Here we are, another day, another copycat coffee. Playing around with these drinks has been a saving grace for me during this period of social distancing. As our one year old has gotten busier and napping less, I am getting less time to do more involved recipes, but the great thing about drinks like this is that they take very little time to prepare! Besides the typical mocha chip frappuccino, the first drink that really lured me into Starbucks (long before cold brew was a thing) was macchiato. The iced caramel macchiato was one of my favorites until I tried the cinnamon dolce. But this post is a copycat Starbucks Iced Caramel Macchiato.

Copycat Starbucks Iced Caramel Macchiato

An iced macchiato is made very similar to an iced latte, but the latte can be made with strong brewed coffee if you don’t have espresso powder or instant coffee. In this I haven’t really enjoyed the taste of cold brew or strong brewed hot coffee, but you could always try it if you don’t have anything else. The nice thing about instant coffee powder is that it dissolves instantly so you can make it without turning on any appliance. If you don’t have the caramel syrup, you can make that at home with a small saucepan, sugar, and water. 

Iced Caramel Macchiato Copycat Starbucks Coffee

What you’ll love about this copycat Starbucks iced caramel macchiato? 

  1. It’s vegan friendly. Use a non-dairy milk of you choice and you have a vegan version of this delicious Starbucks favorite. 
  2. Social distace. Stay at home and make this in the comfort of your own kitchen. Without the prep time of the syrup, it only takes a couple of minutes to whip up. Bonus, you get to stay in your pajamas!
  3. Save money. Rather than spending $5 on a drink at coffee, you can enjoy a coffee for less than $1 per serving without leaving your home. 
  4. Customize the sweetness to your liking. The recipe states a certain amount of syrup, but feel free to add more if you prefer a sweeter beverage.
Copycat Starbucks Iced Caramel Macchiato

How to make this copycat Starbucks iced caramel macchiato?

  1. If you don’t have the syrup already made, you’ll want to do this first. Start by heating sugar in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. 
  2. Make sure to stir the sugar as it is heating to prevent it from burning. Also do not rush it as the sugar can burn easily.
  3. As the crystals dissolve, stir the sugar and allow it to turn golden brown. Once they’ve all dissolved you will add the water. Be careful when you add the water, it’ll sputter. 
  4. Unless you add really hot water, it will cause the sugar to solidify some so continue to heat the contents of the saucepan until the sugar dissolves again. 
  5. Once it’s all dissolved, remove from the heat and place in an air tight container. This can be stored in the fridge for a week (or more, but it never lasts that long in our house). 
  6. To make the macchiato, you’ll first want to get the espresso shots or instant coffee dissolved. Start by mixing instant coffee together with water. Make sure all crystals dissolve. If you don’t have instant coffee or espresso powder, you can either make your own espresso shots at home, or try a really strong brewed coffee/cold brew concentrate. 
  7. Add 1.5 tbsp of the caramel syrup to the bottom of a glass followed by the milk. Fill up to almost the top with ice, and then pour the espresso over. 
  8. Mix it up and enjoy! If you have an ice cream syrup (like the ice cream topping) at home, feel free to drizzle it over the top. Also you can add more caramel syrup to taste if it’s not sweet enough. 

Related Recipes

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Copycat Caribou Coffee Iced Crafted Press

Copycat Starbucks Iced Caramel Macchiato

Copycat Starbucks Iced Caramel Macchiato

The iced caramel macchiato from Starbucks is a delicious drink that is easy to make and enjoy at home.
4.87 from 22 votes
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Course Drinks
Cuisine American
Servings 1 drink
Calories 187 kcal

Ingredients
  

Caramel Syrup

  • ½ cup sugar
  • ½ cup water

Iced Caramel Macchiato

  • 1.5 tbsp caramel syrup
  • 1 tbsp instant coffee powder (or espresso powder) (makes about 2 shots)
  • 6 tbsp water
  • ¾ cup milk
  • ice
  • optional caramel drizzle

Instructions
 

Caramel Syrup

  • If you don't have caramel syrup, you can make your own by heating a small saucepan with sugar over medium-low heat.
  • Allow the sugar crystals to melt and dissolve. This will take about 15-20 minutes. Don't rush it, sugar burns easily. Stir frequently to prevent burning.
  • As the crystals dissolve and start to turn golden brown, continue stirring. After they are all dissolved and golden brown (if you have some clumping it's okay – it'll dissolve when you add the water).
  • Add the water – TAKE CARE as it'll sputter.
  • Some sugar may harden, so continue to heat until it is all dissolved again. Once it's all liquid, remove from heat and store in an airtight container.

