Creamy Starbucks Caramel Macchiato Recipe Easy Homemade Copycat Guide
A simple and approachable recipe to recreate the creamy, sweet, and smooth Starbucks caramel macchiato at home with easy ingredients and quick preparation.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 1 serving 1x
- Category: Beverage
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 shots (60 ml) freshly brewed espresso or ½ cup (120 ml) strong brewed coffee
- 1 cup (240 ml) whole milk (or oat, almond, or soy milk for dairy-free)
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) vanilla syrup (homemade or store-bought)
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) caramel sauce (homemade recommended or store-bought)
- Optional: 1 teaspoon sugar or honey (for sweeter milk before frothing)
Instructions
- Brew 2 shots of espresso (about 60 ml) or ½ cup (120 ml) strong coffee and set aside.
- If making homemade vanilla syrup, mix equal parts sugar and water, heat until sugar dissolves, then stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and let cool.
- Warm 1 cup (240 ml) milk until hot but not boiling (around 150°F / 65°C). Froth milk using a frother or by shaking vigorously in a jar until creamy foam forms.
- Pour warmed milk into a glass or mug and stir in 2 tablespoons (30 ml) vanilla syrup.
- Slowly pour espresso over the milk to create a layered effect. Pour gently or over the back of a spoon to maintain layers.
- Drizzle 2 tablespoons (30 ml) caramel sauce generously on top.
- Serve immediately and enjoy warm.
Notes
Use fresh espresso for best flavor. Heat milk to about 150°F (65°C) to avoid scorching and to create good froth. Pour espresso slowly over milk or use the back of a spoon to maintain layers. Homemade caramel sauce enhances flavor over store-bought. For dairy-free, oat milk froths best and adds slight sweetness. Adjust sweetness by varying vanilla syrup and caramel drizzle. Reheat gently if needed, adding fresh caramel after warming.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (about 8 oz)
- Calories: 190
- Sugar: 25
- Sodium: 90
- Fat: 7
- Saturated Fat: 4.5
- Carbohydrates: 27
- Protein: 6
Keywords: caramel macchiato, Starbucks copycat, homemade coffee, caramel coffee, espresso drink, creamy coffee, easy coffee recipe