If you love the combination of sweet, salty, and rich coffee, a salted maple iced shaken espresso might just be your next favorite drink. It’s smooth, bold, and perfectly balanced, with the sweetness of maple syrup elevated by a touch of salt.

This drink is the perfect pick-me-up, combining a café-quality espresso experience with maple syrup’s cozy, earthy flavor.

And the best part? You don’t need to head to a coffee shop to enjoy it. Here’s how to make a salted maple iced shaken espresso at home!

What is Salted Maple Syrup?

Salted maple syrup is just maple syrup and salt!

Salted maple syrup is a magical combination where the salt tones down the sweetness and enhances the maple’s natural depth, creating a balanced, sweet, and savory flavor.

While you can buy salted maple syrup, it’s super easy to make at home and only takes two ingredients—pure maple syrup and flaky sea salt. The result is a versatile syrup that can be drizzled on pancakes, mixed into coffee, or used in desserts.

What Does Salted Maple Syrup Taste Like?

Salted maple syrup is sweet and earthy with a savory edge.

The salt brings out the rich, caramel-like notes in the maple syrup, creating a deeper and more complex flavor. It’s like eating kettle corn but in liquid form—sweet, salty, and incredibly addictive.

The savory-sweet balance makes it perfect for drinks like a shaken espresso or even for savory dishes like roasted veggies.

Adding Salt to Sweet

Adding salt to something sweet isn’t just a flavor trend—it’s science! Salt interacts with your taste buds to amplify sweetness while masking any bitterness. This is why salted caramel and salted maple syrup are so irresistible.

Food Science Break: Salt binds to the sweet receptors on your tongue, making sweet flavors pop while toning down any bitterness. This trick, called cross-modal perception, is why adding a pinch of salt to desserts or sweet drinks is so genius. When you mix a little salt into maple syrup, not only does it balance the sweetness, but it also transforms it into something deeper and more delicious.

The salt cuts through the sugar, making desserts and drinks feel less cloying and more balanced. That pinch of salt can transform a simple syrup into something extraordinary.

What’s the Difference Between Shaken Espresso and Iced Espresso?

The difference is in the texture and preparation.

Iced espresso is simply espresso poured over ice, giving you a straightforward, intense coffee flavor. If you ask for an iced espresso at a cafe, you’ll get an espresso over ice in a small glass cup paired with either a side of distilled or sparkling water.

Shaken espresso, on the other hand, is made by shaking espresso, ice, and sweetener (like salted maple syrup) together. The vigorous shaking creates a frothy, slightly aerated texture that’s smoother and more indulgent. Think of it as a mini coffee cocktail.

You can add milk to both to make an espresso-based drink, like an iced latte.

What Does a Salted Maple Iced Shaken Espresso Taste Like?

It tastes like fall in a cup. The salted maple syrup adds a cozy sweetness with hints of caramel and earthiness, while the espresso gives it a bold, rich kick.

The frothy texture from shaking makes it feel extra indulgent, and the salt elevates every sip, making it feel balanced and refined. Imagine your favorite maple latte, but lighter, smoother, and more fun!

Is Maple Syrup Good in Espresso?

Yes, yes, and yes! Maple syrup is one of the best natural sweeteners for espresso. Its earthy, caramelized flavor complements the espresso’s boldness without overpowering it.

Unlike granulated sugar, maple syrup dissolves easily into both hot and cold drinks, making it perfect for lattes, cold brews, and, of course, shaken espresso.

How to Make Salted Maple Syrup

Making salted maple syrup is quick and easy.

Simply combine ½ cup of pure maple syrup with ¼ teaspoon of flaky sea salt. Stir until the salt dissolves, and taste to adjust the salt level to your liking. If you prefer a stronger salted flavor, add another pinch. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge, and it will last for weeks!

If you don’t want to make a large amount of salted maple syrup, you can also add the salt and maple syrup into a cup to use immediately. That way, you can save your maple syrup in case you need it for something else.

How to Make a Salted Maple Iced Shaken Espresso

Here’s what you’ll need to make a salted maple iced shaken espresso:

• Maple syrup
• Salt
• Espresso
• Ice
• Milk

Salted Maple Iced Shaken Espresso Recipe

1. Brew espresso. Brew your espresso or strong coffee and let it cool slightly.
2. Shake espresso. Add ice, espresso, and salted maple syrup to a shaker or mason jar. Shake vigorously for 15–20 seconds until frothy.
3. Assemble drink. Pour into a glass filled with ice. Top with your choice of milk and stir.
4. Mix and enjoy!

Other Ways to Use Salted Maple Syrup

Salted maple syrup isn’t just for coffee.

It’s great in a salted maple matcha latte or other drinks. Drizzle it over pancakes, waffles, or French toast for a breakfast upgrade. Use it as a glaze for roasted carrots or sweet potatoes. Add it to oatmeal, yogurt, or smoothies for a touch of sweetness.

You can even use it in cocktails—try it in an Old Fashioned or whiskey sour for a unique twist. Its versatility makes it a must-have in your kitchen!

Tips

Here are some tips for making a delicious salted maple iced shaken espresso!

• Use freshly brewed espresso: For the boldest flavor, make your espresso fresh. Strong cold brew concentrate or strony brewed coffee works as a substitute if you don’t have an espresso machine.
• Choose quality maple syrup: Pure maple syrup (Grade A or B) provides the best flavor. Avoid pancake syrups or artificial varieties.
• Balance the salt: Start with a small pinch of flaky sea salt and adjust to taste. Too much salt can overpower the sweetness.
• Shake well: Shaking aerates the espresso, giving it a frothy, creamy texture. Use a cocktail shaker or a mason jar with a tight lid.
• Experiment with milk: Whole milk, oat milk, almond milk, or any creamy alternative works great. Choose one that complements maple’s natural sweetness.
• Use plenty of ice: Fill your shaker with ice to properly chill the espresso and achieve the classic iced coffee texture.
• Drizzle extra maple syrup: Add a drizzle of maple syrup to your glass for a little extra sweetness and flair.