If you live on the west coast in the US, I’m sure you’ve seen or have been to a Dutch Bros chain coffee shop at some point. Dutch Bros has some really fun coffee, tea, energy drink, and blended drink combos that are very much worth trying, like the iconic Caramelizer for example.
If you’re spending too much money at Dutch or you don’t live anywhere near a Dutch Bros location, I got you! This recipe will teach you exactly how to make a Dutch Bros Caramelizer at home for way cheaper so you can save your money, and still enjoy this tasty coffee every single day!
Ingredients You’ll Need:
Please note, full measurements are listed on the recipe card at the bottom of the recipe. Scroll to the end, or click the JUMP TO RECIPE button at the top of the page.
Caramel Sauce: As the name suggests, this is a caramel flavored coffee, so you’ll need a caramel sauce. Dutch Bros uses the Torani Caramel Sauce for this recipe which is great because you can find it online or at most grocery stores in the coffee aisle. For a sugar free Caramelizer, opt for the Torani Sugar Free Caramel Sauce!
Espresso: This is an espresso based drink so you will need espresso! See my 5 Ways to Make Espresso at Home blog post for all the different ways you can make espresso at home. It doesn’t matter which method you choose, simply follow the espresso making steps to get your espresso shots, and then use that to make your own Dutch Bros Caramelizer! Note Dutch Bros uses a medium roast coffee, so for the most similar taste at home, use a medium roast coffee. Some of my favorite coffee options for this drink include:
Chocolate Milk: This drink uses chocolate milk as the base instead of regular milk! Opt for chocolate milks that have words like: Full Fat or Whole Milk for one most similar to Dutch Bros! If you have access to the Shamrock Farms Whole Milk Chocolate Milk, I recommend that one as the ingredients are identical to the one Dutch Bros uses!
Ice: If you are making an Iced Caramelizer, you’ll need ice! For a hot version, no ice is needed!
That’s all you need to make a Dutch Bros Iced or Hot Caramelizer at home! Let’s talk a bit about espresso and how to correctly make it since it’s such an important aspect of this drink!
My Favorite Coffee Cups & Lids
I’m a firm believer that a cute and fun cup can make your at home coffee taste so much better! See all my favorite cups for coffees, teas, rebels, and freezes!
How To Make Espresso At Home
Espresso is an essential ingredient in all lattes, and it’s a type of coffee that you cannot buy from the store, but rather, you need to make it yourself at home. There are five ways to make espresso at home:
- Instant Espresso Powder + water
- Nespresso Machine + espresso pods
- Moka Pot
- Aeropress
- Espresso Machine
See my 5 Ways To Make Espresso At Home blog post for step by step instructions of each espresso making method!
What’s The Best Coffee For Espresso?
The best coffee to buy depends on which espresso making method you choose at home. For example, if you have a Nespresso machine, you’d need espresso pods. For an espresso machine like a Breville or Delonghi, you’d need whole beans or ground coffee rather than pods.
See My Favorite Coffees To Buy based on the different espresso making methods so you can select the best possible coffee for you and your Dutch Bros Caramelizer!
What is a “Shot” of Espresso?
A common espresso term you’ll see a lot is a “shot” of espresso. When you brew espresso using an espresso machine, the liquid that comes out of the machine is considered a shot, since the machine pushes out the liquid at high pressure.
- A single shot or one shot of espresso is roughly 1.25 ounces of liquid.
- A double shot is roughly 2.5 ounces of liquid.
- A triple shot is roughly 3.75 ounces of liquid.
- A quad shot is roughly 5 ounces of liquid.
At Dutch Bros, a small and medium size drink has 2 shots of espresso, and a large has 4 shots. Feel free to add more or less shots of espresso depending on your preference.
How To Make An Iced Caramelizer
- Add Caramel Sauce to a mason jar or large measuring cup.
- Brew your espresso shots using your preferred espresso making method. See my blog post on Five Ways to Make Espresso at Home.
- Pour the espresso into the mason jar/large measuring cup over the caramel sauce and stir until the sauce is dissolved.
- Pour in the chocolate milk and mix again.
- Add ice to a separate serving cup and pour the Caramelizer mixture over the ice and enjoy! PRO TIP: Carefully pour the mixture back and forth between the two cups to chill the entire drink!
How To Make A Hot Caramelizer
- Brew your espresso shots using your preferred espresso making method into a cup. See my blog post on Five Ways to Make Espresso at Home.
- To the espresso shots, add caramel sauce, and stir to combine.
- Add chocolate milk to a milk frothing pitcher and steam using a steam wand. If you don’t have an espresso machine with a steam wand, you can warm and froth the milk using an aerroccino, or you could warm the milk in a pot/ in the microwave, and froth the warmed milk with a handheld milk frother until foamy.
- Pour the steamed chocolate milk over the caramel-espresso mixture and enjoy!
