Drinking caramel with bourbon (optional) is a luscious blend of milk and caramel with just a hint of alcohol. Sweet. Mellow. Toasty. Cosy. Indulgent. This hot drinking caramel recipe is comfort in a mug.
Try a salted caramel rice krispie treat with your drink. Coffee lovers should give my salted caramel latte a try.
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This drinking caramel recipe is a blend of homemade caramel sauce, milk and a restrained hint of bourbon.
But I bet you're wondering why I didn't just create some hot caramel milk, add a stiff (aka large) shot of Bourbon and be done with it.
Don't get me wrong, the Bourbon-loaded drink does sound lush. However, for once (and only once) I didn't particularly want to create an intensely alcoholic drink that would knock your socks off and… hic… render you useless for the rest of the day or night.
I wanted to devise a more subtle drink that was indulgent, warming and comforting. I wanted sweet, mellow, toasty notes that make you feel cosy as you sip it. In addition, I wanted to make a drinking caramel that could be enjoyed at pretty much any time of day including breakfast.
Too much Bourbon would have upset the mix in this drinking caramel. Only a small measure is needed to keep that balance of flavours.
Browse all of my cosy & comforting hot drink recipes. Some contain alcohol, some don't. Expect to find coffees, teas, hot chocolate drinks and fruity warmers.
How to Make this Hot Caramel Milk Recipe
If you can make caramel sauce then you can easily make this drinking caramel.
To avoid measuring out piddly amounts of alcohol each time you want to enjoy this caramel milk drink I've created a bourbon caramel sauce. It is this sauce that is used as the base flavouring in this hot caramel milk drink:
- Put the water into a heavy based saucepan and spread the sugar on top in an even layer
- Allow the sugar to gradually melt over a medium heat, swirling the pan a couple of times to ensure the caramel cooks evenly
- Once the sugar has melted, the caramel will begin to darken. Continue to let it cook until it reaches a lovely amber colour
- Add the cream and the salt and mix with a small handheld whisk until fully incorporated
- Stir in the Bourbon
Once the sauce is ready, it's a simple case of blending a portion into some steamed milk and serving, preferably with a generous swirl of cream on top of the glass and a dusting of cinnamon or nutmeg.
If you don't have a coffee machine with a steaming arm it's fine to use hot milk for this recipe instead.
I don't like Bourbon. What else could I use?
Bourbon and milk are a winning combination in my mind. But if this spirit is not your thing, or if you fancy a change, there are alternatives:
- Dark rum (or even spiced rum) makes a wonderful addition to this drink in place of the bourbon
- Likewise, you could also try a splash of either brandy or whisky as alternatives.
Of course, you can leave out the booze completely and enjoy a non-alcoholic version. That's exactly what I do if I'm planning on treating my girls to this drinking caramel.
That said, my advice is not to ditch the Bourbon unless you really have to since Bourbon and milk are naturals together.
In this drinking caramel the Bourbon imparts warmth & toastiness to the sweet vanilla notes of the caramel. This luscious blend of flavours makes this steamed milk recipe immensely pleasurable to slurp when the chilly winds of autumn and the long, dark nights of winter wrap around us.
Serving suggestions
There are so many treat to serve with this warming caramel drink. Here are a few options:
Find more caramel recipes:
📖 Recipe
Bourbon Caramel Steamer
Ingredients
For the Caramel Sauce
- 2 tablespoon water
- 125g/ ⅔ cup caster sugar
- 120ml/ ½ cup double (heavy) cream
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt flakes
- 3 tablespoon Bourbon
For the Bourbon Caramel Steamer (per serving)
- 200ml/ ¾ cup whole (full fat) milk
- 40ml / 2 tablespoon + 2 tsp caramel sauce
- whipped cream
- freshly grated nutmeg
Instructions
Make the Caramel Sauce
- Put the water into a heavy based saucepan. Spread the sugar on top in an even layer
- Set the pan over a medium heat and allow the sugar to gradually melt. As it melts you can gently swirl the pan a couple of times to ensure the caramel cooks evenly, but do not stir it
- Once the sugar has melted, the caramel will begin to darken. Continue to let it cook until it reaches a lovely amber colour (but keep a close eye on the caramel as it can burn easily)
- Add the cream and the salt, taking care as it can bubble up and is extremely hot. Mix with a small handheld whisk until fully incorporated
- Stir in the Bourbon. Set aside
Make the Bourbon Caramel Steamers
- Put the milk in a pan and warm until steaming hot and just beginning to bubble at the edges
- Meanwhile, warm the serving glass and spoon in the caramel sauce
- Pour the steaming milk over the caramel and stir until completely melted
- Top with whipped cream and a dusting of freshly grated nutmeg
- Enjoy immediately
Meghan | Fox and Briar says
Oh my GAWD, Jane, this sounds heavenly. Really, it makes me want autumn to get here, even though I'm not ready to say goodbye to summer!
Jane Saunders says
Thanks Meghan. I know what you mean, new seasons bring new treats. Summer started late over here so I may have to wait a few extra weeks before I get stuck into these - unless I let it cool and blend with ice 🙂
swayam says
This was so amazing Jane!! FEATURED on #SaucySaturdays!! Do join us today and let your friends know about the party 🙂
Jane Saunders says
Thankyou, Swayam. So pleased you like it enough to feature it.
Christine | Mid-Life Croissant says
I want to pack a thermos full of this and take my kids ice skating! Really lovely, Jane.
Jane Saunders says
Do it! That sounds so much fun. There may even be thermos envy going on...
Dini @ The Flavor Bender says
Oh my god!! I know I will be having this for breakfast, lunch and dinner the whole weekend!! It looks absolutely amazing! 😀 Thank you for sharing this with us at #SaucySaturdays!
Jessica says
I'm going to make this for my husband! He loves bourbon and you can never go wrong with caramel!
Jane Saunders says
Go for it, I'm sure he'll love it, Jessica. Thanks for dropping in.
Ange says
I could go a cup of this right now! How delicious.
Jane Saunders says
Thanks Ange - I have one portion left.... finding it hard to resist.
Cassandrea @ chewsandbrews.ca says
Looks amazing! I am looking forward to the continuation of your caramel bender!! Love your photos too!!
Jane Saunders says
Thankyou, Cassandrea, so pleased you like it!
Sherri @ Watch Learn Eat says
Well I was looking for a nice warm drink to have after trick or treating tomorrow! And I just found it! Delicious!!
Jane Saunders says
Ha - the thought of it waiting at home will keep you going if it's chilly tonight. Have fun.
Gloria @ Homemade & Yummy says
I must say your pictures are beautiful...and the drink sounds absolutely delicious. My husband is a bourbon lover....so I will have to make this for him when we sit down to watch a movie...and cozy up around the fire. Thanks. Have pinned as well!!
Jane Saunders says
Thankyou, Gloria, it was a particularly fun photoshoot. I was trying to learn a new skill (photographing steam) I had limited success, which I guess means I'll just have to try again - such hardship when I get to drink up after the steam has gone.
Lynn | The Road to Honey says
Do I like caramel you ask? Do cats like milk? Do koalas like eucalyptus? Does Lynn like caramel? Absolutely Yes! And combining with bourbon. . .could anything be more appropriate for a nippy fall day?
Jane Saunders says
Thanks for stopping by Lynn, your comment made me smile. I have yet to meet anybody who does not like caramel 🙂