French vanilla coffee is a stunning dessert-like drink that is adored both hot and iced.
Here, we'll break down what French vanilla truly is, where the unique flavor comes from, and how you can recreate it as a home barista.
What Is French Vanilla Coffee?
French vanilla coffee is a simple beverage that combines your usual coffee with French vanilla flavoring.
French vanilla is different from regular vanilla in that it’s richer and creamier and almost has a “caramelized” flavor.
Where Do You Find French Vanilla Coffee?
French vanilla is among the most popular coffee flavorings, as it enhances the richness and smoothness of a good cup of coffee.
You can make French vanilla coffee in a few ways:
Coffee syrup, such as those found in a cafe.
Ground coffee or coffee beans that are pre-flavored.
Coffee creamer
All of these come in French vanilla and can be added to everything from espresso, lattes, and coffee shop drinks to drip, cold brew, and instant coffee.
A Quick History of French Vanilla
French vanilla is different from vanilla. That might sound a bit odd, but it's about the history of how French vanilla came to be.
French vanilla was initially an ice cream flavoring. When French cooks first created ice cream, they started with something they were familiar with (custard) and froze it in a particular way. The first ice cream recipes were made from a traditional French custard that included egg yolks and vanilla. This made for an exceptionally smooth and creamy ice cream.
Later on, plain vanilla ice cream (also called Philadelphia-style) was created and didn't use egg yolks in the recipe. This difference sets the two apart and defines French vanilla as being a little richer, smoother, and creamier than regular vanilla.
How to Make French Vanilla Coffee at Home
In our modern world of syrups, extracts, and delectable flavorings, it’s perfectly straightforward to make French vanilla coffee at home. Here are a few great recipes and hot tips to make your brew the best it can be.
French Vanilla Coffee: Hot Version
Since the origin of French vanilla is in the world of French custard, a hot, smooth coffee may be the best place to have it.
- Brew Coffee — Every great coffee recipe starts with a decadent brew. Prepare a cup of black coffee, or pull a few shots of espresso if you’re aiming for a latte-style drink.
- Prepare the Milk — If you’re making an americano or standard cup of coffee, heat your milk for a more luxurious experience. If you’re making a latte, the milk will need to be steamed to perfection for the smooth mouthfeel French vanilla can have.
- Add French Vanilla Flavorings — Add 1–2 pumps of French vanilla syrup, or to taste. Do this while the coffee is hot so that everything blends well.
- Finish — Finally, add the milk to the coffee. Simply add it in and give it a quick stir. For a latte, prepare the steamed milk and pour on top.
French Vanilla Coffee: Iced Version
An iced French vanilla coffee is a deliciously creamy and smooth way to cool down on a summer day.
- Start With the Coffee — For an iced coffee, you can either use cold brew or chill hot-brewed coffee. It’s typically best to pull an espresso shot and chill it, since espresso has a strong, robust flavor. To get that same strength with cold brew, use concentrate.
- Add French Vanilla Syrup — Since the coffee is cold, the sugar won't dissolve into it easily. Instead, add 1–2 pumps of French vanilla syrup and mix thoroughly to distribute the flavor.
- Pour Over Ice — Pour the coffee-syrup mixture over fresh ice so that it will be as cold as possible when you drink it. To make things easier for yourself when adding milk in the next step, pour the mixture directly into the serving glass with ice.
- Add Milk — Add whatever milk you prefer to taste. Then, mix thoroughly to distribute the flavors once again.
- Finish with Toppings — While optional, this step can be fun! Try finishing the drink with some cold foam, whipped cream, or a pretty, edible garnish.
Pro Tips for the Best French Vanilla Coffee
To make sure that your French vanilla coffee lives up to its potential, there are a few things to bear in mind.
- French Vanilla Creamer — To make your regular cup of coffee more luxurious, using French vanilla creamer is a simple shortcut. You could do the same by adding regular creamer and a touch of French vanilla syrup.
- A Speedy Version — To make a super-quick French vanilla coffee, you could dissolve instant coffee with a little vanilla extract, and then add hot milk. This would make a delightfully creamy and flavorsome beverage.
- Coffee Pods — Nowadays, many coffee pods are available pre-flavored. If you’re looking for a super-convenient option, they can be affordable and tasty.
- Pre-flavored Grounds — French vanilla-infused coffee is also available, and can make for a luxurious drink without changing your brewing style. You could even add grounds to a reusable coffee pod for maximum convenience.
