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This homemade iced caramel latte is one of my favorite coffee drinks — especially on a hot summer day. It's cold and refreshing and has a touch of sweetness, a bold espresso flavor, and a smooth, buttery texture.
It looks as decadent as it tastes but takes less than 10 minutes to make — including a homemade caramel sauce.

If you're into iced drinks but matcha is more your thing, thisiced matcha latteis a great coffee alternative. For another espresso-free milk and coffee drink, try a smooth and creamydalgano coffeethat uses instant coffee.
When faced with the choice between an iced latte vs iced coffee, it all comes down to personal preference, and I promise you'll want to choose this latte every time.
The combination of nutty caramel flavor, creamy milk, and bold espresso is the ideal morning coffee trio.
Why You'll Love this Iced Caramel Latte Recipe
- Economical- Instead of heading to Dunkin Donuts or your local coffee shop each day, have your own iced caramel lattes at home. The homemade version tastes just as good and is a fraction of the price!
- Customizable:This delicious latte can be made any way you like it. You can control the amount of sugar, use any milk alternatives, and make it with your favorite type of coffee.
- Quick & easy:It's an easy recipe that uses basic ingredients and takes less than 10 minutes to whip together.
- Perfect on hot days:It's fun swapping out hot coffees with iced drinks once summer arrives.
- Feels indulgent:Although it's easy to make, this is not just your usual pot of coffee or cold coffee drink. It's more like a sweet treat with the added bonus of a caffeine boost.

Grab These Ingredients
Here are the simple ingredients for this iced caramel latte recipe. Most are pantry staples and easy (and affordable) to find in the grocery store. Jump down to the recipe card for exact measurements.

- Sugar: Granulated sugar or coconut sugar will both work. Or find another coconut sugar substitute. The first time I tested this, the caramel crystallized, so we tested it again. It was likely because we stirred it too much, so we tried it again and it worked well. We also tested it with coconut sugar which caramelized well.
- Water:Helps to tame that strong coffee flavor of the espresso shots.
- Vanilla:Adds a creamy taste to the caramel syrup.
- Ice:Add as much or as little as you like.
- Espresso:this recipe calls for espresso, like all lattes. However, you can use a strong cold brew or iced coffee.
- Milk:You can go with the traditional whole milk or 2%, or non-dairy milk like soy milk, coconut milk, or unsweetened almond milk. You could even make your ownhomemade oat milk!
- Toppings:Go for whipped cream, dairy-free whipped cream, a sprinkle of brown sugar, chocolate syrup, or extra caramel drizzle to take this drink to the next level.
How to Make This Iced Caramel Latte
The full recipe is below, but let’s walk through the easy steps with some photos and a video so you have a clear idea of what to expect. This iced caramel latte recipe is really easy and these step-by-step instructions will make sure it turns out every time.
VIDEO: Watch How to Make It
Make the Caramel Simple Syrup
Combine ¼ cup of the water with ½ cup of the sugar in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir for 2 minutes or until dissolved.
Cover the saucepan with a lid and boil for 2-3 minutes. Remove the lid and stir consistently until the mixture is a light amber color.
Remove it from the heat immediately, then carefully stir in the remaining ¼ cup of water and the vanilla. If desired, add a pinch of salt to make it a salted caramel syrup.

Make the Latte
Pour 1-3 tablespoons of caramel syrup into a liquid measuring cup with any cold milk of your choice. Use a hand frother to blend it together until frothy. (A spoon works too it just won’t be frothy.)
Add ice cubes to a tall glass then pour the milk and caramel mixture on top, making sure to leave enough room for the espresso.

Finish by pouring the shot of espresso (or coffee) on top and stir well to combine.
Top with whipped cream, if desired, then add a little more cinnamon, a sprinkle of brown sugar, chocolate syrup, or extra caramel drizzle.

RecipeFAQS
What’s the difference between iced caramel coffee and iced caramel latte?
