absolutely can’t forget the creamy hug of 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Then, for your actual latte part, make sure you have about 1/2 cup of strong brewed coffee or espresso that’s been chilled – nobody wants a watered-down latte! Oh, and a hefty amount of ice, obviously!

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Iced Vanilla Latte With Quinoa Milk

Okay, ready to make some magic happen? It’s honestly super simple, and the results are so worth it. The whole process is really pretty quick, especially if you have some cooked quinoa handy. We’ll break it down into making that creamy quinoa milk and then putting it all together for the perfect latte. Making your own plant-based milks can sometimes be tricky, and for drinks like this, you want it super smooth, almost like that homemade heavy cream texture – and quinoa totally delivers!

Preparing the Homemade Quinoa Milk

First things first, let’s get that quinoa milk going. You’ll need your cooked quinoa, water, and sweetener. The trick is to really rinse that cooked quinoa *super* well first, even if it was already rinsed. This gets rid of any potential bitterness. Toss it all into your blender – the quinoa, the water, and your sweetener. Now, blend away! You want it to get really smooth, like, almost frothy. Then comes the straining part. Grab a fine-mesh sieve, or even better, some cheesecloth if you have it. Line your sieve with the cheesecloth and pour the blended mixture through it into a pitcher. Gently press down to get all that creamy liquid out. You’ll be left with some solids, just discard those. Stir in your vanilla extract, give it a good mix, and pop it in the fridge to chill. This is key – cold milk makes the best iced latte!

Assembling Your Iced Vanilla Latte With Quinoa Milk

Once your quinoa milk is nice and cold, it’s latte time! Grab your favorite tall glass and fill it right up with ice. Seriously, don’t be shy with the ice – it keeps your drink frosty. Pour your chilled coffee or espresso right over the ice. How strong do you like it? Feel free to use more or less coffee based on your preference. Now, take your wonderfully chilled quinoa milk and pour it over the coffee. Give it a gentle stir to combine everything. And there you have it! A gorgeous, creamy, dairy-free iced vanilla latte. How easy was that?!

Tips for the Best Iced Vanilla Latte With Quinoa Milk

Okay, so you’ve got the basic gist, but if you really want to make this Iced Vanilla Latte With Quinoa Milk sing, here are a few little tricks I’ve picked up that make all the difference. Trust me, these make it taste like you bought it from that fancy coffee shop down the street, but it’s all homemade goodness!

First off, the quinoa itself! While any cooked quinoa will work in a pinch, I find using a plain, unseasoned batch is best. If you have any leftover quinoa from dinner, just make sure it’s not mixed with tons of herbs or spices. Rinse it really well before blending, even if it seems clean! It helps get rid of anything that might make your milk taste a little… well, *too* quinoa-y. You’re going for a neutral, creamy base, not a savory one!

And for that perfect coffee-to-milk ratio? This is totally personal, but I love a 1:1 ratio of chilled coffee to quinoa milk. But if you’re like me and love a strong coffee kick, go ahead and use a bit more coffee and less milk. Or if you prefer a milder taste, just add more quinoa milk. It’s your latte, you do you! And speaking of upgrades, don’t be afraid to play with flavor additions! A tiny pinch of cinnamon in the quinoa milk before blending? Amazing! Or maybe a dash of cardamom? Oh, and for anyone who loves those specialty creamers, think of this quinoa milk as your blank canvas. You could even add a touch of my easy homemade coffee creamer base to the quinoa milk before blending for an extra layer of richness!

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Your Latte

So, let’s talk about the nitty-gritty of these ingredients to make sure your Iced Vanilla Latte With Quinoa Milk turns out absolutely perfect. That quinoa milk is pretty forgiving, honestly. If you don’t have maple syrup, agave nectar is a fantastic substitute – it blends right in and gives a lovely sweetness. Even a simple granulated sugar dissolved in a little warm water will work in a pinch, though maple or agave give it a richer flavor. As for the coffee, a strong brewed dark roast is my go-to, but honestly, any good quality coffee or even a strong espresso shot will do the trick! Just make sure it’s chilled so it doesn’t melt all your ice before you even get to sip it.

