Iced Caramel Macchiato {Starbucks Copycat}

The Iced Caramel Macchiato is one of Starbucks' most iconic drinks for a reason. Espresso, milk, vanilla syrup, and caramel drizzle combine to form delicious layers that make every sip a little different. And it turns out it's incredibly easy to recreate at home with this simple copycat recipe!

Jump to:

• ❤️ Why this recipe works
• 🗒 Ingredients
• 🧋 Recipe tips
• 🎉 Variations on recipe
• ☕️ More caramel drink recipes
• 📖 Recipe
• 💬 Comments

One thing I was shocked to learn when I first started making Starbucks copycat recipes is that Caramel Macchiatos don't actually have caramel in them... Just drizzled over the top!

The Iced Caramel Macchiato is made with milk, espresso, and vanilla syrup. With caramel sauce drizzled on top. That's it.

I always strive to make my homemade Starbucks drinks as accurate as possible, so that's exactly how I'm making my Iced Caramel Macchiato for you today. But I also have some fun variations for you so you can add even more caramel flavor.

❤️ Why this recipe works

It's made just like the coffee shop version: most people assume a Caramel Macchiato is flavored with caramel syrup inside (I did, too!), but it's not. Starbucks uses vanilla syrup as the sweetener, with caramel reserved entirely for the top drizzle. That's what gives the milk base its specific, lightly sweet flavor.

The pour makes a difference: slowly adding the espresso over the ice creates the signature Starbucks macchiato layer. This is what makes it a macchiato and not just a latte.

Easy to make with minimal ingredients: you only need 4 ingredients (plus ice) and five minutes to recreate the drink that costs $6+ at the coffee shop.

Easy to customize: whether you want your macchiato to have more caramel flavor or to be sweeter, there are so many ways you can make this drink at home!

🗒 Ingredients

Here's everything you need to make your own Iced Caramel Macchiato at home:

• 2% milk: or the dairy/non-dairy alternative of your choice
• Vanilla syrup: you can either make your own with my vanilla syrup recipe or purchase a bottle- I like this Starbucks vanilla syrup.
• Ice
• Espresso: or very strongly brewed coffee
• Caramel sauce: I like to use this Ghirardelli caramel sauce, but when I make my own, I use this recipe.

🧋 Recipe tips

• If you love a traditional macchiato, you should know that Starbucks' macchiatos are not that. The word "macchiato" actually translates to "marked" from Italian, meaning the espresso is "marked" by a little bit of milk foam. But Starbucks' macchiatos aren't just "marked" by milk; they're mostly milk!

• When building the macchiato, instead of marking the espresso with milk, you'll be marking the milk with espresso. So, start by putting your milk and vanilla syrup in an ice-filled cup.

• And slowly pour the espresso over the top. This is what creates the gorgeous layering. If you dump the espresso in too quickly, everything will immediately mix together and you'll lose the effect.

• Drizzle a generous amount of caramel over the top. It will slowly seep into the drink, adding more caramel flavor throughout.

• Don't stir the drink before taking your first sip! The whole point of a macchiato is the layering, so you want to preserve those layers.

Take a sip and you will immediately see why the Iced Caramel Macchiato is one of Starbucks' most popular drinks!

🎉 Variations on recipe

This drink is pretty perfect as it, but there are lots of modifications you can make to it to suit it to your tastes even more. Here are some ideas:

• Replace the vanilla syrup with caramel syrup for an even more caramel-y drink. You can make your own with my caramel syrup recipe or purchase a bottle of it.
• Line your cup in caramel before adding ice and milk. This gives the drink extra caramel flavor and is one of Starbucks customers' favorite modifications.
• Use whatever kind of milk you want. You can use skim milk or whole milk or use any dairy alternative, like oat milk, almond milk, or soy milk.
• Add homemade cold foam to the top of your drink for extra fun! I recommend making a caramel flavored one.
• Or simply top the drink with whipped cream.
• Add another espresso shot for a more coffee-forward drink.
• Mix the ingredients together if you're interested in more of a latte with all the flavors combined, instead of the layering effect.
• Making this into a hot macchiato requires a bit of a different process and I'll have a recipe for you soon!

After you make this a couple times, you'll know your ideal way to enjoy the Iced Caramel Macchiato!

☕️ More caramel drink recipes

If you're as obsessed with caramel as I am, try some of my other Starbucks caramel drink copycats!

I also really love this super easy recipe for homemade caramel milk.

And don't forget, you can see all my Starbucks copycat recipes here.

Now that you know how to make this drink, I have a feeling it will become a weekly habit!

It takes about five minutes and costs a fraction of a Starbucks run... and I honestly feel like the homemade version is just as delicious.

Are you surprised the Iced Caramel Macchiato is actually made with vanilla syrup?

📖 Recipe