Drinks Similar to Caramel Macchiato

8 min read FEB 17, 2022

From the original plain espresso to macchiatos, to caramel macchiatos. The world of coffee has become an exciting journey filled with variations that you would never think possible. 

This particular beverage has become such a sought-after option, that you may find yourself looking for drinks similar to the caramel macchiato.

It has become a trend lately to recreate your favorite drinks from the comfort of your own home, and for good reason. It saves you from spending a significant amount of money and you can customize your drinks to your own liking. There are also a whole lot of unique products to try, such as calorie-free, sustainable, and low acid coffee.

Different Caramel Macchiato Variations


The list of different caramel macchiato variations that are available to try are endless, however, a few of them include the caramel apple macchiato, salted caramel macchiato, iced pumpkin spiced macchiato, skinny caramel macchiato, vegan caramel macchiato, and caramel hazelnut macchiato. 

All of them are delightful options but, by looking at the list of ingredients and method of making them, it makes it easier to decide which would best suit your personal preferences.

drinks like caramel macchiato

If you’re looking for quality coffee beans that encompass all of the above, then Lifeboost coffee has the perfect range of premium coffee just for you. This coffee combines the perfect pairing of sweet caramel and hints of vanilla without the calories and sugar! 

Not only does this allow you to make the best caramel macchiato, but you can do this knowing that they use sustainable farming practices. These hand-selected coffee beans are also great for your health, your stomach, and your teeth as they are low in acid. 

Caramel Apple Macchiato


drinks similar to iced caramel macchiato

Packed with full flavors of apple and caramel, this warm and fuzzy fall drink is an affordable, cozy coffee! The combination of coffee and apple fits perfectly into a warm macchiato coffee and may even be as equally iconic as the pumpkin latte. 

The ingredients in this caramel apple macchiato include:

  • Apple Brown Sugar Syrup 
  • Espresso or Strong Coffee
  • Steamed milk with some of it frothed 
  • Caramel and ground cinnamon for topping (which is optional)

Once you have heated the milk, add the brown sugar syrup and brewed espresso to a heat-proof glass. Pour the steamed milk into the mixture and top it off with the frothed milk. Lastly, drizzle some caramel syrup over the top and sprinkle some cinnamon if desired.

Salted caramel macchiato


This creamy coffee is the perfect combination of sweet and salty and will satisfy all your coffee cravings. The salted caramel macchiato can be made with the following ingredients:

  • Frothed milk
  • Salted caramel sauce
  • Espresso

After heating this milk to a boil, froth it together with the caramel sauce, pour into the espresso, and enjoy! Although it is named a macchiato, this coffee has more of a resemblance to a flavored latte due to the extra milk and richness of the caramel sauce. 

Iced Pumpkin Spiced Macchiato


This festive flavored cold foam coffee is basically a caramel macchiato with added pumpkin sauce, two pumps of vanilla, and extra pumpkin spice topping. The pumpkin spice, consisting of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, is what makes this coffee a refreshing and creamy favorite. 

If you’re looking to spice up your festive events, then bringing out an iced pumpkin spiced macchiato will ensure a day filled with happiness and joy.

Skinny Caramel Macchiato

drinks that are similar to caramel macchiato

If you’re big on saving money and lowering your calories, then this skinny caramel macchiato is for you. With just 97 calories, this is an easy-to-make coffee that will become your all-time favorite. The ingredients are simple and include:

  • 1 cup of coffee
  • ½ cup fat-free milk
  • 2 packets of sugar substitute
  • 2 teaspoons caramel sundae topping
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp caramel drizzle for on top

In a small saucepan over medium heat, whisk together milk, 2 teaspoons of caramel sauce, sugar substitute, and vanilla extract. Heat over medium heat for about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and transfer to a blender and process for 20 seconds until foamy.

Add 1 cup of hot coffee to a mug, pour foamy milk over the top and lastly, drizzle with caramel sauce over the top. This easy recipe is definitely one to keep in mind for that low-calorie, morning pick-me-up.

Vegan Caramel Macchiato


With the population of vegan consumers increasing, it only seems necessary to have a variety of vegan options for everything we consume. After all, why not opt to save our planet and our animals, especially when we have access to all sorts of delicious vegan alternatives.

