Homemade Caramel Iced Coffee Recipe
This Homemade Caramel Iced Coffee Recipe is easy to make with simple ingredients like cold brew coffee, caramel syrup, and half and half. In just 5 minutes you can enjoy this coffee shop drink at home anytime. That’s all you need to make this Starbucks copycat drink. Perfect for hot summer days or an afternoon pick-me-up.
This homemade drink recipe brings the rich, sweet flavors of caramel and coffee together perfectly. Coffee lovers will find it impossible to resist this caramel-infused drink and the best part is, you don’t need to visit a coffee shop to enjoy one saving you time and money.
I love starting my day with coffee, especially this caramel cold brew, and lately, I’ve been enjoying one in the afternoon as it’s been super hot here. There’s no way I want to leave my air-conditioned house to go buy a coffee. This simple recipe shows you how to create a deliciously smooth and sweet iced coffee that’s perfect for any time of day.
If you love flavored coffee drinks, you must try my Raspberry Almond Coffee Smoothie or if you prefer a hot drink, this Vanilla Caramel Apple Latte hits the spot. Making these flavored drinks at home is easy and you get to control the sweetness and strength of the coffee. This recipe is all about convenience and flavor.
Homemade Caramel Iced Coffee
There is only 3 ingredients to make this homemade caramel iced coffee: strong cold brew coffee, some type of creamer, and caramel syrup. For the coffee, you can use homemade cold brew or store-bought. You can even use chilled strong coffee or espresso. The creamer can be half and half as I used, or can be milk or cream. For the syrup I like to use my homemade caramel sauce but you can use a store bought variety, like caramel sauce from Torani. It’s all about using what you have to make this Starbuck’s copycat caramel iced coffee drink.
This recipe is easy to make and can be customized to your taste and it’s a great way to get your caffeine fix.
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Timesaving Tips and Variations
- If you are using strong coffee that you brewed, chill it for a few hours before making this recipe.
- While this recipe uses ice cubes, sometimes it can water down the coffee. Make coffee ice cubes with an ice cube tray and use those in place of the plain ice.
- You can also add a splash of vanilla extract or whipped cream to your iced coffee.
- This recipe can also be made with dairy-free milk products like almond milk, oat milk, or soy milk.
- You can make an iced pumpkin spice coffee by omitting the caramel and using this homemade pumpkin spice creamer. During the fall season, you can buy pumpkin spice syrup, too.
- Or use homemade hot fudge sauce to make a mocha iced coffee.
You don’t need to be a barista to whip up this delicious brew. This recipe gives you all the flavors you love without the expensive price tag.
What’s the best type of coffee to use for iced coffee?
I recommend a darker roast like a French, Italian, or espresso roast. They have a richer, bolder profile that nicely complements the coolness of an iced coffee. That being said, this is about convenience, so you can use your favorite blend of java or buy cold brew from the grocery store. It’s usually found in the dairy area.
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Tools to Use to Make Iced Coffee at Home
If you don’t want to purchase the already made cold brew, you can make it at home with a machine, or simple brew coffee in your coffee maker and chill it.
Ingredients
With just three ingredients and minimal prep time, you’ll have a refreshing drink in your hands in minutes.
- 1 cup cold brew coffee or really strong coffee, chilled
- 3 – 4 tablespoons homemade caramel syrup, divided
- 1/4 cup half-and-half (adjust to preference)
- Ice cubes
This homemade caramel iced brew recipe is a game-changer for java lovers everywhere. You will be making this drink on repeat.
How to Make Caramel Iced Coffee Like Starbucks
Start by drizzling 1 – 2 tablespoons of the caramel syrup on the inside of your serving glass. Be generous for more sweetness and a beautiful presentation.
Fill the glass with ice cubes to the top. Gently pour 1 cup of cold brew coffee over the ice. Cold brew is ideal for iced coffee due to its smooth, rich flavor. Pour 1 – 2 tablespoons of syrup into the glass. You can adjust this amount depending on how sweet you like your coffee.
Pour ¼ cup of half-and-half into the glass. Adjust to your preference for creaminess. Stir the mixture thoroughly to ensure all the components blend together nicely. Insert a cute straw, give it one last stir, and enjoy your refreshing and delicious iced caramel coffee!
The blend of cold bold brew and the sweet syrup creates a decadent flavor that’s rich yet balanced. It’s indulgent enough to satisfy your sweet tooth but still gives you that essential java kick.
What to Serve with Iced Coffee
A cold, refreshing beverage is delightful on its own, but it can be even more enjoyable when paired with the right food. Pastries, cakes, cookies, scones, muffins, and more.
- Homemade Brownies
- Maple Pecan Caramel Popcorn
- Maple Oat Pecan Scones
- Caramel Apple Cinnamon Rolls
- Perfect Banana Bread
Making your own flavored iced coffee is a great way to save money. You can make a large batch of this recipe for a fraction of the cost of buying it at a coffee shop.
With just a few simple steps and ingredients, you’ll be savoring a refreshing glass of caramel coffee in no time.
Printable Recipe Card
Homemade Caramel Iced Coffee Recipe
Equipment
- Cold Brew Maker or Keurig Coffee Maker
- Drinking glass or mason jar
Ingredients
- 1 cup cold brew coffee or really strong coffee, chilled
- 3 – 4 tablespoons homemade caramel syrup, divided
- ¼ cup half-and-half cream (adjust to preference)
- ice cubes
Instructions
- Start by drizzling 1 – 2 tablespoons of the caramel sauce on the inside of your serving glass. Be generous for more sweetness and a beautiful presentation.
- Fill the glass with ice cubes to the top. Gently pour 1 cup of cold brew coffee over the ice. Cold brew is ideal for iced coffee due to its smooth, rich flavor.
- Pour 1 – 2 tablespoons of caramel syrup into the glass. You can adjust this amount depending on how sweet you like your coffee.
- Pour ¼ cup of half-and-half into the glass. Adjust to your preference for creaminess. Stir the mixture thoroughly to ensure all the components blend together nicely.
- Insert a cute straw, give it one last stir, and enjoy your refreshing and delicious iced caramel coffee!
Notes
- If you are using strong coffee that you brewed, chill it for a few hours before making this recipe.
- While this recipe uses ice cubes, sometimes it can water down the coffee. Make coffee ice cubes with an ice cube tray and use those in place of the plain ice.
- You can also add a splash of vanilla extract or whipped cream to your caramel iced coffee.
- This recipe can also be made with dairy-free milk products like almond milk, oat milk, or soy milk.
- You can make an iced pumpkin spice coffee by omitting the caramel and using this homemade pumpkin spice creamer. During the fall season, you can buy pumpkin spice syrup, too.
- Omit the caramel and use homemade hot fudge sauce to make a mocha iced coffee.
Nutritional Disclaimer
“Blogghetti” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
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Enjoy!