The largest difference is one uses espresso and one uses brewed coffee.Our blog post on the difference between aniced latte and iced coffeegoes into more detail on the difference between the two types of beverages.The caramel version of both just adds caramel syrup.
What is an iced caramel latte from Starbucks?
The Starbucks iced caramel latte mixes espresso, milk, ice, and caramel brulée sauce and is topped with whipped cream. So this recipe really is a homemade version!
Does caramel latte have coffee?
A caramel latte can be made with either espresso or coffee. You can make it with decaf coffee or decaf espresso if you prefer non-caffeinated.
Our Favorite Latte Products
Make yourself a little at-home barista setup with some of our favorite tools and products. Here's a fun list to get you started so you can make more coffee shop favorites in your kitchen. (This section contains affiliate links).
- A moka pot is anespresso makeron the cheap. Or a full-blownespresso machineand milk frother combo for a fancier setup.
- A large mason jar with a lid and some cheesecloth (if you're making a cold brew coffee).
- A French press if you're looking for just a regular cup of coffee that has a rich, full-bodied flavor.
- The cutest littlenugget ice moldsfor next-level iced coffee. Or you guessed it, a full-blownnugget ice makerfor a fancy setup (again).
- A coffee bean grinder. Grinding your coffee beans just before brewing your coffee ensures the freshest flavor.
- Iced coffee tumblerswith glass straws.
- Handheld milk frotheror alarger milk frotherfor hot or cold milk foam.

What to Serve with Your Iced Caramel Latte
If you want to go full coffee shop style with your breakfast, enjoy your latte with a pastry. Thisalmond flour banana breadwould taste so delicious with a caramel iced latte. Thesegluten-free morning glory muffinsare another favorite breakfast treat of ours.
Especially in those hot summer months, like your drink, you might be looking to stick to something cold for breakfast. Ourtropical kale smoothieandmango spinach smoothieare both packed with plenty of good vitamins, fiber, and protein.
Protein bowls like thismochaorgreen smoothie bowlare another perfect way to sneak in your daily values of nutrients.
Storage Instructions
Make-ahead:make a batch (or a double batch) of the caramel syrup and store it in the fridge for up to a week. All you have to do is blend the milk and make your espresso when you're ready to whip up a latte.
Storage:store any leftover latte in the fridge for up to 3 days. I recommend removing any ice from the latte before placing it in the fridge so it doesn't melt and water it down. You could also blend the caramel syrup and milk together and store that separately before mixing in with the coffee.

If you make this recipe, I’d love for you to give it a star rating ★ below. You can alsotag me on Instagramso I can see it!
Other Coffee Recipes You'll Love
Love iced lattes? If you're a chocolate fan, give themocha coconut iced coffeea try. Thisiced cinnamon dolce latteis a year-round favorite that tastes like cinnamon toast crunch cereal.
If you're not into lattes but still want something cold to help wake you up, ourpumpkin cream cold brewis a viral recipe everyone loves. Or add thisvanilla sweet cream cold foamto your favorite cold brew.
Iced Caramel Latte
This homemade iced caramel latte is cold and refreshing and has a touch of sweetness, a bold espresso flavor, and a smooth, buttery texture. It looks as decadent as it tastes but takes less than 10 minutes to make — including a homemade caramel sauce. See the recipe post above for step-by-step images.
5 from 1 vote
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Course: Drink
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 4 minutes
Cook Time: 4 minutes
Total Time: 8 minutes
Servings: 1 serving
Calories: 200kcal
Author: Molly Thompson
Ingredients
Caramel Simple Syrup (makes 6-8 servings)
- ½ cup granulated sugar or coconut sugar (Note 1)
- ½ cup water
- ½ teaspoon vanilla
Iced Caramel Latte
- 1 cup ice
- 1-2 shots of espresso (Note 2 Coffee Options)
- 1-3 tablespoons caramel syrup above
- 1 cup milk of choice whole milk, 2%, coconut, almond milk, oat milk etc.
