A skinny iced caramel macchiato is a cold coffee drink made with espresso, milk, vanilla syrup, and caramel sauce. The “skinny” part refers to using nonfat milk and sugar free syrups to create a lower calorie version of the standard caramel macchiato.
What are the ingredients in a skinny iced caramel macchiato?
The main ingredients in a skinny iced caramel macchiato are:
- Espresso – A concentrated shot of coffee made by forcing hot water through finely ground coffee beans under pressure.
- Nonfat milk – Milk with little to no fat content. This helps reduce the calorie count compared to using whole milk.
- Vanilla syrup – A sugar-free vanilla flavored syrup used to sweeten the drink.
- Caramel sauce – A thick, sweet sauce made from caramelized sugar. Sugar-free versions are used for the skinny version.
- Ice – Added to chill and dilute the espresso and milk mixture.
The ratios of espresso, milk, syrups, and ice can vary slightly between coffee shops, but this covers the key components.
How many calories are in a skinny iced caramel macchiato?
The calorie count can vary based on the exact recipe, but a small 12 oz skinny iced caramel macchiato will typically contain:
- 60-80 calories from nonfat milk
- 0-5 calories from sugar free vanilla syrup
- 0-50 calories from sugar free caramel sauce
- 5-15 calories from the espresso
In total, expect a skinny iced caramel macchiato to contain around 70-150 calories. Compare this to 200-300 calories for a 12 oz regular iced caramel macchiato made with whole milk and regular syrups.
How much caffeine is in it?
The caffeine content comes primarily from the espresso shots used to make the drink. A solo skinny iced caramel macchiato made with 1 shot of espresso contains approximately:
- 1 shot of espresso: 60-75 mg caffeine
A doppio version made with 2 shots of espresso would contain roughly:
- 2 shots of espresso: 120-150 mg caffeine
For comparison, a 12 oz cup of regular brewed coffee has about 120-165 mg of caffeine. So the caffeine content of a solo skinny iced caramel macchiato is moderate, while a doppio version contains a high amount of caffeine.
What’s the difference between a skinny and regular iced caramel macchiato?
The main differences between a skinny and regular iced caramel macchiato are:
| Skinny | Regular |
|---|---|
| Made with nonfat milk | Made with whole milk |
| Uses sugar free vanilla and caramel syrups | Uses regular, sugar-containing syrups |
| 70-150 calories per 12 oz serving | 200-300 calories per 12 oz serving |
So the skinny version uses lower calorie ingredients to reduce the calorie and sugar content compared to the regular iced caramel macchiato.
What’s the best way to order it at Starbucks?
To order a skinny iced caramel macchiato at Starbucks, ask for:
- Size – Tall, Grande, Venti
- Shots – Solo (1 shot) or Doppio (2 shots)
- “Skinny” – This tells them to use sugar free syrups and nonfat milk
- “Iced” – Indicates you want it cold instead of hot
- “Caramel macchiato” – The drink name
A sample order would be: “Grande skinny iced caramel macchiato solo.” This would get you a medium sized, 1 shot version made with nonfat milk and sugar free syrups.
How does the taste compare to a regular iced caramel macchiato?
The skinny version tastes quite similar to the regular iced caramel macchiato, but there are some subtle differences:
- The nonfat milk produces slightly thinner, less creamy texture
- The sugar free vanilla syrup tastes less sweet
- The sugar free caramel sauce has a slightly different flavor profile
- May taste slightly more bitter due to less milky, sweet ingredients
Many people find the skinny version still tasty. But the nonfat milk and sugar free syrups give it a lighter, slightly more bitter taste compared to the richer regular version.
Is it customizable like other Starbucks drinks?
Yes, the skinny iced caramel macchiato can be customized like most other Starbucks drinks. Some common customizations include:
- Extra shot of espresso
- Syrups – Sugar free cinnamon dolce, hazelnut, vanilla, etc
- Sugar free whipped cream
- Coffee or espresso base – Add a shot of blonde espresso or cold brew for a different flavor
- Alternative milks – Soy milk, almond milk, coconut milk, etc
- Toppings – Cocoa powder, cinnamon
Just ask your barista if you want to swap out or add any customizations to your skinny iced caramel macchiato. The possibilities are nearly endless for making it your perfect customized Starbucks drink.
What are some tips for saving money on the drink?
Here are some tips to save money when ordering a skinny iced caramel macchiato:
- Order the tall size – Going taller increases the price while barely changing the amount of product
- Go solo with 1 shot – The solo espresso shot option is cheaper than doppio with 2 shots
- Ask for light caramel drizzle – Getting light drizzle can reduce the price a bit
- Use free customization options – Such as adding cinnamon instead of a syrup pump
- Order before 10am – Drinks are about $0.50 cheaper before 10am at many locations
- Use Starbucks rewards program – Earn stars and free drinks when you order through the app
- Look for deals and coupons – Starbucks often offers discounts through apps and promos
Following some of these tips can help you save $0.50-$1 or more per drink, which adds up over time.
What are some vegan customization options?
Here are some ways to customize a skinny iced caramel macchiato to make it vegan:
- Non-dairy milk – Soy, almond, coconut, or oat milk
- No whipped cream
- No caramel drizzle – the regular drizzle contains dairy
- Sugar free vanilla and caramel syrups are vegan
- Add vegan toppings – Cocoa powder, cinnamon, nutmeg
Just ask your barista to hold the whip and caramel drizzle and sub in your choice of non-dairy milk. The sugar free syrups are vegan so you can still enjoy the caramel and vanilla flavor.
What are some low carb options?
To make a skinny iced caramel macchiato low carb, try these modifications:
- Heavy cream instead of nonfat milk
- Sugar free vanilla and caramel syrups
- No whipped cream
- No caramel drizzle
- Add cinnamon or cocoa powder for flavor instead of syrups
Heavy cream has only 1-2g net carbs per serving, much lower than nonfat milk. Skipping the drizzle and whipped cream cuts more carbs. Sugar free syrups and dry spices like cinnamon keep the flavor without adding carbs. This creates a tasty low carb iced coffee drink.
Is it available year-round or seasonal?
The skinny iced caramel macchiato is available year-round on the Starbucks permanent menu. It’s not a seasonal or limited-time drink. You can order it any time of year at Starbucks.
Some ingredients like sugar free syrups and nonfat milk may vary by region and season. But you can customize your skinny iced caramel macchiato any time to create the same flavor profile.
What are some similar low calorie Starbucks drink options?
Here are some other low calorie Starbucks drinks that are similar to the skinny iced caramel macchiato:
- Skinny vanilla latte – espresso, nonfat milk, sugar free vanilla syrup
- Skinny cinnamon dolce latte – espresso, nonfat milk, sugar free cinnamon syrup
- Iced coffee with nonfat milk and sugar free vanilla syrup
- Iced skinny mocha – espresso, nonfat milk, sugar free mocha sauce
- Cold brew with nonfat milk and no classic syrup
- Iced americano with a splash of nonfat milk
Any iced espresso drink can be made “skinny” by using nonfat milk and sugar free syrups. Try out different skinny latte flavors and iced coffee creations for more lower calorie options.
Conclusion
The skinny iced caramel macchiato provides an indulgent coffeehouse treat in a lower calorie, lighter package. Made with espresso, nonfat milk, and sugar free caramel and vanilla syrups, it satisfies that craving for a sweet and creamy iced coffee drink. While not as rich as the full-fat version, many people enjoy the taste and variety it offers. Customize your skinny iced caramel macchiato in different ways for the perfect pick-me-up any time of year!