There's something about a tall glass of iced coffee on a warm afternoon that just hits differently. And once you try sweetening it with honey instead of sugar syrup, there's really no going back. This honey iced latte is cold, creamy, and ready in under five minutes — no barista required.
We love making this with our Coffee Blossom Honey, a rare varietal harvested from coffee plant blossoms in the highland plantations of Guatemala. It has a distinctly smooth, caramel-like flavor that pairs naturally with espresso — because it literally comes from the same plant. But any of our Eastern Shore honey varietals will work beautifully too.
Why Honey Works So Well in an Iced Latte
Honey brings more than sweetness to your cup. It adds a round, floral depth that plain sugar or simple syrup can't quite match. The key is dissolving it into your hot espresso first — honey blends effortlessly into warm liquid, and once it's mixed, it stays evenly distributed even as things cool down over ice.
If you want to learn more about how different honey varietals interact with coffee and which ones to reach for, our guide to using honey in coffee is a great place to start. And if you're curious about what makes Coffee Blossom Honey so unique, our deep dive into what coffee blossom honey is covers everything from the bloom period in Guatemala to why it tastes the way it does.
Plant-Based Milk Options for Your Iced Latte
One of the best parts of this recipe is how easy it is to customize. Different plant milks give you completely different results:
- Oat milk — creamy and slightly sweet, the most popular choice for a reason. It froths well and complements honey beautifully.
- Coconut milk (carton, not canned) — light and subtly tropical. Canned coconut cream is richer if you want something more indulgent.
- Soy milk — higher in protein, neutral in flavor, and froths well.
- Almond milk — the lightest option; great if you prefer a less creamy result. We have a tutorial for making your own homemade almond milk if you want to take it a step further.
Any of these will work. Use what you have, or what you love.
How to Make a Honey Iced Latte
The full recipe with exact measurements is in the recipe card below. Here's the short version:
Step 1: Brew your espresso. Pull a double shot (2 oz) or brew a very strong 2 oz of coffee. While it's still hot, stir in your honey until fully dissolved.
Step 2: Fill a glass with ice. Use a tall glass packed with ice cubes.
Step 3: Pour the honey espresso over the ice. It will cool down almost instantly.
Step 4: Add your plant milk. Pour over the top to taste. Stir gently or leave it for a layered look.
Ways to Riff on This Recipe
- Make it a honey vanilla latte by adding a splash of pure vanilla extract to the espresso-honey mixture before pouring over ice.
- Try a honey mocha by stirring a teaspoon of cocoa powder into the warm espresso along with the honey.
- Swap the espresso for strong brewed matcha for a honey matcha latte.
- If you love a warm-spiced version, our pumpkin spice whipped coffee with honey takes things in a cozier direction.
- For an evening twist, check out our pumpkin espresso martini or our boozy pumpkin spice latte.
About Our Coffee Blossom Honey
If you've never tried Coffee Blossom Honey, this latte is the perfect introduction. It's harvested from bees that pollinate coffee tree blossoms during the brief annual bloom period in Guatemala — which means the honey comes from the same plant as your espresso, just a different part of it. Don't expect a coffee flavor though. The taste is smooth, waxy, and distinctly caramel-like. It's a honey that coffee lovers tend to reach for again and again.
It's a limited edition varietal and quantities are small — it sells out seasonally. Grab a jar while it's available.
For more coffee-inspired recipes, our National Coffee Day recipe roundup is a great place to explore. And if you love how honey works in a creamy, layered drink, don't miss our vanilla chai white russian — it has a similar thing going on.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use regular honey instead of Coffee Blossom Honey?
Absolutely. Any raw honey will dissolve into hot espresso and sweeten your latte beautifully. Milder varietals like our Spring Honey or Sweet Clover will stay neutral; richer ones like Buckwheat will add deeper, more pronounced flavor. Coffee Blossom Honey just happens to have a particularly natural affinity for coffee drinks.
Does honey dissolve in cold coffee?
Honey doesn't dissolve easily in cold liquid, which is why this recipe has you stir it into the hot espresso first. Once it's fully incorporated into the warm coffee, it stays mixed even after you pour it over ice.
Can I make this without an espresso machine?
Yes. A Moka pot, AeroPress, or any strong brew method works well. The key is a concentrated 2 oz of coffee — a full cup of regular drip coffee will make the latte too weak and watery once the ice and milk are added.
Is this recipe vegan?
This recipe uses honey, which some people who follow a vegan lifestyle prefer to avoid. If that applies to you, substitute maple syrup using the same measurement. The rest of the recipe — espresso and plant milk — is fully plant-based.
