This double shot iced shaken espresso recipe is popular for a reason: it's cool and creamy with just the right amount of sweetness from homemade simple syrup. Plus, with two shots of espresso, it's got all the caffeine you need to get you through your morning!
Shaking the espresso over ice gives it a rich, velvety texture. I also love pairing this beverage with espresso ice cubes so that it doesn’t get diluted while you’re drinking it! If you’re looking for more iced espresso beverages, check out this iced Americano recipe too! I love the variation of this beverage with brown sugar syrup and oat milk, which I share in the recipe card below.
Being raised with a live-in Italian grandmother meant we took coffee very seriously, particularly espresso! Thankfully, you don't need your own Italian grandma to enjoy your own custom coffees at home!
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💕 why you'll love this iced shaken espresso recipe...
☕️ bold & strong. This iced espresso beverage has the bold, strong taste of espresso without being overbearing.
🧊 icy cool. In the heat of summer (or you know…the South), it’s important to keep cool however you can. Hot coffee isn’t an option when it’s 90 degrees outside!
🎛️ customizable. This recipe is easy to customize to your liking. Just check out the recipe variations within the recipe card!
🛒 ingredients
- espresso - you will need to make a double shot of espresso for this recipe. While I do have (and love!) the Breville Barista Pro espresso machine, it is quite the splurge. If you make more than a few trips to your local barista, it’s worth investing in a nice machine.
If you are looking for a cheaper alternative, you can totally make coffeehouse-quality espresso at home for $25 - $30! These espresso makers, known as moka pots, are quick, easy, and affordable! - milk- Starbucks uses 2% milk in their standard recipe, but you can use whatever kind of milk you prefer. You can also either shake the milk with the espresso and simple syrup, or turn it into a cold foam to layer on top.
- simple syrup - When you order this coffee at Starbucks, they make it using regular simple syrup, or “classic syrup.” It’s easy to make your own simple syrup in a flash by using a 1:1 ratio of sugar and water.So, 1 cup of sugar to 1 cup of water. If you like, you can also make a brown sugar syrup like this one to deepen the flavor!
- ice - you’ll need a full cup of ice, to the brim! Because the espresso will be a little warm, you can expect some ice to melt. Use larger ice cubes so that the espresso doesn’t get watered down while you’re shaking it. If you want to make sure your coffee doesn’t get too diluted, use these espresso ice cubes to keep your iced coffee beverages extra-strong!
🍳 instructions
Step 1: Brew a double espresso according to your espresso machine’s manufacturer’s instructions. Allow it to cool slightly while you prepare the other ingredients.
Step 2: Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
Step 3: Slowly pour in the espresso to the cocktail shaker.
Step 4: Add 0.5 ounce of simple syrup to the cocktail shaker. You can use more if you like, check the chart below for the amounts that Starbucks uses in each size.
Step 5: Shake the cocktail shaker vigorously for 30-60 seconds.
Step 6: Fill the glass you're using halfway with ice, then slowly pour the contents into the cup.
Step 7: Top with 2 ounces of the milk of your choice, adding more ice if needed.
Step 8: Place a straw in the glass and serve immediately.
Hint: Use larger ice cubes if you are able to. Smaller ice like pebble ice will dilute faster when shaking the drink, watering your beverage down more.
↕️ what size would you like?
Use this chart to help you master making your own coffee beverages at home, in just the coffee-shop size you like!
- short - this size is 8 ounces and contains 1 shot of espresso, 2 pumps of syrup, and 1 ounce of milk.
- tall - this size is 12 ounces and contains two shots of espresso, 3 pumps of syrup, and 2 ounces of milk.
- grande - this size is 16 ounces and contains 3 shots of espresso, 4 pumps of syrup, and 3 ounces of milk.
- venti - this size is 20 ounces and contains 4 shots of espresso, 5-6 pumps of syrup, and 4 ounces of milk.
- trenta - this size is 30 ounces and contains 5 shots of espresso, 7-8 pumps of syrup, and 5 ounces of milk.
💡 tips and tricks for getting it right
ℹ️ Troubleshooting Tips - How you brew your espresso matters, but possibly the most important thing that impacts flavor is what coffee beans you use and the size of the grind.
It can take a little time to get to know your espresso machine, so don’t feel bad if your first few tries are less than perfect. If your coffee is bitter, there are several contributing factors, like the coffee being ground too finely, the roast of the beans being too dark for your preference, or the water flowing through the coffee grounds too quickly.
The good news is, once you figure out how to use your machine, it’s smooth sailing from there!
🔆 top tip
If you want your espresso beverage to be extra foamy, combine the milk with the espresso and simple syrup in the cocktail shaker, then give it a good shake!
