While it is always a great experience to walk into your favorite coffee house and order your great exotic drink, it can be even more fun to make those espresso drinks yourself for the enjoyment of you and your friends (and save a lot of money!). Here we present a few recipes for exotic espresso drinks that you can make at home with your espresso machine.

Would you like to learn to make a Pumpkin Spice Latte? Perhaps a Caramel Macchiato would hit the spot–or maybe a Cinnamon Almond Milk Macchiato? How about an iced coconut milk mocha macchiato?

The key to making all of these drinks is the ability to make superior espresso coffee. You will also appreciate the ability to steam your drinks, to froth your milk, and add crema to your beverage. You will find it well worth your time and money to invest in an espresso machine (if you don’t already have one).

It’s easier than you think to create or reproduce outstanding specialty drink recipes when you start with the right equipment.

Caramel Macchiato Recipe

Better than Starbucks for a fraction of the price! You can purchase your caramel syrup or make your own; it’s pretty easy.

Ingredients: 

• 14 reduced fat or whole milk
• 2 tbsp. vanilla syrup
• 2 espresso
• Caramel sauce, to drizzle

Directions

1. Prepare the espresso using your espresso machine and reserve, as it goes in last to “mark” the drink.
2. Steam or otherwise warm your milk, and then froth the milk with milk frother. If you don’t have milk frother, just use a whisk aggressively to whisk the milk until foam forms.
3. Add milk and vanilla to your cup.
4. Then add the espresso.
5. Finally, drizzle with Caramel Syrup and enjoy!

You can buy caramel syrup at many upscale stores, or, one of our favorites is Ghirardelli Caramel Syrup (View on Amazon).

Lastly, you make your own caramel syrup!

1. Heat 1 cup of sugar and 1 cup water in a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until the sugar dissolves and comes to a boil. Continue cooking without stirring until the mixture turns golden amber in color.
2. Remove from heat and add 1 cup water. Return to heat and continue stirring until mixture becomes liquid. Let cool completely before using.

Interestingly, this is same recipe as for Hummingbird food except that you do not brown (caramelize) the sugar, so if you feel like hovering after this great drink, you will know why!

Pumpkin Spice Latte Recipe

Available any time of year!

Pumpkin spice lattes have become one of the iconic signals that the holidays are near. But, of course, you can enjoy this delicious drink year-round with your espresso machine!

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons canned pumpkin purée
• 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• 2 cups milk (whole or 2%, or any unsweetened nondairy milk)
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup
• 1 tablespoon vanilla
• 2 shots espresso (or 1 cup freshly brewed coffee)
• Extra milk (optional)

Directions

1. Whisk together pumpkin purée, pumpkin pie spice, milk, syrup, and vanilla extract in a small saucepan over medium heat. Mix constantly until the mixture starts to steam.
2. Remove from heat and pour mixture into a blender. Cover, hold the lid on tightly (yes, “Tightly”-you don’t want the hot mixture spewing out), and blend until frothy (typically about 15 seconds).
3. Make the espresso or coffee. You can make extra milk foam to top your latte by pouring a few tablespoons of milk into a glass jar or other shaker with a lid while coffee is brewing. Tightly seal the lid and shake for 30-60 seconds. Remove lid and place jar in microwave for 30 seconds.
4. Divide coffee and milk mixture between two mugs. Top with extra milk foam (if using) and a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice.

Note: you may buy pumpkin pie spice at almost any market or make it yourself.

Pumpkin Pie Spice Ingredients:

• teaspoons ground cinnamon
• teaspoons ground ginger
• teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Instructions

• Mix and store tightly sealed.
• Voila! You have your own, homemade pumpkin spice latte!

Iced Cinnamon Almond Milk Macchiato Recipe

Want to make a great iced espresso drink? Try a homemade iced cinnamon almond milk macchiato!

Ingredients

• caramel drizzle
• ice
• Almond milk (4 oz or more, as desired)
• Shot of espresso
• Dash of Cinnamon
• Caramel syrup drizzled on top

Instructions

• Drizzle caramel in a traditional cup, covering bottom and decorative drizzle around the sides.
• Add ice.
• Add Almond Milk
• Add dash of cinnamon and espresso.
• Top with Caramel syrup drizzle.

Here’s our favorite Ghirardelli Caramel Syrup (View on Amazon) and a recipe to make you own, if you prefer.

We’re sure you will find this Iced Cinnamon Almond Milk Macchiato delicious and refreshing when you want a cold espresso drink.

Latte vs Macchiato

Both a latte and a macchiato use the same basic ingredients, one may ask “what is the difference between a latte and a macchiato?” Recall that macchiato means “marked” in Italian. A Macchiato is mostly espresso, marked with a small amount of steamed milk and foam for those who love a rich, bold taste of espresso itself. A latte is primarily a milk drink with a small amount of espresso in it. A Latte Macchiato is mostly steamed milk, marked with espresso for those who prefer a creamier drink.

What is a Latte?

What is a Macchiato?

What is a Cappuccino?

What is Espresso?

Latte vs Cappuccino

In asking what is the difference between a cappuccino vs a latte, which both use the same basic ingredients, one might ask “what is the difference?” A Cappuccino is an espresso based drink with the basic ratio of 1/3 espresso, 1/3 steamed milk, and 1/3 wet foamed milk. Conversely, a latte is basically a milk drink with a little coffee in it. A cappuccino is a strong coffee with milk while a latte has proportionately much more milk.