Love Starbucks lattes? This Salted Caramel Latte Recipe is perfect for you! With the ideal balance of sweet and salty flavors, creamy milk, and bold coffee, it’s a must-try for coffee lovers. Best of all, it’s easy to make at home and your next café-quality latte is just minutes away!
If you're a fan of indulgent coffee drinks, you’ll love this Salted Caramel Coffee Recipe! Perfect for cozy mornings or an afternoon pick-me-up, this recipe combines the creamy sweetness of a Hot Caramel Latte with a touch of sea salt for a sophisticated twist. The balance of flavors in a Sea Salt Latte enhances the rich caramel notes, making each sip irresistibly delicious. Easy to make at home, this drink is a must-try for anyone looking to elevate their coffee game!
Are you a coffee lover? Try our Mint Chocolate Brownies—they pair perfectly with a salted caramel latte!
Jump to:
- Why You’ll Love This Caramel Latte Recipe
- What to Serve with Your Salted Caramel Latte
- What is a Salted Caramel Latte
- How to Steam Milk for a Latte
- Ingredients
- How to make a Homemade Salted Caramel Latte
- Step-by-step Instructions
- Substitutions for Salted Caramel Latte Recipe
- Variations for Salted Caramel Latte Recipe
- Equipment
- Reheating Your Salted Caramel Latte
- Top Tips
- FAQ
- Related
- Pairing
- Salted Caramel Latte Recipe
Why You’ll Love This Caramel Latte Recipe
Quick and Easy: This Salted Caramel Latte recipe takes just minutes to prepare, making it perfect for busy mornings or a cozy afternoon treat.
Café-Quality at Home: Skip the coffee shop lines and enjoy a rich, creamy latte with perfectly balanced sweet and salty flavors right in your own kitchen.
Budget-Friendly: Save money by making this indulgent drink at home without compromising on quality or flavor.
What to Serve with Your Salted Caramel Latte
Pairing your latte with the right food enhances the overall experience. Here are some delicious options that go perfectly with a salted caramel latte:
Pastries: Croissants and cinnamon rolls beautifully complement the creamy and bold flavors of a latte.
Cookies: Biscotti and Butterscotch Oatmeal Cookies are perfect for dipping into your hot latte.
Cakes: Indulge in slices of pound cake, Red velvet cookie cake, coffee cake, or mini bundt cakes. For a chocolate twist, try Andes Mint Brownies and Dark Chocolate Almond Fudge —they pair wonderfully with the latte.
Muffins: Blueberry, banana, or chocolate chip muffins are classic, satisfying pairings.
Granola Parfait: A chia seed parfait with granola and fruit offers a nutritious, latte-friendly option. Have you tried my Berry Chia Seed Pudding? It’s a fantastic choice!
What is a Salted Caramel Latte
We all love our creamy latte, which we have been getting at Starbucks since 1985. That’s when the coffee house began to offer espresso drinks. It all began with quick latte recipes and grew into tasty flavor varieties of milk coffee drinks.
Exciting as this was for coffee lovers, Starbucks was way behind the times. Europe was popularizing creamy espresso and steamed milk drinks as early as the 17th century, and the invention of the espresso machine led to the modern latte.
The French, always at the forefront of good taste, invented the incredible combination of salt and caramel in the 1970s. There are few such complex taste treats, and the salted caramel was awarded "Best Sweet in France" in 1971. Enjoying this Best Sweet with our favorite espresso milk drink is the ultimate in luxury as the flavors positively dance in our mouth.
How to Steam Milk for a Latte
Steaming milk properly is essential for creating the creamy, velvety texture that makes a great latte. The good news? You don’t need any high-end machines! You can prepare steamed milk easily and budget-friendly using simple tools like a milk frother.
Frother - Use an electric milk frother or a handheld frother to steam and froth the milk simultaneously. This is quick, easy, and delivers excellent results.
Stovetop + Whisk - Heat the milk in a saucepan over medium heat until warm (but not boiling). Whisk vigorously to create foam. A handheld frother can also be used for better results.
Microwave + Jar - Warm milk in a microwave-safe jar or container with a lid. Once warmed, shake the jar or use a frother to create foam.
Ingredients
- Brewed Coffee - The bold base of the latte, strong coffee provides a robust flavor that pairs perfectly with the sweetness of the caramel.
- Caramel Syrup - This syrup adds the signature sweet and caramel flavor, creating the indulgent taste that makes this latte irresistible.
- Sea Salt - Enhances the caramel's sweetness while adding depth to the overall flavor.
- Milk - Steamed or frothed milk adds creaminess and smoothness.
- Whipped Cream- A finishing touch that adds a light, fluffy texture and an extra layer of indulgence.
See recipe card for quantities.
How to make a Homemade Salted Caramel Latte
- Begin with brewing a cup of your favorite strong coffee or a shot of espresso. That is the basis of your latte, along with the milk.
- Warm the milk on the stovetop or in the microwave. To get that all-important froth, use a milk frother. If you long for ultimate latte heaven, purchasing an electric milk frother is worth it.
- Drizzle the inside of two glasses with salted caramel syrup and add a touch of sea salt. That’s your basic power flavor right there.
- Pour an equal amount of your coffee into both glasses.
- Add two tablespoons of the caramel syrup to both glasses.
- Top each glass with the steamed, frothy milk.
- Add whipped cream and more caramel sauce over the top.
- Pretend you are sitting in a Parisian sidewalk café, sipping your easy salted caramel latte and savoring your best life.
