I hope this is the appropriate forum. Just wanted to tell someone about this. My machine restoration isn't done yet so I'm still buying lattes. I got one today at a campus cafe, and I think the girl must have been new with little training. Anyway, I asked for an iced latte. She got a cup of ice, and then started steaming milk! I tried to get her attention, but to no avail. So she poured the steamed milk over ice. It tasted ok so I didn't complain. I don't know at what point she added the espresso. I just didn't feel in a complaining mood today. It was slightly cool but all the ice had melted -- it was a little watered down.

It was just one of those WTF moments.

Being new to the espresso world, how would you go about making an iced latte? I'm guessing you just use cold milk and don't steam it, right?

Yeah, pretty much, espresso, ice and cold milk. But it's a bit unorthodox in these circles, so keep it on the hush-hush.

Uh oh... didn't know that was a taboo subject. Oh well, I'm exposed now. Either way, I like it, and I have a sensitive stomach. For some reason I never have a problem with cold lattes, but the hot ones sometimes cause discomfort. I'm not sure if it's the steaming of the milk or the temperature. Regular old drip coffee with creamer doesn't seem to be a problem, so maybe it's the steamed milk. It's kind of a drag though when it's cold outside, because then I actually want a hot drink, but don't know if I want to risk getting my stomach upset.

But yeah, you brew the espresso, pour it into the milk, mix in any flavoring, and then pour the mixture over ice. One thing I see done too often is to pour the hot espresso directly over ice. WHOA! BAD IDEA! It makes it very bitter. That's why you mix it with the milk and flavoring first, then pour over ice.