Easy Homemade Healthy Caramel Iced Coffee Recipe

This easy Starbucks copycat iced caramel coffee is a lightened-up version of a crowd-favorite drink that you can enjoy in about 5 minutes! Using only simple ingredients like strong brewed coffee, caramel sauce, and your favorite milk, this easy homemade caramel iced coffee recipe creates a tongue-pleasing drink that will become a staple at your house! 

I love Starbucks. From their drinks to their food items, I could enjoy something there every day if the budget allowed for it. Sadly, it does not. So when I want a Starbucks-inspired treat, I figure out how to make it myself.

Thankfully, they’re usually super simple, and this caramel iced coffee is no exception!

This homemade iced caramel coffee is coffee shop-worthy. All you need are a few simple ingredients and about 5 minutes to create the perfect decadent iced coffee right at home.

What You’ll Love About Homemade Healthy Caramel Iced Coffee

• Budget-Friendly – Save money over going to you coffee shop every day. The homemade version tastes just as good and is a fraction of the price!
• Easy To Customize – You can completely control all the ingredients (and calories/sugar) to make it any way you like it – make it creamier, sweeter, or stronger!
• Super Simple – This drink comes together in about 5 minutes and requires minimal ingredients.
• Convenient – Skip the line at your local coffee shop or the wait in the drive-through line and make it right at home!
• Guilt-Free Treat – This is more than a cup of coffee, it’s a sweet treat with a boost of caffeine.

If you love iced drinks but need a break from coffee, this iced green tea matcha latte is a great choice for your caffeine boost.

Ingredients Needed

• 2 Tbsp ground coffee – Brew a strong cup of your choice
• 1 Cup unsweetened almond milk or oat milk – you can use any milk you want, but these versions keep the calories lower.
• 1-2 Tbsp Low-sugar caramel sauce – Make your own or use a store-bought caramel sauce like Smuckers or Torani.
• ½ tsp Vanilla extract – Adds delicious flavor without the calories
• Ice cubes
• Whipped cream – Use your homemade whipped cream or look for a light version at the store.

How To Make Healthy Caramel Iced Coffee

Once you make this drink at home and see just how easy it is, you’ll never want to pay coffee shop prices again!

Step 1 – Prepare The Coffee

Brew your coffee and let it cool.

Step 2 – Mix the Drink

Fill a glass with ice cubes. Pour 1 cup of brewed coffee over the ice.

Stir in 1-2 tablespoons of low-sugar caramel sauce and a splash of vanilla extract.

Add unsweetened almond or oat milk to your desired creaminess (roughly 1/2 cup but you can adjust more or less according to your taste preferences!).

Step 3 – Top with Whipped Cream

Shake the can of store-bought whipped cream before use.

Add a generous topping of whipped cream to your iced coffee.

Step 4 – Garnish And Enjoy

Drizzle extra caramel sauce over the whipped cream for a beautiful finish and an extra touch of yumminess.

Enjoy your delicious and healthier caramel iced coffee at home!

Expert Tips

• Strong Cold Brew Coffee – Make your own at home. Love and Lemons has a great easy recipe!
• Make Coffee Ice Cubes – If you love a strong drink, you can freeze leftover cold coffee in ice cube trays and use them instead of regular ice.
• Feel free to customize this recipe to your preferences – Make it stronger, or creamier, or sweeter – all based on your preferences!
  

Best Milk For Iced Coffee

Use any kind of milk you prefer because each type has its own unique flavors and benefits. Here are some ideas based on what we like to use at home.

• Whole or reduced fat milk – most common, higher fat content, but helps to tone down the bold flavor of the coffee. It’s always a great option unless you have a dairy intolerance.
• Soy milk – this is a great option and comes sweetened or unsweetened as well as with flavor (like vanilla) varieties.
• Almond milk – this option has fewer calories and fat, making it a healthier and popular option.
• Oat milk – this option has a deliciously thick and creamy texture that’s perfect for this healthy caramel iced coffee drink.
• Coconut milk – this option is one people tend to either love or hate. It does have more calories and fat than many other options, so if you want to make a “skinny” drink, steer clear of using coconut milk.

How To Store

I think this drink tastes better when enjoyed right away. However, if you like to enjoy a homemade caramel iced coffee at home every day, you could make a large batch of cold brew coffee that’s stored in fridge and used when you want to make your caramel iced coffee.

When you’re ready to make your drink, simply combine the coffee and caramel syrup and add milk as outlined in the recipe above.

What’s the best coffee to use for iced coffee?

The good news is that YOU are in complete control over the coffee you use. There is no right or wrong option! Here are some options that work well in this recipe:

• Your favorite brewed coffee – brew it like normal and let it chill before using it in this recipe.
• Cold Brew – It’s easy to make and provides a mild and smooth flavor.
• AeroPress Coffee – This is is a great option because it’s easy to make and has a bold, concentrated flavor without buying an expensive espresso machine.
• Espresso – If you love bold flavor (like my husband), use a shot of espresso instead of coffee. It’s strong enough that it won’t lose its flavor in this recipe.

What’s the difference between iced caramel coffee and iced caramel latte?

The biggest difference is that lattes use espresso and iced coffee uses brewed coffee. 

I hope you love this homemade caramel iced coffee recipe! If you do, please leave a review so others can find and enjoy this recipe too!

More Delicious Drink Ideas

• Vegan Skinny Pumpkin Spice Latte (Healthier Than Starbucks)
• Starbucks Butterbeer Latte
• Homemade Raspberry Iced Tea
• Kiwi Watermelon Slushie Recipe
• Starbucks Mango Dragonfruit Refresher
• Easy Cherry Limeade (Sonic Copycat)