How to Make a Starbucks Caramel Macchiato at Home

by kiwisoutback

Don't feel like paying? Make a Starbucks Caramel Macchiato, hot or iced, right in the comfort of your own home with an espresso machine. Yum.

Why You Should Make Caramel Macchiatos in the Privacy of Your Own Home!

Espresso + Milk + Homemade Caramel = True Love

If you're looking for a decadent, calorie rich, over-the-top satisfying treat, the Starbucks Caramel Macchiato is the perfect drink, hot or cold, to slowly induldge. As a hot beverage, it has an amazing sweet taste that is perfectly complimented by the steamed milk. As an iced drink, the espresso takes on a totally different flavor, becoming the ideal summer afternoon pick-me-up. 

What's the downside of this drink? For a large, oh sorry, venti, the drink is going to cost you around $5 or more as when this article was published. That's steep for a drink, and if you're getting one daily... expect to be paying around $150 a month at Starbucks, just on this one drink! Let's see if we can curb some of that cost by making it at home with the help of this recipe. Not only will it save you some bucks, but it will teach you how to make any espresso based drink, hot or cold, into the perfect beverage to slowly sip and enjoy, right in the comfort of your own home.

Photo of hot caramel macchiato by michaeltk on flickr, licensed under CC 2.0.

Ingredients

What you'll need to have on hand for a Caramel Macchiato

Whether you're making this drink hot or iced, the ingredients are the same (except for the ice, of course). First, you'll need a good espresso machine that's not just in working order, but making tasty espressos. Personally, I use a Nespresso machine because it's easy, works consistently, I don't have to pack down the espresso manually, and the "capsules" taste pretty good to me. I'll even go as far as sipping an espresso by itself, which is a real treat for me. 

So here's what you'll need:

  • 3-4 fresh brewed shots of espresso
  • 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract (real extract, not the imitation kind)
  • 2 Tablespoons of Caramel Sauce (or more to taste)
  • 1 cup of whole milk (this by far will steam the best)

Caramel Sauce

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Directions

How to make hot or iced Caramel Macchiato right now!

By this point, you must be pretty psyched up about drinking your Starbucks Caramel Macchiato. Before your taste buds can writhe and groan in ecstacy, you'll need to make the drink first. Here's how:

  1. Add the caramel sauce to the bottom of a serving mug. Add the espresso. Take a large metal spoon and mix the two together until the sauce is melted in. 
  2. Add the vanilla extract. 
  3. Add the steamed milk to the drink. If iced, do not steam the milk. Add the milk, then top with ice. Use plenty of ice to make it cold. Use a shaker if you have one on hand, it makes the drink ice cold instantly. 
  4. Enjoy. 
  5. Well, if you really want to go the extra mile, top this drink with whipped cream and some extra caramel sauce. It's decadent either way.

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More homemade varieties of lattes and flavored drinks to choose from.

Updated: 01/25/2012, kiwisoutback
 
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Comments

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DarylSerrano on 03/29/2012

My oh my .. can't wait to try this!

katiem2 on 03/10/2012

I do love a good starbucks caramel macchiato, now that I know how to do it at home I'm in big trouble, Thanks for the delicious tips on making coffee at home.

Guest on 10/07/2011

I don't have an Starbucks where I live so this is a great way to 'sample' their famous brew. Sweet coffee drinks is my great!..;-)

WordCustard on 10/05/2011

Oh wow, this sounds absolutely delicious... and without the Starbucks price!

lakeerieartists on 10/05/2011

Great recipe. I have to say this is not my drink of choice. I like a hazelnut latte. But I do drink them almost every day. ;)

Welcome to Wizzley.

KarenTBTEN on 10/04/2011

That sounds good. I like coffee with lots of stuff of added, though I don't have the space or money for an expresso machine. If someone strongly prefers expresso over brewed or instant, then the expresso machine pays for itself quite quickly.

Dianne on 09/29/2011

Thanks for this recipe! We love Starbucks and have a coffee date there now and then.

chefkeem on 09/29/2011

Welcome to Wizzley, Kiwi! I do love Starbucks coffee as an occasional treat. But then only pure - no flavorings for me, please. :)

happynutritionist on 09/29/2011

Hey there - nice to see you here on Wizzley - great starbucks page...I have an occasional Starbucks, but am a regular daily couple times a day coffee drinker. I only use Arabica Bean coffee as the caffeine level is a bit lower but enough to jump start my day:-)

Jimmie on 09/29/2011

Yum. Caramel Macchiato is my FAVE Starbucks treat. And I do consider a $5 cup of coffee a treat! I drink it at home because I'm frugal like that.

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