What’s in the Starbucks Caramel Brulée Latte?

The Starbucks Caramel Brulée Latte is a seasonal holiday beverage, boasting a sweet and smoky flavor profile. At its heart, it combines espresso, steamed milk, and a Caramel Brulée Sauce. This rich sauce is the star of the show, providing the signature caramelized sugar taste. The drink is then topped with whipped cream and sprinkled generously with Caramel Brulée Topping, adding both visual appeal and textural contrast. It’s essentially a comforting, festive hug in a mug!

Deconstructing the Caramel Brulée Latte: Ingredient by Ingredient

Let’s break down each component of this seasonal favorite to understand its unique flavor profile:

The Espresso Base

Like many of Starbucks’ lattes, the Caramel Brulée Latte begins with a shot or two of signature espresso. The number of shots depends on the size of the drink – tall gets one, grande gets two, and venti gets two as well (hot or iced). The espresso provides the foundational bitterness that balances the sweetness of the other ingredients. Starbucks’ espresso is a dark roast, offering a bold, robust flavor that cuts through the sweetness of the caramel brulée sauce.

The Creamy Canvas: Steamed Milk

Next comes the steamed milk. Starbucks typically uses 2% milk as their standard, but you can easily customize this to your liking. Options include nonfat milk, whole milk, soy milk, oat milk, almond milk, and coconut milk. The steamed milk creates a creamy, smooth texture, softening the intensity of the espresso and blending seamlessly with the caramel brulée sauce.

The Star Attraction: Caramel Brulée Sauce

The magic ingredient, without a doubt, is the Caramel Brulée Sauce. This isn’t your average caramel; it’s a thicker, richer sauce with a distinctly burnt sugar or toffee-like flavor. The sauce is made with ingredients such as sugar, brown sugar, butter, vanilla extract, and salt, which gives the drink its unique taste and a more complex flavor than a regular caramel latte. It’s what sets the Caramel Brulée Latte apart and makes it so highly anticipated each year.

The Finishing Touches: Whipped Cream and Caramel Brulée Topping

No Starbucks latte is truly complete without whipped cream. It adds a layer of airy sweetness and a luxurious mouthfeel. On top of the whipped cream, the Caramel Brulée Latte gets a generous sprinkle of Caramel Brulée Topping. This topping isn’t just for show; it adds a delightful crunch and intensifies the caramelized sugar flavor. It also provides a satisfying textural contrast to the creamy whipped cream and smooth latte beneath.

Flavor Profile and Customization

The Caramel Brulée Latte delivers a symphony of flavors: bold espresso, creamy milk, and the unmistakable taste of burnt sugar from the Caramel Brulée Sauce. The whipped cream and topping add sweetness and a delightful textural element.

The beauty of Starbucks is the ability to customize your drink. Consider these options:

Milk Alternatives: As mentioned, you can swap 2% milk for nonfat, whole, or plant-based alternatives.
Sweetness Level: Adjust the number of pumps of Caramel Brulée Sauce to control the sweetness.
Espresso Shots: Add an extra shot for a bolder coffee flavor.
Temperature: Order it iced for a refreshing treat.
No Whipped Cream: Skip the whipped cream to reduce calories and sugar.

Nutritional Information (Grande, 2% Milk):

While indulging in a Caramel Brulée Latte is a treat, it’s good to be aware of its nutritional content. A grande Caramel Brulée Latte made with 2% milk typically contains:

Calories: Around 420
Total Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 11g
Cholesterol: 70mg
Sodium: 250mg
Total Carbohydrates: 56g
Sugar: 54g
Protein: 14g

These values can vary depending on the customizations you make. Using nonfat milk and skipping the whipped cream will significantly reduce the calorie and fat content.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions about the Starbucks Caramel Brulée Latte:

1. Is the Caramel Brulée Latte available year-round?

No, the Caramel Brulée Latte is a seasonal offering, typically available during the holiday season, from November to January.

2. Does the Caramel Brulée Latte contain caffeine?

Yes, as it contains espresso. A tall Caramel Brulée Latte has approximately 75mg of caffeine, a grande has 150mg, and a venti has 150mg (hot or iced).

3. Can I order a decaf Caramel Brulée Latte?

Yes, you can request decaf espresso for your Caramel Brulée Latte. Keep in mind that even decaf espresso contains a small amount of caffeine.

4. Is the Caramel Brulée Sauce vegan?

No, the Caramel Brulée Sauce contains dairy (butter) and is therefore not vegan.

5. Can I make a vegan Caramel Brulée Latte?

While the standard sauce isn’t vegan, you can create a close approximation by substituting the milk with a plant-based option (like oat milk or almond milk) and omitting the whipped cream. Unfortunately, the Caramel Brulée sauce isn’t vegan.

6. What does the Caramel Brulée Topping consist of?

The Caramel Brulée Topping is made of a crispy caramel type of topping, with a distinctive burnt-caramel flavor, mirroring the sauce.

7. How can I make a Caramel Brulée Latte at home?

You can find recipes online that attempt to replicate the Caramel Brulée Sauce. The key is to achieve that burnt sugar flavor by caramelizing sugar until it’s a dark amber color. Combine it with butter, cream, and vanilla extract for a homemade version. Brew your espresso, steam your milk, and combine everything.

8. What is the difference between a Caramel Brulée Latte and a regular Caramel Latte?

The primary difference lies in the sauce used. A regular caramel latte uses a standard caramel syrup, while the Caramel Brulée Latte uses the Caramel Brulée Sauce, which has a richer, smoky, burnt-sugar flavor.

9. Can I order a Caramel Brulée Frappuccino?

Yes, Starbucks offers a Caramel Brulée Frappuccino, which is a blended ice beverage incorporating the Caramel Brulée Sauce, milk, ice, and whipped cream.

10. Is the Caramel Brulée Latte high in sugar?

Yes, it is relatively high in sugar due to the Caramel Brulée Sauce and whipped cream. Consider ordering a smaller size or reducing the number of sauce pumps to lower the sugar content.

11. Can I order the Caramel Brulée Sauce in other drinks?

While it’s primarily intended for the Caramel Brulée Latte, some baristas may accommodate adding it to other drinks if available. Availability may vary depending on the location and time of year.

12. What other holiday drinks does Starbucks offer?

Besides the Caramel Brulée Latte, Starbucks typically offers other holiday-themed drinks such as the Peppermint Mocha, Chestnut Praline Latte, and Eggnog Latte, and Sugar Cookie Almondmilk Latte. These rotate based on the season and yearly offerings.

Enjoy your Caramel Brulée Latte responsibly and savor the seasonal flavors!