How To Steam Milk for a Hot Dutch Bros Caramelizer
Most hot espresso based beverages at coffee shops use steamed milk as one of the main ingredients. Typically steamed milk is made by inserting a steam wand into a cup of milk, and introducing steam into the milk until it is hot and full of bubbly aerated texture. While you can’t technically steam milk without a steam wand, you can still warm up the milk and add texture in various ways to give you a very similar steamed milk product. Here are ways to steam or warm your milk with or without an espresso machine for a Dutch Bros Caramelizer at home:
- Steam Wand: If you have an espresso machine with a steam wand attached to it, watch this Milk Steaming Video Tutorial for how to steam milk! You simply add the chocolate milk to a milk frothing pitcher, insert the tip of the steam wand into the milk, and create air bubbles, heat and texture to create perfect, velvety steamed milk at home!
- Electric Milk Frother: Add your chocolate milk to an electric milk frother, and select the hot setting. The milk frother will heat the milk as well as create a thick and foamy texture. The texture will be a little different than a typical steam wand, but it’s very similar and pleasant, and a great option if you don’t have an espresso machine with a steam wand.
- Handheld Milk Frother: Add cold chocolate milk to a large coffee mug and place the mug in the microwave for 60 seconds. Alternatively, you can heat up milk in a pot on the stove until warm, just make sure to constantly stir it so it doesn’t burn. Once your milk is warm, insert a handheld milk frother into the warm milk. Froth the mixture until the milk doubles in size and becomes bubbly and frothy, and you have warmed, frothed milk for your hot coffee drinks!
How Can I Make This Lower Sugar or Lower Calories?
For a lower sugar, lower calorie Caramelizer:
- Use a chocolate almond milk – opt for an unsweetened version for even less calories and sugar
- Use the Sugar Free Torani Caramel Sauce or use 1/2 ounce of the sauce instead of 1 full ounce
How Would I Make a Dairy Free Caramelizer?
- Use a dairy free chocolate milk like chocolate almond milk, soy milk or coconut milk
- Use a dairy free caramel sauce
How Can I Make This With Higher Protein?
I like to use a chocolate protein shake instead of regular chocolate milk to bump up the protein in this drink!
How To Make This as a Cold Brew?
For a cold brew Caramelizer instead of a latte:
| SMALL | MEDIUM | LARGE | |
| CARAMEL SAUCE | 1 OUNCE | 1 OUNCE | 1 OUNCE |
| COLD BREW | 7 OUNCES | 11 OUNCES | 15 OUNCES |
| CHOCOLATE MILK | 1-2 OUNCES | 1-2 OUNCES | 1-2 OUNCES |
| ICE | TO TOP OF CUP | TO TOP OF CUP | TO TOP OF CUP |
How To Make This as a Freeze?
To a blender add:
| SMALL | MEDIUM | LARGE | |
| CARAMEL SAUCE | 1 OUNCE | 1 OUNCE | 1 OUNCE |
| INSTANT COFFEE | 1 TEASPOON | 3 TEASPOONS | 4 TEASPOONS |
| XANTHAN GUM | 1/8 TEASPOON | 1/8 TEASPOON | 1/8 TEASPOON |
| CHOCOLATE MILK | 6 OUNCES | 10 OUNCES | 12 OUNCES |
| ICE | 3/4 CUP | 1 1/4 CUP | 1 3/4 CUPS |
What About a Caramelizer Chai Latte?
Dutch Bros uses the Oregon Chai! You can find this online or at most grocery stores!
| SMALL | MEDIUM | LARGE | |
| CARAMEL SAUCE | 1 OUNCE | 1 OUNCE | 1 OUNCE |
| CHAI CONCENTRATE | 4 OUNCES | 6 OUNCES | 8 OUNCES |
| CHOCOLATE MILK | 4 OUNCES | 6 OUNCES | 8 OUNCES |
| ICE | TO TOP OF CUP | TO TOP OF CUP | TO TOP OF CUP |
Equipment
Ingredients
Iced Dutch Bros Caramelizer
- 1-2 tablespoons Torani Caramel Sauce
- 2 shots espresso 2-2.5 ounces
- 6-8 ounces chocolate whole milk
- ice
Hot Dutch Bros Caramelizer
- 1-2 tablespoons Torani Caramel Sauce
- 2 shots espresso 2-2.5 ounces
- 6-8 chocolate whole milk steamed
Instructions
Iced Dutch Bros Caramelizer
- Add Caramel Sauce to a mason jar or large measuring cup.
- Brew your espresso shots using your preferred espresso making method. See my blog post on Five Ways to Make Espresso at Home.
- Pour the espresso into the mason jar/large measuring cup over the caramel sauce and stir until the sauce is dissolved.
- Pour in the chocolate milk and mix again.
- Add ice to a separate serving cup and pour the Caramelizer mixture over the ice and enjoy! PRO TIP: Carefully pour the mixture back and forth between the two cups to chill the entire drink!
Hot Dutch Bros Caramelizer
- Brew your espresso shots using your preferred espresso making method into a cup. See my blog post on Five Ways to Make Espresso at Home.
- To the espresso shots, add caramel sauce, and stir to combine.
- Add chocolate milk to a milk frothing pitcher and steam using a steam wand. If you don’t have an espresso machine with a steam wand, you can warm and froth the milk using an aerroccino, or you could warm the milk in a pot/ in the microwave, and froth the warmed milk with a handheld milk frother until foamy.
- Pour the steamed chocolate milk over the caramel-espresso mixture and enjoy!
Leave a Comment