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Author:
Franco Salzillo
What if I told you there’s more to caramel popcorn than snacking on it while binge-watching in front of the TV? Yes, you can use the glossy popcorn to top a coffee drink, and it’s as fun as it sounds! Here’s the trendy caramel popcorn coffee drink recipe, a unique take on your favorite caramel flavored coffee specialties, elevated by a hefty popcorn topping.
Concisely, this drink is a caramel latte topped with caramel popcorn, but t’s more than that; it’s a drink with the most charming crunchy bite. The best part? Caramel popcorn is more than a garnish for this Insta-worthy drink; it gives flavor to the drink as well!
Adding popcorn to caffeinated drinks has been a thing on social networks for a while now, and you know what? It works! It’s not too late to join the craze and start topping your favorite drinks with airy popcorn. Of course, if you’re doing it, you should do it right.
Here’s a recipe for a caramel popcorn coffee drink, and it works because we’re using caramel popcorn as a topping. Caramel popcorn has a protective caramel layer that prevents it from getting too soggy too fast, and that’s what you need to top your drink. Here’s all you need to know about this trendy drink.
To make this coffee and snack, you’ll need some caramel popcorn. You can make it yourself, but let me tell you, store-bought and microwave caramel popcorn are just as good and readily available.
You’ll also need whole milk or your favorite milk alternative, espresso, medium roast Arabica, if possible, vanilla extract and caramel sauce or syrup. Assembling this coffee takes only a few minutes, and you can make a few at the same time, so make this one for friends and family.
You build this coffee specialty by layering all the flavors and textures, starting with the freshly brewed espresso, the caramel and the milk. I love dipping the rim of the glass with extra caramel syrup for a sweet sip — the caramel also helps the popcorn stick in its place.
Won’t the coffee end up all mushy? After all, this is popcorn we’re talking about, and who wants soggy popcorn? Well, fear not — caramel popcorn floats, and it’s protected from the liquid below, thanks to its glossy coating. That’s why we’re using caramel popcorn and not any other type.
I hope you enjoy making this one as much as I do. Make this one when you want to make an impact — no one ever expects to be served a cup of popcorn coffee!
There are many ways of making coffee drinks topped with popcorn, but one of my favorites is the caramel popcorn coffee. It all starts with high-quality espresso. If the coffee is good, the rest will run smoothly. I use medium “city” roast Arabica, freshly roasted in a local coffee shop, home ground and brewed in a mocha coffee stove-top pot. You can make your espresso with a pod machine or a fancier espresso machine if you have access to it.
Then we need caramel sauce, and I buy this one, as making caramel sauce at home is not only time-consuming but really hard! Get the nice stuff, and you’re good to go.
You’ll also need caramel popcorn, and I found that microwave caramel popcorn works just fine. You can also find large bags of caramel popcorn in some supermarkets. You want a consistent caramel layer — it will protect the popcorn from getting soggy.
Finally, you’ll need whole milk or half & half, and some ice. This is a blended drink, and it all comes together in the blender. What you get is a lovely caramel coffee drink of coffee shop quality, topped with crunchy caramel popcorn. This is the ultimate indulgence.
For the pastry:
Brew the espresso either on an espresso machine, a pod coffee maker or a stovetop mocha pot. Set it aside.
Drizzle caramel sauce on a small saucer plate and dip the rim of your serving glass.
Drizzle more caramel sauce at the bottom of the glass.
Add the milk, espresso, and approximately one ounce of caramel syrup in a cocktail shaker or any container with a lid. Add the vanilla extract.
Shake to combine and pour the coffee drink into the glass. Top with caramel popcorn.
