How does starbucks make their caramel macchiato

Skip the drive to Starbucks and make your own Caramel Macchiato at home for a fraction of the cost! If you enjoy a variety of coffee and espresso-based drinks, it’s really worthwhile to learn how to make your favorite drinks at home. You only need 3 ingredients to make this!

I like to splurge at Starbucks on occasion, but I must admit that I’m far too cheap to go there on a regular basis and shell out $5 each time for what’s little more than coffee, milk, and sugar. Yes, I realize that I pay an absurd $24/lb for my parmigiano-reggiano, but that’s because there’s really no substitute and it’s not something I could realistically make at home. 

A Caramel Macchiato on the other hand is quite easy to make yourself, if you’ve got a way to make espresso. There are machines like the uber popular Nespresso (affiliate) that make this super easy. There are also more “fancy” ways to make espresso yourself, and my coffee and espresso crazed husband favors this Mypressi Twist handheld espresso maker.

Once you’ve got the espresso taken care of, really all you need is some foamed milk and caramel sauce. I like to make it myself, but you can certainly buy a jar of caramel sauce from the store as well. It keeps really well in the fridge.

Just to be clear, this is a “coffeehouse style” caramel macchiato, like the one that you’d pick up at a Starbucks. A real macchiato is just espresso with steamed milk (my husband made me put that in here).

Tips for Best Results

Use fresh caramel sauce– I know you can pick up a jar of shelf-stable caramel sauce at the grocery store, but that stuff can’t hold a candle to freshly made caramel sauce. And it’s really not as hard to make as people say. If you read the comments on my post, you’ll see a lot of people are happily surprised by how easy it is, and the flavor is unmatched.

Use whole milk – Skim milk and whole milk are the best for frothing. Personally, I like whole milk for a richer and more creamy experience. A Caramel Macchiato is already an indulgence, so go all the way!

Step by Step Overview:

To get started, place a tablespoon of caramel sauce into the bottom of the cup:

While most places use plain simple syrup or caramel flavored simple syrup, using actual caramel sauce gives the best flavor, plus then you don’t have to bother with preparing yet another ingredient. What I like instead of the simple syrup is that instead of just adding sweetness, the caramel adds a ton of flavor too.

Next, you’ll need to add your espresso to the cup, a doubleshot, in particular:

We use this Mypressi Twist handheld espresso maker (affiliate), but there are machines that make this even easier for you, like Nespresso machines.

Next, you’ll need some foamy hot milk. There are lots of different methods you can use like a jar in the microwave or with a pot with an immersion blender, but if you want to make yourself some elaborate coffee drinks at home, it may be worthwhile to get an actual milk frother. Otherwise, here are 8 ways to froth milk.

Start by pouring the hot milk into the cup:

Then you can spoon the milk foam on top of the drink:

Drizzle the top with fresh caramel sauce for extra flavor and a nice look:

How to Serve It

Any decorative caramel on top of the foamed milk will start to sink as it sits, and the bubbles in the frothed milk will start to dissipate, so try to serve the Caramel Macchiato as promptly as possible. It’s definitely best enjoyed fresh!

I like to serve some homemade baked goods with this, especially when I have company over. I bake some fresh Scones or make a hot plate of Crepes. 

These Blueberry Muffins with Crumb Topping are also incredible, with Chocolate Muffins as a close second favorite.

Did you enjoy the recipe? Please leave a 5-star rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page.

Coffeehouse Style Caramel Macchiato

Servings: 1 8oz drink

Prep Time: 10 mins

Cook Time: 0 mins

Total Time: 10 mins

For a fraction of the cost, you can make coffeehouse style Caramel Macchiato at home!

• 2 tbsp caramel sauce divided
• 1 doubleshot espresso (1/4 cup)
• 1/2 cup milk steamed with foam*

• In the bottom of a mug (I recommend at least 8 ounces in capacity), add 1 tablespoon of caramel sauce.

• Add the espresso directly on top of the caramel, then pour in the hot milk. Spoon the remaining milk foam on top.

• Drizzle the remaining 1 tablespoon of caramel over the milk foam. Enjoy promptly!

*A dedicated milk frothing device is best, but there are other ways to foam milk. Here are 8 other ways. Skim milk and whole milk are regarded as the best milks for lots of bubbles.

Calories: 160kcal, Carbohydrates: 32g, Protein: 4g, Fat: 2g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Cholesterol: 10mg, Sodium: 195mg, Potassium: 165mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 6g, Vitamin A: 120IU, Calcium: 163mg

Nutrition is estimated using a food database and is only intended to be used as a guideline for informational purposes.

Course: Drinks

Cuisine: American

Post updated in November 2019. Originally published March 2012.

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