What Is a Caramel Macchiato? Caramel Macchiato vs Latte
On this page
A caramel macchiato is a sweet, milky espresso drink built in layers: milk at the bottom, espresso poured on top so it “marks” the milk, and caramel to finish. It tastes like a vanilla-caramel latte, except the first sips are stronger because the espresso sits on top.
It’s also one of the most searched coffee drinks in the Philippines, and one of the most mixed up with a latte. Here’s the difference, where the name comes from, and how to make one at home.
What does “macchiato” mean?
“Macchiato” is Italian for “marked” or “stained.” In a traditional Italian espresso macchiato, a shot of espresso is marked with a small spoonful of milk foam. It’s a small, strong drink, about three ounces, according to Sprudge.
A caramel macchiato flips that idea around. The milk is the main event, and the espresso is what marks it.
How a caramel macchiato is built
The classic version goes in this order:
- Vanilla syrup in the bottom of the cup
- Steamed milk, or cold milk and ice for an iced one
- Espresso poured slowly over the top, where it floats and marks the milk
- A drizzle of caramel sauce
At Daily Grind™, our hot Caramel Macchiato is espresso and frothy milk with smooth caramel accents. The iced one is the one you’ll see on Instagram: caramel espresso over icy milk, with the coffee sitting in a dark band on top until you stir it.
Caramel macchiato vs latte
| Caramel macchiato | Latte | |
|---|---|---|
| Build | Milk first, espresso on top | Espresso first, milk on top |
| Looks | Layered | Evenly mixed |
| Sweetener | Caramel, usually with vanilla | None, unless you add syrup |
| First sip | Strong, then sweet | Mellow and milky the whole way |
| Daily Grind™, hot | ₱160 | ₱145 |
| Daily Grind™, iced | ₱160 / ₱175 | ₱135 / ₱145 |
A caramel latte, which you’ll find at some cafés, is closer to a regular latte with caramel syrup stirred in. Same flavors, no layers.
If you like your sweet coffee creamier rather than caramel-forward, try a Spanish latte, which is sweetened with condensed milk.
Should you stir it?
That’s up to you. Unstirred, you get a strong espresso hit first, then sweet milk underneath, which is the whole point of the layers. Stir it if you want every sip to taste the same. Either way, an iced caramel macchiato starts out looking better than any latte.
Where did the caramel macchiato come from?
Starbucks introduced it in 1996, developed by Hannah Su and a small team at the company’s headquarters to mark its 25th anniversary. It was meant to be a limited-time drink, but it was popular enough to stay (Sprudge). Today almost every café in the Philippines has its own version.
How to make an iced caramel macchiato at home
- Add vanilla syrup to a tall glass. About 1 tablespoon (15 ml). Use less if your caramel sauce is very sweet.
- Fill the glass with ice and pour in cold milk. About 180 ml, leaving room at the top.
- Pour a double shot of espresso slowly over the top. About 60 ml. Pouring slowly over the ice keeps the coffee floating in a layer. A moka pot or a strong drip coffee bag works if you don’t have an espresso machine.
- Drizzle caramel sauce over the top. A crosshatch looks nice, but any drizzle tastes the same.
- Serve it unstirred. Let whoever drinks it decide when to mix.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a caramel macchiato stronger than a latte?
Usually not in caffeine, since both are made with espresso. It tastes stronger at first because the espresso sits on top, then it gets sweeter and milkier as you drink.
What’s the difference between a caramel macchiato and an espresso macchiato?
An espresso macchiato is a small shot of espresso with a little milk foam. A caramel macchiato is a full-size milky drink with vanilla, caramel and espresso layered on top. They share a name, not a recipe.
Is a caramel macchiato sweet?
Yes. The vanilla and caramel make it one of the sweeter coffees on most menus. A latte with no syrup is the unsweetened alternative.
Can I have a caramel macchiato hot?
Yes. At Daily Grind™, a hot Caramel Macchiato is ₱160. The iced version is ₱160 or ₱175, depending on cup size.
What goes well with a caramel macchiato?
If you want to go all in on caramel, our Caramel Croffle is a croissant waffle with caramel sauce and vanilla ice cream, ₱160. For something less sweet, try one of our rice bowls.
Sources
- Liz Clayton, “What Is A Caramel Macchiato?,” Sprudge, May 25, 2021.
Find both drinks on our iced drinks and hot drinks menus, or order through GrabFood.
