Vodka is a common component in caramel drinks.
Caramel drinks can generally be divided into two types: alcoholic and non-alcoholic. Butterscotch has been used to flavor everything from tea and coffee to brandy and cocktails. Even shakes and malts can taste like caramel. It is also used to flavor pastries and other desserts and as a topping for ice cream. Made primarily with brown sugar and butter, the flavor is similar to caramel, although when the latter is made, the brown sugar is usually boiled longer.
Butterscotch can be used in coffee to enhance the flavor.
One of the most popular types of caramel drinks is caramel brandy. In the United States, schnapps are flavored spirits, as opposed to German schnapps, a clear distilled alcoholic beverage. American brandy is a blend of fruit or other flavors with pure grain alcohol. Caramel schnapps are often mixed with other spirits in shooter drinks or recipes.
Caramel liqueur can also be used in cocktails with vodka, whiskey or cognac. For example, the butterball cocktail is usually made with cream, vodka, and caramel liqueur. A butterball cognac replaces cognac and whiskey with vodka. Caramel brandy can also be added to a baked apple vodka martini.
As an alternative to alcoholic beverages with caramel, there are many brands of tea and coffee infused with this sweet flavor. Caramel tea and coffee are generally lighter in flavor than brandy, but still sweet enough to be considered dessert drinks. Adding milk and sugar can give it a creamy, sweet flavor.
Other common types of caramel drinks include malts and shakes. The sweetness of the caramel complements the texture of the ice cream and gives these drinkable treats a golden color. Milkshakes are usually made with vanilla ice cream and a little milk, while milkshakes add malted milk powder. This powder has a distinctly bitter taste. Malt and milkshake ingredients are blended with caramel syrup to produce these types of caramel beverages.
Given the amount of calories and sugar in a typical shake or malt, some people may opt for a caramel shake. This type of caramel drink may not use actual caramel, but rather try to mimic the flavor without sugar or butter. Agave nectar and dates are often used to make fun of the flavor of caramel. When mixed with a ripe banana and a little milk or water, the result is often healthier than a regular smoothie made with ice cream.
While there are many theories and controversies about the origin of caramel, it is generally accepted that the flavor is made with butter and brown sugar. The brown sugar slowly caramelizes with the butter. Some recipes also add cream, salt, and vanilla extract. Butterscotch probably originated in the Yorkshire region of England.