This lush, dessert-like drink is a variation on the Caffè Macchiato and is served hot or cold. It's made with milk and vanilla syrup, then topped with espresso and caramel syrup.
It's no exaggeration to say that the caramel macchiato is one of the most delicious drinks in the coffee world. If you're a fan of caramel and coffee, you're likely to make this your favorite.
How was the Caramel Macchiato invented?
The Caramel Macchiato first appeared in Italy. The word means "marked" or "stained," so the drink is marked with a dash of steamed milk on top.
Today, a macchiato is more than just a distinguishing factor among drinks. As they've become increasingly popular, it's not uncommon to find them on the menu of almost every coffee shop, including Starbucks.
The Caramel Macchiato was introduced to Starbucks fans in 1996 when product developer Hannah Su and a small team at Starbucks HQ brainstormed the drink as a way to celebrate Starbucks' 25th anniversary. It took nearly a year to develop before debuting as a limited-time menu item, but it became a signature classic for the company, and the drink achieved global popularity as a result.
What is the difference between a Caramel Macchiato and a traditional Macchiato?
The traditional definition of a "macchiato" is an espresso with a little milk or foam.
The Caramel Macchiato is essentially a mildly sweet vanilla latte topped with caramel. The "macchiato"'s distinctiveness comes from the fact that the espresso is layered on top of the milk. This layering is especially noticeable in clear glasses.
How many calories does a Caramel Macchiato have?
Depending on options like size, milk fat content, and whether or not you add whipped cream, a typical Caramel Macchiato has between 200 and 300 calories. (An Espresso Macchiato, by comparison, typically has 25 calories or less.)
What are some variations of the Caramel Macchiato?
In addition to the Iced Caramel Macchiato, there are a variety of Caramel Macchiato variations, from seasonal treats like the Caramel Snickerdoodle Macchiato and the Caramel Pumpkin Macchiato, to even the Caramel Macchiato Frappuccino.
Of course, the Caramel Macchiato is itself a riff on the Starbucks Latte Macchiato, which has spawned seemingly endless variations like the Starbucks Blonde Honeycomb Macchiato, the Iced Cinnamon Almondmilk Macchiato, the Chestnut Macchiato, the Cloud Macchiato, the Great White North, and the Maple Macchiato, but there's no doubt that the Caramel Macchiato remains the favorite.
Can I make my own Caramel Macchiato at home?
A homemade caramel macchiato can be a tricky drink to make because the caramel makes it too sweet. What's in a caramel macchiato? Essentially, it's steamed milk, a shot of espresso, and a touch of vanilla and caramel sauce.
Try this caramel macchiato recipe and adjust the quantities to suit your own taste.
Prepare the materials
You'll need all the ingredients for the base of an espresso : a grinder, an espresso machine (although if you don't have an espresso machine, you can make a strong espresso using any other method (Moka pot, Aeropress, French press) and get the same result), a ceramic cup, and a stainless steel carafe.
For the caramel syrup, grab a small saucepan, heavy cream, brown sugar, and sea salt; the latter will complement the caramel flavors nicely. Use a wooden spoon to stir.
Prepare the syrup:
In a small saucepan, add all the ingredients over medium heat and stir well. Simmer for four minutes until the consistency thickens, then add pure vanilla.
Mix:
Once you've prepared the standard latte with espresso and steamed milk, add a spoonful of caramel syrup and the desired amount of sugar. Whipped cream and caramel drizzle are optional. Blending can be done with a simple spoon.
Drink. And enjoy!
This drink won't taste exactly like a Starbucks caramel macchiato, but this recipe is easy enough to give you a sweet coffee fix in about five minutes. Try it and you'll see how good a homemade caramel macchiato can be.