A caramel macchiato is a sweet, latte-style espresso drink made with steamed milk, vanilla syrup, espresso, and caramel drizzle. It has a creamy taste with noticeable espresso and caramel flavors, and you can drink it hot or iced.

 

Key Takeaways

• A caramel macchiato is prepared with vanilla syrup, milk, espresso, and caramel drizzle, and it can be served hot or iced.
• “Macchiato” comes from Italian and means “marked” or “stained.”
• A caramel macchiato layers milk and espresso with vanilla and caramel, while a caramel latte mixes caramel with espresso and milk and usually doesn’t include vanilla.
• A caramel macchiato has about 63 mg of caffeine when prepared with 1 shot of espresso.
• At Canal Coffee, a 12 oz caramel macchiato has 260 calories.

 

What Is a Caramel Macchiato Made Of?

A caramel macchiato is a coffee drink that combines espresso, vanilla syrup, steamed milk, and caramel drizzle.

Despite the name, caramel isn’t usually the main syrup mixed into the drink. The sweetness inside comes from vanilla syrup, while the caramel is drizzled over the top.

Unlike a traditional Italian macchiato, which is mostly espresso with just a small amount of milk, an American-style caramel macchiato uses much more milk. That makes it closer to a latte in taste and texture, with a creamier, milder coffee flavor.

The drink is also layered differently. The vanilla syrup and milk go in first, followed by espresso poured over the top. A caramel drizzle then goes on the top of the drink.

If you want to try one, order our Caramel Macchiato.

 

Why Is It Called a Macchiato?

“Macchiato” is Italian for “marked” or “stained,” and the name refers to one ingredient marking another.

In a traditional macchiato, espresso is “marked” with a small amount of milk or foam. A latte macchiato does the reverse, with milk “marked” by espresso poured over it. A caramel macchiato follows that second idea, with espresso poured over the milk.

American coffee chains popularized a much larger, sweeter version of the macchiato made with plenty of milk, vanilla syrup, and caramel drizzle. So, while a traditional espresso macchiato is small and has a strong coffee flavor, a caramel macchiato is creamier, sweeter, and closer to a latte.

 

Caramel Macchiato vs Caramel Latte

The main difference between a caramel macchiato and a caramel latte is how the ingredients and flavors are added. The amount of espresso and milk can actually be similar, depending on the coffee shop and drink size.

• A caramel macchiato typically starts with vanilla syrup and milk, followed by espresso and caramel drizzle on top. 
• A caramel latte usually starts with espresso and caramel flavoring, followed by steamed milk, so the ingredients are more evenly mixed.

Because a caramel macchiato stays layered, you may notice a stronger espresso flavor in the first few sips, along with caramel from the drizzle. A caramel latte has a more consistent creamy, caramel flavor throughout. Once you stir a caramel macchiato, however, the difference between the two becomes less noticeable.

Recipes vary by coffee shop, especially for caramel lattes, so the exact ingredients and preparation may differ.

More generally, a traditional macchiato uses much less milk than a latte. You can learn more in our guide to Macchiato vs Latte.

 

Is a Caramel Macchiato Hot or Iced?

A caramel macchiato can be served hot or iced. Both have the same sweet caramel, vanilla, and espresso flavors, but the temperature changes how the drink tastes and feels.

A hot caramel macchiato is made with steamed milk, then topped with espresso and caramel drizzle. The steamed milk gives it a creamy texture and helps the flavors come together as you drink it.

An iced caramel macchiato uses cold milk and ice, with espresso poured over the top and caramel drizzle to finish. The espresso initially sits toward the top, so the layers are more noticeable before you stir the drink.

You can order one hot or iced Caramel Macchiato at Canal Coffee.

 

How Strong Is a Caramel Macchiato?

A caramel macchiato with one shot of espresso has about 63 mg of caffeine. With two shots, that doubles to about 126 mg.

Caramel macchiato made with espresso, usually one or two shots, so its caffeine is close to the same-size latte. It just tastes sweeter, not stronger.

A traditional macchiato tastes much stronger because it’s mostly espresso with just a little milk or foam. A caramel macchiato uses much more milk and added sweetness, so the espresso flavor is milder.

 

How Many Calories Are in a Caramel Macchiato?

 

A caramel macchiato can have around 260 to 500 calories, depending on the size. At Canal Coffee, a 12 oz caramel macchiato has 260 calories.

Here’s how the calories change by size:

• 12 oz: 260 calories
• 16 oz: 310 calories
• 20 oz: 400 calories
• 32 oz: 500 calories

Your choice of milk and any changes to the syrup can also affect the total calories.

 

How to Customize a Caramel Macchiato?

You can make a caramel macchiato sweeter, less sweet, sugar-free, or even flip the layering.

If you want less sweetness, ask for less vanilla syrup or caramel drizzle, or choose sugar-free vanilla for a lower-sugar option. Keep in mind that the milk and caramel drizzle can still contain sugar.

You can also adjust the coffee flavor with an extra shot of espresso or choose decaf if available. Changing the milk can make the drink lighter or creamier, and you can order it hot or iced depending on what you prefer.

For a sweet and salty twist, try our Sea Salt Caramel Macchiato. You can also order a caramel macchiato “upside down,” which changes the order of the milk and espresso so the flavors mix more evenly.

 

FAQ

What does ordering a caramel macchiato “upside down” mean?

An upside-down caramel macchiato changes the order of the espresso and milk, so the espresso goes in first. This mixes the flavors more evenly and makes the drink taste more like a caramel latte.

Cappuccino or caramel macchiato: Which should you get?

Choose a cappuccino if you want a stronger coffee flavor with less sweetness. Choose a caramel macchiato if you prefer a creamier and sweeter drink with vanilla and caramel flavors.

What’s the closest equivalent to a caramel macchiato?

A caramel latte is the closest equivalent to a caramel macchiato. Both combine espresso, milk, and caramel, but a caramel latte is more evenly mixed and usually doesn’t include vanilla syrup.