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    The Heirloom Pantry » Recipe Index » Drinks

    How to Make Caramel Iced Coffee

    Published: Sep 26, 2022 by Kathleen Higashiyama · The following content may contain affiliate links. When you click and shop the links, we receive a commission.

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    Pinterest pin for how to make caramel iced coffee.

    Caramel Iced Coffee features sweet caramel syrup, freshly brewed coffee or espresso, and your favorite milk over coffee ice cubes. Make this rich and refreshing coffee in just 5 minutes!

    Caramel iced coffee in a glass with coffee ice cubes, a French press, and a jar of homemade caramel syrup.

    Whenever we are in the mood for a sweet pick-me-up, we love to make Iced Caramel Coffee! The rich flavors of coffee and caramel blend together to create a sweet and refreshing treat. We add Coffee Ice Cubes to maintain the rich coffee flavor and ensure the coffee doesn't get watered down.

    This homemade caramel iced coffee recipe is better than Starbucks' and more economical than your local coffee shop's! Making it at home allows you to adjust the sweetness, coffee strength, and milk to your exact preference. Be your own barista and try your hand at this recipe today!

    Jump to:
    • About Caramel Iced Coffee
    • Ingredients
    • Substitutions
    • Variations
    • Instructions
    • What to Serve with Iced Caramel Coffee
    • Recipe FAQs
    • Equipment
    • Storage
    • Top tips
    • Related Recipes
    • Did You Like This Recipe?
    • How to Make Caramel Iced Coffee

    About Caramel Iced Coffee

    • Taste - The homemade caramel syrup (made with vanilla and caramelized sugar), espresso, and milk create a rich and creamy, yet lightly sweet drink.
    • Texture - This coffee is surprisingly light given its decadent ingredients.
    • Effort - All you need to do is make the coffee then add the ingredients to a glass and mix.
    • Time - It takes just a few minutes to make the coffee and mix the ingredients.

    Ingredients

    Ingredients to make caramel iced coffee, including brewed coffee or espresso, caramel syrup, coffee ice cubes, and milk of choice.
    • Coffee - We use espresso or strongly brewed coffee because they are our favorites. Brew whatever type of coffee you like and use your preferred method.
    • Milk - Make this recipe with your milk of choice, like dairy-based and dairy-free. Our favorite is oat milk because it is light yet flavorful.
    • Caramel syrup - Caramel syrup adds sweetness to the coffee. You can use store-bought caramel syrup or use our homemade caramel syrup.
    • Coffee ice cubes - Coffee ice cubes both maintain the coffee flavor and keep your drink cold. If you don't want to take the time to make them, you can use regular ice cubes.

    See recipe card for quantities.

    Substitutions

    • Milk and milk alternatives - Use regular milk, cream, half and half, or a milk alternative, including almond milk, oat milk, cashew milk, and soy milk.
    • Maple syrup - Replace caramel syrup with maple syrup if you prefer a deeper sweet flavor.
    • Cold brew - Substitute espresso for cold brew coffee if you prefer the stronger taste.
    • Decaffeinated - Use decaf espresso or strongly brewed decaf coffee.
    • Vanilla bean paste - Use vanilla bean paste instead of vanilla extract to make this a vanilla iced coffee. Paste has a more intense vanilla flavor and adds flecks of vanilla bean to the coffee.

    Variations

    • Hot - Skip the ice and use warm milk to enjoy this drink hot.
    • Frothed milk - Add frothed milk for some foamy sweetness.
    • Blended - Pulse the coffee and ice cubes in a blender instead of shaking it in a jar to make it a blended icy drink.
    • Extra caramel - Add extra caramel syrup for extra delicious caramel flavor.
    • Whipped cream - Make this coffee extra decadent with our Easy Homemade Whipped Cream.

    Instructions

    Steps to make caramel iced coffee, including adding the coffee ice cubes, pouring the caramel syrup, adding the milk, and stirring.
    • Ice cubes and caramel syrup - Add ice cubes and caramel syrup to a glass. (Photo 1 and 2)
    • Milk, coffee, stir - Pour milk of choice, then coffee, and stir. (Photo 3 and 4)

    Pro tip: Taste as you go so you don't add too much caramel sweetener.

    What to Serve with Iced Caramel Coffee

    This refreshing cold coffee drink pairs perfectly with warm and flaky Pumpkin Scones with Miso Vanilla Glaze, a Bacon and Egg Breakfast Rice Bowl, or savory Homemade Biscuits with Cheddar and Bacon.

