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Caramel Macchiato

This tasty gem blends the kick of espresso with a sweet caramel twist, making it a go-to for those who love a balance of bold and smooth.

5 min Medium

Here is what you need

1 espresso shot (about 40ml or 1/4 cup), based on your preference you can use Nespresso Original coffee Caramello or Vertuo Golden Caramel.
1 cup milk (go with whole, oat, or whatever you’ve got).
1-2 tablespoons caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade, your choice).
A dash of vanilla extract (optional).
Ice cubes (only for the iced caramel macchiato drink).
Whipped cream (optional).
Extra caramel sauce (optional).

Let's make it!

For a hot macchiato:

Start by brewing an espresso shot. Let it cool a bit.
Warm your milk in the Aeroccino.
Drizzle some caramel sauce into your mug, pour the espresso over it, and mix it around. Top it with the warm milk, letting the foam sit on top to “mark” it like a proper macchiato.
Finish it off with a caramel drizzle on top, add whipped cream if you like it. Sip and savor your caramel macchiato masterpiece!

For an iced caramel macchiato:

Start by brewing an espresso shot. Let it cool a bit.
Keep the milk cold, or put it in Aeroccino (cold foam) if you like it foamy.
Load a tall glass with ice, drizzle caramel over it, then pour in the cold milk followed by the espresso. Stir it lightly to mix the flavors.
Finish it off with a caramel drizzle on top, add whipped cream if you like it. Sip and savor your caramel macchiato masterpiece!

Sweet and Simple

A caramel macchiato starts with espresso, gets a hit of caramel sweetness, and finishes with milk (hot or cold). The iced caramel macchiato swaps heat for chill, layering ice and cold milk for a refreshing twist.
You can tweak the caramel to your liking, keeping that rich coffee backbone front and center. Machines like Nespresso make the espresso part a breeze, so you’re set to nail this caramel macchiato recipe at home.

Where’d the Caramel Macchiato Come From?

The macchiato itself meaning “stained” or “marked” in Italian has been around for ages, traditionally just espresso with a splash of milk. The caramel twist? That’s a modern coffeehouse spin, likely born in the U.S. to satisfy sweet-tooth caffeine fans. The iced caramel macchiato takes it further, blending cool vibes with that bold espresso punch, and it’s been winning hearts ever since.

Caramel Macchiato vs. Iced Latte. What’s the Deal?

They might look similar, but a caramel macchiato and an iced latte aren’t quite similar. The macchiato builds on espresso with caramel and a light milk topping (or cold milk for the caramel macchiato iced coffee), keeping the coffee flavor strong. An iced latte flips it: more milk, less intensity, often with syrups mixed in. If you’re craving that espresso-forward hit with a caramel kick, the iced caramel macchiato is your winner.