Frozen Caramel Coffee

Frozen Caramel Coffee

Caramel Cold Brew Drink

Ingredients

  • cup Gevalia Cold Brew Concentrate - Vanilla
  • cup whole milk
  • 2 tablespoons caramel ice cream topping
  • 2 teaspoons white sugar (or to taste)
  • 8 ice cubes
  • 1 tablespoon whipped topping (such as Cool Whip)
  • 2 teaspoons caramel ice cream topping (for drizzling, or to taste)

Directions

Step 1: Place the cold brew concentrate, milk, 2 tablespoons of caramel ice cream topping, and sugar into a blender.

Step 2: Blend everything together for 5 to 10 seconds until fully mixed.

Step 3: Add the ice cubes into the blender and blend for another 5 seconds, ensuring the mixture is smooth and chilled.

Step 4: Pour the drink into a glass, leaving a little room at the top for the whipped topping.

Step 5: Top with a dollop of whipped topping and drizzle with the remaining caramel syrup.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

Calories 266
Total Fat 5g (7% Daily Value)
Saturated Fat 3g (17% Daily Value)
Cholesterol 13mg (4% Daily Value)
Sodium 271mg (12% Daily Value)
Total Carbohydrates 53g (19% Daily Value)
Dietary Fiber 1g (2% Daily Value)
Total Sugars 15g
Protein 5g (9% Daily Value)
Calcium 172mg (13% Daily Value)
Iron 0mg (1% Daily Value)
Potassium 222mg (5% Daily Value)

Note: Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may vary depending on your individual calorie needs. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, consult your doctor or a registered dietitian before preparing this recipe.

Frozen Caramel Coffee is a deliciously sweet and creamy beverage that has become a favorite for coffee lovers seeking a cool and indulgent treat. This dessert-like drink combines the bold taste of cold brew coffee, smooth milk, and the rich sweetness of caramel syrup, resulting in a delightful refreshment perfect for hot days or special occasions.

History of Frozen Caramel Coffee

The creation of frozen coffee beverages, such as frappes and blended iced lattes, can be traced back to the growing popularity of coffee culture in the late 20th century. While the concept of cold coffee drinks has been around for centuries, the modern iteration of frozen coffee with toppings like whipped cream and flavored syrups began to take off in the 1990s. The addition of caramel syrup added a rich, sweet twist to the usual coffee flavor, becoming an instant favorite. Coffee houses and fast-food chains like Starbucks made these drinks widely accessible, further cementing the popularity of the frozen caramel coffee in everyday life.

Regional Variations

While frozen caramel coffee is enjoyed worldwide, it has become particularly popular in North America, where coffee culture thrives. In many regions, frozen coffee drinks like frappes are served as an alternative to traditional hot coffee, especially during the summer months. In some countries, such as the United States and Canada, this drink is often sold in chain coffee shops, where customization options (such as using non-dairy milk or sugar substitutes) allow for a personalized touch. In other parts of the world, such as Europe, iced coffee is a more casual affair and often served without the richness of whipped cream or syrup, focusing more on the coffee flavor itself.

What Makes Frozen Caramel Coffee Unique?

Frozen caramel coffee stands out from similar coffee-based beverages due to its creamy texture and the added sweetness of caramel syrup. Unlike traditional iced coffee, which is brewed coffee cooled and served over ice, the frozen variety is blended with ice cubes, creating a slushy, smooth texture that makes it more of a dessert. This drink also differentiates itself from a caramel macchiato, which is a hot espresso drink topped with caramel syrup. The cold brew concentrate and blended ice in frozen caramel coffee result in a completely different experience, offering a refreshing, indulgent, and cooling beverage.

Where Is It Typically Served?

Frozen caramel coffee is commonly served in coffee shops, especially those that offer a wide variety of iced or blended drinks. Chains like Starbucks, Dunkin', and independent cafes often have frozen coffee drinks on their menus, sometimes with seasonal variations. It's also a popular option for home preparation, especially in regions where warm weather dominates for most of the year. For special occasions, this beverage might also be served at brunches or gatherings where a dessert-like drink is needed to complement other treats. The drink can be found year-round, but it tends to be most popular during warmer months when people are looking for something refreshing and sweet.

Interesting Facts About Frozen Caramel Coffee

  • Frozen caramel coffee, like other blended coffee drinks, can be made with a variety of coffee bases, including cold brew concentrate, espresso, or regular brewed coffee.
  • Caramel ice cream topping used in this recipe can be substituted with homemade caramel sauce or other caramel-flavored syrups to create a more personalized version of the drink.
  • For those who prefer a lower-calorie version, sugar substitutes such as Stevia or Splenda can replace the white sugar without compromising the overall flavor.
  • This drink is often customized with additional toppings, such as chocolate syrup or extra whipped cream, making it as decadent as desired.
  • Frozen caramel coffee is a popular choice for those who enjoy coffee with a dessert-like quality, providing both a caffeine boost and a sweet treat in one.

