Iced Lattes

Not quite the same, but I would often purchase cold espresso or "cafe freddo" last summer. You could probably ask for a latte freddo and see what they say.

Remember that "latte" in Italian means "milk." So if you ask for a "latte freddo" you're asking for cold milk.

For you other coffee lovers wondering about this, thought I'd let you know that Rick Steves' Italy 2011 book walks you through the various types of coffees available in Italy, including iced! See pages 32 - 33. As noted here, iced latte means cold milk! He does mentioned they have Cappuccino Freddo (Iced Cappuccino). They do have lattes but you have to say "caffe latte"...not just "latte". I would think you could ask for a "caffe latte freddo" to get that iced. Wondering if "iced" means you get a couple of cubes...why is it that ice is so rare in Italy?

Ice is so rare there in part because electricity is so expensive. It's the same reason you don't find clothes dryers.

One of the great things about travel is it forces you out of your habits. I came home with a different appreciation for coffee.

A liking for lots of ice seems to be a particularly American taste. I grew up in England, where ice is also "rare" and I'm always asking US restaurants to cut back on the ice they give me. You don't need that much to make a drink cold, and it takes up too much room that could otherwise be occupied by the liquid. And when it melts it dilutes the drink.

Cappuccino freddo, shakerato, etc are on most cafe menus. I had a cappuccino freddo and while it was cold, it was not served over ice. there's also granita di caffe, or coffee slush. You shouldn't have a problem finding cold coffee drinks, though it may be different from what you're used to. Also if you're used to drinking 20 ounces, that's going to be the biggest change to get used to LOL

"One of the great things about travel is it forces you out of your habits." Yes! Exactly. Thank you, Richard, for saying what I want to say so often on this board. The 3 words of advice I so often tell people who are traveling for the first time are: Try. Something. Different. Remember, you can always go back to your routine when you get home.

Debra - you read my mind! lol. Thank you for the information on what is available. Your reply was very helpful. Heard the cappuccinos are wonderful & that granita di caffe sounds interesting too. Kathy, just as you want American restaurants who "dilute" your drinks to accomodate your England inspired liking for less ice, I simply would like to have my iced lattes with ice, even in Italy. Neither preference is wrong, or bad, it is just a matter of taste. And for the record, not all Americans are the ice lovers. My husband prefers little to no ice in his drinks. Bob, this isn't my first experience with international travel, just my 1st time to Italy. I always fully enjoy experiencing other cultures and often have gone without my beloved iced lattes when traveling. However, if I can get them, I do. Don't hate me because I'm an iced latte lover!!

TJ, I am an iced coffee fan too. when it's hot, I find little else that's as refreshing. I think you will be fine and will find something that is close enough to your taste, but still authentically italian, to tide you over. Cappuccino freddo is probably the closest you will find to an American latte, but it will be 6-8 ounces at most, or about 1/3 of what you are used to. And like I said while it probably will not come with ice cubes, in my experience it is always cold enough (in other words it's not a shot of hot espresso with cold milk, ending up with this awful room temperature thing). Italians do not linger over coffee, so they wouldn't need to add ice to a cold drink to keep it cold over a long period of sipping. It's gulp and go! You never know, you might experience Italian coffee culture and love it. I used to drink weaker American coffee with lots of sugar and milk. After a couple trips to Italy I bought a moka pot and cant deal with anything less than espresso strength and less milk and sugar. If you're used to 20 ounces of American-strength coffee (way way more caffeine than espresso because of the roast and brewing process) every morning especially if it's strong from a place like starbucks, your bigger problem might be caffeine withdrawal than anything ;)

Debra - Glad to hear there are others like me out there! I think I will be suffering from caffiene withdrawals! I usually have a cup of regular coffee in the mornings while I get ready and then I take an iced latte to go. I have an espresso machine so I make my own to help offset the expense of my "habit". I'm sure I'll make do or go broke buying coffees! LOL

Try an espresso ordered at the counter/bar. Really affordable and pretty addictive.

Hi TJ, with regards to Diet Coke, we didn't have any problem getting diet coke in Italy. It's called Coca Cola Light there and it was readily available everywhere that we ordered it.

One of my favorite things to drink last summer was a "shakerato", or a "cafe freddo". (Cafe being espresso, so a cold espresso). In one location in Arezzo they would shake it with ice (like a martini or such) and then serve it in a cone of ice. While it did not have milk, it was quite refreshing, and usually a little sweet.

Gulp!! I've been drinking tap water in Italy off and on for more than fifty years. You mean I'm gonna die soon?

thanks for the tips. Glad to see I'm not the only latte lover out there!

Last time I was in Italy, about 10 years ago, tap water was not safe to drink. We carried bottled water with us. How abot ice? Is it safe?

Where were you John? I have never heard of a tap water warning for Italy. We drank our first glass in 92 and the last in 08 with a whole bunch in between and never a problem.

In 1972 (oh my, how long ago was that?) I had no problem with tap water in Milano or Ventimiglia. I was far too poor to afford fancy bottled water. I'm still here...

We were in Positano for a week and traveled to a few of the islands and towns. That was in 98.