Name: Starbucks Caramel Ribbon Crunch Recipe
Prep time: 2 min
Total time: 2 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup whole milk; ½ cup chilled espresso or double-strength coffee; 2 cups ice cubes; ¼ cup caramel sauce; 2 oz simple syrup; Pinch of xanthan gum (optional); Whipped cream (for topping); 2 tbsp caramel sauce (for garnish); Crushed caramel candy (for topping)

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I enjoy making this Starbucks Caramel Ribbon Crunch Recipe at home whenever I’m craving a cold, sweet coffee treat. It’s creamy, rich, and full of caramel flavor, and I love how it feels just as indulgent as a coffee shop drink while being incredibly easy to make in my own kitchen.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

I like this recipe because it comes together in minutes and tastes smooth, sweet, and refreshing every single time. I can control the sweetness, the strength of the coffee, and the toppings, which makes it perfect for customizing exactly how I’m feeling that day.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of Ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

1 cup whole milk
½ cup chilled espresso or double-strength coffee
2 cups ice cubes
¼ cup caramel sauce
2 ounces simple syrup
1 small pinch xanthan gum (optional)
whipped cream for topping
2 tablespoons caramel sauce for garnish
crushed caramel candy for topping

Directions

I begin by adding the chilled espresso and ice cubes to the blender. Next, I pour in the milk and add a small pinch of xanthan gum if I decide to use it. After that, I add the caramel sauce and simple syrup, adjusting slightly if I want it extra sweet. I blend everything until the mixture is thick and smooth. Once blended, I pour the drink into a tall glass and finish it with whipped cream, a drizzle of caramel sauce, and crushed caramel candy on top.

Servings And Timing

This recipe makes 2 servings. I usually need about 2 minutes of prep time, and the total time from start to finish is around 2 minutes.

Variations

I like to change this recipe depending on what I have available. Sometimes I use oat milk or coconut milk instead of whole milk. When I want to reduce caffeine, I make it with decaffeinated coffee. For a different flavor, I swap the caramel topping for chocolate sauce or skip the crunchy topping and keep it simple with whipped cream.

Storage/Reheating

I always make this drink fresh. Because it contains ice, storing it causes the flavor to become diluted as the ice melts. Reheating isn’t recommended, so I prepare it right before I plan to enjoy it.

FAQs

Can I Use Regular Coffee Instead Of Espresso?

I often use very strong brewed coffee, and it works well as long as it’s chilled before blending.

What Does Xanthan Gum Do?

I use xanthan gum to help keep the drink smooth and prevent separation, but I’ve made it without it and still enjoyed the result.

Can I Adjust The Sweetness?

I like adjusting the amount of caramel sauce or simple syrup depending on how sweet I want the drink to be.

Can I Make This Dairy-Free?

I frequently use oat milk or coconut milk, and both work nicely without changing the texture too much.

Is This Drink Best Served Immediately?

I always drink it right away since that’s when the texture and flavor are at their best.

Conclusion

This Starbucks Caramel Ribbon Crunch Recipe is one of my favorite homemade coffee drinks. I love how fast it is to make and how easy it is to customize. Whenever I want a cold, creamy caramel coffee treat, this recipe is the one I turn to.