I'm back to share another Starbucks copycat you can easily make at home. This time I'm using my Starbucks barista knowledge to share the much requested caramel macchiato.
For this recipe, I tried to make it so you can use the things you already have in your pantry. Instead of using store-bought vanilla syrup, I'm using vanilla extract and sugar.
I'm all for using homemade caramel sauce, but if you don't want to commit to making that you can use your favorite store bought caramel sauce.
What's the difference between a Starbucks macchiato and a traditional macchiato?
A traditional macchiato is made of espresso topped with milk foam. A Starbucks macchiato is made of vanilla flavored and sweetened hot milk topped with espresso, milk foam and caramel drizzle.
Starbucks Caramel Macchiato Recipe ingredients
- Vanilla Extract
- Your Choice of sugar
- Your choice of milk
- Espresso coffee
- Caramel Sauce
Helpful tools for this Caramel Macchiato Recipe
- Espresso machine like this one or this one.
- A milk frother
How to make a Caramel Macchiato
- First you'll need to make 2 ounces or shots of espresso coffee.
- Then you'll need to heat and froth your milk of choice.
- In your 12oz mug of choice, you'll add your vanilla extract and sugar.
- Pour your hot frothed milk into the mug and stir until combined.
- Slowly pour in your espresso coffee in the milk to achieve that coffee and milk separation that Starbucks is famous for.
- lastly, drizzle the top of the coffee with caramel sauce.
Starbucks Caramel Macchiato Recipe FAQs
A caramel macchiato is a sweet coffee drink with a hint of bitterness from the espresso. It's not as sweet as some flavored coffees, but sweeter than a straight espresso.
Here are some additional things to consider:
- You can often customize the sweetness level when ordering a caramel macchiato at a coffee shop. Ask for less or more vanilla syrup to adjust it to your preference.
- If you make it at home, you control the amount of syrup and caramel you add.
- Vanilla Syrup: This is a key ingredient and adds sweetness. The amount of syrup used can vary depending on the coffee shop or recipe.
- Caramel Drizzle: While it adds a caramel flavor, the sweetness comes from the sugar content in the drizzle itself. Some drizzles might be more concentrated than others.
Here's the breakdown of the key differences between a caramel macchiato and a latte:
Ingredients:
- Caramel Macchiato: Espresso, steamed milk, vanilla syrup, and caramel drizzle. Note: There's no caramel flavoring in the actual drink itself, just the drizzle on top.
- Latte: Espresso and steamed milk, with the option to add flavored syrups like caramel, vanilla, hazelnut, etc. The flavoring is usually mixed into the espresso before adding milk.
Milk and Milk Foam:
- Caramel Macchiato: Uses a smaller amount of steamed milk, with a thin layer of microfoam on top. This creates a distinct separation between the espresso layer, milk layer, and caramel drizzle.
- Latte: Uses a larger amount of steamed milk, with a thicker layer of milk foam on top. The espresso and milk are more blended together.
Overall Experience:
- Caramel Macchiato: Offers a more visually striking presentation with its layered construction and contrasting flavors of vanilla and caramel.
- Latte: Provides a more customizable and milkier coffee experience with the option of various flavorings.
In short, if you want a sweeter coffee with a distinct caramel and vanilla flavor, a caramel macchiato might be your pick. If you prefer a larger, milkier coffee that you can customize with different flavors, a latte is a good choice.
The distinct layering of espresso, milk, and caramel is a signature feature of the drink. To achieve this at home, use a spoon to slowly pour the cold milk over the back of a spoon into the espresso, allowing it to create a separate layer. Then drizzle the caramel sauce on top.
Absolutely! Prepare the drink as usual, then pour it over ice.
A typical starting point is 1-2 tablespoons of vanilla syrup, but you can adjust it to your sweetness preference.
Whole milk or 2% milk will give you the closest consistency to Starbucks' macchiato. However, you can use any type of milk you prefer, including non-dairy alternatives.
Yes! Sugar-free vanilla syrup and sugar-free caramel sauce are readily available at most grocery stores.
Looking for more starbucks copycat recipes?
Starbucks Caramel Macchiato Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ tablespoon white sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 ounces espresso coffee
- 1 cup milk
- caramel for drizzling
Instructions
- Place white sugar and vanilla extract in your 12 ounce mug.
- Warm your milk to about 150° If you have a milk frother or steamer, froth/steam for about 30 seconds.
- Add your steamed milk to the mug and stir until sugar is dissolved.
- Brew your espresso coffee and reserve 2 ounces ( 2 shots of espresso)
- Slowly add your hot espresso shots slowly to the sweetened milk.
- Garnish with caramel drizzle.
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