Caramel Macchiato Recipe: Hot and Iced

A caramel macchiato is a sweet, layered milk drink: vanilla syrup and milk at the bottom, espresso poured on top so it “marks” the milk, and caramel sauce drizzled over the foam. It’s one of the most requested drinks in cafés, and it’s easy to make once you know the order.

Despite the name, it’s closer to a vanilla latte than to a traditional espresso macchiato. Our guide to the macchiato explains the difference.

What’s in a caramel macchiato

Starbucks’ own home recipe uses these ingredients for one serving:

Many cafés use a double shot for a stronger coffee taste, especially in larger cups. Adjust the vanilla to how sweet you like it.

How to make a hot caramel macchiato

1. Add the vanilla syrup to the bottom of the cup.
2. Steam the milk with a good layer of foam and pour it into the cup. Our lesson on how to steam milk explains how.
3. Pull the espresso and pour it slowly through the foam. This is what creates the layers and the “mark” on top.
4. Drizzle caramel sauce over the foam. Cafés often use a crosshatch pattern.
5. Serve without stirring, so the customer sees the layers.

Caramel sauce, not syrup: use a thick caramel sauce for the drizzle. A thin caramel syrup sinks into the milk instead of sitting on the foam.

How to make an iced caramel macchiato

1. Add the vanilla syrup to a tall glass.
2. Pour in cold milk, then fill the glass with ice.
3. Pour a fresh double espresso slowly over the top.
4. Finish with caramel sauce on top.

For more cold drinks, see our iced coffee recipes.

Caramel macchiato vs caramel latte

Our flavored latte recipes cover the caramel latte and other syrup drinks.

Tips

• Use an espresso that’s strong enough to come through the milk and sugar. Our Arabica-Robusta Blend and CB’s Finest work well in sweet milk drinks.
• No espresso machine? Strong moka pot coffee is the closest substitute.
• For less sugar, cut the vanilla syrup to half and keep the caramel drizzle light.
• In a café, write the syrup amount for each cup size into your standard recipe, so every barista makes it the same way.

Planning a café menu? See coffee shop menu ideas and the menu pricing calculator. Cafés buying 10 kg or more can see wholesale pricing. More lessons are in the Caffeine Brothers Coffee Academy.

Sources

• Starbucks at Home: Caramel macchiato recipe
• Breville: Macchiato vs latte