Caramel Brulee Latte

The Caramel Brulee Latte is a luxurious coffee beverage that captures the essence of the classic crème brûlée dessert. It combines freshly brewed espresso with velvety steamed milk and a special caramel brulee sauce, which has a deeper, slightly smoky flavor than regular caramel. The drink is typically finished with a layer of whipped cream and a sprinkle of sugar that is caramelized with a torch, creating a delightful crunchy topping. This combination of creamy, sweet, and slightly bitter notes makes it a comforting and indulgent treat.
Caramel Brulee Latte

Preparation

Preparation time: 10 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

The Caramel Brulee Latte is classified as a specialty coffee drink. It falls into the broader category of lattes, which are espresso-based beverages with steamed milk. Its unique flavor profile makes it a popular choice in cafes, especially during festive seasons.

Serving

Served hot in a 12 oz latte mug, this is a completely non-alcoholic coffee drink. Pre-warming the mug helps maintain the beverage's temperature for longer enjoyment.
Serving size
Approximately 350 ml / 12 oz
Alcohol content
0% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Hot
Glass type
Latte Mug
Glass treatment
Pre-warming the mug is recommended.

Backstory

While not having a deep historical origin, the Caramel Brulee Latte was popularized by major coffee chains like Starbucks as a seasonal holiday offering. Its creation was inspired by the beloved French dessert, crème brûlée, aiming to replicate its signature contrast of creamy custard and a hard, crackable caramelized sugar crust in a beverage format. The drink quickly became a festive favorite, embodying the cozy and indulgent spirit of the winter season.
Origin
United States, early 21st century. Popularized by commercial coffee chains.

Caramel Brulee Latte

This drink is widely known as the Caramel Brulee Latte. It is sometimes called a Crème Brûlée Latte due to its inspiration from the classic French dessert. The name "Burnt Caramel Latte" also occasionally appears, highlighting the distinct torched sugar flavor.
Original name
Caramel Brulee Latte
Alternative names
  • Crème Brûlée Latte
  • Burnt Caramel Latte

Characteristics overview

This latte boasts a sweet, creamy flavor with notes of rich coffee and toasted caramel. Its aroma is invitingly warm, and the texture is smooth with a satisfyingly crunchy sugar topping.
Flavor
sweet, caramel, coffee, creamy, slightly bitter, toasted sugar
Aroma
coffee, burnt sugar, caramel, vanilla
Taste balance
sweet-forward, balanced bitterness
Aftertaste
sweet, creamy, lingering coffee
Fizziness
none
Color appearance
light brown, layered with white foam/cream
Texture
creamy, smooth, rich, crunchy topping
Seasonality
warming, wintery, autumn

Flavor intensity & Experience

The flavor is intensely sweet and creamy, with a moderate bitterness from the coffee and caramelized sugar. It is a non-alcoholic, non-carbonated, and rich beverage.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

You'll need espresso, milk, and caramel brulee sauce for the base, topped with whipped cream and turbinado sugar for the signature crunchy finish. Dairy and milk can be swapped for plant-based alternatives.
  • Espresso60 ml / 2 oz (double shot)
    Freshly brewed. Can be substituted with 120 ml / 4 oz of strong brewed coffee.
  • Milk240 ml / 8 oz
    Whole milk is recommended for creaminess. Can be substituted with oat, almond, or soy milk for a dairy-free version.
  • Caramel Brulee Sauce30 ml / 1 oz (2 tablespoons)
    Can be store-bought or homemade. A mix of caramel sauce and a dash of vanilla extract can be used as a substitute.
  • Whipped CreamTo top(optional)
    A coconut or soy-based whipped cream can be used for a vegan option.
  • Turbinado Sugar5 g / 1 teaspoon
    The coarse crystals are ideal for creating a crunchy topping when torched. Regular granulated sugar can also be used.

Ice type

  • None

Mixing equipments

An espresso machine and a milk steamer are essential for the latte base, while a kitchen torch is needed to create the signature caramelized sugar topping.
  • Espresso machine for brewing espresso
  • Milk steamer or frother for heating and frothing milk
  • Kitchen torch for caramelizing sugar

Instructions

Combine caramel sauce and fresh espresso in a mug, add steamed milk, then top with whipped cream, sprinkle with sugar, and caramelize with a torch before serving.
1. Prepare the base. Add the caramel brulee sauce to your serving mug.
2. Brew a double shot of espresso directly into the mug over the sauce and stir well to combine.
3. Steam the milk until it reaches about 150°F (65°C) and has a velvety microfoam texture.
4. Pour the steamed milk into the mug with the espresso and sauce, holding back the foam with a spoon and then topping it off.
5. Garnish the drink with a generous swirl of whipped cream.
6. Create the brulee topping. Evenly sprinkle the turbinado sugar over the whipped cream.
7. Carefully use a kitchen torch to melt and caramelize the sugar until it forms a golden-brown, hardened crust. Serve immediately.

Garnishing

The defining garnish is a crunchy layer of caramelized sugar, created by torching turbinado sugar sprinkled over the whipped cream.
  • Caramelized Sugar Topping: Sprinkle turbinado sugar over the whipped cream and carefully caramelize with a kitchen torch until golden brown and hardened.

Dietary Information

This drink contains caffeine and dairy but is egg-free, gluten-free, and vegetarian. It can be adapted to be dairy-free and vegan by using plant-based milk and whipped cream alternatives.
✕ Contains alcohol
✕ Caffeine-free
✕ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✕ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

This is an indulgent drink, high in calories, carbohydrates, and sugar, primarily from the sauce, milk, and whipped cream. Nutrition values can vary based on the type of milk and amount of sauce used.
Calories
Approximately 350-450 kcal / 1464-1883 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Approximately 45-55 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Approximately 40-50 g
Sugar level

Occasions

This drink is perfect as a special morning coffee, an indulgent afternoon pick-me-up, or a liquid dessert. It is particularly popular during the autumn and winter holidays, offering a comforting warmth.
  • Morning Coffee
  • Afternoon Treat
  • Dessert Drink
  • Holiday Season
  • Cozy Day In

Pairing suggestions

The Caramel Brulee Latte pairs wonderfully with simple, buttery pastries that complement its rich sweetness without being overwhelming. Shortbread, biscotti, or a plain croissant are excellent choices to enjoy alongside this decadent coffee treat.
  • Shortbread cookies
  • Biscotti
  • Plain croissant
  • Madeleines

Caramel Brulee Latte: A Dessert in a Mug

The Caramel Brulee Latte is a luxurious, dessert-like coffee drink perfect for a special treat, especially during the colder months. It brilliantly translates the flavors and textures of the classic crème brûlée dessert into a warm, sippable beverage. Combining rich espresso, sweet caramel sauce, and creamy steamed milk, its defining feature is the crunchy, torched sugar topping. While indulgent and sweet, it offers a sophisticated and comforting experience for any coffee lover.

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