Description
Skip the cafe line with this sweet, creamy, and visually stunning iced caramel cloud macchiato. Ready in just 5 minutes, it offers the perfect balance of bold espresso, thick milk foam, and rich caramel drizzle for a relaxing afternoon pick-me-up.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 ounces espresso or strong brewed coffee (cooled slightly)
- 1/2 cup cold whole milk or oat milk (for base)
- 1/2 cup whole milk or oat milk (for frothing)
- 2 tablespoons caramel sauce (divided)
- Ice cubes (standard or large square)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
Instructions
- Drizzle 1 tablespoon of caramel sauce along the inside walls of a tall glass and swirl to coat. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon to the bottom of the glass.
- Pour in the cold milk and add vanilla extract if using. Stir gently to dissolve the caramel at the bottom.
- Fill the glass to the top with ice cubes.
- Froth the second portion of milk in a separate container until it forms a thick, stiff foam (using a handheld frother, French press, or shaking in a sealed jar).
- Brew the espresso and let it cool for a minute so it is warm, not boiling.
- Slowly pour the espresso over the back of a spoon held just above the ice to create a gradient layer between the milk and ice.
- Spoon the thick milk foam on top of the espresso to create the ‘cloud’ layer.
- Drizzle additional caramel sauce over the foam in a zigzag pattern to garnish.
Notes
For best results, chill your glass in the freezer for 10 minutes before making. Ensure the foam is stiff so it doesn’t sink into the espresso. If using almond milk, note that it froths less effectively than dairy or oat milk. This drink is best enjoyed immediately to maintain the layered effect.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Beverage
- Cuisine: Café Style
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 large drink
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 25
- Sodium: 50
- Fat: 10
- Saturated Fat: 6
- Carbohydrates: 28
- Protein: 6
Keywords: iced caramel macchiato, cloud macchiato, 5pm coffee, easy coffee recipe, homemade iced coffee, caramel drink, coffee at home