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For many years, a Starbucks iced caramel macchiato was my go-to drink. But at $5 a pop, it was a luxury that I needed to curb. It took many years of research to figure out how to make a proper dupe, but this one definitely hit the nail on the head.
Before I begin, really think about how many of these you plan to drink, and how you can repurpose the ingredients. Vanilla syrup and caramel sauce are very specific items to have in your pantry. If you aren’t going to use them over and over, don’t waste the money purchasing them. Just go to Starbucks and get your drink.
For many years, a Starbucks iced caramel macchiato was my go-to drink. But at $6 a pop, it was a luxury that I needed to curb. It took many years of research to figure out how to make a proper dupe, but this one definitely hit the nail on the head.
Before I begin, really think about how many of these you plan to drink, and how you can repurpose the ingredients. Vanilla syrup and caramel sauce are very specific items to have in your pantry. If you aren’t going to use them over and over, don’t waste the money purchasing them. Just go to Starbucks and get your drink.
Key Ingredients
Espresso
I made the video above several years before I got my first espresso machine. In the recipe, I use instant espresso from Cafe Bustelo. I purchased it specifically for this recipe, and it worked great! Having the vanilla syrup really makes a big difference.
Vanilla Syrup
I purchased the vanilla syrup from my Starbucks store. While there are many other syrups on the market, this is the easiest way to make sure you have an almost identical dupe.
Caramel Sauce
I love the caramel sauce from Trader Joe’s! It’s a hassle to get out, but it’s so buttery and rich. Can’t get enough of it!

How to Make a Caramel Macchiato At Home
- Prep Time: 7 minutes
- Total Time: 7 minutes
Ingredients
1.75 oz syrup (3.5 tablespoons)
16 oz milk (2 cups)
3 oz espresso (6 tablespoons) (or strong coffee)
Caramel sauce
Ice
Instructions
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Make the espresso by the directions on the back (set aside) cafe bustelo, amend to your liking. I like mine strong, gets watered down a bit. Set it aside.
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Grab a large cup and Pour in syrup (I purchase sbux brand but u can get whatever)
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Add the milk so it mixes
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Add the ice (small hand full?)
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Add the espresso
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Drizzle the caramel sauce
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Enjoy!