The coffee world is littered with terms, jargon, and descriptors that can be a bit confusing if you're not a coffee guru.
Two common drinks that may be confused are the caramel macchiato vs. the caramel latte.
Quick Answer: What is the difference between a caramel macchiato and a caramel latte?
A caramel macchiato (café/Starbucks-style) is typically sweetened with vanilla, then finished with a caramel drizzle, and it's often layered (espresso poured over milk).
A caramel latte is usually a classic latte (espresso + steamed milk) that's sweetened with caramel (often caramel syrup or sauce) and is typically mixed rather than layered.
In practice, both use espresso, milk, and caramel; most of the difference comes down to the choice of sweetener and how the drink is assembled.
There are several terms used to describe the drink you order, and even the smallest details can differ from place to place. But which should you drink?
Let's figure that out now!
What is the difference between a caramel macchiato and a caramel latte?
It's easy to get confused by the differences between a caramel macchiato and a caramel latte.
Both beverages use espresso as their base, are topped with a deep layer of frothed milk, and use caramel sauce.
The difference comes with the syrup.
A caramel macchiato is made by mixing coffee with a small amount of vanilla syrup, whereas a caramel latte uses caramel sauce as its sweetener.
Have a look below for all the key differences that make these drinks so different from each other:
| Drink Variable | Caramel Macchiato | Caramel Latte |
| Drink architecture (build order) | Vanilla syrup → steamed/foamed milk → espresso poured over the milk → caramel drizzle on top | Caramel (sauce or syrup) → espresso → steamed/foamed milk (typically mixed rather than layered) |
| Primary sweetener | Vanilla syrup (caramel is mainly a finishing drizzle) | Caramel sauce or caramel syrup (caramel is the main sweetener) |
| Caramel use | Caramel drizzle on top | Caramel mixed into the drink for a more even caramel flavor |
| Milk amount | ~120 ml (1/2 cup) | ~180 ml (3/4 cup) |
| Taste notes | Espresso-forward and slightly sweeter (vanilla + caramel drizzle) | Creamier and richer, with caramel sweetness spread more evenly throughout |
Now that you know what sets these coffees apart, it's time to go in-depth and see which might be the better pick for you.
What is a caramel macchiato?
A caramel macchiato is a coffee drink made from espresso and steamed milk, with added vanilla syrup.
It is usually served with a layer of foam on top and finished with a drizzle of caramel sauce.
It's smaller than a caramel latte with some added sweetness from the vanilla syrup.
If you'd like to try your hand at making a caramel macchiato yourself, you can check out this complete recipe.
What is a caramel latte?
A caramel latte is a latte (espresso + steamed milk) that's sweetened with caramel; most commonly caramel syrup, though some recipes use caramel sauce.
Unlike a caramel macchiato, a caramel latte is typically stirred or mixed, so the caramel flavor is more evenly distributed throughout the drink.
The caramel latte has a different texture than the caramel macchiato as it uses more milk, and the milk is foamed more, creating the latte layers we all know and love.
You can easily froth milk at home using various techniques.
A latte is all about the different milk techniques, so if you're interested in learning about six different ways to froth milk at home, you can check it out here.
You can also check out this complete recipe for a caramel latte if you're interested in making one at home.
What coffee roast is best used for these drinks?
The best coffee roast to make a caramel macchiato and caramel latte is a medium roast.
A light roast will be too light, while a dark roast will be too strong for these drinks.
The medium roast will yield a coffee with milder flavor notes, allowing the caramel's flavors to shine through and providing a bit more depth.
If you're looking for some great coffee beans, you can check out this guide for my recommendations, which work perfectly with both types of coffee.
How do you make the best espresso at home?
You make the best espresso by starting with fresh, quality whole beans that have been roasted within the past two weeks.
Grind them yourself immediately before brewing for the best flavor.
There are many ways to make espresso at home using different coffee brewers and machines. Have a look below for some options:
- Espresso machine
- AeroPress
- Moka pot
- Nespresso or Keurig machine
The espresso machine will make the best espresso coffee, but it can be quite expensive. Instead, you could also use a Moka pot or AeroPress to prepare your espresso-like coffee.
Flavor-wise, these coffee brewers will closely resemble espresso coffee made with an espresso machine.
They'll produce some robust coffee that works perfectly in these kinds of recipes where strong espresso coffee is needed.
If you'd like to learn more about these coffee brewers, you can check out my beginner's guide to brewing coffee.
Another great option is using your Nespresso or Keurig machine to brew some espresso coffee.
The great thing about these coffee machines is that you can make great-tasting coffee in just a few seconds without much effort.
I recommend sticking with your favorite espresso pod, preferably with a robust flavor, so your caramel macchiato and caramel latte are well-balanced.
Which has more calories, a caramel macchiato or a caramel latte?
Calories depend heavily on size, milk type, and the amount of syrup/drizzle used.
In many café-style versions, both drinks contain added sugar (a caramel latte from caramel syrup/sauce, and a caramel macchiato from vanilla syrup plus a caramel drizzle), so either one can end up higher in calories, depending on the recipe.
If you're comparing my homemade recipes specifically, my caramel macchiato comes out to 108 calories, while my caramel latte is 199 calories per serving.
Which is better? A caramel macchiato or caramel latte?
The answer to this question really depends on personal preference.
Some people may prefer the stronger flavor of a caramel macchiato, while others may prefer the creamier texture of a caramel latte.
If you are not quite sure which might be the better pick, the following might help you:
- A caramel macchiato has a slightly sweeter flavor due to the addition of vanilla syrup. It also has a more robust espresso-forward flavor.
- The caramel latte is creamier because more milk is used, which dilutes the coffee flavor. It has a more milk-forward flavor with a touch of caramel.
I hope this has helped you to pick between two quite similar drinks. Remember that either drink is a delicious way to enjoy a sweet treat!
Related coffee comparison articles
Are you wondering how the macchiato and latte compare to other coffees?
Great! Check out the articles below for more in-depth coffee comparisons:
- Latte vs. Mocha
- Latte vs. Skinny Latte
- Macchiato vs. Americano
- Macchiato vs. Cappuccino vs. Latte
- Macchiato vs. Mocha
And to compare more coffees, visit the coffee comparison hub!
Conclusion
In this article, I've gone in-depth about all the differences between two very similar drinks and which drink might suit you better.
So, what's the verdict? Are you a caramel macchiato lover or a caramel latte fan?
I'm definitely team macchiato all the way, but that might just be because I love anything with a more espresso-forward taste.
I hope this article has helped clear up any confusion about these two coffee drinks.
If you'd like to check out some delicious coffee recipes to try, have a look below!
