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Jump to RecipeStarbucks has created a new coffee trend that people are going mad for! Again! Their latest “Cloud Macchiato” aka “Ariana Grande’s Starbucks Drink” is an elevated and celebrity inspired take on their regular Macchiato. This new drink is whipped, foamy, creamy, and so absolutely dreamy. This latest drink was a collaboration between the coffee chain giant and the pop icon, Ariana Grande. So I already knew it would be epic. So Starbucks addicts rejoice, because today I created a Copycat Starbucks Cloud Macchiato! I am going to save you some money and save you the time of a Starbucks run. And hey, it’s just so much fun to try new ingredients and techniques.
THIS POST HAS BEEN UPDATED to make this a “creamier tasting” foam.
Man, I love food trends! I literally shot out of bed this morning with Cloud Macchiato recipe development on my brain. While I had the excited energy of a highly caffeinated workaholic, I still had WAY too much coffee today. But I live for this stuff!
And you all seem to love Food Trends as well! After so many requests, I added a Copycat Cinnamon Cloud Macchiato that also tells you how to make it egg free or completely vegan if desired. This version of the Cloud Macchiato is for an Iced Caramel Macchiato. Both versions are also up on my YouTube Channel.
Additionally, for a Starbucks Cloud Macchiato CUPCAKE, try tweaking my Tiramisu Cupcakes as directed in recipe notes and add a drizzle of caramel!
Before we begin, please be aware that the real Starbucks cloud macchiatos and this copycat Starbucks Cloud Macchiato use a form of egg whites. If you are allergic to eggs, or have any aversion to eggs, then this wouldn’t be the right drink for you.
Additionally, a traditional macchiato has a specific technique. The flavored shots are poured. Then goes the foam. Last are the espresso shots and then a drizzle of caramel. But for this copycat version, I did not want to compromise the texture of this cloudy foam. So I put the espresso in first then layered on the awesome cloud. Please feel free to assemble the drink traditionally or the way I’ve done it!
The Inspiration For The Cloud Macchiato
The cloud macchiato is a reinvented spin of a Leche Merengada, which is a Spanish drink that means “meringue milk”. Simply put, these two drinks have a foamy, fluffy, cloud-like milk and egg white foam that sits on top of espresso.
So how did Ariana Grande get involved in this concoction? She is officially the face of Starbuck’s “cloud macchiato”. They teamed up for International Women’s Day.
Since you cannot even look at your search engine homepage or social media anything without seeing something about Ariana Grande these days, of course Starbucks would want to team up with her for many reasons. But the main reason that’s being told is that Starbucks wanted to draw in younger customers with the lure of of Ariana Grande, sugar, and a texture that will only make you wondering what on earth you are drinking. But in a good way!
The name “cloud macchiato” is said to have come from Ariana Grande’s love of cloud emojis. Ariana, my head is usually in the clouds too, so girl, I get it!
Furthermore, according to Yahoo, clouds are apparently a big part of her brand right now since she has a cloud perfume.
But to give you full disclosure, I am writing this after THREE cloud macchiatos, because, hey, I had to recipe develop the cloud out of this to get it perfect! So if I seem a little sassy or wired today, I totally am.
Now I have seen many reviews for these cloud macchiatos that claim they are way too sweet and the only upside is that the bittersweet espresso cuts that sweetness. However, when I got one today, mine wasn’t too sweet. In fact, the only real sweetness I got was from the caramel topping.
But maybe the barista saw I was an old woman ordering a tween drink and made a split decision to spare me from something I could never un-drink! I don’t know.
But I drank it, mouth felt it, sampled it like I was at a Napa Valley winery, and now I have created a copycat Starbucks Cloud Macchiato that is the Iced Caramel variety. I have yet to try that Cinnamon One. If anyone has to have that copycat recipe then contact me and I will create that one as well.
Copycat Starbucks Cloud Macchiatto
This copycat Starbucks Cloud Macchiato is really easy to make. You will need a hand mixer to make this. I tested with a blender, and the hand blender is the way to get that “cloud” texture and loose foam that mimics the texture created at Starbucks.
We are making a GRANDE size of this copycat Starbucks Iced Caramel Cloud Macchiato. Because that just makes sense here! That is 16 ounces.
First, use a medium sized mixing bowl. This meringue milk expands a ton, so I advise against using a small one. Add the cold milk of your choice to the bowl.
Note that you can use coconut, almond, or cow’s milk. Any milk will work except for whole milk. Sorry to all of us full-fat dairy lovers. But the reason is that whole milk won’t foam up like skim and low fat milk does. Skim foams the best!
To your milk, add the meringue powder or dried egg whites. Note that Meringue powder is simply dried egg whites with a few additives, like sugar, that are closest to the proprietary blend that Starbucks uses . You can find this in the baking aisle of your grocery store or online here, Meringue Powder 16 oz
**I have updated this post to include the use of powdered milk if you are using pure dried egg whites. This is to make the foam creamier and better tasting, as requested by some of you. I did recently hear that Starbucks uses in their proprietary blend for the foam: a special blend of dried egg whites and sugar and more ingredients… Additionally, I have heard that the best meringue powder that is closest to the proprietary blend that Starbucks uses is this one: Meringue Powder.
Beat at medium high speed until foamy. Then sprinkle in your sugar. Alternatively, you can use vanilla simple syrup if you want that overly sweet “tween” experience that I missed out on! Then add in the powdered milk.
Go up to your sweetness level. I only used 1/4 teaspoon since I’m not a fan of sweet drinks and Only used sugar to get the meringue milk a glossy look. Then as the mixture begins to resemble a loose meringue, add vanilla extract, if using.
Then fill a 16 ounce glass with ice. Pour in your two espresso shots. Please note you do have to use Starbucks coffee for the most authentic taste. Then pour over that foam. Drizzle on some caramel syrup. And enjoy your Copycat Starbucks Cloud Macchiato!
Connect with me on Instagram to share your Copycat Starbucks Iced Caramel Cloud Macchiato pictures, using @ritzymomblog! And take a look at the video recipe here!
If you want to read some reviews of the cloud macchiato, try this article, Review: Ariana Grande’s Starbucks Drink is a Wild and Fluffy Ride.
FOR ANOTHER VIRAL COFFEE- CHECK OUT whipped coffee (dalgona coffee)!!
Copycat Starbucks Caramel Macchiato (iced caramel)
With espresso and a cloud like, meringue milk topping, this is the copycat version of Starbucks latest drink in partnership with Ariana Grande!
Ingredients
- 2 shots Starbucks espresso cold
- 1/4 cup milk lowfat or skim
- 1/2 teaspoon milk powder OPTIONAL- for a creamier tasting foam
- 1/2 teaspoon egg white powder
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- 1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract optional
- caramel syrup topping
- 3/4 Cup Ice
Instructions
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First, use a medium sized mixing bowl and add milk.
To your milk, add the meringue powder.
Beat at medium high speed until foamy.
Then sprinkle in your sugar. Alternatively, you can use vanilla simple syrup.
Then as the mixture begins to resemble a loose meringue, add vanilla extract, if using.
Then fill a 16 ounce glass with ice. Pour in your two espresso shots.
Next,, pour over that foam. Drizzle on some caramel syrup.
And enjoy your Copycat Starbucks Cloud Macchiato!
Recipe Notes
I have been asked if there is a way to make the foam “Creamier”. Yes, you can add a touch of powdered milk. I have recently heard that the proprietary blend Starbucks uses does contain milk!
For more food trends, check out these Ritzy Recipes!
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