Caramel is one of the most popular coffee syrup flavors. It pairs well with most types of coffee, whether hot, iced, white, or black.
You can buy caramel syrup for coffee in most stores. However, making it at home may be cheaper and, if done right, will taste 10 times better. You also avoid any preservatives and unnecessary coloring that's present in many store-bought coffee syrups.
In this article, you'll learn how to make caramel syrup with just a few ingredients. You'll also find four unique coffee recipes to try once you've made the syrup.
What You Need to Make Caramel Coffee Syrup
Caramel syrup is surprisingly easy to make. It only requires a few ingredients, and you probably have the equipment needed to make it in your kitchen.
Here's what you need to make caramel coffee syrup at home:
Equipment
- Small Saucepan — Use a small steel or copper saucepan to make the syrup.
- Measuring Cup — Weighing the sugar and water accurately is vital. Use a measuring cup to achieve this.
- Wooden Spoon — You'll need a wooden spoon or spatula to stir the sugar as it caramelizes.
- Fine Whisk — A fine whisk is needed to stir the syrup as it cools.
- Glass Bottle or Jar — Use a glass airtight bottle or jar to store your syrup.
Ingredients
- Sugar (1 cup) — You'll need a cup of white, granulated sugar.
- Water (1 cup) — Use cold, fresh, filtered water.
- Vanilla Extract (½ tsp) — A small splash of vanilla extract brings out the flavors of caramel. This is optional, but it elevates the flavor of the syrup.
- Corn Syrup (1 tsp) — Adding a teaspoon of corn syrup prevents crystallisation during heating. This improves the texture of the syrup while preventing it from crystallising during storage.
- Salt (½ tsp) — Add a pinch of sea salt to bring out the flavors of the syrup (optional).
Step-by-Step Guide: Caramel Coffee Syrup
This syrup is easy to make and can last for six to 12 months when stored in the fridge.
Follow these steps to make it:
1. Dissolve the Sugar
Add one cup of sugar, half a cup of water, and one teaspoon of corn syrup to your saucepan. Place the pan on your stove and bring it to a boil, stirring the contents with a wooden spoon until the sugar has completely dissolved.
2. Make the Caramel
Lower the heat on the stove to medium. Aim for a rolling simmer. Avoid aggressively boiling the sugar and water — this can be dangerous.
Simmer the sugar and water for around 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown. Don't stir it during this time — doing so will result in crystallisation on the edges of the pan.
When the liquid in the pan begins to thicken and turn a dark bronze color (similar to toffee), switch off the heat.
3. Remove the Pan From the Heat
Once the caramel has been created, remove the pan from the heat and allow it to cool slightly.
4. Heat the Rest of the Water
In a separate pan or kettle, bring the other half a cup of water to a boil.
This step is essential. Adding cold water to the caramel will cause it to violently steam and spit out molten sugar — it will also cause the caramel to harden and crystallize.
5. Dilute the Caramel
Slowly pour the hot water into the pan with the caramel. Rapidly stir the liquid with a fine whisk until a thick, golden syrup has formed.
6. Whisk in the Vanilla Extract
Add a few drops of vanilla extract (if using) to the pan. If you want to add a pinch of sea salt, now is the time. Whisk the syrup thoroughly to incorporate the elements.
7. Allow the Syrup to Cool
Once the syrup is made, leave it in the pan to cool. It doesn't need to be completely cold, but cool enough to pour into a storage bottle or jar.
8. Pour the Syrup Into a Bottle or Jar
Once the syrup has cooled, gently pour it into an airtight glass bottle or jar. It can then be stored in the fridge for six to 12 months.
To use the syrup, simply remove it from the refrigerator and stir a tablespoon or two into your favorite coffee.
Coffee Recommendations: Four Recipes With Caramel Syrup
You can add caramel to pretty much any cup of coffee to elevate its flavor. However, certain brews pair better than others with the syrup. It works especially well with creamy beverages — both hot and cold.
Here are four different brews you can make with caramel syrup:
1. Caramel Iced Coffee
Caramel syrup pairs perfectly with milky iced coffee. Caramel iced coffee is easy to make. It can be made with any type of coffee as long as it's strong and concentrated, and any type of milk.
