Vegan Salted Maple Cold Foam Recipe (Iced Latte)

by Olivia Biermann on May 1, 2020 (updated Aug 31, 2024)

This one’s a true coffee lover’s dream! A beautiful, creamy layer of cold maple foam with a hint of sea salt, sitting tall on a glass of iced coffee. It’s the kind of drink that kicks your day off in the best way possible. Which is probably why I try to have one just about every day!

maple cold foam being topped on a tall glass jar of iced coffee from the side.

I made this on a whim one afternoon when I didn’t feel like spending $7 on a café drink but wanted something that felt fun. You know what I mean? Something iced, cozy-flavoured, and creamy on top. That first version… was fine. But like most of the drinks I fall in love with, it didn’t really come together until I made it about eight more times. And now I’m finally bringing it to you!

It’s subtly sweet, super smooth, and has that foamy maple topping that floats over iced coffee like a little soft cloud. I tested this using a few different non-dairy milks, sweetener ratios, and frothing methods. This version is the one that kept making me go, “okay wait, this is the one.”

The essentials I wouldn’t dare to live without

I personally think everyone should have each and every one of these at home, if you can! A recipe like this just hits so much better based on our expertise!

A cold foam machine (a handheld frother worked, but this one levelled it up).
Barista-style oat milk for thickness
A real, high grade maple syrup to keep it lush and fragrant. I’m Canadian, trust me on this.

Is salt in my coffee really necessary?

There was something unexpectedly divine about the maple and salt together. The salt doesn’t stand out on its own, necessarily. it just sharpens everything else. It brings out the warm vanilla notes, and makes the coffee feel deeper. We played with the amount a few times, and even a tiny pinch made a difference. It also sounds like it tastes extra good… you know it’s true!

And if you want to take it one step further? A few flakes of coarse sea salt on top to:

Add the tiniest bit of texture to the first few sips
Melt down slowly into the foam
Make the maple pop even more. Everyone loves a salt and sweet combo!

It’s the kind of thing that seems extra, but once we tried it, we never skipped it again.

Tastes like fall, even when it’s iced

Even though it’s a cold drink, it has this cozy, fall energy. Like, drink-it-on-the-couch-with-a-book energy. We’ve tried it summer, winter and fall and end up finishing the whole glass before we even realise. That soft maple, the creamy texture, and the way it all melts into the coffee? It just works year round, but something about the flavours, like this copycat Starbucks version of pumpkin cream cold brew just scream FALL. And you know we all live for fall coffee drinks!

Best served:

for your 3 P.M. coffee moment.
first thing in the morning before you open your eyes but after you reluctantly roll out of bed.
for a crowd! Everyone loves a little extras splash of effort in their morning coffees. And I say effort loosely… 5 minutes is all you really need!

A little maple, big mood shift

We found ourselves making this more for the moment, more than even the caffeine. That few minutes of watching the foam come together, hearing the ice settle in the glass, and pouring the cold brew just right. It turned into a small ritual that made the afternoon feel slower, and a bit more intentional. Not every drink hits like that, but this one does!

This is your hint to not miss out on the maple syrup! It gave it such a rounded sweetness. Not sharp or sugary, just warm and buttery. Kind of nostalgic, if you have any Canadian in your veins like we do.

So if you’re in the mood to turn this into more of a moment, try serving it with our Chewy Vegan Rice Krispie Treats on the side. Soft, gooey, sweet — it’s the perfect pairing.