- Optional: whipped cream dairy-free whipped cream and caramel
Recommended Equipment
Small saucepan
(Video) COPYCAT STARBUCKS Caramel Macchiato Hot & Cold Recipes | Feat. MINOS Moka Pot Espresso MakerMilk frother, hand frother, or spoon
Instructions
Combine ¼ cup water and ½ cup sugar in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir until dissolved, about 2 minutes
Cover and boil for 2- 3 minutes. Remove the lid and stir consistently until the mixture is a light amber color.
Remove from heat immediately, then carefully stir in remaining ¼ cup water and vanilla.
If desired, add a pinch of salt for salted caramel syrup.
- Pour 1-3 tablespoons of caramel syrup into a liquid measuring cup with your choice of milk. Use a hand frother to blend it together until frothy (a spoon works as well, it just won’t be frothy).
- Add ice cubes to a tall glass then pour the caramel syrup and milk mixture on top. Finish by pouring the espresso (or coffee) on top and stir to combine. Top with whipped cream, if desired, then sprinkle with a little more cinnamon.
Notes
Note 1. Sugar. We tested this with both granulated sugar and coconut sugar. The coconut sugar is darker and will yield a darker caramel sauce. View more coconut sugar substitutes for low-carb options, that may not caramelize as well.
Note 2. Coffee. All of these are great options for a latte. Try any of these with decaf coffee if you prefer.
- Espresso: use a fancy espresso machine or grab a cheap one on Amazon you can use on the stovetop.
- Cold brew coffee: store-bought or your owncold brew coffeeare both great options.
- Very strong coffee: brew the strongest coffee you can for a latte
*Nutrition information is for 2 Tablespoons of caramel syrup and whole milk.
Nutrition
Serving: 1latte | Calories: 200kcal | Carbohydrates: 25.7g | Protein: 7.8g | Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 24.4mg | Sodium: 106mg | Sugar: 26.3g | Vitamin A: 112.2IU
Did you make this recipe?Mention @What_MollyMade or tag #whatmollymade!
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FAQs
What is in a Starbucks iced caramel latte? ›
What's included. Starbucks® Blonde Espresso Roast combined with milk, ice and rich caramel brulée sauce. Finished with whipped cream and caramel brulée topping.
How many caramel pumps are in an iced caramel latte? ›Starbucks typically puts three pumps of syrup in a tall latte, four in a grande, and five in a venti (six if it's an iced venti, because the drink is four ounces larger). It's a good rule of thumb to use if you're going rogue and making your own order so you don't overdo it.
What's the difference between iced caramel coffee and iced caramel latte? ›Iced coffee is made with regular brewed coffee, while iced latte is made with a shot of espresso or two. Also, an iced latte contains around 3 parts milk and 2 parts espresso, while iced coffee may or may not have milk.
How to make Starbucks caramel latte sachet? ›- Add 1 sachet of Starbucks® Premium Instant Coffee per cup.
- Pour over 180ml of hot water. Allow boiling water to rest for 30 seconds before using, optimum temperature is 85°C.
- Stir, sit back and enjoy. Recommended for you.
How to Make a Caramel Iced Latte. You'll need three simple ingredients: espresso (or strong coffee), milk of choice, and caramel syrup.
What is in Starbucks caramel sauce? ›CORN SYRUP, INVERT SUGAR, SUGAR, BUTTER (CREAM, SALT), HEAVY CREAM, WATER, SKIM MILK POWDER, NATURAL FLAVORS, POTASSIUM SORBATE (PRESERVATIVE), MONO AND DIGLYCERIDES, SODIUM BICARBONATE.
How many Oz is 4 pumps at Starbucks? ›For reference, each pump is equal to about one fluid ounce. The pumps increase with the sizes: a Tall gets three pumps, a Grande gets four, a Venti hot gets five, and a Venti iced gets six. (Where I worked didn't serve Trenta (30 oz.)
