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–+ servings
Two iced cortados sit on a countertop. There is a jar of coffee beans in the background, and coffee beans are scattered on the countertop.

How to Make an Iced Cortado (What is a Cortado Coffee?)

Lindsey Neumayer
This iced cortado recipe is a cool take on a classic Spanish coffee beverage made with espresso and lightly steamed milk.
5 from 1 vote
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Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Course Coffee
Cuisine American, Spanish
Servings 1
Calories 39 kcal

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Equipment

Ingredients
  

  • 2 ounces espresso freshly pulled
  • 2 ounces milk use milk of choice
  • ice to fill glass

Instructions
 

For an Iced Cortado

  • Brew espresso. Brew a double shot of espresso according to your manufacturers instructions.
    2 ounces espresso
  • Chill glass. Fill your desired glass with ice. Choose a glass that can hold at least 6 - 8 ounces.
    ice
  • Add espresso. Slowly pour the espresso over the ice.
  • Froth milk. If you want a bit of froth in your milk, you can froth it lightly using a hand frother. Cortados are traditionally not as foamed as lattes or cappucinos.
    2 ounces milk
  • Layer milk. Gently layer the milk overtop of the espresso in your glass.
  • Serve. Serve immediately.

For a Hot Cortado

  • Brew espresso. Brew a double shot of espresso into a Gibraltar glass according to your manufacturers instructions.
    2 ounces espresso
  • Steam milk. Quickly steam your milk to heat it up and gently froth it, being careful not to foam it too much.
    2 ounces milk
  • Layer milk. Gently layer the milk overtop of the espresso in the glass.
  • Serve. Serve immediately.

Notes

ℹ️ troubleshooting tips

  • bitter - if your cortado is bitter, it could be due to the extraction of your espresso maker. You may need to troubleshoot the grind level of your espresso beans in order to balance out the flavor. The good news is, once you figure out how to make espresso you like at home, it gets easier to make consistent shots of espresso!
  • too much or too little milk - if you prefer a beverage like a latte or flat white that has more milk in it, go ahead and add in more milk! I won’t tell! 😉
  • too foamy - if you find that your hot cortado has a lot of foam, it’s possible that you over-steamed the milk. If you’re using a hand frother to whip your milk, take care not to over mix it otherwise you’ll end up with a dense foam.

🍽️ how to serve your cortado coffee

  • brunch ready - serve your iced cortados at a breakfast or brunch spread-- it goes great with homemade granola and rich Greek yogurt!
  • DIY coffee bar - You can even set up a DIY coffee station for your guests to customize their coffees to their liking. Simply prepare as much espresso as you’ll need for the number of guests you have, place it in a glass pitcher, and allow them to choose their own coffee adventure!
  • coffee cocktail - add an ounce of your favorite liquor or liqueur (might I suggest a home infused vanilla rum???) for a delicious alternative to an espresso martini!

🔆 top tip

Allow your espresso to cool slightly after brewing. When hot espresso is poured directly over ice, it can lead to a bitter taste.

Nutrition

Calories: 39kcalCarbohydrates: 4gProtein: 2gFat: 2gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.4gCholesterol: 7mgSodium: 29mgPotassium: 150mgSugar: 3gVitamin A: 92IUVitamin C: 0.1mgCalcium: 71mgIron: 0.1mg
Did you make this?! 👀Let everyone know how it was! 💕
Keyword: breakfast, brunch, espresso, fall, spring, summer, The Balancing Act, The Intrigue, The Oomph, The Pop, winter