Recipes· 1 min read
Caramel Macchiato
Vanilla, steamed milk, espresso, and a caramel drizzle — the popular layered latte that's part drink, part dessert.
House Blend Cafe· 2026-08-20
We're a seasonal shop, open Saturdays only.
You'll find us at the counter on Saturdays, from just after Labor Day through the Saturday before Christmas, 10 AM to 2 PM. The rest of the year we're closed. Order ahead and we'll have it waiting, or see hours and location.
The caramel macchiato popularized by coffee chains is a different animal from the traditional espresso macchiato. It's a layered latte: vanilla syrup and steamed milk on the bottom, espresso poured over the top to mark the milk, and a crosshatch of caramel drizzle to finish. Sweet, photogenic, and easy to make at home.
Ingredients
- 2 shots of espresso
- 8 oz whole milk
- 1–2 tbsp vanilla syrup
- 1 tbsp caramel sauce, plus extra for drizzling
Step-by-step
- Add the vanilla syrup to the bottom of a 12 oz glass.
- Steam the milk to glossy microfoam and pour it over the syrup, leaving a little foam in the pitcher.
- Slowly pour the two espresso shots over the back of a spoon so they float on top of the milk, creating distinct layers.
- Spoon a thin cap of foam over the espresso.
- Drizzle caramel sauce in a crosshatch pattern across the top.
Tips for the best cup
- Pour the espresso slowly over a spoon to keep the layers clean.
- Warm the caramel sauce slightly so it drizzles smoothly.
- Stir before drinking to blend the layers — or sip from the top for a hit of espresso and caramel first.
Key takeaways
- A caramel macchiato is a layered latte, not a traditional macchiato.
- Build it in order: syrup, milk, espresso, foam, caramel.
- The visual layers are the point — use a clear glass.
#caramel macchiato#latte#caramel#layered drink#hot drinks