Whether youre cooling off on a hot summer day or treating yourself to a special coffee experience, frozen caramel coffee offers the perfect balance of rich coffee flavor and sweet indulgence. With its easy preparation and customizable ingredients, this beverage is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

FAQ about Frozen Caramel Coffee

Yes, you can use regular brewed coffee, but cold brew concentrate offers a smoother and less acidic taste, which is key to the recipe's flavor. You may also need to adjust the sweetness since brewed coffee is usually less concentrated.

Yes, you can substitute whole milk with any plant-based milk, such as almond, oat, or coconut milk. For the whipped topping, you can use a dairy-free version or skip it altogether.

Since this drink is blended with ice, it won't maintain its original texture if stored for too long. However, you can refrigerate any leftovers for up to 1 day. If you want to enjoy it later, try blending it again with some fresh ice for a similar texture.

Yes, you can prepare the cold brew concentrate, milk, caramel syrup, and sugar in advance. Keep the mixture refrigerated until you're ready to blend with ice and serve. However, it's best to add the whipped topping and caramel drizzle just before serving.

This recipe is moderately sweet, but you can adjust the amount of sugar and caramel syrup to your liking. If you prefer a less sweet version, you can reduce or omit the sugar and use a sugar substitute like stevia or Splenda.

To enhance the coffee flavor, you can increase the amount of cold brew concentrate or use a more robust coffee concentrate. Alternatively, adding a shot of espresso will give it a stronger coffee kick.

Yes, you can substitute sugar with other sweeteners like honey, agave, maple syrup, or a sugar-free sweetener like Stevia or Splenda. Adjust to taste, as different sweeteners vary in sweetness.

Yes, this drink can be turned into an adult beverage by adding a shot of your favorite liquor, such as vodka, Kahlúa, or Baileys Irish Cream. Adjust the amount of alcohol based on your preference.

This recipe yields 1 serving. You can easily multiply the ingredients to make more servings if you're serving a group.

Yes, if you don't have an ice maker, you can use store-bought ice or even freeze your own coffee into ice cubes for an extra coffee boost. Just make sure to blend well until smooth.

Comments

Kelly Mitchell

10/06/2025 01:52:54 PM

This deserves to go viral.

TeaLover767

04/23/2018 01:38:34 PM

I used “caramel in a can” (sweetened condensed milk cooked in a water bath in my crockpot) and homemade cold-brewed coffee. Coffee flavor was subtle, and I discovered some of the caramel left in the bottom of my blender, so will dissolve it in a bit of warmed milk next time. Not as thick as pictured - will use a few more ice cubes in future. (Note: for a change-up for someone who needed to cut out some caffeine, I made this, substituting salted caramel tea prepared just beforehand - she loved it!)

Cookin' With Lukie

04/24/2018 12:26:25 PM

Yummy! I did leave out the sugar as I don't drink overly sweetened coffee. Great recipe to make in my Magic Bullet.

Stephanie Young

07/04/2017 05:48:23 PM

Can’t believe I didn’t try this sooner 😋

Matthew Wright

07/14/2017 10:12:45 PM

Bro, I didn’t know cooking could feel this rewarding.

Tammy Lynn

12/05/2017 06:48:39 PM

I liked this. It has a great ratio of ingredients. I left out the sugar just because I don't like my coffee drinks too sweet. Also, I used coconut milk, and that worked great.

terriblescapn

08/02/2019 11:00:57 PM

Used sugar free caramel sauce and name brand cold brew coffee from the grocery store and made darn near close sugar free version of any sugary drive thru caramel macchiato!

ShelbieBartolo

09/13/2020 10:17:17 PM

I followed the recipe exactly and it turned out into an iced coffee not blended like the other pics i have seen. It was not a good recipe at all.. not flavorful either

Cameron Simpson

04/03/2020 11:33:03 PM

it was so good it tastes just like the one that dunkin donuts has

kathy

10/27/2018 05:02:50 PM

Tastes just like Starbucks, except better because I skip the sugar as I don't like it so sweet.

Marci Banes

07/22/2018 11:34:01 PM

THIS IS REALLY GOOD, REFRESHING AND EASY TO MAKE

Rebecca Parker

07/26/2017 03:40:21 PM

Totally worth it 😍

Patricia Baker

07/11/2017 10:46:45 PM

A new staple in my recipe book.

Jacob Taylor

07/09/2017 06:59:38 PM

This recipe is straight-up legendary.

Victoria Hill

07/03/2017 10:44:57 PM

So much flavor with so little effort.