Iced Caramel Macchiato

  • Dissolve the instant coffee or espresso powder in 6 tbsp of water.
  • Add caramel syrup to the bottom of a glass. Start with 1 to 1.5 tbsp of the caramel syrup. You can add more to taste at the end.
  • Then add milk. Once you have the milk in the cup, bring it to almost the top with ice. Pour the dissolved coffee over the top.
  • Optional: drizzle with caramel topping. Mix and taste, adjust sweetness if needed. Enjoy!

Nutrition

Serving: 1drinkCalories: 187kcalCarbohydrates: 29gProtein: 6gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 19mgSodium: 194mgPotassium: 242mgFiber: 1gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 296IUCalcium: 223mg
Keyword copycat iced macchiato, copycat starbucks coffee, iced caramel macchiato
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Did you try this? What did you think, did you make any modifications? I’d love to hear your opinions in the comments below. Thanks for reading.

-Cassie 🙂

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17 Comments

  1. Pingback: Ultimate List of Starbucks Copycat Drinks - The Mad Mommy -

  2. Razz November 1, 2020 at 1:01 am

    anyone knows where I can buy a good quality espresso machine?

    Reply
    1. cassclay December 1, 2020 at 12:25 am

      I personally do not have an espresso machine, but I utilize the Facebook Coffee groups (there are several out there) for feedback on their favorite products. It’s where I got some ideas for my cold brew maker and I have seen many others asking for advice on a product or even favorite beans.

      Reply
  3. Charlotte Hussaini November 4, 2020 at 5:52 am

    5 stars
    Amazing things here. I’m very glad to peer your post. Thanks a lot and i am looking forward to contacting you. Will you please drop me a e-mail?

    Reply
  4. Abbie January 2, 2021 at 3:21 am

    5 stars
    I bought that instant coffee back when everyone was making whipped coffee, and now that I’m over it I had a ton left and didn’t want to waste it. This is a great way to use it up and it tastes delicious!

    Reply
  5. Pingback: Ultimate List of Starbucks Copycat Drinks - Sadie Smiley -

  6. Meghan January 23, 2021 at 4:05 am

    5 stars
    I am a starbucks fan and this at-home recipe is a great way to skip out on the drive-thru and save some money. I did go get carmel syrup because I hate making it at home, but it still works great!

    Reply
  7. Leo January 30, 2021 at 12:46 am

    5 stars
    This is a game-changer. Love it and so glad I can make my favorite drink anytime at home. Thanks for the easy recipe!

    Reply
  8. Nicole January 30, 2021 at 2:45 pm

    5 stars
    I am so glad that this is easy to make because I NEEDED coffee and this hit the spot.

    Reply
  9. David February 3, 2021 at 8:09 am

    5 stars
    I made this before work and it was perfect. I was craving Starbucks and was able to skip the side-trip to the coffee shop. Thanks!

    Reply
  10. Ernie February 3, 2021 at 8:45 pm

    5 stars
    Yummy! This was so easy and really quick, which is important since I am not a morning persion.

    Reply
  11. Brair February 16, 2021 at 8:10 pm

    5 stars
    This really hit the spot. Thanks for the easy recipe.

    Reply
  12. Pingback: how to make an iced caramel macchiato without an espresso machine – The Coffee Around

  13. Amos April 8, 2021 at 7:13 pm

    5 stars
    Really Enjoyed this coffee.

    Reply
  14. Evelyn April 9, 2021 at 8:24 am

    5 stars
    Love this!

    Reply
  15. Pingback: how to make a caramel macchiato at home without an espresso machine – The Coffee Around

  16. Pingback: how to make a starbucks caramel macchiato using an espresso machine – The Coffee Around

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