♻️ substitutions & variations
Missing an ingredient? No problem. Check out these tried-and-true substitutions, or comment below with your question. I’m here to help you troubleshoot!
- milk - while Starbucks uses 2% milk to make this beverage, you can use whole milk, skim milk, or the nondairy milk of your choice.
- cold brew - you can use cold brew if you don’t have espresso on hand, but it won’t foam as much as espresso does when you shake it.
- chocolate - replace the simple syrup with chocolate syrup for a chocolatey mocha-like spin on this espresso beverage.
🧰 equipment needed
🧰 tools needed
- espresso machine - For a coffeehouse-quality espresso at home, an espresso machine is your best bet. Affordable options like the Breville Barista Pro or Nespresso machines are great choices.
- cocktail shaker - a cocktail shaker is the easiest way to create a rich and frothy shaken espresso. I have and love this shaker from OXO (affiliate link). You can also use a mason jar in a pinch.
🛠️ more about espresso tools
- Moka pot - Bialetti pots are a fantastic alternative. Traditional aluminum or stainless steel options are available, with stainless steel being induction-friendly and non-reactive. That means your coffee won’t pick up funky flavors while brewing.
- coffee pot - Brew double or triple strength coffee. It won't have crema, but the flavor will be similar.
- french press - Brew strong coffee and push the plunger halfway, lift, and press down again to mimic crema.
💬 q+a
How much caffeine is in a double shot iced shaken espresso?
The exact amount of caffeine varies based on the coffee used. However, you can expect to see about 150 mg of caffeine in a double shot iced shaken espresso.
What is the difference between a double shot iced shaken espresso and an iced latte?
A double shot iced shaken espresso has equal parts espresso and milk (two ounces each) while an iced latte usually has a 1:4 ratio of espresso to milk. That means for every one ounce of espresso, or for every shot, there are four ounces of milk.
Why is my coffee less bold in taste?
When making beverages in cocktail shakers, it is best to use larger ice so that the beverage doesn’t dilute as much when you are shaking it, which can lead to a blander-tasting coffee. Smaller ice like pebble ice can dilute too fast and water your drink down.
🥣 recipe
Double Shot Iced Shaken Espresso (with Variations)
Equipment
- 1 espresso maker
- 1 drinking glass 12 ounce capacity, or larger
Ingredients
Double Shot Iced Shaken Espresso
- 2 ounces espresso
- 2 ounces milk whole, 2%, or non-dairy
- 0.5 ounce simple syrup
Chocolate Iced Shaken Espresso
- 2 ounces espresso
- 2 ounces milk whole, 2%, or non-dairy
- 1 ounce chocolate syrup
Brown Sugar Oat Milk Shaken Espresso
- 2 ounces espresso
- 2 ounces oat milk or other preferred milk
- 0.5 ounce brown sugar simple syrup
Instructions
Double Shot Iced Shaken Espresso
- Prepare a double shot of espresso according to your manufacturer’s instructions. Allow the shot to cool for a few minutes.
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Use large ice for best results.
- Slowly pour the espresso over the ice.
- Pour the simple syrup over the ice.
- Shake vigorously for 30 seconds.
- Fill your preferred glass halfway with ice.
- Pour the shaken espresso and syrup over the ice.
- Top with preferred milk and serve immediately.
Chocolate Iced Shaken Espresso
- Prepare a double shot of espresso according to your manufacturer’s instructions. Allow the shot to cool for a few minutes.
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Use large ice for best results.
- Slowly pour the espresso over the ice.
- Pour the chocolate syrup over the ice.
- Shake vigorously for 30 seconds.
- Fill your preferred glass halfway with ice.
- Pour the shaken espresso and syrup over the ice.
- Top with preferred milk and serve immediately.
Brown Sugar Oat Milk Iced Shaken Espresso
- Prepare a double shot of espresso according to your manufacturer’s instructions. Allow the shot to cool for a few minutes.
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Use large ice for best results.
- Slowly pour the espresso over the ice.
- Pour the brown sugar simple syrup over the ice.
- Shake vigorously for 30 seconds.
- Fill your preferred glass halfway with ice.
- Pour the shaken espresso and syrup over the ice.
- Top with oat milk and serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition Information
The information provided is an estimate based on an online nutrition facts calculator and actual nutrition facts may vary.
🧯food safety
Food safety is an important ingredient in any recipe for success! Here are some tips to keep you safe in the kitchen!
- While we often think more is better, too much caffeine in a day can pose a health risk. The recommended daily value of caffeine is 400 mg for healthy adults. You can read more about daily caffeine intake recommendations here.
- Espresso can reach temperatures exceeding 200ºF. Use caution when handling hot liquids.
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