Making Starbucks Carmel Macchiatos at Home

June 27, 2008


My favorite drink in the world (at the moment) is a caramel macchiato from Starbucks. Since I’m consulting from home these days, I thought it would be a great idea to make my own caramel macchiatos. So I picked up what I needed:


After a couple screwed up drinks, I finally got the right combination of espresso, milk and vanilla syrup.I can make it without leaving my house and it tastes just the same, if not better since I control the proportions.

Web devleopment from home just got even better thanks to you, Mr. Starbucks Barista Espresso Machine !

Note on June 27th, 2008: Rammi asked for my recipe, so here it how I make it – adjust to your liking:
~1 tbsp of vanilla flavoring syrup
8-10 oz of milk
2 shots of espresso
carmel sauce

Drizzle caramel sauce in the bottom of the cup. Pour in ice, milk and vanilla flavoring. Make 2 shots of espresso, emptying the espresso grounds and fill it up with new grounds for each shot. Drizzle more caramel on the top of the drink after you add the espresso.

25 comments

#1. Rammi on June 27, 2008

Share the recipe. NOW. :-)

#2. Marc Grabanski on June 27, 2008

Rammi: Haha! Ok… I added it to the bottom of the article.

#3. Luke Brookhart on June 28, 2008

Yes. I would like a 13 shot venti soy hazelnut vanilla cinnamon white mocha with extra white mocha and caramel. Normally, this order would come to $13.76 with tax, but since you have your own machine, I choose not to pay.

#4. royalol on June 28, 2008

$13.76 for something to drink?@#% Fortunately, my favorite is cheap: $1.02 for a 16 oz. Colombian coffee hits the spot, although that caramel macchiato does sound good :D
I like this commercial.

#5. Jo-Lynn on July 04, 2008

Can you purchase the caramel from Starbucks??? There’s is the best! I didnt realize they sold it! Are you in the States or Canada. Canada here.

#6. Marc Grabanski on July 05, 2008

Jo-Lynn: In Minnesota at the moment and purchased the caramel from Starbucks, but it seemed expensive – $4 for a small container of it. I’m currently looking for another place to purchase the caramel drizzle; though, I am happy that I purchased the vanilla flavoring and espresso grounds there.

#7. Jo-Lynn on July 08, 2008

Awesome, they DO sell it here! I grabbed some today!

Side note if you want a counterpart cold drink that isn’t a plain old iced caramel machiatto: Vanillia Bean Frap w/a shot of Espresso + caramel drizzle! TO DIE FOR! You may hafta scope out Craigslist for a Frapper!

#8. Marc Grabanski on July 08, 2008

Jo-Lynn: I will try a vanilla bean frappuccino with added espresso and caramel drizzle during my meeting tomorrow morning. Thanks for the tip!

#9. Marc Grabanski on July 09, 2008

Jo-Lynn: I tried out your frap with espresso and caramel drizzle this morning. I can’t honestly say that it compares with the iced caramel macchiato, but it definitely is a good drink for a hot summer’s day.

#10. Ginger on October 15, 2008

Hi, can I know how and where can i find the caramel sauce from starbucks to purchasE? thanks

#11. Marc Grabanski on October 15, 2008

Ginger: you can find Starbucks carmel sauce at any Starbucks shop.

#12. marolyn on October 22, 2008

Does anyone know where I can purchase the insulated cup? I cant find any in my area (Tampa, FL)

#13. Magic of making up on April 07, 2009

Hey, nice blog.

@marolyn , check out ebay.com

#14. Coffee Mom on July 01, 2009

I still enjoy going ‘out’ for a cup of coffee, its a social event for me ;)

#15. mika on November 24, 2009

so much better with almond milk or so nice/silk soy milk.
even better: http://www.sonice.ca/english/beverages_caramelmacchiato.cfm

#16. Alarm Reviews on December 18, 2009

There was a starbucks right next to my old work. Each day I would get myself a caramel latte, I must have spent a small fortune over time doing this!

#17. Ronny on December 21, 2009

So easy, you’ll be putting starbucks out of business with this!

#18. Becca on January 01, 2010

Looks good and, best yet, it probably way cheaper then buy the real name brand stuff.

#19. Wooden Garage Doors on March 31, 2010

Mmmm….I love starbucks. I’m a big fan of the hazelnut hot chocolate though – any idea how to make it? Do these starbucks machines even make hot chocolate?

#20. 5 Cup Coffee Brewers on April 03, 2010

Hm, great Starbucks turned a web developer into receipt writer!

#21. COURTNEY on March 24, 2011

<3 It!

#22. Melony on March 28, 2011

Are those measurements for a venti?

#23. Lola on May 19, 2011

I do it the same, I can’t believe how much money I save!!!

#24. lilianna on June 26, 2011

i know how to make caramal machiatto now… and i am such an old lady! so its hard for me to do things but this is one of the only things i can do without help!

#25. A Starbucks Employee on April 05, 2012

To make a starbucks caramel machiatto, you first put two pumps (2 tablespoons) of vanilla syrup in the cup first. Then you steam 2% milk and aerate it for about 4-5 seconds, then let it reach 160 degrees. Pull two espresso shots. Pour your milk into the cup with vanilla syrup, holding the foam until the end of your milk pouring and then top with the foam. After this, your shots should be done. Pour the shots on top of the small amount of foam and then crosshatch the top with caramel drizzle. This is how you make a true caramel machiatto ;)

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