Iced Latte Caramelrn

a close up shot of Iced Latte Caramel in a cup topped with whipped cream

Quench your thirst with our Iced Latte Caramel—a delightful blend of chilled espresso, frothy whole milk, and salted caramel syrup. This easy-to-make recipe is perfect with an afternoon snack, plus you'll enjoy the added bonus of a caffeine boost!

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Table of Contents

Iced Latte Caramel Ingredients
Iced Latte Caramel Substitutions and Additions
How To Make A Caramel Iced Latte
Troubleshooting
How To Serve The Best Iced Latte Recipe
When To Serve
How to Store an Iced Caramel Latte
Why This Iced Caramel Latte Recipe Is The Best
Frequently Asked Questions
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Make your own Iced Latte Caramel at home, no trip to the coffee shop needed! Creamy, sweet, and perfectly chilled, this cold latte recipe is your ticket to a satisfying coffee break any time of day.

Your barista makes it look so complicated, but making a cold coffee drink from scratch is pretty simple. Plus, this easy recipe is just a fraction of the price of your usual coffee run.

Iced Latte Caramel Ingredients

Iced Latte Caramel raw ingredients that are labeled

To make your own iced caramel lattes, gather just a few simple ingredients.

You’ll need:

1 cup ice cubes
½ cup espresso, chilled
¾ cup whole milk
3 tablespoons salted caramel syrup (We used Torani brand for flavoring drinks)

Garnish

Squirt whipped topping
Caramel dessert sauce (Ghirardelli brand in the squeeze bottle)

PRO TIP: You can purchase your favorite brand of premade espresso in large batches in the refrigerated section, where you find other cold brew coffees and creamers. Be sure that you are getting an unsweetened espresso. Espresso is much more robust in flavor than a cold brew coffee, and this is what sets an iced caramel latte apart from a caramel iced coffee.

Iced Latte Caramel Substitutions and Additions

Missing an ingredient? Here are some ways you can customize your homemade iced latte.

Espresso: You can make espresso at home if you have an espresso machine. You want to be sure to chill your homemade espresso prior to making this drink. If you don’t have espresso, you can make very strong coffee (using brewed or instant coffee), but it won’t taste quite the same as real espresso.

Whole Milk: Whole milk and half & half are the most commonly used choices when making lattes. For a richer flavor, you can add a splash of heavy cream or sweet cream if you’d like. If you have dietary restrictions or taste preferences, you can use soy milk, oat milk, unsweetened almond milk, or the standard milk of your choice.

Caramel Syrup: Experiment with different brands or a homemade caramel syrup for a cozy complement to the recipe. You can also adjust the quantity to your desired level of sweetness.

Garnish: Instead of squirt whipped topping and store-bought caramel drizzle, you can serve your iced latte with whipped cream made from scratch and homemade caramel sauce.

How To Make A Caramel Iced Latte

You can make one of your favorite coffee drinks at home with this recipe for a homemade iced caramel latte. Skip the local coffee shop stop and stir this delicious drink together in minutes. Here’s what you do:

STEP ONE: Add the ice cubes to a 16-ounce glass. Pour the espresso over the ice.

PRO TIP: If you make this iced caramel latte “to-go,” you may want to use a 20-ounce sized cup to fit the whipped cream and caramel sauce drizzle under the flat lid. If you omit the whipped topping and caramel drizzle, then a standard-sized 16-ounce plastic cup with a lid will contain this drink perfectly. 16 ounces is what the popular chain coffee shop calls a ‘Grande’ size.

ice placed in a cup then espresso poured ontop

STEP TWO: Use a lidded jar to shake together the whole milk and caramel syrup. Add the milk and caramel to the jar, then twist on the lid. Shake for up to 30 seconds, or until the milk is frothy.

PRO TIP: You can use a milk frother to blend the milk and caramel instead.

PRO TIP: You can adjust the amount of salted caramel syrup in the milk according to your taste preference. Between 2 and 4 tablespoons is pretty standard.

STEP THREE: Pour the milk and caramel mixture over the ice and espresso.

STEP FOUR: Garnish your drink with a generous squirt of whipped topping and a drizzle of caramel sauce.

whipped topping and caramel garnished on top

Troubleshooting

Here are some tips for avoiding common problems when making your latte and fixing any issues you might encounter.

My latte is watery.

If your latte turns out too watery, it may be due to melting ice cubes. To prevent this in the future, use larger ice cubes or consider making coffee ice cubes in advance to maintain the coffee’s strength without dilution.

My latte didn’t get frothy.

If you’re not achieving the desired frothy texture in your milk and caramel syrup mixture, you may not have shaken long enough. Make sure to shake vigorously for the recommended 15-30 seconds. Using fresh, very cold milk can also help create better froth.

My caramel is settling instead of incorporating.

