Note: This article contains affiliate links (hyperlinks, widgets, or through images), which means I receive compensation if you purchase a product through them. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and/or believe will add value to my readers. Visit my disclosure page for more information.
My favorite kind of coffee is vanilla flavored and I like it sweet. REAL sweet. I am one of those people that like a large cream to coffee ratio. It’s not too much but more than the suggested serving size. At home, I brew Van Houtte French Vanilla Coffee in my Keurig and add a sizable amount of french vanilla creamer to it. It’s the perfect vanilla taste without tasting artificial. Using a flavored creamer saves me from adding sugar. That’s a win in my book!
At places like Starbucks, I still go for the sweet vanilla coffee taste by getting a Cafe Vanilla Frappuccino or an Iced Caramel Macchiato. Both of these have the taste that I’m going for but aren’t always the friendliest with my pocketbook. To save some money I tried to make a homemade Vanilla Frappuccino, like the bottled kind. I could never get the right taste despite the recipes I found on Pinterest.
They ended up tasting more like a Caramel Macchiato to me but without the yummy caramel. It had me thinking about my Caramel Pecan Pie Bars, Caramel DeLites Mini Pies, anything and everything caramel. Caramel was on the brain so I HAD to scrap that thought and decided to make an Iced Cold Brew Caramel Macchiato instead. I was thrilled by the results. Deliciousness in a glass I tell ya!
Using Cold Brew Coffee
To make my Iced Cold Brew Caramel Macchiato, you guessed it, I used a cold brew coffee. It’s called Cold Brew Kitchen. Cold brewing coffee couldn’t be simpler. You just throw the coffee in a glass jar with water and steep for 12-24 hours. The result is amazing. You get a delicious coffee concentrate that is mellow and not bitter at all. I dare say it’s even a bit sweet on its own.
I can’t stand coffees that are too acidic. The bitter taste is not for me but cold brewing alleviates this. Cold Brew Kitchen’s Elite Espresso Blend is everything an expresso should be – smooth and oh so rich with an intense flavor but with no bite. It’s perfect!
I think cold brewing made my Iced Caramel Macchiato even better than Starbucks because I am not a fan of the bite. Not at all. Cold Brew Kitchen’s Elite Espresso Blend is now my go-to coffee for this recipe! I love I can make a batch of this and it will last a couple weeks in the refrigerator. By the way, you can buy Cold Brew Kitchen via their website and get a free filtering bag. SO awesome!!
Iced Cold Brew Caramel Macchiato
Iced Cold Brew Caramel Macchiato
Ingredients
- 1 cup milk cold
- 1.5 tbsp vanilla syrup
- 1/3 cup strong coffee cold brew espresso
- 1/2 cup ice
- 1-3 tbsp caramel sauce
Instructions
-
Start by cold brewing your coffee. Pour a 12oz. bag of coffee into a glass container. Add 7-10 cups water to the coffee. Let steep at room temperature for 12-24 hours. Strain coffee into another container through a mesh bag or filter. Chill in refrigerator until cold.
-
Once your coffee is brewed and chilled, pour the vanilla syrup into a 16oz glass. Drizzle the sides of the glass with caramel. Add cold milk, then ice. Lastly, add the coffee. Drizzle caramel sauce on top. Enjoy!
Recipe Notes
Using a Cold Brew System works great for this recipe too!
Krystle Cook – the creator of Home Jobs by MOM – put her psychology degree on a shelf and dived into a pile of diapers and dishes instead. She is a wife and mother to two rambunctious boys, sweating it out in her Texas hometown. She loves cooking, DIY home projects, and family fun activities.
DIY Christmas Shower Jellies
“Every day is another chance to get stronger, to eat better, to live healthier, and to be the best version of you.”
Hi Krystle, that caramel macchiato looks decadent. I’m sure there will be many people thrilled to know how to make this at home and save the $5-7 at Starbucks. Way more cost effective I’m sure.
Yes, it is WAY cheaper considering you can make it in large batches. Oh so good too 🙂
That sounds so good. I love that I can make it right at home and save tons of money at Starbucks.
Yeah, Starbucks isn’t the cheapest thing in the world but this is a nice alternative 🙂
I love caramel macchiato’s but I have never had them cold before!
What a wonderful delicious treat for a hot summer day.
Try it cold!! You will love it. I like them better than the hot ones.
This sounds delicious! I don’t drink coffee, but if I did I am sure that I would be making this one ASAP.
Neither does my husband. I only like flavored coffees or at least creamer/sugar. I can’t do straight coffee.
I absolutely HATE the taste and smell of coffee so this is a definite no for me. However I know some of my friends spend $$ at starbucks for these. so I’ll share with them so they can save!
Please share with them. It is tasty!
I’ve never heard of this before. I’m not a fan of brewing my own iced anything because it never tastes as good. I will have to check this out however and see if I’ll like it. Better than Starbucks you say?
Well, that’s just what I think. Personally I don’t like really strong coffee but this being cold brew makes the difference to me.
this looks so fabulous I’m almost annoyed that I don’t like coffee. My hubby does though, so I’ll make it for him.
If he likes caramel, he will love it!
I don’t often drink coffee but when I do it is always black. This looks like a really nice brew to serve to guests though and looks easy to whip up!
I can’t do black coffee. Guess I’m not a real coffee person LOL. It has to have something in it.
Look delicious! Perfect for a pck-me-up!
I will definitely have to try to make this. I love the fact that you can replace the sugar with the creamer. With the warmer weather coming – this drink is ideal!
I always try to use flavored sugar-free creamers instead of sugar. Or at least splenda to cut calories.
I’ve always wanted to try a caramel macchiato. Now I can just make my own. Thanks.
If you like caramel and coffee you will love it 🙂
Omg yes please thia is pure perfection definitely my taste will be making this ASAP.
It tastes AMAZING and so much cheaper than Starbucks 🙂
I love that this is so much more cost effective than going to Starbucks! I’m not a fan of overly acidic and bitter coffee either, which is why I love lots of flavor and sugar. This looks delicious! And cold brew…yum. I’ve been craving it a lot lately!
Bitter coffee is gross. This is nice and smooth and YUMMY!
This is one of my favorite Starbucks drinks. Who knew it could be so easy to DIY?! And caramel syrup on top is a MUST! 😉
You can also get sugar free caramel and cut calories. Win!
These are one of my favorite recipes ever! I always order this when going out now I can make it at home.
It is one of my favorite coffee drinks too!
This looks so good! I absolutely need a little bit of coffee with my flavored creamer. No, seriously. I love coffee, espresso, whatever you name it. But I cannot drink it black. Anything mocha is my absolute favorite.
I am still trying to find a mocha coffee I like. What is your favorite?
I love iced coffees. My favorites are vanilla and caramel also. I bought an ice coffee toddy a number of years ago and it does well. However when I was emptying the grounds last year the filter must have come out with the grounds because I never found it. I’ve seen the French press but haven’t talked to anyone having yet.
Vanilla and caramel are my favs too! I’m sorry you lost the filter 🙁
Sounds good I love that I can make this at home and save money.
It’s super yummy! The cold brew is key I think.