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This Iced Caramel Latte is your favorite coffee shop drink made right at home in 5 minutes, with frothy coffee, sweet caramel, and creamy milk over ice. I started making these on warm mornings to skip the drive thru line, and now the whole family requests them. If you love our white chocolate mocha frappuccino, this iced caramel latte is your next homemade coffee treat.
A quick whip of instant coffee and caramel creates that frothy, cafe style iced caramel latte without any fancy equipment.
Iced Caramel Latte Quick Look
- 🕒 Prep Time: 5 minutes
- 🌡️ Cook Time: 0 minutes
- ⏳ Total Time: 5 minutes
- 🍽️ Serving: 1 serving
- ⚡ Calories: 285kcal
- 🌶️ Flavor Profile: Sweet, creamy, caramel
- ✋ Difficulty: Easy, on par with our white chocolate mocha frappuccino
Quick Answer
Whisk instant coffee, brown sugar, a splash of milk, and caramel until frothy. Drizzle caramel inside a glass, add ice, and pour in the remaining milk along with the frothy coffee. Top with whipped cream and more caramel for a coffee shop iced caramel latte in 5 minutes.
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Why This Recipe Works
Click to see the technique science
- Instant coffee whips up frothy. Whisking instant coffee with sugar and a little milk creates that signature cafe foam with no machine.
- Caramel two ways. Caramel in the coffee plus a drizzle inside the glass gives sweet flavor in every sip.
- Brown sugar adds depth. A little brown sugar rounds out the coffee with a warm, caramel note.
- Built right in the glass. Everything comes together in one glass, so cleanup is as easy as the recipe.
- Customizable sweetness. You control the caramel and sugar, so it is exactly as sweet as you like.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It tastes just like a coffee shop iced caramel latte for a fraction of the price.
- It comes together in about 5 minutes with no espresso machine needed.
- It is easy to customize with your favorite milk and sweetness level.
Key Ingredients
Here is what makes this iced caramel latte so good. Just a few simple ingredients.
- Instant Coffee: The shortcut to frothy coffee flavor with no brewing. Use a high quality brand.
- Caramel Sauce: Sweetens the coffee and lines the glass for that pretty drizzle.
- Milk: Any milk works, from whole to oat or almond, for a creamy base.
- Brown Sugar: Adds a warm sweetness that pairs perfectly with caramel.
- Whipped Cream: An optional but dreamy finishing touch.
See recipe card for exact quantities.
Variations and Substitutions
This iced caramel latte is easy to make your own.
- Dairy free: Use oat, almond, or coconut milk.
- Extra strong: Add a shot of espresso or more instant coffee.
- Salted caramel: Use salted caramel sauce and a pinch of flaky salt on top.
- Vanilla: Add a splash of vanilla extract or syrup.
- Blended: Blend it with the ice for a frappe style drink.
How to Make Iced Caramel Latte
- In a glass, mix the instant coffee, brown sugar, 2 tablespoons of milk, and 1 tablespoon of caramel.
- The coffee, sugar, and caramel come together in the bottom of the glass.
- Whisk or froth the mixture vigorously until smooth and foamy.
- Drizzle the second tablespoon of caramel around the inside walls of the glass.
- Fill the glass with ice.
- Slowly pour the remaining milk over the ice and coffee.
- Top with a dollop of whipped cream if desired.
- Drizzle with more caramel sauce and serve immediately.
Recipe Tips & Tricks
- Whisk well until the coffee mixture is truly frothy for that cafe texture.
- Use an electric frother if you have one for the fastest foam.
- Drizzle the caramel inside the glass before adding ice for the prettiest look.
- Pour the milk slowly over the ice for that layered effect.
- Use cold milk so the latte stays icy and refreshing.
- Adjust the sweetness by adding more or less caramel and sugar to taste.
Serving Ideas and Suggestions
This iced caramel latte is the perfect afternoon pick me up or weekend treat. Serve it with a reusable straw and an extra drizzle of caramel for the full coffee shop experience.
It pairs wonderfully with a sweet breakfast or brunch. Sip it alongside our easy cinnamon rolls or homemade pop tarts for a cozy morning.
Hosting brunch? Set up a little coffee bar with caramel, whipped cream, and different milks so guests can build their own iced caramel latte just the way they like it.
Iced Caramel Latte FAQs
Yes. You can use 1 to 2 shots of cooled espresso or strong brewed coffee in place of the instant coffee for this iced caramel latte. The instant coffee just makes the frothy texture easier.
Any milk works for an iced caramel latte. Whole milk makes it the creamiest, but oat, almond, and coconut milk are all great dairy free options.
Whisk the instant coffee, sugar, and a splash of milk vigorously, or use a small electric frother, until the mixture is light and foamy before building your iced caramel latte.
An iced caramel latte is best made fresh so the foam and ice stay nice. You can mix the frothy coffee base ahead and store it in the fridge, then build the drink when ready.
Simply reduce the caramel and brown sugar to taste. You can also use unsweetened milk to keep your iced caramel latte lighter.
Absolutely. Homemade or store bought caramel sauce both work beautifully in this iced caramel latte. Salted caramel is especially delicious.
Love coffee shop drinks? Try our white chocolate mocha frappuccino next.
You will also love our 4-ingredient frosted lemonade.
Skip the coffee shop and make our easy copycat Starbucks Iced Mocha at home.
Iced Caramel Latte
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons high-quality instant coffee
- 1 tablespoon light brown sugar
- 1 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons caramel sauce plus more for garnish
- 1 cup ice
- Whipped cream for garnish
Instructions
- In a large glass, mix the instant coffee, sugar, 2 tablespoons of milk, and 1 tablespoon of caramel. Use an electric whisk or vigorously whisk by hand until all the ingredients are well combined, and the mixture is frothy.2 teaspoons high-quality instant coffee, 1 tablespoon light brown sugar, 1 cup milk, 2 tablespoons caramel sauce
- Decorate the inside of the glass with the second tablespoon of caramel by drizzling it in a spiral or creating the design of your choice on the inner walls of the glass.
- Add the ice directly into the glass.1 cup ice
- Pour the remaining milk slowly into the glass over the ice and coffee mixture, allowing the flavors to blend.
- If desired, top the latte with a dollop of whipped cream. For a final touch, drizzle a bit more caramel over the whipped cream. Serve immediatelyWhipped cream for garnish
Notes
- A tall glass makes it easier to layer your milk, coffee, and caramel in a pretty way.
- If you’re not using instant coffee, let your coffee cool to room temperature before adding it to the milk.
- Place the ice cubes in the glass before pouring in your coffee mixture so the layers form nicely.
- Everyone has different calorie needs and likes their coffee a certain sweetness- so taste as you go!
- Even though it’s a simple drink, using a good-quality instant coffee or a strong brewed coffee can make all the difference in flavor.
- Don’t be afraid to try different syrups or seasonal conditions. Maybe next time, add a little vanilla or hazelnut syrup!
Nutrition
Love This Recipe?
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I like to use Delallo Instant Espresso the most, but really any kind is good.
What brand of instant coffee is the best?