Looking for a caramelizer recipe that will knock your socks off? Look no further! Let’s get to it!
This copycat caramelizer recipe from Dutch Bros. is absolutely delicious and can be served hot, as an iced coffee, or even blended.
It’s the perfect combination of sweet and chocolatey, and its subtle flavor is sure to please anyone who loves the dynamic caramel and chocolate combo.
If you’re a “skip to the recipe” kind of person, click here.
This post may contain affiliate links. As an affiliate of Amazon, I may receive a commission at no extra cost if you purchase through a link. Please see my full disclosure for further information. I take no credit for the images appearing on this page. All photos courtesy of Canva.
What is the Dutch Bros. caramelizer?
The Dutch Bros. caramelizer is a coffee drink with caramel and chocolate flavors.
It can be served hot or iced, and thanks to this copycat recipe, you can put your own spin on it by making your own Dutch Bros. caramelizer at home!
The beauty of this drink is that you can customize it in at least 20 different ways.
Try making it sweeter, bolder, or even vegan! Any way you make it, it’s easily one of the best Dutch Bros drinks of all time!
What is Dutch Bros?
Although this famous chain coffee shop started in a small truck in downtown Grants Pass, Oregon, it has since grown to include locations in 13 states.
The coffee shop offers friendly customer service and a focus on positive company culture.
One of the most exciting things about the shop is that, unlike most franchises, you have to work at a location for a minimum of 3 years before having the opportunity to open your own.
It’s a fresh take on the franchise opportunity that ensures the friendly and service-based values are preserved from one Dutch Bros location to the next.
The only thing that can be said negatively about the company is the limited number of locations.
Fortunately, recipes allow you to recreate the coffee shop’s most popular items in the comfort of your home!
What does the caramelizer taste like?
The caramelizer has a subtle sweetness. It’s not over-the-top, but its flavor will surely please anyone who loves the taste of caramel and chocolate.
What’s in the caramelizer?
The caramelizer is made with coffee, milk, caramel, and chocolate. The coffee chain can whip up a custom drink featuring shots of espresso or nitro cold brew.
This delicious drink is also unique because it contains chocolate milk instead of the white milk typical for mocha drinks.
How do I customize this drink?
Did I mention how easily customizable this drink is? There are many ways to tweak this recipe and make it your own.
Coffee
Let’s start with the coffee base. You’ll get espresso shots when ordering the hot version of the drink off the Dutch Bros menu. But the iced variety features cold brew.
And for even less coffee flavor, you can try coffee brewed a bit on the strong side.
If you’re making the drink for your kids, you can skip the coffee altogether.
Milk
You really can use any type of milk in the caramelizer.
Try using whole milk for the creamiest texture and flavor.
However, you can also use almond milk or even coconut milk for a dairy-free version.
Dutch Bros Coffee features exclusive chocolate milk in their drink, but you can easily make your own by adding chocolate syrup to your milk of choice.
You can even try the white chocolate sauce for an exciting twist on the chocolate milk element.
Chocolate macadamia nut syrup offers another tantalizing flavor twist.
Check out these chocolate syrups from Amazon:
Caramel
The caramel in the caramelizer can be made from scratch, or you can use store-bought caramel sauce. Depending on your taste buds, you can add a lot or a little.
Check out these caramel syrups from Amazon:
Toppings
The caramelizer can be topped with whipped cream, caramel sauce, chocolate sauce, or any other topping you prefer. Make it as plain or as fancy as you like!
For an extra treat, check out this easy 2-ingredient recipe for Dutch Bros Soft Top. It’s the perfect finishing touch for your caramel mocha!
Temperature
The caramelizer can be served hot or iced.
We recommend using cold brew coffee for the best flavor if you’re serving it iced. You can even buy various cold brew brands to make the recipe effortless.
Check out these cold brew coffee options from Amazon:
But using espresso that has been cooled is also acceptable for the cold version. There are so many ways to make this drink!
Caramelizer Recipe
Caramelizer from Dutch Bros
Ingredients
- 1/2 glass Ice for the iced version
- 2 shots Espresso OR
- 1/2 cup Cold Brew or Iced Coffee
- 1/2 cup Milk OR
- 1/2 cup Prepared Chocolate Milk
- 1 tablespoon Chocolate Syrup
- 1 tablespoon Caramel Syrup
- Whipped Cream or Soft Top
Instructions
- For the iced version, fill a glass partway with ice.
- If you'll be using espresso, pull a couple of shots and mix in the caramel syrup. The caramel syrup will mix with cold liquids but takes a bit more stirring. Adding the caramel to the hot espresso helps it melt. You could also add the chocolate syrup to the warm espresso for better melting. Otherwise, grab your cold brew or prepared iced coffee.
- Make chocolate milk using the milk and syrup of your choice. Pour the chocolate milk into the glass with ice.
- Pour the coffee in and stir.
- Garnish with the topping of your choice and enjoy!
- For the hot version, start by warming the milk. Warming it in a pan on the stove is not only quick but it heats the milk evenly.
- Once warm, add the chocolate syrup.
- Pull a couple of espresso shots and mix in the caramel syrup.
- Combine the milk with the caramel espresso and stir.
- Top with Soft Top or the topping of your choice and enjoy!
- For an extra special treat, drizzle with chocolate and caramel syrup. Add shaved chocolate to the top for a drink worthy of Instagram fame!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which states have a Dutch Bros location?
As of this posting, Dutch Bros have locations in the following states:
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Idaho
- Kansas
- New Mexico
- Nevada
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Washington
What are other popular Dutch Bros menu items?
Dutch Bros features a range of drinks, from bold espresso flavors to real fruit smoothies. They also offer energy drinks such as unicorn blood and the blue rebel energy drink.
And the Dutch Freeze is a blended version of the caramelizer, while the Golden Eagle is a caramel latte.
If you’re looking for a unique take on the traditional coffee drink menu selection, you should visit one of its locations!
And if you’re too far from the nearest location, try recreating one of their famous recipes at home.
Is the Dutch Bros caramelizer vegan?
You can order a vegan version in the store or make your own at home.
Simply swap out the whole milk in the traditional version for the milk of your choice.
Almond and coconut milk add more flavor to the chocolate and caramel combination. But you can also try soy milk or even oat milk.
Can the caramelizer be blended?
Yes! You can absolutely make a blended version of this drink.
Try adding a scoop of chocolate protein powder instead of chocolate syrup for an extra healthy kick.
And to reduce the sugar content, you can add cocoa powder instead of chocolate sauce. The caramel’s sweetness will balance the chocolate syrup’s missing sugar, and you won’t miss it one bit.
Can you make a decaf version of the caramelizer?
Absolutely! Simply substitute decaf espresso, cold brew, or iced coffee.
Or skip the coffee for a delicious chocolate caramel steamer that your kids will love!
How can you make this recipe even easier?
This recipe becomes even easier to throw together if you buy pre-made chocolate milk and cold brew.
You can also heat the pre-made cold brew if you don’t have an espresso machine and want the warm version of the drink.
Final Thoughts
We hope you enjoy this copycat caramelizer recipe!
If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them below.
And be sure to check out our other recipes for more great coffee drinks! Thanks for reading!
And if you loved this post, check out some of our other posts:
Salted Brown Butter Topping Starbucks: How to Make a Copycat Recipe for the Pistachio Latte
How to Make Dutch Bros Christmas Morning: The Best Holiday Drink Ever!
Dirty Coffee: The Trendy New Drink Everyone is Talking About
Uncovering the Iced Cortado: Your Next Summer Obsession
The Ultimate Guide to Making Dutch Bros Soft Top
