Brown Sugar Caramel Cortado
A luxurious blend of espresso, steamed milk, and homemade brown sugar caramel syrup
Craving a coffee drink that's both indulgent and sophisticated? Meet the Brown Sugar Caramel Cortado – a delightful twist on the classic Spanish cortado. This recipe combines the rich, bold flavors of espresso with the smooth sweetness of homemade brown sugar caramel syrup and velvety steamed milk.
Inspired by the caramel notes often found in medium to dark roast coffees, this drink elevates those flavors with a homemade syrup that's easy to prepare. We recommend using a medium-dark roast espresso bean, ground fine for espresso, and brewed with precision to extract the perfect balance of flavors. The result is a harmonious blend that's sure to become your new favorite coffee indulgence.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Here's why you'll fall head over heels for this Brown Sugar Caramel Cortado:
- Perfect balance: The rich espresso is beautifully complemented by the sweet caramel notes
- Homemade touch: Creating your own brown sugar caramel syrup adds a special, artisanal quality
- Versatile: Enjoy it hot or pour it over ice for a refreshing summer treat
- Impressive yet simple: Wow your guests with a café-quality drink that's surprisingly easy to make at home
- Customizable: Adjust the sweetness to your liking by varying the amount of syrup used
Brown Sugar Caramel Cortado
A luxurious blend of espresso, steamed milk, and homemade brown sugar caramel syrup
Equipment
- Espresso machine or alternative brewing device
- Milk steamer or frother
- Small saucepan
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Small glass or cup for serving
Ingredients
- 2 oz (60 ml) espresso
- 2 oz (60 ml) steamed milk
- 1 oz (30 ml) brown sugar caramel syrup
- For the syrup:
- 1/2 cup (100g) brown sugar
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) water
- 1/4 tsp vanilla extract (optional)
Instructions
- To make the brown sugar caramel syrup: In a small saucepan, combine brown sugar and water. Heat over medium heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Simmer for 5 minutes without stirring. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract if using. Let cool.
- Brew 2 oz of espresso using your preferred method.
- Steam 2 oz of milk until hot and slightly frothy.
- In a small glass or cup, add 1 oz of the brown sugar caramel syrup.
- Pour the freshly brewed espresso over the syrup and stir gently to combine.
- Slowly pour the steamed milk over the espresso mixture, aiming for a 1:1 ratio of espresso to milk.
- Serve immediately and enjoy your Brown Sugar Caramel Cortado!
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