This Iced Caramel Macchiato is a refreshing treat on warm days. Made with caramel sauce, milk, and espresso, this cold coffee drink will be the perfect pick-me-up this season.
If you love handcrafted coffees, then you have to try our caramel frappe and pumpkin spice latte.
Table Of Contents
Recipe Details
This Iced Caramel Macchiato is just as good as any store-bought drink and I just love making it at home. You can enjoy the delicious sweetness of this refreshing coffee anytime with this recipe.
- TASTE: This coffee drink has a cool and refreshing flavor from the fresh espresso shots and cold milk. The sweet vanilla syrup and caramel syrup add the perfect amount of sweetness to compliment the strong coffee.
- TEXTURE: This iced caramel macchiato has milk in it, so it gives the drink a creamier texture. The drizzles of caramel also add a delicious sticky texture that reminds me of caramel candy.
- TIME: Just like any coffee chop, this recipe comes together really fast! This makes is a quick way to satisfy a craving for iced coffee.
- EASE: This drink only requires a few simple ingredients and can be whipped up in less than 5 minutes.
What You’ll Need
Ingredient Notes
- Caramel sauce– for drizzling in the glass
- Vanilla syrup– for the sweet flavor
- Milk- 2% or whole milk works, but you can also use almond or cashew milk to make this dairy-free
- Ice- of course 🙂
- Espresso- from an espresso machine or by combining 1 oz. of hot water with 1 teaspoon of instant espresso. I used a medium roast for the coffee beans. But that is personal preference.
Add-ins and Substitutions
- Substitute the espresso- If you don’t own an espresso machine at home, you can either use really strong brewed coffee or whip up some espresso using instant espresso powder. Just mix 1 oz. of hot water with 1 teaspoon of instant espresso powder.
- Use dairy-free milk- Make this recipe with plant-based milks, such as soymilk, almond milk, oat milk, coconut milk, or cashew milk.
- Make it hot- You can use this recipe to make a hot macchiato as well. Just skip the ice and use steamed milk.
- Use a natural sweetener- Sweeten this drink with honey or pure maple syrup in place of the caramel syrup for a more natural option.
How to Make an Iced Caramel Macchiato
- Drizzle the caramel sauce. First, drizzle the caramel sauce into the serving cup, on the bottom, and along the sides.
- Add ice. Then fill the cup with ice cubes.
- Add milk and vanilla syrup. Pour the milk of your choice into the cup, followed by vanilla syrup. Stir gently.
- Pour the espresso into the cup. Now add the fresh espresso and give it one more quick stir. Enjoy!
Pro Tip: Use the espresso shot right away. As soon as you’ve made your espresso, add it to your drink. Its taste and texture will change within just 10 seconds.
Recipe Tips
- Use good quality coffee beans- Good coffee beans mean better flavor in your iced caramel macchiato. Use ones that are fresh and of good quality.
- Use cold milk– Warm milk will melt your ice and dilute your drink. The colder the milk, the better.
- Fresh ice– Ice that’s been in the freezer a while begins to take on smells and flavors of the things around it. Fresh ice will give your iced caramel macchiato the best flavor.
- Enjoy right away– Otherwise, the ice will melt and dilute your flavors. Best to drink this macchiato freshly made.
FAQs
An iced caramel macchiato is made by adding vanilla syrup to milk and then adding espresso, and topping it off with caramel drizzle. And iced caramel latte is made with cold milk, espresso, and caramel. They are similar, but not the same.
Depending on how many shots of espresso are in the drink, their strength is comparable. Macchiato drinks do have a more prominent espresso flavor because of the way they are prepared, though.
Serving Suggestions
This refreshing Iced Caramel Macchiato is sweet and scrumptious. Serve it with eggs, pancakes, muffins, or pastries.
- Eggs: Serve it with Eggs Benedict, Easy Poached Eggs with Caramelized Onions, Breakfast Sandwiches (3 Ways), or Shakshuka.
- Pancakes: Enjoy this drink with Chocolate Pancakes, Blueberry Ricotta Pancakes, German Pancakes (VIDEO), or Buttermilk Pancakes.
- Muffins: Pair this macchiato with Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins (VIDEO), Cinnamon Apple Muffins (VIDEO), or Blueberry Muffins (VIDEO).
- Pastries: Serve it with Cherry Danishes, Baklava with Nutella, Apricot Rugelach (VIDEO), or Easy Cheese Danish Pastry (VIDEO).
Make This Recipe in Advance
Make ahead: Unfortunately, iced drinks cannot be made ahead of time. Even if kept in the fridge. The ice will begin to melt and begin diluting the drink. Which will make it lose its bold coffee flavor.
Storing: If you plan to store this drink, then take out the ice and place it in the refrigerator with a lid or plastic wrap over the top. When you’re ready to drink it, add fresh ice.
Freeze: You could freeze this drink (without ice) in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Defrost in the fridge, stir, and add ice.
More Delicious Drinks!
Full Recipe Instructions
Iced Caramel Macchiato
Ingredients
- Caramel sauce (to drizzle)
- 3 Tbsp vanilla syrup (or to taste)
- 3/4 cup milk
- 1 cup ice (enough to fill the cup)
- 1 oz espresso
Instructions
- First drizzle your desired amount of caramel sauce into your serving cup. I like to drizzle a little at the bottom and sides of the cup.
- Then add about 1 cup of ice cubes, or enough to fill the cup.
- Now pour 3/4 cup milk into the cup. I used 2% milk, but whole milk works great too. You can also use almond or cashew milk to make it dairy-free.
- Then gently stir in 3 tablespoons of vanilla syrup (Torani brand).
- And lastly, pour in 1 oz of fresh espresso. If you don’t have an espresso machine at home, you can make your own by combining 1 oz of hot water with 1 teaspoon of instant espresso. Then give it a quick mix and enjoy!
Notes
- Use good quality coffee beans- Good coffee beans mean better flavor in your iced caramel macchiato. Use ones that are fresh and of good quality. Always look for a roasting date as opposed to an expiration date.
- Use the espresso shot right away– As soon as you’ve made your espresso, add it to your drink. Its taste and texture will change within just 10 seconds.
- Use cold milk– Warm milk will melt your ice and dilute your drink. The colder the milk, the better.
- Fresh ice– Ice that’s been in the freezer a while begins to take on smells and flavors of the things around it. Fresh ice will give your iced caramel macchiato the best flavor.
- Enjoy right away– Otherwise, the ice will melt and dilute your flavors. Best to drink this macchiato freshly made.
Nutrition
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Yana says
Yum! What a treat! Caramel macchiatos are my favorite!
Dina says
Thank you so much, Yana! I hope you love this recipe 🙂
rachelle says
I know you can’t make the whole iced drink ahead of time but can you make the strong brewed coffee ahead of time and keep in fridge?
simplyhomecooked says
Hi Rachelle 🙂 If you use strong brewed coffee then it should be fine. However, if it is espresso then you want it as fresh as possible. The flavor won’t be the same. I have not tried making it ahead like that so can’t say for sure. Let me know how it goes so I can pass it on to my viewers 🙂
Olga says
I can’t believe how good this iced caramel macciato turned out! No need to buy these anymore lol. Glad I found this recipe!
simplyhomecooked says
Glad to hear you loved this iced caramel macchiato! Thank you for your feedback and I hope you find many more delicious recipes on my blog 🙂