As self-proclaimed iced vanilla latte connoisseurs, we’ve taken our mission very seriously: to uncover the best iced vanilla latte in the region. Our journey has led us to all corners of the peninsula—north, south, east, and west—each stop driven by our dedication to finding the perfect blend of espresso, milk, and vanilla. Some weeks, we found ourselves returning to our favorite local spots for another round of taste testing. Other times, we ventured out on longer drives, guided by recommendations, reviews, or just pure curiosity. What started as a fun idea turned into a full-on project, complete with taste notes, ratings, and lots of laughs along the way. Over the course of the school year, we’ve carefully documented each latte we tried, building a comprehensive list of our findings in hopes of finally pinpointing the ones that stand out the most. This was more than just a caffeine-fueled adventure—it was a flavorful exploration of what makes the perfect iced vanilla latte, at least according to us.
Our vast journey to find the best latte started long before we even realized it. As longtime vanilla latte lovers, it has always been our go-to order, whether we’re stopping by a cafe or grabbing a quick pick-me-up. With countless vanilla latte tastings under our belts, we felt more than qualified to take on the challenge of finding the best one out there.
This official journey, though, truly began at The Daily—a small yet stylish restaurant tucked away on Upper King Street. Popular with both tourists and locals in Charleston, The Daily served us a vanilla iced
latte so delicious, it practically demanded we take our coffee-tasting efforts more seriously. That moment in 2024 was the turning point. After sipping what felt like a delicacy, we knew we couldn’t stop there. We needed to try more (many more) and compare them all to uncover the ultimate winner. In light of this, we will start with The Daily.
The Daily:
Vanilla: 8
Sweetness: 9
Color: 5
Presentation: 6
Espresso: 7
Value: 6
(CHUNKS: 10?)
The Daily is a staple ice
d vanilla latte. This is a cult classic that we frequent due to its delicious taste and also its proximity to Sousa’s house. This coffee brings excellent flavors to the table, especially when an order of salmon toast and a breakfast burrito are also on said table (Sousa and Elizabeth’s orders). We think it has the perfect balance of sweetness to coffee flavor without being too sugary. The drink comes in either a glass or a plastic cup, depending on if you order food to eat there or to take to go. Regardless, it always comes with a straw. Which is incredible. Straws get lots of points from us. The color can be hit or miss. Another aspect worth mentioning that might sound appalling at first is the chunks. One sunny Saturday morning, Sousa noticed white chunks clinging to to the inside of her glass. Initially thinking the milk in the latte was spoiled, she asked the barista about the chunks. The barista replied that this is normal, as the whole milk that they use was organic or something, but not spoiled. Despite the chunks, it is a lovely latte. Another point to be considered, though, is that the price of this drink is definitely steep for the amount of coffee that you get. Overall, this coffee received a solid 6.8/10 average (chunks score not included).
Huriyali:
Vanilla: 10
Sweetness: 7
Color: 8.5
Presentation: 9
Espresso: 9
Value: 7
Huriyali’s iced vanilla latte is another classic. Not only does it have delicious flavors, but it is also extremely pleasant-looking. It is also close to Sousa’s house. The only reason it lost one point for presentation is the fact that it comes in a plastic cup regardless of if you order to dine in or take your food to go. However, the plastic cup in question is decorated with Huriyali’s logo of a cute little bird, and always has an eco-friendly straw. The color is also a nice light brown shade and does not look like dirty swamp water. On top of all of these nice qualities, the latte always comes in a 16-oz cup. This is especially appreciated since The Daily offers a 12-oz cup for about the same price. Overall, this coffee receives an 8.4. Remarkable!
