This delightful recipe shows you how to make a refreshing and flavorful treat. With a rich coffee base and sweet caramel notes, this cold brew coffee with caramel is perfect for a hot day or any time you need a pick-me-up.

If you love coffee and caramel, you’re in for a real treat! This recipe combines the smooth, bold flavor of cold brew coffee with the sweet, buttery taste of caramel. It’s a simple yet elegant dessert that’s perfect for any occasion.
Introduction to Cold Brew Coffee with Caramel
This cold brew coffee with caramel is the ultimate coffee and caramel lover’s dream! The recipe starts with rich, slow-brewed coffee, then adds a swirl of homemade caramel for a truly decadent experience. For more coffee-based inspiration, check out this article on coffee recipes.
The beauty of this recipe is its versatility; you can customize the sweetness and strength to your liking. Whether you prefer a strong coffee taste or a sweeter, more dessert-like drink, this recipe can be adapted to suit your preferences. The result is a delicious, refreshing beverage that is perfect for any time of the day.
Ingredients for Caramel Delight

To make this amazing caramel cold brew recipe, you’ll need a few key ingredients. The quality of your ingredients will greatly impact the final flavor, so choose high-quality items whenever possible. Here’s what you’ll need to get started.
- 1 cup whole coffee beans
- 4 cups cold water
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, cut into pieces
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt, plus more to taste
- Ice cubes, for serving
- Optional: Whipped cream or caramel sauce for topping
Ingredient Notes
The type of coffee beans you choose will significantly impact the flavor of your cold brew. Dark roast beans will give you a bolder, more intense coffee flavor, while a lighter roast will be more delicate. If you want to make a dairy-free caramel cold brew, simply substitute the heavy cream with full-fat coconut cream.
For the caramel, you can use store-bought caramel sauce, but homemade is always best. Making your own allows you to control the sweetness and add a touch of sea salt for a salted caramel cold brew variation. Experiment with different types of coffee beans to find your perfect flavor profile.
How to Make cold brew coffee with caramel

The process of making this delightful drink is straightforward, but it does require some planning ahead for the cold brew. The homemade caramel sauce can also be made in advance, which simplifies the process.
Making the Cold Brew
Grind your coffee beans to a coarse consistency, similar to what you’d use for a French press. Combine the ground coffee and cold water in a large jar or container, stirring to make sure the coffee is fully saturated. Use a coarser grind to prevent the grounds from passing through your filter.
Cover the jar and let the coffee steep in the refrigerator for 12-24 hours. The longer it steeps, the stronger the coffee will be. After steeping, strain the coffee through a fine-mesh sieve lined with cheesecloth or a coffee filter to remove the grounds.
Creating the Caramel Sauce
In a medium saucepan, combine the granulated sugar and 1/4 cup of water over medium heat. Stir until the sugar dissolves, then stop stirring and let it cook until it turns a deep amber color. This is when you start to get that delicious easy caramel sauce.
Carefully remove the saucepan from the heat and whisk in the heavy cream, butter, and sea salt. Be cautious, as the mixture will bubble up. Stir until smooth, then let the caramel cool slightly before using. You can also make a big batch of this homemade caramel sauce for coffee and store it in the fridge.
Assembling Your Drink
Fill a glass with ice cubes. Pour in the cold brew coffee, leaving some space at the top. This step is about personal preference; adjust the coffee strength to your liking for your perfect caramel cold brew at home.
Drizzle the caramel sauce over the coffee, and stir gently to combine. If desired, top with whipped cream and a drizzle of extra caramel sauce. For an extra touch, add a sprinkle of sea salt. This is the perfect base for an iced caramel macchiato recipe.
Tips for Success