Here's how to make a delicious caramel iced coffee:
- Brew a Strong Coffee — Start by brewing a strong, concentrated cup of coffee. We recommend using a balanced arabica and robusta blend such as Saigon OG, but any high-quality coffee will do. Use your preferred brewing method, whether that's drip coffee, French press, espresso shot, or pour-over.
- Add the Caramel Syrup — Stir in one to two tablespoons of caramel syrup into the brew until fully incorporated. Doing this while the coffee is hot helps it dissolve better.
- Cool the Coffee — Allow the cup of coffee to cool down to room temperature. You can speed the cooling process up by pouring the brew back and forth between two cold coffee mugs.
- Prepare the Glass — In a large serving glass, add a drizzle of caramel syrup. Try to pour the syrup around the inside of the glass, then fill it up with ice.
- Assemble the Iced Coffee — Pour the concentrated coffee into the glass and fill the rest up with whole cow's milk or a dairy-free alternative. Stir to combine.
- Garnish and Serve — Add a dollop of whipped cream and garnish with a dash more syrup (optional). Serve with or without a straw and enjoy.
2. Caramel Macchiato
The caramel macchiato is a popular beverage from Starbucks. It's available as a cold RTD (ready to drink) beverage or a warm latte-like drink with light, foamy steamed milk.
Here's how to make a caramel macchiato at home:
- Grind the Coffee — Grind 18 grams of 100% arabica coffee to a fine consistency similar to powdered sugar.
- Fill the Portafilter — Fill the portafilter for your espresso machine with the coffee. Tamp the grounds, applying firm, even pressure.
- Brew the Espresso — Lock the portafilter into the group head of your machine and begin the extraction, aiming for a 25 to 30-second pull.
- Steam the Milk — In a steaming pitcher, add around seven ounces (220 mL) of whole milk. Steam the milk until warm, light, and velvety with a light microfoam on top.
- Assemble the Beverage — In a large coffee mug, add two tablespoons of caramel syrup, then pour in the steamed milk. Stir lightly to combine. Gently pour the espresso shot over the frothy milk to create a layered “black and white” effect.
- Garnish and Serve — Add a light drizzle of caramel syrup over the top of the foam, making sure it sits on top and doesn't fall through. Enjoy your caramel macchiato while warm.
3. Caramel Latte
Caramel blends beautifully with the strong flavors of espresso coffee and the creaminess of steamed milk in a cup of latte coffee. The caramel latte is similar to the caramel macchiato, but the milk is less foamy and is poured over the espresso.
Here'show to make a caramel latte at home:
- Grind the Coffee — Grind nine grams (single shot) or 18 grams (double shot) of a high-quality arabica coffee. Aim for a fine grind size, similar to powdered sugar.
- Fill the Portafilter — Fill your portafilter with the coffee. Tamp the grounds using your tamper using a firm even pressure until a smooth puck forms.
- Brew the Espresso — Lock the portafilter into the group head and pull an espresso shot (25 to 30 seconds).
- Steam the Milk — Add 7 ounces (210 mL) of fresh whole milk and two tablespoons of caramel syrup to a steam pitcher. Using the steam wand on your espresso machine, warm the milk and froth it until smooth and velvety with a fine microfoam on the surface.
- Assemble the Caramel Latte — In a large coffee mug, add the espresso shot. Then, gently pour in the steamed milk, moving in a circular motion. Hold back the microfoam with the back of a teaspoon and release it when the cup is almost full so it sits on the surface of the beverage.
- Serve and Enjoy — Dust the surface of the latte with a bit of ground coffee (optional) and serve. Enjoy your caramel latte while warm.
4. Frosted Coffee
Frosted coffee is a milkshake-like coffee beverage that's made with ice cream, concentrated coffee, caramel syrup, and ice. It's a popular beverage from the Chick-fil-A fast food chain, but it's easy to make at home.
Here's how to make a delicious frosted coffee:
- Grind the Coffee — Grind up 18 grams of 100% arabica, such as Cafely's DaLat Coffee or a well-balanced blend such as Saigon OG. Aim for a fine consistency similar to powdered sugar.
