Besides the seasonal Pumpkin Spice Latte, this is the only other reason I ever venture through the Starbuck’s drive-thru. But since I got my husband an espresso machine for Christmas this past year, we’ve been making them at home. They are really easy and so much cheaper.
Yield: Serves 2
2 tablespoons vanilla syrup (recipe follows)
1/2 cup fresh espresso
1 cup milk, steamed and frothy with foam
3 – 4 tablespoons caramel sauce (I used the same jarred caramel sauce that is sold as an ice cream topping)
For the Vanilla syrup:
2 cups water
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1. To make the vanilla syrup, combine sugar and water in a sauce pan. Bring to boil over high heat and boil for 5 minutes. Let cool and add vanilla extract. Stir well and keep in a sealed container, refrigerated.
2. To make coffee, either use an espresso machine to make coffee and steam milk, or heat milk until hot, but not boiling on stove-top and transfer to a blender. Blend until frothy. For espresso, if you don’t have a machine, just make double strength coffee.
3. Add vanilla syrup, espresso or strong coffee and hot milk to mug. Add caramel sauce and serve.