How many ounces is 4 pumps of syrup? ›Each pump dispenses 1/4 fluid ounces of syrup.
How many tablespoons is 4 pumps at Starbucks? ›It pumps approximately 1 tbsp per pump, and it does not drip or leave a mess on your counter at all.
Does Starbucks do a caramel iced latte? ›Serve, and enjoy. Get ready for a cool, refreshing, and utterly delicious coffee experience.
What's the difference between caramel syrup and caramel sauce at Starbucks? ›
Sauces have a thicker consistency than syrups, but syrups work better in cold drinks, like iced coffee. You can also use syrups in more non-coffee applications, such as baked goods and ice cream toppings.
What's the difference between iced caramel latte and caramel macchiato? ›Caramel macchiato has a slightly sweeter flavor because of the vanilla syrup added. It also has a more robust espresso-forward flavor. The caramel latte is creamier because more milk is used, which dilutes the coffee flavor. It has a more milk-forward flavor with a touch of caramel.
What is the TikTok Starbucks drink caramel? ›TikTok. You have to try this drink creamy caramel cold brew. Order a venti cold brew with sweet cream, 3 pumps of caramel and caramel drizzle around the cup.
What is the tik tok caramel starbucks drink? ›To order, ask for a venti Iced White Chocolate Mocha. Top it with sweet cream foam and load it with extra caramel drizzle. That means all around the inside of the cup and on top if you're feelin' feisty. Honestly, I don't think there's such a thing as too much caramel drizzle.
How much flavor syrup to put in latte? ›How much syrup per cup of coffee. For a really great flavor, use 2 tablespoons of syrup per serving. That equals 1 ounce or 30ml.
What's the difference between iced latte and iced coffee latte? ›Iced Coffee vs Iced Latte: The Differences
Iced coffee can use any type of brewed coffee. The freshly brewed hot coffee is simply poured over ice and served. Iced latte on the other hand uses only a shot of espresso. The espresso is mixed with milk and poured over ice.
Mix the hot espresso with the sugar until it dissolves. Fill a glass with ice and stir in the sweetened coffee. Pour over the milk and stir until combined.
What is Starbucks caramel iced coffee called? ›Iced Caramel Macchiato: Starbucks Coffee Company.
What syrup does Starbucks use caramel? ›Starbucks uses Torani-brand caramel syrup for their caramel-flavored drinks. The Torani brand is known for its rich, deep flavor, which pairs perfectly with hot or cold coffee drinks.
What are the ingredients in Starbucks caramel coffee? ›What's included. Freshly steamed milk with vanilla-flavored syrup marked with espresso and topped with a caramel drizzle for an oh-so-sweet finish.
Is there caramel syrup at Starbucks? ›
Starbucks Naturally Flavored Caramel Syrup has a delicious, smooth and buttery flavor reminiscent of your last visit to a Starbucks café.
How much is 1 pump of Torani syrup? ›Torani syrup pumps are great to have on hand. Each pump of the bottle is equal to 1/4 oz. of syrup. These are made to fit 750 ml syrup bottles, the most common size.
Should you stir caramel macchiato? ›No, you shouldn't mix your iced caramel macchiato.
A caramel macchiato is made with vanilla syrup to start, then milk, then espresso, and is finished with a special crosshatched pattern of caramel drizzle. Its components are meant to be sipped in order, so mixing them defeats its entire purpose.
and a Venti hot drink (20 oz.) contain two shots of espresso. Only Venti iced drinks, which are larger (24 oz.), get three shots.
What is the syrup to water ratio? ›Use a 1:1 ratio (1 part sugar to 1 part water) for basic simple syrup, and a 2:1 ratio for rich simple syrup.
How many pumps of vanilla are in a caramel macchiato? ›What's in Starbucks Iced Caramel Macchiato? The grande drink is made with 2 shots of espresso, 3 pumps of vanilla syrup, 2% milk, ice, and caramel sauce.
