Iced Honeycomb Latte

The Iced Honeycomb Latte is a delightful sensory experience, combining rich, bold espresso with cold, creamy milk over ice. Its signature element is the honeycomb candy (also known as Dalgona or seafoam toffee), which is broken into pieces to sweeten and garnish the drink. This adds a unique crunchy texture and a deep, slightly bitter caramel flavor that beautifully complements the coffee.
Iced Honeycomb Latte

Preparation

Preparation time: 15 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

The Iced Honeycomb Latte is a modern coffee drink that has gained popularity in specialty cafes. It can also be considered a mocktail due to its layered construction and special ingredients that mimic the complexity of a cocktail, but without any alcohol.

Serving

Served cold in a tall Highball or Collins glass to showcase its layers, this is a completely non-alcoholic coffee beverage. The substantial serving size makes for a satisfying treat.
Serving size
Approximately 350 ml / 12 oz
Alcohol content
0% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Highball Glass
Glass treatment
None

Backstory

This drink's popularity surged in the early 2020s, partly inspired by the global interest in South Korean culture and its "dalgona" candy, famously featured in media. Cafes began incorporating the crunchy, photogenic toffee into beverages, creating a textural and flavorful alternative to standard syrups. It offers a more hands-on, craft approach to a sweetened iced coffee.
Origin
The drink is a product of modern, global coffee shop culture, with strong influences from South Korea. While honeycomb toffee exists in many cultures, its specific application in this style of latte was popularized in Korean-style cafes in the late 2010s and spread internationally.

Iced Honeycomb Latte

This drink is sometimes called an "Iced Dalgona Latte," which can be confusing as it's different from the viral whipped "Dalgona Coffee." The name refers to the Korean honeycomb toffee candy called Dalgona, which is the key flavoring component. The name "Seafoam Toffee" is another term for this type of crunchy, aerated candy.
Original name
Iced Honeycomb Latte
Alternative names
  • Iced Dalgona Latte
  • Iced Seafoam Toffee Latte

Characteristics overview

This drink offers a delightful contrast of textures with its creamy body and crunchy candy pieces. The flavor profile is dominated by sweet caramel and rich coffee, with a pleasant bitterness to balance the taste.
Flavor
Coffee, Caramel, Toffee, Sweet, Rich, Nutty, Burnt Sugar
Aroma
Roasted Coffee, Caramel, Sweet
Taste balance
Sweet, Bitter
Aftertaste
Sweet, Lingering caramel, Coffee
Fizziness
None
Color appearance
Layered, Opaque, Swirled light and dark brown
Texture
Creamy, Smooth, Crunchy
Seasonality
Refreshing, All-season, Summery

Flavor intensity & Experience

The flavor is intensely sweet and creamy, balanced by a moderate bitterness from the espresso. There is no alcohol, spice, or fizziness, but a slight saltiness from the candy-making process enhances the caramel notes.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

You will need to make a simple honeycomb candy from sugar, corn syrup, and baking soda. The drink itself consists of a double shot of espresso, your choice of milk, and plenty of ice.
  • Granulated Sugar100 grams / 1/2 cup
    For the honeycomb candy.
  • Corn Syrup or Honey30 ml / 2 tablespoons
    Prevents crystallization in the candy.
  • Baking Soda1 teaspoon
    Creates the airy, honeycomb texture.
  • Espresso60 ml / 2 oz
    A double shot, freshly brewed. Can be substituted with 90 ml / 3 oz of strong-brewed coffee.
  • Milk180 ml / 6 oz
    Whole milk works best for creaminess, but oat or almond milk are great dairy-free alternatives.
  • Ice CubesEnough to fill the glass
    Large, clear cubes are ideal.

Ice type

  • Cubed

Mixing equipments

The primary equipment needed is a small saucepan and a lined baking sheet for the candy-making process. You will also need your preferred coffee-making device to brew the espresso or strong coffee.
  • Small Saucepan: For making the honeycomb candy.
  • Baking Sheet with Parchment Paper: For cooling the candy.
  • Espresso Machine or Coffee Brewer: To make the coffee base.

Instructions

The process involves first making and cooling a simple honeycomb candy. Then, you assemble the drink by layering ice, milk, and espresso in a tall glass, finishing with crushed candy pieces as a sweetener and garnish.
1. Prepare the honeycomb: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a small saucepan, combine sugar, corn syrup, and 2 tablespoons of water. Heat over medium heat, stirring until sugar dissolves, then stop stirring and let it bubble until it reaches an amber color (around 150°C / 300°F).
2. Immediately remove the saucepan from heat, quickly whisk in the baking soda. The mixture will foam up vigorously. Pour it onto the prepared baking sheet and let it cool completely for about 10-15 minutes until hard.
3. Once cooled, break the honeycomb candy into small, bite-sized pieces. You can use your hands or the back of a spoon.
4. Brew a double shot of espresso (or strong coffee) and set aside.
5. Assemble the drink: Fill a tall glass with ice cubes. Drop a few pieces of the honeycomb candy into the glass.
6. Pour the cold milk over the ice.
7. Slowly pour the freshly brewed espresso over the milk to create a layered effect.
8. Garnish generously with more crushed honeycomb pieces on top. Serve immediately and stir before drinking.

Garnishing

The main garnish is the crushed honeycomb candy itself, which provides flavor, crunch, and a beautiful golden-brown topping. No other garnish is necessary.
  • Crushed Honeycomb Candy: Sprinkle a generous amount over the top of the drink for texture and visual appeal.

Dietary Information

This drink contains caffeine and is typically made with dairy and potentially soy-based milk, but can be made vegan and dairy-free by using plant-based milk. It is naturally free from alcohol, eggs, nuts, and gluten.
✕ Contains alcohol
✕ Caffeine-free
✕ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✕ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✕ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

This is a high-calorie and high-sugar beverage due to the honeycomb candy. The exact values depend on the amount of candy used and the type of milk.
Calories
Averagely 280-350 kcal / 1170-1465 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Averagely 40-50 grams
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Averagely 35-45 grams
Sugar level

Occasions

This drink is perfect as a special afternoon treat or a refreshing beverage on a warm day. It's an excellent choice for a weekend coffee break when you have a little extra time to prepare the honeycomb candy.
  • Afternoon treat
  • Summer refreshment
  • Coffee break pick-me-up
  • Weekend brunch

Pairing suggestions

This sweet and rich latte pairs well with simple, buttery pastries that won't compete with its strong caramel flavor. Plain croissants, shortbread, or biscotti are excellent choices to enjoy alongside it, providing a pleasant textural contrast.
  • Plain Croissant
  • Shortbread Cookies
  • Biscotti
  • Madeleines

The Crunchy Delight: An Iced Honeycomb Latte Experience

The Iced Honeycomb Latte is a visually appealing and delicious modern coffee creation that stands out from typical iced lattes. Its unique character comes from the homemade honeycomb candy, which infuses the drink with a deep caramel sweetness and an enjoyable crunchy texture. While it requires a bit more effort than a standard syrup-based drink, the result is a rewarding and impressive beverage perfect for a special treat. It's an alcohol-free delight that brings the craft cafe experience into your home.

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