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!
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!
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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
- 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
- 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
Absolutely! The lightly sweet caramel combines perfectly with richly flavored coffee.
Yes, if you want to make this recipe with less caffeine, you can use decaffeinated coffee.
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.
Yes, all of the ingredients in our recipe are gluten free.
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.
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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!
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How to Make Caramel Iced Coffee
Equipment
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
Video
Notes
- 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.
- 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.
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