Step-by-step Instructions
Caramel syrup drizzled around the glass.
Pour the freshly brewed coffee.
Add sea salt and caramel syrup to the coffee.
Froth the warm milk using a milk frother.
Pour the frothed milk into the latte.
Top the caramel latte with whipped cream.
Add more caramel syrup on top—who could say no to that? Enjoy every sip of your latte while it’s still warm!
Substitutions for Salted Caramel Latte Recipe
Strong Brewed Coffee: Swap with decaf coffee for a caffeine-free option. Alternatively, dissolve 1-2 teaspoons of instant coffee in hot water for a quick and convenient substitute.
Milk: Use non-dairy milk like almond, oat, coconut, or soy for a dairy-free latte. For an extra rich and creamy texture, opt for heavy cream or half-and-half. For a lighter version, use skim milk.
Whipped Cream: Choose coconut whipped cream as a dairy-free alternative, perfect for vegans or those avoiding dairy.
Variations for Salted Caramel Latte Recipe
Here are some creative twists on the classic Salted Caramel Latte to try:
- Iced Salted Caramel Latte - Swap hot coffee for cold brewed coffee or chilled espresso. Serve over ice with frothed milk and drizzle salted caramel syrup on top for a refreshing version.
- Vanilla Salted Caramel Latte - Add a splash of vanilla extract or a pump of vanilla syrup for an extra layer of sweetness and flavor.
- Pumpkin Salted Caramel Latte - Mix in 1-2 tablespoons of pumpkin puree and a pinch of pumpkin spice for a cozy, fall-inspired variation.
- Salted Caramel Chai Latte - Replace the coffee with brewed chai tea for a spiced, caramel-infused chai latte.
Equipment
Coffee Maker or Espresso Machine - To brew strong coffee or espresso
Milk Frother - To create creamy, frothed milk for your latte.
Microwave safe glass/mug - To warm the milk
Measuring Spoons and Cups - For accurately measuring the coffee, syrup, and milk.
Reheating Your Salted Caramel Latte
You can use the steam wand to reheat your caramel latte recipe, although this might affect the original texture. It will stay in the refrigerator for two days, but the magic won’t be there. Like Superman without his cape.
We suggest brewing your coffee or espresso and refrigerating the same, then adding the steamed milk fresh when you are ready.
Top Tips
- Whole milk creates a creamy texture, but you can use non-dairy options like oat or almond milk for a lighter or dairy-free version.
- For the best foam, use a milk frother or whisk vigorously. Some non-dairy milks, like oat milk, froth better than others.
- For the best experience, enjoy your latte fresh and hot. Whipped cream and caramel drizzle may lose texture if left too long.
FAQ
I have used store-bought caramel syrup for the recipe, but you can also make your homemade syup easily. You have to combine sugar, water, butter, heavy cream, and a pinch of sea salt to create homemade salted caramel syrup. Let it cool before using it in your latte.
Yes ofcourse you can! Use cold brewed coffee or chilled espresso, pour it over ice, and add cold milk and salted caramel syrup. Stir well and enjoy a refreshing iced salted caramel latte.
Yes, but the sea salt enhances the caramel flavor by balancing its sweetness. Without it, the latte will have a milder, sweeter taste.
Yes you can! Vanilla extract, hazelnut syrup, or a sprinkle of cinnamon are excellent additions to customize your salted caramel latte.
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Salted Caramel Latte:
Salted Caramel Latte Recipe
Equipment
- Coffee Maker or Espresso Machine
- Milk Frother
- Microwave safe mugs
- Measuring spoons and cups
Ingredients
- 1 cup strong brewed coffee
- 4 tablespoons caramel syrup or caramel sauce
- Pinch of sea salt
- 2 cups milk
- Whipped cream for topping
Instructions
- Brew a shot of espresso or 1 cup of strong coffee. Set it aside.
- Heat the milk in a saucepan or microwave until warm. Froth it using a milk frother until it’s light and foamy.
- Coat the inner sides of two glasses with a drizzle of salted caramel syrup. Sprinkle a pinch of sea salt inside for added flavor.
- Divide the brewed coffee equally between the two glasses.
- Stir 2 tablespoons of salted caramel syrup into each glass.
- Pour the steamed milk over the coffee, dividing it evenly between the glasses.
- Top with whipped cream and drizzle with caramel sauce over.
- Sip and savor your homemade Salted Caramel Latte!
Notes
- This recipe makes 2 servings of salted caramel lattes, with each serving being 8 ounces.
- For a bold flavor, use strong brewed coffee or espresso. Weak coffee may dilute the taste of the latte.
- Adjust the amount of caramel syrup to suit your taste. If it’s too sweet, reduce the syrup or add more coffee.
Nutrition
If you try this recipe, please leave a STAR rating in the comment section below! Your feedback helps a small blogger like me stay motivated in creating content for my readers. Also, feel free to follow me at Food Exit on Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest for the latest recipe updates!
Eva says
This was delicious. We will definitely make this regularly!
Abi Guna says
Thanks for your feedback 🙂
Madhu says
This salted caramel latte is the perfect balance of sweet, salty, and creamy. So easy to make at home!
Abi Guna says
Thank you so much! Yes its very easy to make this homemade salted caramel coffee!
Abi Guna says
My everyday morning latte recipe! Must try!
Eva says
Oh wow, this looks drool worthy! I am going to try this, I hope mine looks as pretty as yours! Yum.
Abi Guna says
Thank you so much! I am sure yours will turn pretty amazing 🙂