Achieving the perfect caramel cold brew dessert requires attention to detail, but it’s not difficult. Here are some tips to help you along the way.
Coffee Brewing Tips
For the best cold brew, use filtered water to avoid any off-flavors. Adjust the coffee-to-water ratio to match your preferred strength. Using a good quality coffee is crucial for the overall flavor.
Experiment with different steeping times to find what you like best. Start with 12 hours and adjust from there. Also, consider trying different coffee bean origins to explore a range of flavors. You can even use this cold brew as a base for a caramel coffee ice cream.
Caramel Making Tips
When making caramel, watch the sugar closely to prevent burning. If the caramel becomes too dark, it will taste bitter. You can also add a pinch of baking soda after adding the cream to make the caramel lighter and fluffier.
If your caramel seizes up when you add the cream, place the saucepan back over low heat and stir constantly until it smooths out. Store leftover caramel in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. Leftover caramel is great as a caramel drizzle recipe on other desserts.
Serving Suggestions
This cold brew is delicious on its own, but it can also be the star of a more elaborate dessert. Consider the occasion and your guests’ preferences when deciding how to serve it.
Serving Ideas
Serve the cold brew in tall glasses with plenty of ice. Garnish with a swirl of whipped cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce for an elegant presentation. For a fun twist, add a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a caramel latte dessert.
You can also create a dessert bar with various toppings and mix-ins. Offer chocolate shavings, chopped nuts, or even a sprinkle of sea salt for guests to customize their drinks. It’s a fantastic addition to a brunch or dinner party, and guests will love the customization options. Consider pairing this with a slice of caramel brownies for a complete dessert experience.
Pairing Suggestions
This beverage pairs perfectly with a variety of desserts. Consider serving it alongside rich chocolate desserts, like a decadent brownie or a warm chocolate chip cookie. You can also pair it with a light and fruity dessert, like a lemon tart or a slice of cheesecake.
For a truly indulgent experience, pair your cold brew with a slice of cake, such as a caramel coffee cake or cupcakes. You could also serve it with a selection of bite-sized treats. If you are looking for a dessert on the simpler side, you can pair it with a caramel cheesecake bars for a delightful combination. You can even serve it with a selection of cookies, with the creaming method that you can learn by reading about the creaming method for cakes and cookies.
Variations and Customizations
This recipe is a great starting point, but feel free to customize it to your liking. The possibilities are endless, so get creative and have fun!
Flavor Twists
Add a dash of cinnamon or nutmeg to your caramel sauce for a warm, spiced flavor. For a mocha twist, add a tablespoon of cocoa powder to the caramel while it’s cooking. You can also add a splash of vanilla extract for extra depth of flavor.
Consider adding a pinch of cayenne pepper to the caramel for a hint of heat. For a nutty flavor, toast some pecans or walnuts and sprinkle them on top. For a vegan caramel coffee recipe, use coconut sugar for the caramel.
Other variations
Explore different types of coffee beans to find your favorite flavor profile. Experiment with different types of milk or cream to adjust the richness. You can also try adding a splash of flavored syrup, such as hazelnut or vanilla. This recipe is also wonderful with a strawberry crunch cheesecake.
For a fun treat, try freezing the cold brew into ice cubes and blending them with caramel sauce for a blended drink. You can even make a batch of caramel coffee cupcakes using cold brew in the batter and caramel in the frosting. For a quick and easy dessert, pair this recipe with some lemon blueberry tart recipe for a delicious treat.
Print
cold brew coffee with caramel Recipe
- Total Time: PT12H15M
- Yield: 1 serving 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 1 cup coarsely ground coffee beans
- 4 cups cold water
- 1/2 cup caramel syrup, plus more for drizzling
- Ice cubes
- Milk or cream (optional)
- Whipped cream (optional, for topping)
Instructions
- Brew the Cold Brew: Combine the ground coffee and cold water in a large jar or container. Stir gently to ensure all the coffee grounds are saturated.
- Steep: Cover the jar and refrigerate for 12-24 hours. The longer it steeps, the stronger the coffee will be.
- Strain: After steeping, strain the coffee concentrate through a fine-mesh sieve lined with cheesecloth or a coffee filter into a clean container. Discard the coffee grounds.
- Make the Drink: Fill a glass with ice cubes.
- Add Caramel Syrup: Pour in the caramel syrup. Adjust the amount to your taste.
- Pour in Cold Brew: Add the cold brew concentrate to the glass, filling it about halfway.
- Add Milk/Cream (Optional): Top with milk or cream if desired.
- Stir: Stir well to combine all ingredients.
- Garnish (Optional): Top with whipped cream and a drizzle of caramel syrup.
- Serve: Enjoy immediately!
Notes
- For a stronger coffee, use a higher coffee-to-water ratio or steep for a longer time.
- Adjust the amount of caramel syrup to your sweetness preference.
- You can make the cold brew concentrate in advance and store it in the refrigerator for up to a week.
- Experiment with different types of coffee beans to find your favorite flavor profile.
- Prep Time: PT15M
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Drinks
- Method: Cold Brew
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 20mg
- Fat: 5g
- Carbohydrates: 25g