- Prepare the Portafilter — Fill the portafilter of your espresso machine with the coffee and tamp the grounds down with firm, even pressure.
- Brew an Espresso Shot — Lock the portafilter into the group head of your machine and pull an espresso shot. Aim for a 25 to 30-second extraction. Note: If you don't have an espresso machine, brew a concentrated coffee with your preferred brewing method by increasing the coffee-to-water ratio.
- Cool the Shot — Cool down your espresso shot to room temperature. You can speed up this process by adding a single ice cube to the cup or pouring the shot back and forth between two cold coffee mugs.
- Combine the Ingredients — In a blender, add the espresso shot, one and a half cups of vanilla ice cream, two tablespoons of caramel syrup, and five or six cubes of ice.
- Blend the Ingredients — Blend the ingredients until the ice is completely crushed and the ingredients have combined to form a thick, milkshake-like consistency.
- Prepare the Glass — Squirt caramel syrup around the inside of a large serving glass.
- Pour the Frosted Coffee — Pour the frosted coffee into the glass, being careful not to disturb the syrup around its inside face.
- Garnish and Serve — Add a swirl of whipped cream and garnish with another dash of caramel syrup. Serve and enjoy the frosted coffee with a straw, and enjoy it while cold, thick, and slushy.
FAQs: How to Make Caramel Syrup for Coffee
Want to learn more about caramel syrup and other types of coffee syrups?
Check out the answers in the FAQs below:
1. How Long Does Caramel Coffee Syrup Last?
Homemade caramel syrup can last anywhere from two to 12 months if stored in the fridge. The higher the sugar-to-water ratio, the longer the syrup will last. Store-bought caramel syrup can last for much longer, even when stored in a pantry. Most bottles have a shelf life of 12 to 24 months once opened.
2. How Much Sugar is in Caramel Coffee Syrup?
The amount of sugar in caramel coffee syrup varies depending on the brand or how much was used to make it at home. Most store-bought syrups contain four to five grams of sugar per teaspoon. Homemade syrup can contain anywhere from five to 10 grams per teaspoon, depending on the ratio of sugar and water used.
3. Can You Use Caramel Syrup in Iced Coffee?
Yes. Caramel syrup works incredibly well with the best selections for iced coffee. It's a fantastic way to sweeten and elevate the flavor of chilled beverages made with milk.
4. What Other Types of Syrup Pair Well With Coffee?
Several different types of syrups pair well with coffee. Regular syrup, golden syrup, and maple syrup can sweeten coffee and add a mild earthiness. Vanilla syrup, hazelnut, pistachio, coconut, pumpkin spice, crème brûlée, and even peppermint syrups also work well with a range of different coffees.
5. Can You Make Sugar-Free Caramel Syrup
Yes. It's possible to make sugar-free caramel syrup for coffee with allulose, cream, and butter. While the syrup doesn't taste exactly like “the real thing,” it's a good alternative. You can also buy sugar-free caramel syrup from brands such as Monin — some of these syrups are also keto-friendly.
6. Does Caramel Syrup Make Coffee Less Bitter?
Yes. The sweetness of caramel syrup can balance out the bitterness of coffee. If you don't enjoy the robust, bitter notes of coffee, try adding one to two tablespoons of syrup and a splash of milk. The sweetness of syrup and creaminess of the milk mask most of the bitterness.
7. Is Caramel Syrup Vegan?
Yes. Most caramel syrup is vegan — the recipe above makes a 100% vegan syrup. However, some store-bought syrups can contain dairy and preservatives that may not be vegan.
8. How Many Types of Coffee Syrup Exist?
There are hundreds of different types of coffee syrups available, from simple options such as caramel or vanilla to complex blends such as gingerbread and pumpkin spice.
9. What's the Most Popular Coffee Syrup?
The most popular type of coffee syrup is vanilla, closely followed by caramel. Both of these syrups are extremely versatile and work well in a range of hot, cold, black, and white coffees.
10. What's the Best Syrup for Latte?
The best syrup for a caffè latte comes down to personal preference — what one person may consider “the best” may be “the worst” for another. However, most agree that vanilla, caramel, and nut syrups, such as hazelnut, work well with the milky beverage.