    Recipe FAQs

    Does caramel taste good with coffee?

    Absolutely! The lightly sweet caramel combines perfectly with richly flavored coffee.

    Does caramel iced coffee have caffeine?

    Yes, if you want to make this recipe with less caffeine, you can use decaffeinated coffee.

    What is a coffee with caramel called?

    A hot caramel coffee made with espresso and milk is often referred to as a caramel macchiato. An iced caramel coffee could be referred to as a macchiato if it is also made with espresso and milk.

    Is caramel iced coffee gluten free?

    Yes, all of the ingredients in our recipe are gluten free.

    Is caramel iced coffee good for you?

    While we wouldn't say it is good for you, it is also not bad for you either. If you want to make this recipe healthier, reduce the amount caramel syrup and use organic milk or a dairy alternative.

    Equipment

    Make this homemade iced caramel coffee with a few kitchen essentials, including an espresso machine or espresso maker, measuring spoons, and silicone ice mold or ice cube tray. If you want to make your own caramel sauce, you will also need a small saucepan and whisk. If you want to make frothed milk, this milk frother is a fantastic investment to add to your kitchen collection.

    Check out The Heirloom Pantry Shop for all of our recommended kitchen essentials.

    Storage

    Caramel Iced Coffee is best enjoyed fresh. However, you can make it up to one day ahead of time. Just store it in an air-tight jar in the refrigerator then enjoy it the next day. If you store it with water ice cubes, remove them so the coffee doesn't get watered down.

    Top tips

    • To adjust the sweetness, add more or less caramel syrup.
    • If opting for a plant-based milk, use oat milk, almond milk, soy milk, or coconut milk.

    Related Recipes

    • Iced Pumpkin Spice Latte
    • How to Make Coffee Ice Cubes
    • How to Make Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice
    • Hojicha Latte (Iced and Hot)

    Did You Like This Recipe?

    Love this easy caramel iced coffee recipe? Please leave a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 rating in the recipe card & leave a comment below. Thanks in advance!

    Caramel iced coffee in a glass with coffee ice cubes, a French press, and a jar of homemade caramel syrup.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    5 from 3 votes

    How to Make Caramel Iced Coffee

    Caramel Iced Coffee features sweet caramel syrup, freshly brewed coffee or espresso, and your favorite milk over coffee ice cubes. Make this rich and refreshing coffee in just 5 minutes!
    Prep Time5 mins
    Total Time5 mins
    Course: Drinks
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 1
    Calories: 192kcal
    Author: Kathleen Higashiyama

    Equipment

    • 1 Espresso maker
    • 1 Measuring spoons
    • 1 silicone ice mold

    Ingredients 

    • 1 cup strongly brewed coffee or 2 shots espresso
    • 1 cup milk or plant-based milk
    • 1 tablespoon caramel syrup or more or less to taste
    • 1 cup ice or coffee ice cubes

    Instructions

    • Add ice cubes and caramel syrup to a glass.
      1 tablespoon caramel syrup, 1 cup ice or coffee ice cubes
    • Pour milk, then coffee, and stir.
      1 cup milk or plant-based milk, 1 cup strongly brewed coffee or 2 shots espresso

    Notes

    Storage
    • This iced coffee is best enjoyed fresh. However, you can make it up to one day ahead of time. Just store it in an air-tight jar in the refrigerator then enjoy it the next day. If you store it with water ice cubes, remove them so the coffee doesn't get watered down.
    Top Tips
    • To adjust the sweetness, add more or less maple syrup.
    • If opting for a plant-based milk, use oat milk, almond milk, soy milk, or coconut milk.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 192kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 29mg | Sodium: 177mg | Potassium: 495mg | Sugar: 23g | Vitamin A: 413IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 322mg | Iron: 0.02mg
    Keyword: caramel iced coffee, caramel iced coffee recipe, caramel iced coffee Starbucks, coffee with caramel, how to make caramel iced coffee, iced coffee with caramel, iced salted caramel latte
    Tried this recipe?Mention @theheirloompantry or tag #theheirloompantry!

    More Drinks

    • Blackberry Strawberry Banana Smoothie
    • How to Make Iced Coffee at Home
    • How to Make Caramel Syrup for Coffee
    • Vanilla Matcha Latte

    About the Author

    Kat Higashiyama and Alec Totto are recipe developers, food photographers, and the authors behind The Heirloom Pantry. Since 2017, they have shared recipes inspired by their Japanese and Italian heritage and California and Hawaii roots. They reside in San Jose with their two dogs, Peeps and Paisley. Read More…

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