Iced Caramel Macchiato – Simply Home Cooked

By Editor On May 12, 2024

Published: May 11, 2024 by Dina

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.

Cup of Iced Caramel Macchiato with a straw.

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

Ingredients for Iced Caramel Macchiato: caramel sauce, milk, vanilla syrup, espresso, and ice.

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.

Horizontal image of iced caramel macchiato with ice at the top of the cup

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

What is the difference between iced caramel latte and iced caramel macchiato?

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.

Which is stronger caramel macchiato or latte?

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.

Overhead view of an Iced Caramel Macchiato.

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!

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Full Recipe Instructions