Dunkin Donuts Iced Caramel Latte Copycat Recipe
There’s nothing quite as delightful on a hot summer day as an iced caramel coffee drink from Dunkin Donuts. The rich, sweet caramel flavor paired with cold, creamy coffee is the perfect afternoon treat. But with prices approaching $5 a cup at my local Dunkin, making these drinks a regular habit can get expensive. Luckily, I’ve discovered an easy way to recreate that irresistible Dunkin Donuts Iced Caramel Latte flavor at home using just a few simple ingredients.
Dunkin Donuts Iced Coffee Signature Drinks
Dunkin has some fabulous seasonal coffee drinks that feature caramel, like their Caramel Swirl and Butter Pecan flavors. The Caramel Swirl has a lovely nutty sweetness from the caramel that complements the coffee so well. Another autumnal choice is the Butter Pecan iced coffee, featuring flavors reminiscent of pecan pie. In addition to special seasonal offerings, Dunkin also has several classic iced coffee flavors available year-round, including French Vanilla, Mocha, and Hazelnut.
Part of what makes Dunkin’s iced coffee so special is the way they’re crafted. Made from high-quality Arabica coffee beans, the signature Dunkin coffee flavor shines through. They also add natural flavors to enhance the creaminess and sweetness.
Benefits of Iced Caramel Coffee
Iced caramel coffee is the perfect 3pm pick-me-up when you hit that mid-afternoon slump and need a little refreshment. There’s no luxury of being able to sneak in a nap, so you need another way to get re-energized to power through the rest of the workday. That’s where a cold, sweet Dunkin Donuts Iced Caramel Latte can save the day.
The cold temperature and touch of sweetness gives you an instant boost. And with a solid dose of caffeine, an afternoon iced coffee gives you just what you need to stay focused and productive for those last few hours before quitting time.
Unique Features of My Copycat Recipe
My homemade version of the Dunkin classic has a few special features that take it over the top. Rather than using a cheap caramel-flavored corn syrup, I use real, high-quality caramel sauce. This makes a huge impact on the overall flavor – the depth and richness of real caramel is unbeatable. I also like being able to use my favorite brew of coffee. Tailoring the coffee to my personal taste makes my homemade drink extra special.
By combining better quality ingredients like authentic caramel and freshly brewed coffee, my copycat version delivers a superior caramel coffee taste compared to fast food versions made from concentrates with artificial flavors added. The little extra effort is well worth it!
Ingredients
Recreating the Dunkin Donuts Iced Caramel Latte at home is easy because you only need a handful of ingredients:
- Extra strong coffee
- Ice
- Caramel sauce
- Half-and-half
Notes on the Ingredients
One of the great things about this recipe is that you don’t need any special equipment or coffee maker. Just use your everyday drip coffee maker or French press to brew a super concentrated batch of coffee. I make mine with a coffee to water ratio of about 50% more grounds than usual to account for diluted flavor from melted ice.
It’s important not to cut costs when it comes to the caramel sauce. Buy the best quality you can find for the biggest caramel taste payoff. While it might cost a few extra bucks, a small jar will last through a month’s worth of iced coffees, making it very cost effective in the long run.
As far as the half-and-half, you can substitute heavy cream or whole milk if you’d prefer. But I don’t recommend using skim milk since it won’t provide the same creamy richness.
Instructions for Hot Brewed Coffee
If you’re making a fresh batch of hot coffee for your iced caramel latte, the process goes like this:
- Add 1 1⁄2 tablespoons of caramel sauce and an equal amount of half-and-half to a large glass.
- Use a bar spoon to stir vigorously until the clumps of caramel dissolve into the cream.
- Fill the glass about two-thirds full with ice.
- Slowly pour freshly brewed hot coffee over the ice. Go slowly so the ice has time to melt and doesn’t overflow the glass.
Instructions for Cold Brewed Coffee
If you have a batch of cold brewed coffee ready to go, the iced caramel latte comes together like this:
- Combine 1 1⁄2 tablespoons each of caramel sauce and half-and-half in a large glass.
- Use a long-handled spoon to stir until thoroughly blended and smooth.
- Add cold brewed coffee to fill the glass about three-quarters full.
- Top off with enough ice to bring the level close to the rim of the glass.
- Stir gently before enjoying.
Serving Suggestions
For an extra touch of luxury, top your iced caramel latte with a dollop of whipped cream and an artful drizzle of additional caramel sauce. Sipping through a straw enhances the experience of creamy, cold caramel coffee goodness.
Storing Leftover Coffee
Here are some tips for storing leftover coffee to retain maximum freshness:
- For hot brewed coffee, transfer it to a heat-safe container with a tight fitting lid. Allow to cool to room temperature before covering and refrigerating.
- If you have leftover cold brewed coffee, be sure to strain out any coffee grounds first. Then transfer to a clean container with an airtight lid before refrigerating.
- Brewed coffee maintains best taste for up to 3 days in the fridge. Drink hot coffee within 24 hours and cold brew within 3-4 days for optimal freshness.
Conclusion
This easy Dunkin Donuts Iced Caramel Latte Copycat Recipe produces an incredibly close duplicate of the Dunkin classic. With just four simple ingredients, you can recreate that sweet caramel and smooth coffee flavor at home for a fraction of the cost. I give this recipe 5 out of 5 stars – it’s sure to become your new favorite afternoon treat!
I hope you’ll give this one a try and let me know how you like it. Enjoy!
Nutrition Information per Serving:
Calories: 154
Fat: 5g
Carbohydrates: 25g
Protein: 3g