Does Starbucks charge for extra pumps? ›Starbucks does not charge for extra syrup in a drink that already has that syrup in it. (And if yours does there may be a problem, or something else is going on, like a lack of ability to get supplies or something.)
How many tablespoons is 1 pump? ›1 pump is about 1/2 a tablespoon.
How many teaspoons is 1 pump of syrup? ›A typical pump is approximately 1/4 teaspoon of syrup, making it approximately 1. 5 tablespoons. However, some pumps are larger or smaller, so it can vary pump to pump and store to store.
How much is a splash of milk at Starbucks? ›Take advantage of free add-ins, like "splash of milk," (dairy-free at no extra charge) and different syrups if the drink already has one. Ask for less ice to maximize your drink, and add more milk/sweetener at the self-service table. You can also ask for "extra" everything (toppings, milk, whipped cream, syrup, etc.).
What is caramel latte called? ›
The Caramel Machiatto or C-Mac is a vanilla latte with foam and gooey caramel drizzled on top, while Chai Latte notes that the steamed milk of a normal cafè latte is being flavored with a spiced tea concentrate.
What color is iced caramel latte? ›What is iced caramel latte hair? Just like the beverage (which beautifully blends espresso and steamed milk), iced latte hair is a stunning combination of deep browns and cool ash, with just a hint of gold.
Is a caramel latte from Starbucks sweet? ›Warm, sweet, and smooth, this drink is just a perfect way to warm up during the cold winter months. If you've ever tried Starbucks' Caramel Latte before, you know that you are in for a real treat. Let's dive in and learn how to make it at home.
Is it better to use brown sugar or white sugar for caramel sauce? ›The best caramel starts with regular granulated sugar. This refined white sugar is made from sugarcane or sugar beets, and it melts more evenly than unrefined sugars. Some recipes call for brown sugar as a shortcut because its dark color looks like caramel as soon as it melts.
What makes caramel taste like caramel? ›What Is Caramel? Caramel is white granulated sugar that's been heated slowly to 340 degrees Fahrenheit. This gradual heating process breaks down the sugar's molecules and creates a deep golden brown color and rich flavor.
Is caramel sauce the same as melted caramels? ›Caramel sauce results either from cooking sugar until it browns or by thinning melted caramel candies. When a recipe calls for melting caramel candies, you can use a homemade caramel sauce to replace the melted caramels.
Is an upside down caramel macchiato just a latte? ›If you order an upside-down macchiato, here's the difference between your drink and a latte. Starbucks makes its latte by blending espresso shots with milk that's been steamed. In contrast, this drink is created by adding layers of espresso drizzles of caramel and finishing it with foam.
Which is healthier caramel macchiato or latte? ›A caramel latte is higher in calories compared to a caramel macchiato. The latte has approximately 122 calories in one serving. It also has 18g of carbs, 5.8g of sugar, 3.3g of fat, and 5.8g of protein.
Is an upside down macchiato the same as a latte? ›Macchiatos are predominantly espresso with a small dollop of milk foam on top. The upside-down macchiato, or latte macchiato, typically has more milk than the traditional macchiato but still retains a stronger espresso flavor compared to a latte.
What does upside down coffee mean? ›Ordering a Upside Down Caramel Macchiato means that the steps to make a regular Caramel Macchiato are reversed (first caramel, then espresso, then milk and ice, and then vanilla syrup).
What is the 7 dollar drink at Starbucks? ›
"One iced white mocha with vanilla sweet cream cold foam and extra caramel drizzle." It might sound like a highly specific, complex coffee order, but some Starbucks workers hear it a dozen or more times a day.
What is in an Ariana Grande at Starbucks? ›How to order: Start with a Vanilla Bean Frappuccino w/ Raspberry Syrup (aka the Cotton Candy Frappuccino) Add extra mocha syrup. Add extra mocha chips.
