Iced Caramel Macchiato Recipe: Easy Starbucks Copycat At Home

An iced caramel macchiato is sweet, refreshing, and so easy to make at home!

The iced caramel macchiato is an ideal treat to beat the heat during the dog days of summer. Sure, you can find one at most coffee chains these days, but why not skip the long lines at make it at home? I guarantee it’s easier than you expect! Just follow my tried-and-true copycat Starbucks iced caramel macchiato recipe.

How To Make An Iced Caramel Macchiato At Home

You’re probably well aware that the caramel macchiato is a far cry from the traditional Italian espresso macchiato or latte macchiato. It was created by Starbucks in 1996 and is now found on the menu of many coffee shops, even McDonald’s. 

The caramel macchiato – and its iced version – is a much larger, sweeter, and milkier coffee drink than the Italian original (1). But when done right, it still carries a nice balance of flavors. Here’s how to do it.

Notes On Ingredients

• My recommended coffee for this recipe is a dark roast blend, as it has a bold enough flavor to stand up to the sweet vanilla and caramel syrup. However, feel free to use your favorite coffee. Or buy a bag of Starbucks Signature Espresso Roast beans to perfectly mimic the original.
• I like to use 2% dairy milk for this drink, which keeps it creamy but still refreshing. But because you don’t need to froth the milk, go ahead and use the milk of your choice. Try skim or 1% milk for a lower-fat version or whole milk for a richer treat. If you want to make a vegan version, plant-based milks like almond milk, oat milk, and cashew milk are excellent.
• You can use homemade or storebought vanilla syrup and caramel sauce, and both can be added to taste. You can substitute sugar-free versions if you’re counting calories.

Homemade Iced Caramel Macchiato Recipe

An iced caramel macchiato is essentially an iced coffee sweetened with vanilla syrup and topped with a caramel drizzle. Here’s a step-by-step guide to making the drink at home – with a few extra tips I’ve picked up along the way.

If you love the flavors of vanilla and caramel with your morning brew, check out my other coffee recipes for a Starbucks Vanilla Iced Latte, Starbucks Caramel Brulee Latte, and a Salted Caramel Cream Cold Brew.

Step 1: Make Espresso

Grind 18 to 20 grams of coffee beans to a fine grind, and use your espresso machine to pull a 2-ounce double shot of espresso. 

If you don’t have an espresso machine, there are plenty of alternatives. Prepare two ounces of strong coffee using a stovetop espresso maker, Nespresso machine, or French press. You can even use instant coffee, instant espresso powder, or storebought cold brew concentrate.

Step 2: Prepare Your Glass

Take the chilled glass out of the freezer and (optionally) add a drizzle of caramel around the inside. Fill the glass with ice cubes.

Step 3: Add The Milk And Vanilla Syrup

Pour the cold milk and vanilla syrup into the glass over the ice and stir gently to mix.

Step 4: Add The Espresso

Pour the espresso shot over the milk and ice in the glass. If you pour slowly and gently, you’ll get an appealing layered look.

Step 5: Top With Caramel Sauce, And Enjoy!

Drizzle the tablespoon of caramel sauce over the top of the drink. Stir gently before enjoying, unless you want your first sip to be all caramel.

Add a swirl of whipped cream on top for a more indulgent cold coffee treat.

Final Thoughts

If caramel macchiatos are your favorite Starbucks drinks, you’re in luck. This sweet and creamy treat is easy to make at home, even if you don’t have an espresso machine. It’s simply impossible to go wrong combining coffee, milk, vanilla, and caramel – especially when it’s served over ice on a hot day.