Wednesday, September 15, 2010

How to: Caramel Macchiato

Today's coffee-house how-to is the classic caramel macchiato.

The CM differs from a regular latte in several ways, but the most important is that the emphasis is on the milk, not the espresso.

Also, please keep in mind that I have never worked at Starbucks, and each coffee house has a slightly different spin on their recipes. (Just a personal note: I'm not a big fan of Starbucks drinks, and it's not a loyalty thing. I find them all slightly bland, but then again, I'm a fan of the spice/punch.)


For a Caramel Macchiato, you will need:




This drink will be more difficult to reproduce at home, since it has multiple ingredients. For all the drinks I discuss, I will be deferring to the Torani label of syrups and sauces, as these are the ones I think taste the best. 

But first, a note: 
  • sauce will be used in reference to the thick stuff--chocolate sauce, caramel sauce, etc. 
  • syrup is strictly liquid 

The proportions of all drinks are changed according to what size you order: 12, 16, or 20-ounce. The coffee mug I drink out of is 14 ounces, so you'll have to learn how to play with the proportions at home. 


How to Make Your Own Caramel Macchiato 
for the purposes of this recipe, I will be using the proportions for a 12-oz drink*

  1. 1 pump of vanilla syrup into your cup 
  2. Heat enough milk so it will fill your cup approx 2/3 full 
  3. Retain some heated milk and work into a froth**
  4. Spoon froth over milk
  5. Pour one espresso shot through foam
  6. Drizzle caramel sauce over top in pretty design 

**As I mentioned in my inaugural post, the hardest thing about making these specialty drinks at home is achieving the right kind of foam. The steam power of a home espresso machine simply can't compare with the industrial standard. However, there are a few ways you can get your own foam. The simplest is probably to try and use a hand whisk--never done it myself, but I hear it works (somewhat). What will most likely be more reliable is to purchase something along the lines of a Aereolatte milk frother

I personally use the Bodum Mousse One-Touch Milk Frother. It works surprisingly well, though the foam isn't as dense as the coffee house can achieve. 

My brother-in-law has the Bodum Chambord Milk Frother. Slightly more expensive, slightly better foam quality. 


So there you have it. Caramel Macchiato at-home. 

*For 16 and 20 ounces, use 2 shots of espresso and 2 pumps of syrup


Happy Drinking! 

16 comments:

Hannah said...

I don't like foam so that's never an issue. I can only drink Starbucks or Dunn Bros. I've tried Caribou espresso but something they use (I'm thinking the syrup) makes me so sick everytime I try it. So I usually stick with coffee, black. My most fave thing from The Barne was a white chocolate mocha with a full flavor shot of caramel and three shots. OMG! It is sooo good and you won't be tired for at least six hours. I just realized how long this comment is...

Renae said...

Yay! Now I know how to make my favorite drink at home!
Thank-you! Thank-you!

Christine Danek said...

I'm not a coffee lover but it sounds good. I don't like starbucks either. Their hot chocolate is not good for the amount of money you have to pay for it.

Lola Sharp said...

Caramel Frapps and machiatos at Starbucks make me HAPPY. My favorite coffee beverage. :)

(I'm not here. back offline I go.)

Have a tremendous day/rest of your week.
YOu are appreciated and adored. (by me)
Love,
Lola

Cruella Collett said...

Oh, great. Now I crave a CM! (And I know I should be grateful that you taught me how to make it myself, but the thing is I am currently in a house with no espresso machine/pot whatsoever. In fact, I suspect there aren't any in this town at all... I need to go back to the city - NOW! :P

(No worries, I am, tomorrow, and I'll be ordering a CM the second I step off the train!)

DL Hammons said...

YUM YUM!!!!! A screen print and I'm all set to go.

TANK U!! :)

Saumya said...

Oh my gosh, I really want to try this!!! I loved your chai tea latte post because I never figured out why mine did not have the spice I love. I just got a pumpkin spice yesterday!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

I don't drink coffee, but I bet it smells good.

Unknown said...

I'm a black coffee drinker, as you know, but I'd be willing to try this once. It sounds wonderful. And, I was in Publix near Traditions and saw the Tazo brand chai liquid. Would have bought it but I started a weight loss regime and it has 16 grams of sugar per serving. *sigh* Glad to know where I can get it, though!

Hope all's well!!

Old Kitty said...

Oh I am salivating!! I could smell the coffee and the caramel - yum, yum, yum!!!!

Thank you!

Take care
x

VICTORIA SAAVEDRA said...

Another great treat!

Thanks for posting!

Crystal Cook said...

That LOOKS so good :) But why do all coffee drinks have to look so delicious but then make me whant to gag???

Oy, how about caramel, vanilla, chocolate something. Sans coffee.

As requested by your most loyal and devoted, dearest of dear CPs and blog buddies (I saw what Lola said and had to profess my love for you too:)

Crystal

Anonymous said...

YUM! Thanks for the awesome recipe! :o

Although I'm sure I'd screw up on the foam...

Natascha said...

Yummy!

Jamie Gibbs said...

Whoo! Thanks for putting this up XD. I need to get myself a new coffee machine to try some of these out (I've been living off instant since my last one broke). It's good to have a connoisseur of the good stuff on here :)

Sondrae Bennett said...

wow am I glad I found this blog! I am a coffee ADDICT. I also find Starbucks mixed drinks a bit bland (and their regular coffee tastes burnt) so it's nice to know how to make the drinks myself! But when I'm desperate, Starbucks makes me happy because it's everywhere, lol.