Lillian’s:
Vanilla: 7
Sweetness: 6
Color: 9
Presentation: 5
Espresso: 8
Value: 8
Lillian’s iced vanilla latte is yet another strong contender—and conveniently, also near Sousa’s house. The flavor is solid, with a nice espresso punch that balances well with the vanilla. The sweetness, however, felt a bit underwhelming, like it was holding back for no good reason. Color-wise, it nailed that dreamy, light caramel hue that says, “I am not swamp water.” Huge win. Now, here’s where it gets a little wild. We dined in, yet our drinks arrived in plastic cups. Yes, plastic. Even though we were literally sitting at a table like civilized people. Glass cups aren’t that much work, and honestly, it would’ve made the whole thing feel more special. That said, the cup didn’t have any branding flair to distract us—it was just…plastic. A bit of a letdown in the presentation department. That being said, the value is fair, and the coffee-to-milk ratio was actually pretty ideal. Altogether, this latte earns a respectable 7.16. Solid, but bring on the glassware next time, please.
Starbucks:
Vanilla: 6
Sweetness: 8
Color: 9
Presentation: 6
Espresso: 7
Value: 7
Probably these authors’ most frequented drink on this list, the Starbucks Iced Vanilla Latte is a cult classic. There’s no one more consistent than this chain’s portrayal of a daily pick me up. When it comes to quality, the vanilla is slightly artificial, which is to be expected as it is a Starbucks drink. Additionally, the presentation is nothing special as the Starbucks logo and classic sippy cups are so common, they are hardly noticeable anymore. The color is near perfect and doesn’t usually vary and the Starbucks roast that is used is delicious, but not of the highest quality. Overall this iced vanilla latte gets a 7.2.
Orange Spot:
Vanilla: 6
Sweetness: 5
Color: 8
Presentation: 8
Espresso: 7
Value: 8
Up there with Starbucks, these authors frequent Orange Spot and order an iced vanilla latte every Friday morning. However, both of them have different experiences since one orders one with whole milk and the other chooses some freaky random milk and it turns out different every time. Elizabeth’s whole milk latte is delicious, however she states that it is an acquired taste, and the more you drink it the better it gets. The sweetness varies depending on the barista that morning, so it gets a 5 for inconsistency. The espresso is one of the redeeming qualities of an Orange Spot IVL and another fun aspect is how often the straws switch from week to week. Overall, for its proximity to school Orange Spot IVL is a great choice andit gets a 7.16.
Ruby’:
Vanilla: 6
Sweetness: 9
Color: 9
Presentation: 6
Espresso: 7
Value: 7
Ruby’s iced vanilla latte is delicious—like, genuinely so good it makes you forget you’re drinking something out of a sad little plastic cup. The sweetness is spot on, just the right amount to make your brain light up, and the color is that perfect milky tan that looks as smooth as it tastes. The vanilla doesn’t exactly surprise you; it’s a little weak, honestly, but the overall flavor is so tasty it barely matters. Also, this latte pairs beautifully with a bagel, which elevates the whole experience. Still, the presentation doesn’t do it any favors. The plastic cup is unimpressive and forgettable, which is unfortunate because the drink itself is anything but. For a place that clearly knows what it’s doing taste-wise, they could definitely step up their cup game. With that said, Ruby’s earns a well-deserved 7.33. Tasty, cozy, and reliable. Just needs a glow up in the glassware department.
Beech:
Vanilla: 5
Sweetness: 6
Color: 6
Presentation: 9
Espresso: 6
Value: 8
Beech, although not known for their coffee, does have a standout latte. It is not the first place we think of to go and get a latte, butif you are craving a poké bowl or an aćai bowl, it is a great beverage to drink on the side. Or if you go to the aquarium on a Marine Science field trip, which is where we first tried this latte. The overall taste of the latte is delicious, the vanilla and espresso don’t particularly stand out since Beech is not a coffee place, but it is not bad at all. The cost is around $5, so it gets a value ranking at 8. The presentation got an 8 due to the straw. I love the straw. Overall this drink gets a 6.7.
After months of sipping, scoring, and savoring, our quest for the best iced vanilla latte has come to a close. From the familiar comfort of Starbucks to hidden gems like Huriyali—our highest-rated pick—each stop offered something unique. In the end, it was about more than coffee: it was connection, curiosity, and caffeine-fueled joy.