If you’re not a fan of vanilla extract, you could try a little almond extract for a different nutty vibe, or even some cinnamon mixed into the quinoa milk before blending. Yum! The main thing to remember is that the quinoa milk is the neutral canvas here. It’s not going to overpower your coffee flavor; it just adds this wonderful creaminess and a subtle background note that makes the whole drink feel a bit more special and, dare I say, sophisticated than your average almond or oat milk latte.

Frequently Asked Questions About Iced Vanilla Latte With Quinoa Milk

Got questions about making this awesome Iced Vanilla Latte With Quinoa Milk? I totally get it! It’s a bit different, but that’s part of its charm. Let’s clear up anything that might be on your mind so you can whip up the perfect latte.

Can I use pre-cooked quinoa straight from a package for the milk?

Absolutely! If you have leftover cooked quinoa, that’s perfect. Just give it a good rinse before blending, even if you think it’s clean. This step is super important to get rid of any potential bitterness and ensure your quinoa milk is smooth and delicious. Day-old quinoa is actually ideal because it’s already cooked and ready to go!

How long does homemade quinoa milk last in the fridge?

You can typically store your homemade quinoa milk in an airtight container in the refrigerator for about 3 days. It’s always best to use it fresh for the most vibrant flavor. Give it a good shake before you use it, as plant-based milks tend to separate a bit.

Can I make this latte hot instead of iced?

You sure can! The quinoa milk base works beautifully in hot drinks too. Just prepare the quinoa milk as usual, chill it slightly (or use it at room temp), and then heat your coffee or espresso before combining. You might want to adjust the sweetness or add a bit more vanilla to taste when it’s hot. It makes for a wonderfully creamy and comforting hot latte!

My quinoa milk is a little gritty. What did I do wrong?

Oh no, gritty milk is no fun! Usually, this happens if the quinoa wasn’t blended quite long enough, or if the straining wasn’t thorough. Try blending for another minute or two, really letting it get smooth. Also, using a very fine-mesh sieve lined with cheesecloth or a nut milk bag can really help catch those tiny solids for a super silky texture. Don’t toss it though – it might still be good for adding to smoothies!

Nutritional Information

Just a little heads-up: these numbers are an estimate, okay? They can totally change depending on exactly what kind of sweetener you use, how strong your coffee is, or even the brand of vanilla extract. But roughly, one of these glorious Iced Vanilla Lattes With Quinoa Milk comes in around 250 Calories, with about 5g of Fat, 7g of Protein, and 45g of Carbohydrates. Your sugar count will be around 20g, mainly from the sweetener and coffee, and you’ll get about 3g of fiber from that amazing quinoa milk!

Iced Vanilla Latte With Quinoa Milk

Author: memorecipes.com
Total Time: 25 min
Yield: 2 servings 1x
Diet: Vegan

Print Recipe

Description

A refreshing and dairy-free iced latte made with homemade quinoa milk and vanilla.

Ingredients

Scale

1 cup cooked quinoa
3 cups water
1/4 cup sweetener (e.g., maple syrup or agave)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup strong brewed coffee or espresso, chilled
Ice

Instructions

Rinse the cooked quinoa thoroughly.
Combine rinsed quinoa, water, and sweetener in a blender. Blend until smooth.
Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth into a pitcher. Discard the solids.
Stir in the vanilla extract. Chill the quinoa milk.
Fill a glass with ice.
Pour the chilled coffee or espresso over the ice.
Add the chilled quinoa milk to the glass. Stir gently.

Notes

For a sweeter latte, add more sweetener to the quinoa milk.
You can make the quinoa milk ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Adjust the coffee or espresso amount to your preference.

Prep Time: 10 min
Cook Time: 15 min
Category: Beverage
Method: Blending
Cuisine: International

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 latte
Calories: 250
Sugar: 20g
Sodium: 50mg
Fat: 5g
Saturated Fat: 1g
Unsaturated Fat: 4g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 45g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 7g
Cholesterol: 0mg

Keywords: iced vanilla latte, quinoa milk, dairy-free latte, vegan coffee, homemade plant milk