If you’re like me, chances are that the first thing you do when you wake up in the morning makes yourself a nice cup of coffee.
It’s your way of starting off your day and getting energized for whatever lies ahead. I have to admit, there’s something about starting the day off with a caffeine boost that just makes the rest of the day A-OK.
Especially on a sunny summer morning. Give me that sweet, sweet Starbucks Iced Caramel Macchiato in the sunshine and I am a happy human.
But, be honest with yourself, who has time to go out every day to endure the early Starbucks throng of like-minded people all looking for that caffeine, caramel, icy boost?
You need a coffee to bear to stand in the queue for coffee! That’s why this blog post is devoted to teaching you how to make an iced caramel macchiato at home.
Starbucks has perfected a great deal of caffeine flavored recipes and the iconic logo is a symbol of great things to come to a good many people.
However, having to slog down there is a chore that may be a push too far, especially on a lovely morning when I would much rather spend my time sitting alone with my thoughts, wandering around the park, or similar.
This recipe for Starbucks Iced Caramel Macchiato is a definite must-try, if like me, you want all the Starbucks goodness without the Starbucks crowd!
The creamy, caramel sauce makes the iced caramel macchiato wonderfully sweet and rich, while the coffee gives a flavorsome, caffeine kick to get you up and going in that glorious sunshine.
What is a Caramel Macchiato?
The caramel macchiato has been a firm favorite on the Starbucks menu from everyone from me to Brittney Spears, and a whole host of celebrities and non-celebrities in between.
Its longstanding spot on the menu is a testament to the perfectly balanced flavors, completely palatable for all times of day,
The delicious, and delightful, Iced caramel macchiato is a yum-inducing coffee like no other and has a cold espresso coffee base, topped with milk, vanilla syrup, and drizzled with caramel sauce on top.
The cold espresso coffee is poured on top of the milk to create a layered effect, while the caramel sauce is layered on top. Add whipped cream to the concoction if you’re feeling particularly risqué!
What Are the Ingredients in a Caramel Macchiato?
Starbucks’ caramel macchiato is a perfect blend of the sweet, creamy taste and rich aroma that will make your head spin.
A delicious combination of cold milk, vanilla-flavored syrup marked with cold espresso coffee, topped off with a moreish, caramel drizzle, this drink is a sweet lover’s delight!
Do I Need An Espresso Machine?
No! Due to the wonders of instant espresso and the advances in that sector, you can get that perfect espresso creme without the hefty price tag and inconvenience of purchasing a full-blown espresso machine.
Before adding the espresso to your iced caramel macchiato (or any other drink), I would suggest doing a taste test on the instant espresso alone to get the taste just right.
This will ensure the best result for your at-home caramel macchiato!
You want to make your espresso with boiling water and leave it to cool for at least 12 minutes before you make your iced drink.
Where Can I Get Vanilla Syrup From?
Store-bought vanilla syrup, like THIS ONE from Monin, can be ordered online.
Otherwise, a quick recipe is:
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup of sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla essence
Bring both the water and the sugar to a boil in your saucepan of choice over medium-high heat. Cook for about 9 minutes at an energetic simmer.
Once removed from the heat, add in the vanilla essence and allow to cool to room temperature.
Store within a glass container or bottle for up to approximately 2 weeks.
Do I Need to Buy the Caramel Syrup from Starbucks?
It’s quicker to add the Starbucks Caramel to your at-home caramel macchiato.
You can purchase the exact Caramel Syrup here from Amazon and the bottle pump HERE.
However, should Starbucks not be at hand then it is quite easy to whip up some caramel syrup yourself.
This delicious recipe yields a caramel syrup that tastes just as buttery and creamy as the real deal. Starbucks caramel syrup actually tastes more like butterscotch than caramel in the strictest sense, so that is what we will aim for with this recipe.
Creating rich flavors and sweet syrups can be so easy. All you need is sugar, water, a stovetop or pan for boiling the ingredients together until they dissolve into desired consistency–and of course your favorite flavor choices! Making homemade caramel syrup takes patience but it’s worth it when combined with coffee to make Starbucks-style drinks at home.
You need:
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 cups water
- 1/2 teaspoon caramel essence
Bring the mix of liquids to a boil over medium-high heat.
Do not stir until all the sugar has dissolved on its own. If you do, you may find yourself with sugar crystals and that’s not what you need in delicious, gooey syrup.
Once the sugar has dissolved and the liquid is clear, feel free to stir away, especially as it starts to turn golden.
Turn the heat down the darker the liquid gets. As it starts to turn a golden amber you may notice little frothy bubbles forming.
This usually happens around 10 minutes in.
THIS is the time to keep both eyes firmly on the pot! Remove from the heat and keep stirring. If it goes dark brown it’ll have a slightly burnt flavor and ruin the taste.
As soon as the golden liquid is removed from the heat add a little water and a couple of drops of caramel essence to really give it that creamy, buttery Starbucks syrup taste.
Can I Get The Same Flavor With Plant-Based Milk?
Are you vegan?
Or lactose-intolerant?
Well, this is a handy hack just for you! At times, they are a-changing, and more people become conscious of both sustainability, optimum nutritional health, and the treatment of animals; more people are steering clear of dairy.
So even in the mothership that is Starbucks itself, the plant-based milk options are plentiful and readily available. So why not in your home too?
Both soy milk and almond milk are delicious when paired with the flavorings of an iced caramel macchiato. They both blend well and have the right consistency to carry the syrups.
They also can stand up to ice, as some plant-based milk, and some semi-skimmed or low-fat milk can become too watery when added to ice, to be truly satisfying.
I found vanilla-flavored almond milk particularly delicious in this recipe. However plain, unsweetened versions of either soy or almond milk will be a great substitute for dairy milk.
I would recommend steering clear of coconut milk unless you particularly enjoy the taste of coconuts. However, I found it overpowers the subtle vanilla flavors.
Iced Caramel Macchiato -The Recipe
Gather together the following ingredients.
- 1 tablespoon vanilla-flavored syrup
- 1/3 cup ice cubes
- 3/4 cup milk (dairy, almond, soy, or vanilla almond milk are recommended but whatever your favorite type of milk is)
- 4 ounces of cool espresso
- 1 tablespoon caramel sauce
- Whipped cream (if wanted)
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Once you have everything take your desired mug and build the drink directly in there.
Pour in the milk.
Add the vanilla syrup and give a good stir.
Add the desired amount of ice.
Slowly pour the cool espresso on top. This should float on top of the milk and ice. You can either leave it to enjoy in layers or give it a good stir.
Add whipped cream if you fancy and drizzle with caramel sauce.
Enjoy with a straw and a smile in the sunshine!
Are Iced Caramel Macchiatos Bad For You?
Starbucks’ iced caramel macchiato is a satisfying alternative to some of the more indulgent drinks on its menu. At less than 250 calories, and reduced-fat levels (if you leave off the whipped cream), it’s not as sinful as you might think!
Just remember: while this drink may be lower in sugar content and higher in protein compared with other options, it’s still a treat as opposed to a daily staple.
Unless you want to dedicate the rest of your day to working off the indulgent sugar-rush of the morning.