Sometimes, the caramel syrup can settle at the bottom of the glass. To avoid this, make sure that you thoroughly mix the caramel syrup and milk before pouring it into the glass with espresso. Stirring your latte again before sipping can also help.

I have a coffee flavor that is too strong.

If you’re not a fan of very strong coffee, just use less espresso or opt for a milder coffee blend when making your chilled espresso.

How To Serve The Best Iced Latte Recipe

Just like our recipes of other coffee shop favorites, this caramel iced latte is perfect for taking in a to-go cup on the way to work, while shopping for groceries, or when watching your kid’s soccer game.

Once you’ve mastered an Iced Latte Caramel, try a Caramel Macchiato, Vanilla Latte, Coconut Milk Latte, or an Iced Mocha. They’re all every bit as delicious as the local café version.

Pair your Iced Caramel Latte with a freshly baked pastry like a coffee shop style blueberry muffin, cheese danish, or a cinnamon roll. The coffee’s sweetness complements the buttery, flaky layers perfectly.

Serve with breakfast or brunch alongside other morning favorites like bagels or Dunkin Donuts omelet bites.

Serve yourself the perfect afternoon snack. A cookie and a latte are the perfect combination. Really craving a treat? Try sipping on this latte between bites of a delicious oatmeal cream pie!

When To Serve

Casual brunch with friends – Impress your friends when you serve them each a tall glass of Iced Caramel Latte, perfect for a relaxed gathering.

Afternoon pick-me-up – When a midday caffeine boost is needed, this latte recipe packs a caffeinated punch!

Dessert night – Serve this latte after dinner for a dessert-like experience that satisfies your sweet tooth and caffeine cravings.

Date night – Create an intimate atmosphere with a candlelit dinner and finish it off with a romantic Iced Caramel Latte for two.

Office meeting – Surprise your colleagues with a refreshing coffee break during a long work session, making the meeting more enjoyable! This drink is easy enough to make in the break room.

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How to Store an Iced Caramel Latte

This caramel iced latte should be enjoyed immediately after making it as it will get watered down as the ice cubes melt.

For those who like to plan ahead, you can prepare the caramel syrup-milk mixture in advance and store it in the fridge for up to a week. When you’re ready for your latte, simply mix it with chilled espresso and ice cubes.

If you have leftover iced caramel latte, you can keep it in the fridge for up to 24 hours, but it won’t taste as strong and flavorful once the ice melts.

Consider freezing the caramel syrup-milk mixture in ice cube trays. When needed, pop a few of these cubes into a glass with chilled espresso for a quick and easy iced latte.

Why This Iced Caramel Latte Recipe Is The Best

We all love a good caramel coffee drink, but not all recipes quite live up to our expectations. Our homemade version doesn’t disappoint!

Here’s why we love this recipe:

The Perfect Caramel Coffee Flavor: The Iced Caramel Latte strikes a perfect balance between the coffee’s boldness and the caramel’s sweetness. You won’t find your drink too bitter or too sweet.

Easy to Adjust: It’s a versatile recipe that can be customized to your taste. Make is sweeter, less sweet, or even use a non-dairy milk!

So Easy: This creamy iced caramel latte comes together in seconds. Perfect for practicing your home barista skills!

Our Iced Caramel Latte is a tasty treat that combines the boldness of espresso with the sweet flavor of caramel. Its versatility, ease of preparation, and customizable options make it a must-try for coffee lovers and anyone that wants a sweet, caffeine pick-me-up.

a close up shot of Iced Latte Caramel in a cup

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use decaffeinated espresso for this recipe?

Absolutely! If you prefer a caffeine-free version, go ahead and use decaffeinated espresso or coffee.

What’s the difference between caramel syrup and caramel sauce?

Caramel syrup is typically thinner and used to sweeten drinks, while caramel sauce is thicker and often used as a topping or drizzle.

Can I make a larger batch of this latte for a group?

Certainly! Simply multiply the ingredients by the number of servings you need to create a larger batch.

Can I make this iced caramel latte without ice cubes?

While ice cubes help chill the drink and maintain its strength, you can skip them if you prefer a slightly less chilled version.

How do I prevent the caramel syrup from settling at the bottom of the glass?

Give your latte a good stir before sipping to make sure the caramel syrup is well-mixed.

Are there any other garnishes I can use besides whipped topping and caramel sauce?

Get creative with garnishes like chocolate shavings, cinnamon, or crushed nuts for added flavor and texture.

Can I enjoy this caramel iced coffee recipe hot instead of cold?

Absolutely. Mix your ingredients and gently heat them in a stockpot over low-medium heat until steamy to make hot lattes instead.

How to make a cold latte?

The best way to make a cold latte is to use very cold ingredients as well as large ice cubes. This helps the drink incorporate more fully and stay ice cold even longer.

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