Variations of French Vanilla Iced Coffee
When you’re looking for a delicious French vanilla fix, there are lots of ways to make it your own! Here are some of our favorites.
- Classic Iced French Vanilla Coffee — For a classic flavor, mix approximately ½ cup (100 mL) of concentrated cold brew coffee with 1–2 pumps of French vanilla syrup. Then, pour over ice and add ½ to 1 cup (100-200 mL) of milk, depending on your desired strength.
- French Vanilla Iced Latte — An iced latte started with a double espresso pulled directly onto ice, and rapidly swirled to cool. Add 1–2 pumps of French vanilla syrup, mix, and pour over fresh ice. Finish with cold milk until your glass is full.
- Blended French Vanilla Frappe — A frappe is a luxurious, summertime blended drink! Add ½ cup (100 mL) each of cold brew coffee and milk, along with plenty of ice and two pumps of syrup, to a blender. Blend until smooth, but be careful not to melt the ice. Enjoy right away.
- French Vanilla Cold Foam Coffee — Add one pump of syrup and a tablespoon of sugar to ¼ cup (50 mL) of milk. To make cold foam, use an electric frother to whip the milk and flavoring together until foam forms. Top a glass of cold brew with as much of the tasty foam as you’d like for a subtly luxurious drink.
- Whipped French Vanilla Iced Latte — To a serving glass, add 1 tbsp each of instant coffee, sugar, cold water, and French vanilla syrup. Whip these ingredients together with an electric whisk until a light foam forms. Add ice and milk, then stir to distribute the flavors evenly.
☕️✨ Love French vanilla but want a twist? Try swapping in a different milk — soy for creamy nuttiness or coconut for something bold. You can also mix syrups: pair French vanilla with salted caramel for extra richness, or contrast it with cherry for a fruity kick.
Choosing the Best Coffee for French Vanilla Flavor
Start with quality beans, not instant. Choose a medium to dark roast for rich, balanced flavor that complements vanilla’s sweetness.
Go with arabica beans — smooth, slightly sweet, and ideal for creamy drinks. Darker roasts are typically preferred for this drink but if you prefer a lighter roast, look for one with less fruity and citrussy notes that detract from the richness of the vanilla.
Finally, avoid fruity or bitter blends, since they can overpower the delicate vanilla notes.
Some Simple Options
The main thing to take away from this article is that it’s quite hard to do French vanilla coffee “wrong.”
Espresso, cold brew, or drip coffee all work well as bases, since coffee and vanilla pair up well. If you enjoy a French vanilla coffee from a cafe, consider making one at home.
And if you can’t find French vanilla, regular vanilla creamer, syrup, or flavored coffee beans are still delicious!
FAQs: What Is French Vanilla Coffee?
Now that we’ve discussed French vanilla coffee, let’s discuss a couple of FAQs.
1. How Much Sugar is in French Vanilla?
Brands vary, but it's usually 5–16 g of sugar per serving. For specific information, check the label. Don't forget, there are reduced-sugar and sugar-free options.
2. Which Coffee is the Most Bitter?
Dark roast coffee is the most bitter roast, and blends featuring robusta beans tend to have the most bitterness.
3. Does Vanilla Have High Sugar?
Pure vanilla extract has very little sugar, since it’s usually added to sweet baked goods. Syrups and creamers, however, often contain added sugars and sweeteners.
4. Which Instant Cappuccino Is Best?
The best brands are ones that use real espresso and as few artificial ingredients as possible. Cafely’s instant coffee pouches are very good.
5. Which Type of Coffee is the Tastiest?
Everyone has their own preference for the tastiest coffee. However, flavored options like French vanilla are very popular for their smoothness and sweetness.
6. Which Coffee Has the Most Caffeine?
In terms of brewed coffee, espresso and cold brew concentrate have the most caffeine per ounce.
7. Which Coffee Creamer is the Best?
Coffee creamers that use natural flavors and little sugar are very popular. At the moment, oat-based creamers are rising in popularity, as are coconut ones.
8. What is the Best Coffee Creamer for Diabetics?
Almond or coconut creamers are among the best choices for individuals with diabetes, particularly those that are unsweetened and low-carb.
9. Is Vanilla Good or Bad for You?
Vanilla extract is perfectly safe and healthy in moderation, and even contains some antioxidants! However, be wary of added sugar in syrups and creamers.
10. What Is the Weakest Type of Coffee?
Lattes are among the weakest types of coffee — they have a high milk-to-coffee ratio, resulting in a smooth and mellow flavor.
