The Florida-Based Coffee Chain Whose Iced Vanilla Latte Outshines Starbucks, Dunkin, And 7 Brew

Finding the perfect iced vanilla latte is tricky. Some coffee shops use too much or too little syrup, add too much milk, or simply make a straight-up watery cup of joe. But when done just right, iced vanilla lattes are some of the best and most popular coffee shop drinks. And rightly so: They're refreshing, light, creamy, and perfectly sweet. Some even taste as if they came from a fancy restaurant, not a chain.

We know that because we tried and ranked iced vanilla lattes from 10 coffee chains. One of our favorites, which we ranked in second place and above those from Starbucks, Dunkin, and 7 Brew, came from Foxtail Coffee Co. — a Florida-born chain that's expanded to Georgia, Virginia, North Carolina, and more. The shop sells all sorts of coffee classics, but we especially loved its iced vanilla latte. It has the perfect amount of ice, and the vanilla and milk blend well together. The beans are also roasted in-house, giving the latte a fresh, nutty, rich flavor. 

In fact, the only reason it didn't get first place was that it's a little pricey compared to the other options. However, the price point seems to reflect the latte's quality and flavor. Price may vary by location, but a regular-sized iced vanilla latte with whole milk and three pumps of syrup is around $8. Additions such as alternative milk and cold foam will increase the price, too.

Foxtail customers agree with our taster's assessment. In fact, many customize their iced vanilla lattes to make them even tastier. "10/10drink order @foxtailcoffeeco is an iced honey vanilla latte...you won't regret it," one Facebook reviewer said. Another user posted on Facebook that the shop's vanilla latte is "top-tier," and another commented that their go-to order at Foxtail Coffee is an iced oat milk latte with sugar-free vanilla syrup, honey, and cinnamon.

Several latte lovers think Foxtail is even better than Starbucks and Dutch Bros. Still, some people have overarching qualms about the chain's quality, too. One customer on Reddit reported the espresso is sometimes bitter, while another person in the same thread alleged that the chain's milk-to-coffee ratio and brewing methods may be inconsistent. Ultimately, when you order your vanilla latte, simply choose the milk, syrup, and espresso ratios you like most. If in doubt, you can always make your own java at home. Use one of these 10 unique ingredients to elevate homemade lattes, like maple syrup or sea salt.