This naturally sweetened vegan caramel macchiato is for sure a must-try recipe! This coffee is made from frothed unsweetened almond milk which can be made using a milk frother or by whisking the milk on the stovetop. Some great other milk alternatives will also pair well in this macchiato such as cashew milk, oat milk, etc. 

The next ingredient that goes in is salted caramel sauce. If you can’t find a vegan option in the store, there are plenty of great recipes online.

To make this macchiato, start by heating the milk, but not scalding it. Add 1 tablespoon of caramel to the bottom of a mug, 1 to 2 shots of espresso, and stir until well-combined. Lastly, add the frothed milk. To top it all off, a drizzle of creative caramel design on top of the foam is what will make the whole drink come together.

Caramel Hazelnut Macchiato


what drinks are similar to caramel macchiato

There's nothing better than satisfying your sweet tooth with a decadent, creamy coffee that not only gives you energy, but is almost like indulging in a desert, and the best part is that you don’t even have to wait till after dinner.

This caramel hazelnut macchiato is made with a double shot of espresso, a quarter cup of your milk of choice, 1 tablespoon of hazelnut syrup, one tablespoon of caramel syrup, whipped cream, caramel sauce for drizzling, and sea salt if desired.

To make this coffee, first, start by pouring the brewed espresso into a mug and then stir in the caramel and hazelnut syrup. After this is done, froth the milk using either an espresso machine or a microwave to warm it followed by a hand frother to froth it. Pour the warm, frothed milk over the espresso. 

The fun part comes in placing the whipped cream over the top, drizzling with delicious caramel syrup, and sprinkling lightly with sea salt. This combination of ingredients will guarantee a coffee that excites your taste buds and leaves you craving more.

Different Types of Caramel 


If you’re creating a caramel coffee beverage, you may be confused with the available different types of caramel. Caramel syrup and caramel sauce are the two options that many people get confused by. Caramel sauce is for the drizzle on top while caramel syrup has a thinner consistency and is used for the base of the drink.

If you’re attempting to make your drink sweeter, then it’s the caramel syrup that you should be using. If you’d like to drizzle caramel on the sides and the top, then the sauce is what you need. There is also a seasonal rich caramel bruleé sauce which is great if you can find it in stores from November to January.

Drinks Similar to Caramel Macchiato FAQs


How do I make caramel macchiato sweeter?


If you have quite a sweet tooth, then you may be looking for ways to create a sweeter macchiato to suit your taste. It’s quite simple really. To sweeten your drink, add a few extra pumps of vanilla or caramel syrup. You can also use full cream milk and add whipped cream on top for a sweeter, more decadent flavor.

Does caramel macchiato have coffee in it?


This macchiato is made with shots of espresso which hangs on the top of the drink once assembled. Usually, an espresso roast or dark roast coffee will be used. This beverage can either be hot or iced and if compared to a grande caramel macchiato at Starbucks, you can expect a total of 150 milligrams of caffeine. 

drinks that are like caramel macchiato

How much caffeine is too much?


According to regulators and health authorities around the US and around the world, a moderate caffeine intake can actually be a part of a healthy diet for most adults. A safe amount for adults to consume is up to 400mg of caffeine or 4 to 5 cups of coffee per day. 

There may, however, be an exception for people with certain medical conditions, and keep in mind that caffeine may be found in other beverages besides coffee. Aside from the exceptions, coffee is actually said to be linked to a lower likelihood of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, Parkinson's, and depression.

Conclusion


There are many varieties of recipes and drinks to satisfy your caramel macchiato cravings, the only problem would be making the tough decision of picking one. 

Whether you’re looking for something fruity like a caramel apple macchiato, wanting to satisfy your sweet and salty cravings with the salted caramel macchiato, or wanting to stick to your calorie goals with a skinny caramel macchiato, these recipes are all great options. 

The caramel apple macchiato is affordable to make and will let you relive your childhood caramel apple memories again whereas the iced pumpkin spice macchiato is always a great refreshing drink to bring out at festive family events. 

The skinny and vegan caramel macchiatos are always popular as we know how health and vegan preferences have become an increasing concern. These options are perfect if you are looking for vegan or low-calorie beverages.

The bottom line is that no matter if you opt to purchase from your favorite coffee shop or decide to make your own coffee at home, there are a variety of satisfying options that won't disappoint. 

Depending on your lifestyle, it may be the best option to purchase some good ingredients and experiment at home because this way, you can customize your coffee to your own liking and it may even save you money.

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