What is the caramel Christmas drink at Starbucks? ›Caramel Brulée Latte
Even if you've never tried a Starbucks holiday drink, we're pretty damn positive you'd enjoy this one. It stars rich, buttery Caramel Brulée sauce, inspired by crème brûlée's layer of torched sugar. The pretty caramel brulée topping mimics the crunch of burnt sugar even further.
This viral Starbucks TikTok drink is creamy, smooth, and velvety. Every sip is such a delight. If you want to get this drink on your next trip to Starbucks, order a Vanilla Bean Frappuccino with two pumps of toffee nut syrup topped with extra caramel drizzle.
How many pumps of syrup are in a Starbucks caramel latte? ›Starbucks typically puts three pumps of syrup in a tall latte, four in a grande, and five in a venti (six if it's an iced venti, because the drink is four ounces larger).
Which syrup is best for latte? ›#1 Vanilla
One of the most widely known and most popular flavoured syrup has always been vanilla. Vanilla is excellent combined with coffee. Vanilla lattes are very popular in coffee shops across the UK which is why this syrup is considered the top and most popular out of the seven we are looking at.
With a Latte the ratio of espresso to hot milk tends to be 1:3, 1 part espresso to 3 parts milk.
What is the difference between a caramel latte and a caramel macchiato? ›Both beverages use espresso as their base, both are topped with a deep layer of frothed milk, and both use caramel sauce. The difference comes with the syrup. A caramel macchiato is made by mixing coffee with a little bit of vanilla syrup, while a caramel latte only uses caramel sauce as a sweetener.
What is the difference between iced caramel latte and iced caramel macchiato? ›The difference in milk is important, as well. Iced lattes rely on lighter, low-fat milk. You make iced macchiatos with whole milk or cream. Iced lattes may have foamed milk on top or may just consist of milk and coffee, while an iced macchiato will usually have whipped cream and syrups on top.
Does a caramel latte have caffeine? ›Does caramel latte have caffeine? If you use regular caffeinated coffee to make this caramel latte, yes, it will have caffeine. But you can always use decaf coffee to get your sweet fix without any caffeine.
How many pumps of caramel are in a caramel macchiato? ›
What's in Starbucks Iced Caramel Macchiato? The grande drink is made with 2 shots of espresso, 3 pumps of vanilla syrup, 2% milk, ice, and caramel sauce.
Is a macchiato stronger than a latte? ›A macchiato is a much stronger coffee drink than a latte, offering more bold flavors and caffeine.
What's in a caramel craze latte? ›The Caramel Craze Latte includes a caramel flavor, and is topped with whipped cream, a caramel flavored drizzle and cinnamon sugar topping. The Cocoa Mocha Latte has a mocha flavor, and is topped with whipped cream, a mocha drizzle and hot chocolate powder.
What is the difference between a caramel latte and a caramel cappuccino? ›Cappuccinos are made using equal parts espresso, steamed milk, and milk foam, while lattes involve adding steamed milk to an espresso.
What's the difference between an upside down caramel macchiato? ›Ordering a Upside Down Caramel Macchiato means that the steps to make a regular Caramel Macchiato are reversed (first caramel, then espresso, then milk and ice, and then vanilla syrup). Thank you!
Can a latte keep you awake? ›Once consumed, caffeine is very quickly absorbed and distributed throughout your body, including to your brain. It's here that caffeine elicits its most classic effect — helping keep you alert and awake. Caffeine accomplishes this by blocking sleep-promoting receptors in your brain called adenosine receptors.
Which Starbucks coffee has the least caffeine? ›You can control how much or how little caffeine you consume based on your coffee order. If you want a lot of caffeine, order a cold brew or drip coffee. If you want the least amount of caffeine, order a single shot of espresso or a latte.
How much caffeine is too much a day? ›Healthy adults shouldn't consume more than 400 milligrams (mg) of caffeine per day. That's equal to about four 8-ounce cups of brewed coffee or 10 cans of cola. Teens should limit their caffeine intake to less than 100 mg per day (one 8-ounce cup of coffee or about two cans of cola).