Caramel Macchiato
Vanilla milk marked with espresso and finished with caramel: a macchiato built upside down.
A layered, sweet milk drink: vanilla syrup and steamed milk in the cup, espresso poured through the top, and a caramel drizzle over the foam. Served unstirred, so the first sip is sweeter and the last is stronger.
Sensory profile
You should taste
How it unfolds
Where it sits
That is 150 mg in one serving (16 oz (473 ml), double shot), a concentration of 31.7 mg per 100 ml. The scale above ranks whole servings, and servings differ in size, so a larger drink can sit further right while being weaker cup for cup.
Editorial estimate, not a laboratory measurement
Related gear
| Brewing method | Espresso Machine |
|---|---|
| Coffee-to-water ratio | 1 part espresso to about 10 parts milk |
| Base & finished drink | 36g → 386g |
| Grind size | Fine (espresso) |
| Water temperature | 199°F / 93°C |
| Target brew time | 0:25-0:30 extraction |
| Serving | 16 oz (473 ml), double shot |
What you need
- 18 g freshly roasted coffee, ground fine for espresso
- 30 ml vanilla syrup
- About 300 ml whole milk, or an oat milk made for steaming
- 10 g caramel sauce
Required gear
- Espresso machine with a steam wand
- Burr grinder with fine adjustment
- Portafilter with the right basket
- Tamper
- Scale accurate to 0.1 g
- Small milk jug
- Thermometer (optional)
- Warm cup or glass
Step-by-step protocol
- 0:00Stir 30 ml of vanilla syrup into a cup of about 473 ml.
- 0:20Dose 18 g of ground coffee into the double basket and tamp flat and even. Pull a double shot into a small jug or cup: 18 g of coffee into about 36 g, in 25 to 30 seconds.
- 0:50Steam about 300 ml of cold milk to 60 to 65°C, with a little air at the start so it builds a layer of foam.
- 1:40Pour the steamed milk into the cup of syrup, keeping the foam on top.
- 1:50Pour the espresso slowly through the foam, so it marks the surface and sinks into the milk.
- 2:00Drizzle about 10 g of caramel sauce over the top in a crosshatch pattern. Serve without stirring.
Troubleshooting
What it may be good for
A number worth knowing
We list about 150 mg for a 16 oz caramel macchiato made with two shots of espresso. A typical 8 oz cup of brewed coffee has about 95 mg.
Where the sweetness comes from
Most of the sweetness in a caramel macchiato comes from the vanilla syrup and the caramel sauce, not the coffee. Asking for fewer pumps of syrup is an easy way to make it less sweet.
What to watch out for
- Caffeine affects everyone differently. If you are pregnant or nursing, sensitive to caffeine, or have been told to limit it, check with your doctor about how much is right for you.
A layered, sweet milk drink: vanilla syrup and steamed milk in the cup, espresso poured through the top, and a caramel drizzle over the foam. Served unstirred, so the first sip is sweeter and the last is stronger.
Origin & Story
The caramel macchiato is a modern invention. Starbucks introduced it in 1996, and it has since become one of the best-known coffee drinks in the world.
The name borrows from Italy, where macchiato means stained or marked. In an Italian macchiato a spot of milk marks the espresso. Here the idea is turned around: the cup starts with vanilla syrup and steamed milk, and the espresso is poured through the top, so it is the espresso that marks the milk.
Beyond the name, the two drinks have little in common. A traditional macchiato is a single shot of espresso in a tiny cup, with a teaspoon of milk foam. A caramel macchiato is a large, sweet milk drink, usually 12 to 20 ounces, with vanilla, steamed milk, espresso and a caramel drizzle on top.
The layers are the point. Served unstirred, the drink changes as you drink it: the first mouthful is mostly sweet foam and caramel, the middle is vanilla milk, and the last is stronger, with the espresso that settled below. Stir it and you have a vanilla latte with caramel.
To make one, stir about 30 ml of vanilla syrup into a 473 ml cup. Steam about 300 ml of milk to 60 to 65°C and pour it in, holding the foam on top. Pull a double shot (18 g of coffee into about 36 g), pour it slowly through the foam, and drizzle about 10 g of caramel sauce over the top in a crosshatch pattern.
Reading the Flavor Profile
| Axis | Score |
|---|---|
| Sweetness | 92/100 |
| Acidity | 24/100 |
| Bitterness | 28/100 |
| Body | 74/100 |
| Aroma | 66/100 |
These values are comparative editorial positions within our own catalog, calibrated so entries can be ranked against each other. They are not laboratory measurements.
How much caffeine is in Caramel Macchiato?
One serving, 16 oz (473 ml), double shot, contains approximately 150 mg of caffeine.
What temperature should I use for Caramel Macchiato?
Brew the base at 93°C (199°F). Where the milk is heated, 60–65°C is the target; past about 70°C it tastes scalded and loses its sweetness.
How long should Caramel Macchiato be extracted?
Timing: 0:25-0:30 extraction. Method: Espresso Machine. Ratio: 18g in, 36g out, over 300ml vanilla milk. Grind or leaf format: Fine (espresso).
Why does my Caramel Macchiato taste bitter?
In a milk drink, bitterness comes from the base (espresso pulled too long or tea steeped too long) or from scorched milk. Brew the base to the stated proportion, and if the milk is heated, stop at 60–65°C.
Is a caramel macchiato the same as a macchiato?
No. A traditional macchiato is an espresso with a spot of milk foam. A caramel macchiato is a large, sweet milk drink with vanilla, steamed milk, espresso poured on top and a caramel drizzle.
Why is it called a macchiato?
Because the espresso is poured on top of the milk and marks it, the way a spot of milk marks an Italian macchiato. In a latte the espresso goes in first.
Who should avoid Caramel Macchiato?
Caffeine affects everyone differently. If you are pregnant or nursing, sensitive to caffeine, or have been told to limit it, check with your doctor about how much is right for you. This information is educational and is not medical advice. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, managing a cardiac or gastrointestinal condition, or taking prescription medication, discuss caffeine and botanical intake with a qualified healthcare professional before making changes.
What people say
Breville Bambino Plus Compact Espresso
In this recipe: Espresso machine with a steam wand
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