McDonald’s Iced Caramel Mocha: The Best Way to Beat the Heat!

If you’re looking for a delicious and refreshing way to beat the heat this summer, look no further than the McDonald’s iced caramel mocha!

This drink, made with espresso, whole milk, and chocolate caramel sauce, is perfect for cooling off on a hot day.

And if you, like me, were surprised to learn that this popular fast food chain offers espresso-based drinks, read on for more information on McCafe menu options.

In addition to the iced caramel mocha, McDonald’s offers several other delicious caramel coffee drinks.

We’ll take a closer look at the caramel drinks and more in this post.

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What kind of coffee does McDonald’s offer?

McDonald’s began offering several espresso and coffee-based drinks under their McCafe branding in 2009. Today, they offer frappes, smoothies, and even hot chocolate.

Thanks to the option of choosing either espresso or coffee for their beverages, McDonald’s offers various drinks and options for customization.

You can order drinks ranging from Americanos to lattes to iced coffee.

And you can customize your drink with whole milk or nonfat milk. Unfortunately, there are currently no milk substitution options for those who are lactose-intolerant or are following a vegan diet.

McDonald’s uses a 100% Arabica medium roast coffee bean for coffee-based drinks.

You can order straight-up brewed hot coffee or a flavored iced coffee based on their coffee. And add either caramel, chocolate, or French vanilla flavoring for a sweetened drink.

McCafe drinks featuring espresso include the iced caramel macchiato, the cappuccino, and the latte.

Caramel macchiatos and other espresso-based beverages from the McDonald’s coffee menu feature a shot of espresso, milk, and syrup flavors.

What is a McDonald’s iced caramel mocha?

The iced caramel mocha is one of the more popular McCafe espresso drinks because it’s delicious!

Smooth, creamy ribbons of caramel and chocolate syrup dance with the bold flavor of an espresso shot, creating a drink that’s a little bit adventurous and a whole lot refreshing!

The drink is finished with whipped cream and a caramel drizzle. It’s an effect that makes it almost too pretty to drink.

The drink is comparable to a Dutch Bros. Caramelizer in that it blends chocolate caramel syrup, espresso, and milk.

Unlike the McDonald’s version, the Caramelizer can be customized with a wide variety of dairy and non-dairy milk options. If you’re interested in trying to make one yourself at home, check out this copycat Caramelizer recipe!

What other caramel drinks does McDonald’s offer?

McDonald’s offers limited flavor options, but luckily, the caramel flavor is one of their staples. Here are a few of their other caramel-inspired options:

Caramel Macchiato
Iced Caramel Macchiato
Caramel Cappuccino
Caramel Latte
Iced Caramel Latte
Iced Caramel Coffee
Caramel Frappe

Aside from a cappuccino and a frappe, most drinks can be either hot or cold. A cappuccino contains milk that has foamed, a feature that distinguishes it from a latte. And it’s tough to imagine drinking a warm frappe!

Let’s take a closer look at each of the above options.

Caramel Macchiato

The caramel macchiato features the addition of caramel syrup into a mixture of espresso and whole milk.

This drink is often finished with a drizzle of caramel on top. Served hot or iced, it’s a delectable option!

And if you’re wondering about the difference between a latte and a macchiato, it’s subtle.

The latte contains a more even ratio between steamed milk and espresso.

At the same time, the macchiato is traditionally a much more espresso-forward creation. If you’re interested in learning more about the differences, check out this post.

Caramel Cappuccino

The caramel cappuccino contains the same ingredients as the macchiato but is traditionally made with more steamed milk and foam. The result is a lighter, slightly sweeter drink than the macchiato.

A small contains around 210 calories and 32 grams of added sugar. The macchiato in a comparable serving size contains about 50 more calories and 5 more grams of sugar.

If you’re making either drink at home, you can save calories and added sugar by using sugar-free caramel syrup.

Caramel Latte

Aside from the cappuccino, the latte is one of the most frequently ordered coffee drinks in coffee shops across the country.

This popular coffee drink contains espresso, steamed milk with a touch of foam, and caramel syrup.

It’s often finished with a dollop of whipped cream and caramel drizzle.

The drink is easily customizable to accommodate hot and cold versions. And the small contains about as many calories and added sugar as the macchiato.

Iced Caramel Coffee

All the drinks discussed thus far are based on espresso.

But the coffee flavor inherent to the iced caramel coffee comes from drip coffee that has been chilled.

The drink comes with caramel syrup, but you can add creamer and whole or nonfat milk if you choose.

You can also add additional sweetener, but as a small contains 20 g sugar, it’s likely to be plenty sweet on its own.

Caramel Frappe

Frappes and other blended coffee drinks are all the rage right now. They’re smooth, refreshing, and utterly delicious!

The McDonald’s version comes with whipped cream and caramel drizzle, taking this drink to the next level.

Although tasty, the frappe is a bit of a nutritional nightmare. A small one contains 430 calories and 55 grams of sugar.

If you’re watching calories or sugar, it’s one you may want to skip.

Check out my homemade coffee base recipe if you want to recreate this drink at home.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you customize any McDonald’s drink to be vegan-friendly?

The chain does not currently offer vegan milk options. But several drinks on the menu, such as the Americano and regular drip coffee, do not contain milk.

Does McDonald’s offer the same variety of drink items as other big-name coffee shops?

You won’t find the same variety of drinks offered by other coffee shops.

The McDonald’s McCafe menu limits itself to only a few flavor options for iced coffees, lattes, and frappes. They also limit the milk options to the whole and nonfat dairy kinds of milk.

Most big-name coffee shops, such as Starbucks and Caribou, offer sugar-free options for their most popular flavors, such as chocolate, caramel, and vanilla.

But you won’t find their alternatives in the McCafe.

Although McDonald’s offers a tasty array of coffee-based beverages, drinks are not as easily customized as at other coffee houses.

Can you recreate any drink off the McDonald’s McCafe coffee menu at home?

Yes! Becoming a home barista is one of the best ways to save money and customize your drink order to your liking.

Recreating these drinks at home is effortless with a bit of know-how and the recipe guides on this and other websites.

You can also control caffeine amounts in your favorite drinks, which is challenging at McDonald’s.

How many calories are in an iced caramel mocha from McDonald’s?

The McDonald’s website lists this refreshing beverage at around 280 calories.

Final Thoughts

The iced caramel mocha from McDonald’s is a great way to cool down on a hot day.

If you’re watching your calorie intake, you can save calories by creating a copycat version at home.

And if you’re looking for a non-coffee drink, the chain offers several other options, such as blended frappes and smoothies.

So next time you’re in the mood for a refreshing drink, stop by your local McDonald’s and give the iced caramel mocha a try!

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References

McDonald’s Relaunches McCafe (mcdonalds.com)

McCafé® Drinks: McDonald’s Coffee Drinks | McDonald’s (mcdonalds.com)

McDonald’s Iced Caramel Mocha: The Best Way to Beat the Heat!

What kind of coffee does McDonald’s offer?

What is a McDonald’s iced caramel mocha?