Save yourself a ton of money by preparing this Copycat Starbucks Iced Caramel Macchiato at home. It’s so easy to put together with just a few basic ingredients. This is Starbucks most popular drink!
Copycat Starbucks Iced Caramel Macchiato
While it’s super convenient to just pull into the Starbucks drive thru and order whatever caffeine-driven iced coffee deliciousness we are feeling at the moment, let’s be honest, it’s an expensive habit. Making these Copycat Starbucks Iced Caramel Macchiato drinks at home will not only save you a boatload of cash, but will also keep you from standing in those horrifically long Starbucks lines we have all come to expect and despise.
Starbucks Iced Caramel Macchiato is my oldest son’s favorite Starbucks drink. It’s actually what inspired me to learn how to make them at home. He currently attends college across the country, but when he was home over winter break, we got down to business perfecting this recipe. We also live six miles from the nearest Starbucks so grabbing one at whim is not really an option and I can’t say I’m sad about that.
Because the Iced Caramel Macchiato calls for a cup of milk, you’ll want to use espresso for the coffee portion so it does not taste watered down.
What Is A Caramel Macchiato?
“Macchiato” is the Italian word for “to mark or to stain”, which is why you’ll find the drink served with milk on the bottom and the espresso poured over the top. However, in the scheme of things, it really doesn’t matter in what order you load the ingredients. A few swirls of your straw and it’s all mixed anyway. The layered look for an iced macchiato is really about aesthetics.
What Does A Starbucks Iced Caramel Macchiato Taste Like
In its simplest form, this macchiato drink tastes like coffee, with a lot of milk. The strong espresso and eight ounces of milk balance each other into a pleasant and creamy, tasting drink. The Iced Caramel Macchiato has a nice mouthfeel, but it is sweet. You can always cut the sweetness by adding less of the vanilla and caramel syrup. It’s the perfect afternoon pick-me-up if you love iced coffee.
Can I Use Regularly Brewed Coffee Instead of Espresso
This recipe calls for two ounces of espresso, which is perfect for eight ounces of milk. If you want to use regularly brewed coffee instead of espresso, use only four ounces of milk to raise the coffee to milk ratio.
What Ingredients Are In An Iced Caramel Macchiato
- vanilla syrup
- milk
- espresso
- caramel sauce
- ice
Whipped cream and rimming the glass with extra caramel and chocolate sprinkles is completely optional. It’s a fun twist when serving for a special occasion.
I do love it when the whipped cream melts all over the top and looks like this. How could you say no to at least a sip?
MORE FUN DRINKS TO MAKE
- Sparkling Ginger Matcha Lemonade
- Watermelon Agua Fresca
- Peach Lemonade
- Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew
- Cinnamon-Orange Iced Tea
- Candy Cane Frappe
- Harry Potter’s Butterbeer
- Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew
Copycat Starbucks Iced Caramel Macchiato
Ingredients
- 2 tsps vanilla syrup
- 1 cup ice
- 1 cup (8 oz) cold, whole milk
- 2 oz espresso
- 1 tsp caramel sauce
- chocolate sprinkles and whipped cream are optional
Instructions
- Pour vanilla syrup into the bottom of a 16 oz capacity glass. Add ice. Pour in milk and espresso. Drizzle caramel on top and stir until blended.
- Spray whipped cream on top if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
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Liz says
The flavor is spot on! So happy I can now make these at home!
Cathy says
Awesome!
Melissa says
This iced caramel macchiato is BETTER than Starbucks!
Cathy says
Thanks!
Toni says
This is pure heaven! Thank you so much for sharing the recipe!
Cathy says
Thanks!
Sam says
WOW! This iced caramel macchiato is exactly how I like it.
Michelle Delgadillo says
What kind of expresso did you use with the Kerig machine? Super excited to use me new expresso machine to make this!
Cathy says
Any k-cup espresso brand will work.
Mona says
I am not a coffee drinker, however my son who is coming home returning from military deployment, is! I’d love to make this it’s his favorite drink. How much regular coffee do I use with the 4 Oz of milk? I have Starbucks pike place roast grounds to use.
Is whole milk best?
Cathy says
2 ounces of espresso…regular coffee would be very weak and you would lose a lot of the coffee flavor. You could experiment adding more coffee/less milk. It’s going to be up to his taste preference, but you want really strong coffee if not using espresso.
Amber says
What expresso specifically from Keurig have you tried for this recipe? Have you tried any sugar free syrups, sugar free milk substitutes that were good?
Cathy says
44 degrees espresso and have not not used any sigar free products with this since I do not like the aftertaste.
Sandy says
I am no longer spending my money at Starbucks, I make it everyday. My kids are now making it at home too.
Cathy says
Glad you love it.
Paula says
I think this one might even be better than Starbucks.
Cathy says
Thank you.
stan says
This is my favorite Caramel Macchiato recipe! Always comes out perfect.
Cathy says
Glad to hear it.
carl says
This caramel macchiato was so easy to make. We loved it.
Agnes says
Absolutely better than starbucks! Not a day goes by that we don’t use our espresso machine for hot and cold drinks and we totally prefer homemade coffee now 🙂 This is the perfect afternoon coffee drink! Thank you!
Kalee says
SPOT ON! I used 5oz milk because I prefer a bolder coffee flavor, but the profile is very similar to Starbucks. This is a great recipe! Thanks 🙂