caramel latte is a popular variation of the classic cafe latte. while it originated in italy, it's not just the italians who indulge in this drink. it’s hugely popular worldwide. even here in australia, whether you’re in a coffee chain outlet or a chic cafe, you’ll most likely find a caramel latte on the menu.
however, there are moments when we crave a homemade version of a lavish beverage like this latte – all without the hassle and mess. for those moments we've got a simple caramel latte recipe that requires just four ingredients.
what is caramel latte?
Let me give you the lowdown on the caramel latte. Like the café latte, you make a caramel latte by combining espresso with steamed milk and the differentiator – caramel syrup. Chuck some whipped cream and voila! That’s your smooth and velvety caramel latte.
Caramel latte gives you the best of both worlds – a bold coffee flavour from the espresso and a smooth-creamy texture from the steamed milk and caramel.
There’s something even better. caramel latte can be customized as per your taste. If you prefer a stronger coffee flavour, chuck an extra shot of espresso and if you have a sweet tooth, add an extra drizzle of caramel syrup.
how to make caramel latte?
well…we’re ready to explore our caramel latte recipe. however, the thought that we started with still lingers – the desire to have a lavish drink without the fuss, including the daunting task of getting the high-end espresso equipment. but fear not, we have the solution.
we've got you covered with simple steps on how to make caramel latte using our recipe, all without the need for espresso. as a bonus for aspiring baristas, we’ve included a quick note on espresso.
Total Servings:-
1
Preparation Time:-
1 Minutes
Cooking Times:-
4 minutes
Nutritional Value:-
171 calories, 4g fat, 30g carbs, 4g protein
Recipe Category:-
Drinks
Cuisine:-
Italian
equipment
- saucepans
ingredients
- ½ cup (125ml) strong coffee
- ½ cup (125ml) milk
- 1 teaspoon sugar or as per taste
- 1-2 tablespoon caramel syrup
- whipped cream (optional)
ingredient notes:
coffee: for our espresso-free latte, we'll use brewed coffee – any coffee will do. make a strong brew for that intense flavour.
caramel syrup: much like with coffee, any caramel syrup also works just fine – you can buy it or make some using our recipe.
milk: you have complete flexibility here also, so choose the milk you prefer – regular full cream, almond or soy.
cream: while we prefer topping our latte with cream, it's totally optional. include it, if you like some more richness in your latte.
instructions
strong coffee: get started by making coffee – remember to make a strong brew.
caramel mixture: pour milk, caramel and sugar in a saucepan and warm them while whisking frequently until the milk is just on the verge of steaming. if you like a frothy texture, whisk a little stronger, till you get the desired result.
mix with coffee: pour the coffee you made, into a mug and then blend in the caramel mixture. adjust the sweetness to your liking by adding more sugar if necessary. for extra richness in your latte, you can top it with whipped cream or caramel.
enjoy: that’s it – taste your latte and evaluate how it turned out.
homemade caramel syrup:
total serving: 2 tbsp
preparation time: 2 minutes
cooking time: 16 minutes
total time: 18 minutes
ingredients:
- ¾ cup sugar
- 1 cup water
- ½ tsp vanilla
instructions:
dissolve sugar: pour sugar and half cup of water in a pan. get the water to simmer on medium heat. while it’s simmering, swirl the pan a few times.
gentle boiling: after the sugar fully dissolves, lower the heat to maintain a gentle boil. continue to gently boil for about 15 minutes.
heat remaining water: you can do this simultaneously with the previous step – either in a microwave or on a stove.
add water to syrup: when you notice a light orangish colour in the syrup, turn off the heat source. now, carefully add to it the ½ cup hot water – be prepared for some splattering. next, add vanilla while stirring. your caramel syrup is ready for a latte!
espresso notes:
traditionally, espresso is brewed in a machine, by forcing hot water through finely-ground coffee under pressure. but with a moka pot, aeropress or french press, you can create espresso without any fancy gear.
some tips and tricks for making a perfect caramel latte
- Organise everything before you start making your caramel latte. Prepping ahead means you won’t be struggling with the ingredients when you’re in the thick of it.
