Caramel Iced Coffee
Okay, coffee lovers… raise your hand if caramel anything makes your heart do a little happy dance. Same here. There’s just something about that sweet, buttery, golden goodness swirling around in your iced coffee that feels so special.
And guess what? You can totally make a caramel iced coffee that’s delicious, refreshing, and just the right amount of indulgent, without going overboard on sugar or calories. Yes please!
Whether you’re rushing out the door to drop kids off at school or you finally found five quiet minutes (miracle!), this drink is gonna be your new go-to. Ready for your new favorite homemade treat? Let’s make it happen!
Why You’ll Love This Caramel Iced Coffee
Here’s the deal: this iced coffee is:
- Sweet but not too sweet
- Creamy but not heavy
- Perfectly chilled with a hint of vanilla and caramel goodness
- Topped with whipped cream because… well, you deserve it
Oh, and it takes like 5 minutes.
Ingredients You’ll Need:
How to Make This Caramel Iced Drink
1. Brew the Coffee
Start by brewing a strong cup of coffee. I usually double the strength for iced drinks since the ice waters it down a little. Let it cool for a few minutes (or stick it in the fridge if you’re impatient like me).
Tip: You can even brew a big batch and keep it in a mason jar in the fridge for grab-and-go mornings!
2. Pour & Mix
- Fill your favorite tall glass with ice cubes.
- Pour the cooled coffee right over the ice.
- Add your milk of choice. Want it super creamy? Go heavy. Prefer it stronger? Just a splash works too.
- Stir in the caramel sauce and vanilla extract. Give it a good swirl!
Tip: Use a milk frother or hand mixer for an extra fluffy, dreamy texture!
3. Top with Whipped Cream
Now for the fun part. Shake that can of whipped cream like you mean it, and swirl it right on top of your drink.
Feeling fancy? Drizzle more caramel sauce right over that pillowy goodness. It’s giving coffee shop vibes.
Make It Your Way!
One of my favorite things about this caramel iced coffee is how easy it is to customize. Here’s how you can tweak it:
Try Coconut Milk
Want a little tropical twist? Swap in coconut milk for a fun change.
Add a Hint of Cinnamon
Just a sprinkle can make it feel warm and cozy, yes, even if it’s iced!
Chocolate Lover?
Mix in a little cocoa powder or sugar-free chocolate syrup with the caramel for a twix latte vibe. Yes, it’s a thing. And yes, it’s amazing.
Coffee Ice Cubes
Freeze leftover coffee into ice cube trays and use those instead of regular ice. No watery drinks, ever again.
Why Make It at Home?
Okay, we’ve all spent way too much on drive-thru coffee, right? Plus, when you make this drink yourself, you control the sweetness, the milk, the toppings, everything. No surprise sugar bombs or weird ingredients you can’t pronounce.
Is It Healthy?
Okay, “healthy” means different things to different people. But here’s why I feel great sipping this version:
- Low sugar: Using low-sugar caramel and unsweetened milk keeps it guilt-free.
- Dairy-free: Almond or oat milk makes it tummy-friendly for a lot of us.
- Customizable: You can skip the whipped cream, or go light, totally up to you.
It’s basically your feel-good treat that still feels like a treat.
So next time you need a little pick-me-up (or a reason to sit down and savor something), whip this up and take a moment just for you.
P.S. If you love fun drinks like this one, check out my other iced drink recipes.
Check Out More Drink Recipes:
Caramel Iced Coffee
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp of ground coffee Brew a strong cup of your favorite kind. I love using a dark roast for this.
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk or oat milk These keep the drink light and dairy-free. Oat milk adds a yummy creaminess!
- 1 tbsp low-sugar caramel sauce Use your fave store-bought version or a healthier one if you’re watching sugar.
- ½ tsp vanilla extract Adds a cozy twist.
- Ice cubes Because it’s iced coffee of course.
- Whipped cream optional, but HIGHLY recommended – A light version works great here.
- Extra caramel drizzle optional – For those caramel dreams on top.
Instructions
- Start by brewing a strong cup of coffee. I usually double the strength for iced drinks since the ice waters it down a little. Let it cool for a few minutes (or stick it in the fridge if you’re impatient like me).Tip: You can even brew a big batch and keep it in a mason jar in the fridge for grab-and-go mornings!
- Fill your favorite tall glass with ice cubes. Pour the cooled coffee right over the ice.
- Add your milk of choice. Want it super creamy? Go heavy. Prefer it stronger? Just a splash works too.
- Stir in the caramel sauce and vanilla extract. Give it a good swirl!Tip: Use a milk frother or hand mixer for an extra fluffy, dreamy texture!
- Now for the fun part. Shake that can of whipped cream like you mean it, and swirl it right on top of your drink.
- Feeling fancy? Drizzle more caramel sauce right over that pillowy goodness. It’s giving coffee shop vibes.
