Easy Starbucks Salted Caramel Latte

My daily Starbucks habit was costing me nearly $150 a month until I discovered how incredibly easy it is to recreate their famous Salted Caramel Latte at home. The first sip of my homemade version delivered that same lusciously creamy sweetness with a hint of sea salt that makes this drink so addictive. What surprised me most was how the simple combination of quality ingredients creates such a sophisticated flavor profile. Now I can enjoy this luxurious coffee shop treat whenever I want, saving hundreds of dollars while still getting that perfect balance of sweet caramel and coffee.

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Why This Recipe Works

The magic lies in layering flavors just like Starbucks does. Starting with strong espresso provides the coffee foundation, while caramel syrup (not sauce) integrates smoothly without overwhelming the drink. The turbinado sugar and sea salt mixture creates that signature sweet-salty finish that elevates this from ordinary to extraordinary. Proper milk frothing creates the creamy texture that makes this drink feel truly indulgent.

What Makes This Taste Like Starbucks?

The secret is using caramel coffee syrup rather than caramel sauce, which blends seamlessly into the hot liquid. The finishing touch of turbinado sugar mixed with sea salt creates that distinctive flavor contrast that Starbucks is famous for. The key is balancing sweetness with the slight bitterness of espresso and the surprise element of salt.

Salted Caramel Latte Ingredients

To make this salted caramel latte recipe, you’ll need:

• Espresso – Provides the strong coffee base that won’t get lost under sweet additions
• Milk – Creates a creamy texture and mellows the coffee intensity when frothed
• Caramel coffee syrup – Adds sweet caramel flavor that blends smoothly into hot liquid
• Turbinado sugar – Contributes molasses notes that enhance caramel flavor complexity
• Sea salt – Balances sweetness and creates the signature salted caramel taste
• Whipped cream – Adds luxurious texture and visual appeal (optional but recommended)

Ingredient Notes

You can still make a salted caramel coffee Starbucks style without an espresso machine. Try making stronger coffee using your usual brewing method by increasing the ratio of coffee to water. Alternatively, you can buy instant espresso powder.

To make this drink, use caramel syrup made for flavoring coffee and not caramel sauce. Although stores sell salted caramel syrup, choose the regular version for this Salted Caramel Latte recipe.

Turbinado sugar is slightly less refined than white sugar, and it retains a small amount of molasses flavor, which enhances the caramel flavor of this drink. Sugar in the Raw is a popular brand of turbinado sugar, but if you don’t have any on hand, don’t worry. Using ordinary sugar won’t change the flavor of the drink. 

How to Make Salted Caramel Latte like Starbucks

To make this drink at home:

1. Place sugar and sea salt in a small bowl. Stir until well combined.

2. Pour two freshly brewed espresso shots or an equal amount of extra strong coffee into a mug or latte glass.

3. Add an ounce or two tablespoons of caramel syrup. Feel free to add more or less syrup based on your taste

4. Pour in hot, frothed milk. If you don’t have an espresso machine or hand frother, try heating the milk in a pan and whisking vigorously.

5. Top the latte with whipped cream.
6. Drizzle caramel sauce on the whipped cream if desired.
7. Sprinkle the sugar-salt mixture on top.

How Do You Serve a Salted Caramel Latte 

If you want, you can drizzle a bit of caramel sauce over the top of the whipped cream like the salted caramel drink Starbucks serves.

Go ahead and get a bit fancy by mixing a quality finishing salt like FALKSALT Organic Natural Sea Salt Flakes in place of ordinary sea salt with the sugar before sprinkling the sugar/salt mixture over the drink. 

What Goes With a Salted Caramel Latte 

Once you know how to make a Salted Caramel Latte Starbucks drink at home, you’ll need something equally as delicious to serve with it. Here are a few suggestions:

• Fresh fruit. A Salted Caramel Latte is pretty sweet, so a slightly tart fruit snack goes wonderfully with it. Make a few fruit skewers or go completely overboard with a Strawberry Romanoff.  
• Prosciutto. Believe it or not, Italian prosciutto is an ideal pairing with caramel-laced coffee. Serve the prosciutto on a crostini with a little olive oil and fresh pepper.
• Cheese Blintzes. These rolled crepes filled with a mildly sweet cheesy mixture are perfect for serving alongside your favorite coffee drink. Enjoy Cheese Blintzes as a hearty breakfast or a lighter dessert. 

Iced Salted Caramel Latte

When the thermometer rises, cool down with Iced Salted Caramel Latte. It’s even easier to make than the hot version. Here’s how to make an iced salted caramel latte:

1. Brew the espresso and place it in the fridge to chill. Alternatively, you can prepare extra-strong cold brew coffee.
2. Pour the espresso or cold brew coffee into a glass filled with ice. 
3. Stir in an ounce, a little less than two tablespoons of caramel syrup. You can modify the amount of caramel syrup you use to suit your preference. 
4. Fill the glass with cold milk.
5. Top with whipped cream and add a sprinkling of sea salt and sugar.

Popular Starbucks Drinks Recipes

• Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso
• Caramel Latte
• Caramel Macchiato
• Flat White Coffee
• Iced Apple Crisp Macchiato
• Kiwi Starfruit Refresher
• London Fog Drink
• Pink Drink
• Starbucks Hot Cocoa
• White Mocha

Favorite Fast Food Drink Recipes

• Chick Fil A Frosted Coffee
• Dunkin Iced Coffee
• McDonald’s Caramel Cappuccino

Check out more of my easy drink recipes and the best Starbucks recipes here on CopyKat!