- When you heat the milk and caramel mixture, keep stirring it or else it’ll start sticking into the saucepan, leading to a ruined texture.
- Be careful not to overheat the milk, or it’ll end up with a burnt or bitter taste – something that nobody wants in their caramel latte.
- Keep an eye on the sugar quantity you add. Too much of it may overpower the natural sweetness of the caramel in your brew.
- The caramel syrup or sauce you use can make or break your brew. You want the one that balances out the rich espresso and creamy milk. It's all about the balance of flavours in your perfect caramel latte. So don't skimp on the caramel syrup or sauce. Just get the good stuff.
- If you notice a thin film forming on the top of the caramel syrup as it cools, just grab a spoon and skim it off.
- Latte art on your mind? It’s best to stick to full cream milk as soy or almond milk lack the necessary fat content. Their watery consistency won’t hold shape.
ways to store your leftover caramel latte
When you try the recipes and experiment with them, you might find yourself with some leftovers from time to time. Here’s how to make caramel latte leftovers last longer and reuse them creatively:
- Let the drink cool down to room temperature before storing it. Pour the latte into a container with lid. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- You can even pour the latte into an ice cube tray. Once frozen, use them later to make iced drink. Simply pour the drink over ice and enjoy.
- If you have any leftover coffee, consider adding it to your next chocolate cake or cupcakes. There’s nothing quite like pairing coffee with chocolate. So, use your leftover coffee to create a chocolatey dessert that’ll have everyone coming back for seconds.
variations of caramel latte
once you've mastered how to make caramel latte, you may find it hard to resist exploring the interesting variations of this classic. the classic latte is a foundation on which you can easily craft these variations, allowing you to indulge in diverse and delicious coffee experiences.
iced version: when it’s a scorcher, the iced version is your perfect cool companion. you can make it the same way as a classic latte with caramel but substitute cold milk for hot milk and include some ice cubes. for a more enticing treat, top it off with vanilla cream.
salted caramel version: if you’re fond of an interesting interplay of sweet and salty in your latte, this one is for you. once again, the recipe is the same, simply swap out the standard caramel syrup with a salted caramel alternative.
caramel mocha latte: mocha latte means one thing: chocolate. when you blend coffee with chocolate, it's a mocha. and when you add a generous dose of caramel into the mix, well, you've got yourself the ultimate caffeine boost. therefore, if you're a chocolate enthusiast, the caramel mocha latte might just be a dream come true.
other recipes: you might also enjoy these trying recipes – chai latte recipe, matcha latte recipe, bubble milk tea, thai milk tea, turmeric latte recipe, pumpkin spice latte.
conclusion
Well, mate, there you have it – a delicious caramel latte right in the comfort of your own home. Just a few ingredients and a craving for caramel latte will set you on the path to the perfect cup. Let the caramel latte adventure begin!
Just remember, the key to a perfect caramel latte is in the details. Froth your milk to the right consistency, stir the caramel and milk mixture frequently and use high-quality ingredients.
You have all that you need in your coffee journey – a simple recipe and your guiding taste buds. Trust your taste buds as you experiment your way to a better at-home barista.
also read: matcha latte recipe
faqs on caramel latte
Q. is there a lot of sugar in a caramel latte?
A. caramel lattes typically contain a moderate amount of sugar and that comes primarily from the caramel syrup or sauce used in the beverage. the exact sugar content can vary depending on the recipe and personal preference, but it's generally considered a moderately sweet coffee drink.
Q. what is a caramel latte made of?
A. a caramel latte is made of espresso, steamed milk and caramel syrup/sauce. The espresso serves as the base and provides the strong coffee flavour. Steamed milk and caramel, on the other hand, provide the creamy texture and balances out the bold flavour of the espresso.
Q. how many pumps of caramel are in a latte?
A. The number of pumps of caramel in your latte depends on the size of your drink. You may use two pumps for a standard size latte or three for a larger one. It’s best to let your tastebuds help you decide the number of pumps of caramel in your latte.
Q. how many calories are in a caramel latte?
A. the number of calories in a caramel latte can vary depending on the serving size, the type of milk used, and the amount of caramel syrup or sauce added. in our version of this latte, you can expect approximately 171 calories.
