Caramel Coffee: A Homemade Recipe You Need to Try in 2025

There are seemingly endless ways to add more flavor to your daily cup of joe, from cold brew to iced lattes.

One homemade flavor that’s becoming increasingly popular is caramel coffee. It takes the basic idea of a caramel latte and infuses it into hot coffee.

It’s now one of my favorite ways to enjoy a warm beverage — with or without caffeine.

This article will show you the best way to make caramel coffee at home, using just a few ingredients that you might already have at home.

What is caramel coffee?

Caramel coffee is a type of coffee that has been infused with the flavor of caramel. It’s made from brewed coffee, caramel sauce, and milk. It is often served with whipped cream on top.

Caramel coffee is a popular drink choice because it combines two favorite flavors – coffee and caramel. It is also a convenient way to get your caffeine fix, as well as satisfy your sweet tooth.

If you are looking for a tasty and unique way to enjoy your morning cup of joe, consider giving caramel coffee a try!

Below, you’ll find the ingredients that are needed for this recipe, how you can make your own caramel sauce at home, which coffee roasts and brewing techniques are best used, and so much more!

What is caramel coffee made of?

Caramel coffee is a drink made from brewed coffee, caramel sauce, milk, and whipped cream.

• The coffee is typically brewed with a French press or pour over brewer like the Chemex.
• Caramel sauce is either homemade or store-bought. I’ve listed a recipe for the homemade version further below.
• Milk and whipped cream are optional ingredients, but they add flavor and richness to the drink.

For this recipe, you can choose any milk you prefer. It’ll give the coffee a rounder flavor profile, and it’s a great way to counter the sweetness from the caramel sauce, so it’s not too overpowering.

You can add whipped cream for some extra decadence. It’s slightly sweet and can also be homemade if you prefer.

How does caramel coffee taste?

Caramel coffee tastes like a sweet, creamy treat. The coffee flavor is strong and slightly bitter, while the caramel flavor is mellow and buttery. It’s a delicious combination that’s sure to please sweet tooths everywhere.

It’s the perfect coffee recipe if you like to enjoy your daily coffee with a sweetener added. Even if you like drinking your coffee black, this is a flavor combination worth trying.

Personally, I like making this coffee at home often and have been doing so for quite a while. It’s super easy to make and tastes great.

If you decide to make the caramel sauce at home, which I’ve listed below, you can then also make a caramel latte, caramel macchiato, and various iced coffees with caramel!

Which coffee roast is best used for this recipe?

You can use most coffee roasts to make caramel coffee, but the darkest roasts will have the most intense flavor. However, a medium or light roast would be best if you want to create a lighter caramel flavor.

I usually prefer a darker roast for coffee recipes that include add-ins, such as this caramel sauce.

By using a darker roast, you’ll still be able to enjoy those delicious coffee flavor notes without losing it all to the added sweetness.

You can check out some of my favorite coffee beans for pour over coffee here if you’re still looking for some great coffee beans.

Rather make this drink without the caffeine? Try using decaf coffee beans and be amazed by their flavor. It doesn’t taste that different from regular coffee and tastes great as an after-dinner treat!

What is the best brewing technique for this recipe?

A French press or pour over technique such as the Chemex or Hario V60 is the best brewing technique for making caramel coffee.

• The French press traps the grounds with water and allows them to steep longer, which results in a fuller flavor.
• Pour over methods allow you to control the water temperature and extraction time, resulting in a cleaner cup of coffee.

Depending on your preferred strength and choice of coffee beans, you can pick the coffee brewer of choice.

I often like to use a pour over method with medium roasted coffee beans, and with the dark roasts, I prefer the French press.

Are you interested in learning more about these coffee brewers and how to make coffee with them? Then you can check out my beginner’s guide to brewing coffee.

How do you make caramel sauce at home?

You can make caramel sauce at home with just a few ingredients you might already have at home, such as white granulated sugar, some cold tap water, and heavy cream.

This will leave you with a great basis for this caramel coffee. Once finished, the homemade caramel sauce looks like this:

As you can see, the caramel sauce is quite dark of color, meaning it has tons of flavor. If you’d like to learn how to make this sauce at home, you can check out the complete recipe here.

You can also stick with a store-bought version and follow the same steps as listed below in the recipe:

Conclusion

So, there you have it – a guide on how to make caramel coffee at home. It’s really not as hard as it sounds, and the results are delicious! I hope you’ll give this recipe a try.

It’s a great coffee to make in the early morning or as an after-dinner treat. I like the fact that you can use the milk you have at home and can sweeten it however you like.

Do you like making delicious coffees at home? Have a look below for some more recipes you can try today!

More coffee recipes

• Peanut Butter Coffee: 5-Minute Hot and Cold Recipes to Try
• Skinny Latte: What Is It and How Do You Make It Yourself?
• Americano With Milk: What Is It and Should You Try It?