Salted caramel latte is a speciality coffee drink that is quick & easy to create at home for a fraction of the price of coffee shop versions. This caramel coffee recipe delivers a rich, creamy & delicious treat.
You’ll likely enjoy my recipe for Biscoff latte too.
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Salted caramel latte (or a straightforward caramel latte) is a popular choice at coffee shops. Blending the robust flavour of coffee with the mellow sweetness of deep, golden caramel and then adding in a twang of savoury saltiness creates a disarmingly, achingly addictive speciality coffee drink.
The trouble is, it’s an expensive habit to start. So mastering how to make caramel latte at home is a sensible option for anybody with a tendency to enjoy this style of drink regularly. Quite simply, you’ll save yourself a small fortune by making it at home rather than shelling out at coffee shops.
Why you’ll love this latte
- Tasty – coffee, caramel and a hint of salt are magical together.
- Fun – this is a cheeky, fun, yet sophisticated way to take your coffee if you fancy a little extravagance.
- Adaptable – you can easily adjust the level of caramel syrup or salt to your own tastes and of course, you get to pick the coffee and milk too.
- Cheap – learning how to make caramel latte at home will save you a lot of money if this is a drink that you enjoy regularly.
If you enjoy indulgent hot drinks such as this caramel coffee then take a look at my recipes for white chocolate mocha, pistachio latte and minty mocha. They are sweet and decadent drinks ideal for anybody who likes a little fun with their daily coffee habit.
Ingredients notes
Caramel syrup – I highly recommend making a batch of my caramel syrup for coffee but you can, of course, use store-bought instead.
Coffee – this salted caramel coffee is best made with freshly brewed espresso. Use around 18g of ground espresso per 75ml water.
If possible, go for a bean that includes notes of caramel in the flavour profile. But don’t feel that you have to rush out and find one. In reality, whatever coffee you generally use will suffice.
Milk: whole (full-fat) milk is best for making this salted caramel latte recipe. The espresso will water down the creaminess of it so starting off with the richest milk available is the best way to ensure that this speciality coffee drink is as decadent and satisfying as it should be.
Sea salt crystals – this is an essential ingredient when making a quality salted caramel coffee. The flavour of sea salt is rich and bold. Please do not substitute table salt.
Equipment notes
Ideally, use an espresso machine to brew your coffee and steam the milk. Alternatively, use a cafetiere (French press) to make the espresso. And the milk can be warmed in a pan on the hob or in a velvetiser if you have one.
Step by step instructions
Full instructions and measurements are given in the printable recipe card at the end of this post.
Step 1. Heat (or steam) the milk along with the caramel syrup, salt and vanilla extract.
Step 2. Brew the espresso coffee using 18g espresso powder to pull 75ml of espresso coffee.
Step 3. If you have steamed the milk then you can pour it over the coffee in a serving mug. If you have heated the milk in a pan you may like to foam the milk using a handheld foamer or a stick blender prior to pouring it over the coffee.
Top Tip: If this is the first time you are making this caramel latte recipe, start with ⅛ teaspoon of sea salt, taste your caramel coffee and add in an extra ⅛ teaspoon of salt if desired.
Expert tips
- Don’t allow the milk or coffee to boil as this will make the coffee taste bitter and your salted caramel latte will be too hot to enjoy.
- Vary the strength of the coffee, the level of salt and the amount of caramel syrup used according to your own tastes. (It’s a good idea to make notes each time you prepare the drink until you perfect the proportions for your sweet-spot.
- Measure the salt carefully so that you don’t accidentally add in too much.
- Warm your serving mug by filling it with freshly boiled water while the drink is prepared. Your drink will be a better temperature if you do.
Frequently asked questions
There are various ways to make this caramel latte healthier. You could swap the whole milk for semi-skimmed milk and forego any toppings such as the whipped cream. You can also reduce the amount of caramel syrup used, reduce (or completely omit) the salt or opt for decaffeinated coffee.
Yes, you can. Try brewing your espresso coffee in a cafetiere (French press) instead. It may be worthwhile making a larger batch of espresso coffee for this option, but the great news is that you can batch-make this drink and store it in the fridge for another day.
Though not quite as tasty, you could use instant coffee granules. Make sure it’s strong, so go for 1½-2 teaspoons dissolved in 75ml of water that has been boiled and allowed to sit in the kettle for 10 minutes.
To make an iced salted caramel latte brew the espresso coffee and stir in the salt and caramel syrup. Pour this into a tumbler filled with ice. Add the milk and then any toppings that you fancy.
I honestly do not know. I’ve never had a salted caramel coffee at Starbucks. So, whilst this is not a copycat Starbucks recipe, I can assure you that it’s very delicious and well worth making.
Variations
- Iced salted caramel latte (see the instructions previously listed).
- Dairy-free salted caramel latte (swap the dairy milk for your favourite non-dairy milk. Oat milk is my favourite alternative.
- Caramel latte – simply omit the salt.
Serving suggestions
- Just as it is – without further additions.
- Whipped cream – oh sweet, heavenly joy.
- Whipped cream plus extra toppings:
- Caramel sauce.
- Chunks of soft caramel.
- Chocolate sauce.
- Chocolate flakes.
- Sea salt flakes.
- Ground spices such as cinnamon or chai spice mix.
- Marshmallows.
- Swirls of caramel sauce around the inside of the glass.
Treats to serve with your caramel coffee drink
Fancy a snack alongside your cosy coffee? Try these ideas:
More speciality coffee recipes
Have you made this salted caramel latte recipe? Please give the recipe a rating or leave a comment – I love to hear how you get along with my creations.
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📖 Recipe
Salted Caramel Latte
Equipment
- Ideally, use an espresso machine to brew your coffee and steam the milk. Alternatively, use a cafetiere (French press) to make the espresso. And the milk can be warmed in a pan on the hob or in a velvetiser if you have one.
Ingredients
- 140 ml whole milk or your favourite non-dairy milk
- 75 ml espresso coffee
- 30 ml Caramel syrup
- ¼ teaspoon Vanilla extract
- ⅛ – ¼ teaspoon Sea salt
Instructions
- Fill your serving cup with freshly boiled water to heat through.
- Measure the milk, vanilla, salt and caramel syrup into a steaming jug. Steam the milk until foamy (alternatively, heat the milk and foam it manually)
- Use 18g of espresso powder to brew 75ml of espresso. Dispose of the hot water in the serving cup and pull the espresso into the warm cup.
- Pour the steamed salted caramel milk into the prepared coffee. Stir and serve immediately with toppings of your choice.
Notes
- If this is the first time you are making this caramel latte recipe, start with ⅛ teaspoon of sea salt, taste your caramel coffee and add in an extra ⅛ teaspoon of salt if desired.
- Don’t allow the milk or coffee to boil as this will make the coffee taste bitter and your salted caramel latte will be too hot to enjoy.
- Vary the strength of the coffee, the level of salt and the amount of caramel syrup used according to your own tastes. (It’s a good idea to make notes each time you prepare the drink until you perfect the proportions for your sweet-spot.
- Measure the salt carefully so that you don’t accidentally add in too much.
- Warm your serving mug by filling it with freshly boiled water while the drink is prepared. Your drink will be a better temperature if you do.
- To make an iced salted caramel latte brew the espresso coffee and stir in the salt and caramel syrup. Pour this into a tumbler filled with ice. Add the milk and then any toppings that you fancy.
Sharon
Great syrup thanks for the recipe !!!
Jane Coupland
Thanks so much. Pleased you enjoyed it.
Jane Coupland
Thanks for reading about this recipe. I hope you try it out and enjoy it as much as I do.