Iced Caramel Macchiato with Almond Milk

6 min read JUN 13, 2022

If you’re looking for a delicious icy treat to enjoy this summer, an iced caramel macchiato with almond milk is the perfect choice for you. 

This refreshing and sweet treat is a real winner when it comes to keeping cool and energized.

While you can order this at a coffee shop, it’s easy enough to make at home. This saves you money on buying coffee from your local café every day.

If you’re wondering what’s in an iced caramel macchiato, you’re in the right place to find out. 

What This Article Covers:



What Is a Traditional Macchiato?


A traditional macchiato is an espresso topped with one to two spoonfuls of foam on top. In Italian, it’s known as a “café macchiato.”

The foam on top cuts through the bitterness of the espresso and gives a slightly milder taste which balances out the bold coffee flavors.

The word ‘macchiato’ translates to ‘stained’ or ‘marked,’ which refers to how the espresso is ‘stained’ with milk. 

The term originated as a way to distinguish between plain espresso and espresso with a little bit of milk.macchiato with almond milkThis style of coffee has a relatively low ratio of espresso to milk, so it’s still a strong, bold flavor and isn’t for everyone. 

Because it’s milder, a cafe macchiato is a good way to transition from drinking milky espresso-based beverages like cappuccinos and flat white to drinking black espresso. 

The milk tempers the espresso for a smoother drinking experience. This also makes it easier to sip slowly to enjoy your drink by providing a layer of air that insulates your drink and keeps it warm.

What Is Latte Macchiato?


What we are talking about today is the latte macchiato. This distinction is often a cause for confusion among newer coffee enthusiasts.

This means that, unlike most espresso-based drinks, the espresso is poured in last. This results in a stronger espresso taste in the first sip that recedes as you go through the layers. 

A latte macchiato is mixed with a larger quantity of milk than a traditional macchiato. 

It’s ideal for someone who wants a moderately strong coffee drink that isn’t as harsh as a straight espresso or cafe macchiato. iced caramel macchiato almond milk

How Is It Different from a Cafe Latte?


While both latte and latte macchiato consist of espresso and milk, they’re different in many important ways. A latte tends to be more thoroughly mixed for a smoother, milder flavor.

In a latte, the milk is more dominant, and you get natural sweetness from the heating and foaming process.

A latte macchiato is served in separate layers to allow each flavor to stand out. 

This makes it a slightly stronger tasting beverage than a latte. It also creates a beautiful drink, with the darker coffee suspended between layers of milk. 

Variations


There are many ways you can customize your latte macchiato. While there are many technical aspects to coffee making, what you change comes down to personal preference.

You want to make a drink that you enjoy, and that means making playing around with flavors and combinations. 

You can always play around with a recipe until it suits exactly what you are looking for. 

Almond Milk


One of the easiest ways to customize your drink is to use a different kind of milk. When choosing which milk to use, the options can be overwhelming.

If you use regular milk, that’s just fine. Your drink will still be delicious. However, when choosing a non-dairy alternative, we recommend almond milk. iced macchiato with almond milkThe slightly nutty flavor pairs perfectly with the sweetness of the caramel in your iced caramel macchiato with almond milk. 

Almond milk is also a healthy choice, as it’s full of vitamins and antioxidants. This makes it a great option for your coffee. 

You can use other kinds of milk, especially for things like an iced coconut macchiato

What Coffee to Use


While a latte macchiato is traditionally made with espresso, you can also experiment to find the right method for you.

If you have a fancy espresso machine, then making it with espresso is the best way to go. However, if you don't have one, that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy this amazing beverage.

You can use strong brewed coffee to mimic the strength of espresso and still get a dominant flavor. This can be done in multiple ways.

If you’re making an iced drink, another option is cold brew coffee, which will already be cool when you want to make your drink. 

However, cold brew does require some planning, as you have to steep your coffee grounds in cold water for 24-48 hours. 

When making the coffee for your iced macchiato, make sure you are using dark roast coffee beans to help keep the flavor strong.  almond milk iced caramel macchiato

Hot or Iced?


Another choice is if you want your drink hot or iced. A caramel macchiato with almond milk is delicious either way.

When it’s cold, there’s nothing more soothing than a sweet, warm beverage to keep you cozy.

And when it's hot out, sipping on some iced coffee is guaranteed to improve your day and quench your thirst. 

There’s also a significant difference between an iced macchiato vs an iced latte

Flavoring Your Coffee


While a latte macchiato is delicious on its own, you can also add different flavorings to make it even more exciting. The options are fairly endless, and it again comes down to your preference. 

Coffee Syrups


One of the most common ways to flavor coffee is with different syrups.

These are certainly tasty and come in a variety of flavors, but can also be full of sugar.

This is not necessarily a bad thing, but sometimes you want to enjoy a sweet treat without the additional calories.

And if this sounds enticing, but you're not a fan of caramel, there are many other options, like an iced hazelnut macchiato

Flavored Coffee Beans


And that’s where flavored coffee beans come in. These beans are flavored using natural ingredients and don’t have the extra sugar that syrups do.

This allows you to make a sugar-free iced caramel macchiato

almond milk and iced caramel macchiato

For your iced caramel macchiato with almond milk, we recommend the caramel macchiato coffee from Lifeboost. 

This low acid coffee is easy on the stomach and has the amazing taste of a caramel macchiato with none of the work. 

There are plenty of other flavor options too, like vanilla almond coffee.  

iced caramel macchiato and almond milk

How to Make an Iced Caramel Macchiato with Almond Milk


When it comes to an iced caramel macchiato recipe, the process is fairly simple. 

You need to prepare your coffee, and then add milk to your glass. How much milk you add is once again a case of personal preference.

Then you can add your flavored syrup nad your coffee. You can even use both flavored coffee beans and syrup for an extra-strong caramel taste.

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