Caramel Macchiato: What's In It and How to Order It

A caramel macchiato is vanilla syrup and steamed milk with espresso poured on top, finished with caramel drizzle in a crosshatch pattern. The espresso floats, so it tastes strongest on the first sip — unless you ask for it upside down.

Order it like this

Starbucks · Guide recipe

Grande Iced Caramel Macchiato

• 2 pumps vanilla syrup
• Upside down

Make it mine

How to order these without fumbling

"Upside down" mixes the espresso in — same drink, even flavor.
A grande has three pumps of vanilla; cut to two to let the caramel lead.
Iced caramel macchiatos are layered, so stir before judging the sweetness.

Questions people ask

What is the difference between a caramel macchiato and a caramel latte?

A macchiato is layered — vanilla and milk on the bottom, espresso poured on top, drizzle last. A latte mixes espresso and milk first, with flavor added in.

What does "upside down" mean for a macchiato?

The barista builds it in reverse so the espresso mixes through the milk instead of floating on top.

Is a caramel macchiato sweet?

Moderately — the vanilla syrup and drizzle add up. Ask for fewer vanilla pumps if you want it less sweet.

Related guides

Starbucks orders

Real Starbucks orders with the exact size, milk, syrup pumps and modifications — copy the order text and read it at the counter.

Sweet coffee orders

Sweet coffee orders with syrup pumps, drizzles and toppings listed out so you can order them exactly.

Caramel brulée latte

What's in a Starbucks Caramel Brulée Latte — espresso, caramel brulée sauce, whipped cream and crunchy brulée bits — with copyable orders.