Pink Velvet Macchiato with Raspberry Milk, Cocoa, and Cake Batter Recipe
Picture this: a velvety swirl of rosy pink raspberry milk topped with a rich cocoa-kissed espresso, all mingling in your cup like a perfectly choreographed dance. The aroma of fresh raspberries, the whisper of cake batter sweetness, and that delightful hint of chocolate tease your senses before you even take your first sip. This Pink Velvet Macchiato with Raspberry Milk, Cocoa, and Cake Batter Recipe is not just a drink; it’s an experience that brightens your day and warms your soul in a cup. Whether you’re treating yourself or impressing guests, it’s an easy yet stunning concoction ready in just 10 minutes.
Why You’ll Love This Pink Velvet Macchiato with Raspberry Milk, Cocoa, and Cake Batter Recipe
- Quick and Easy: Ready in just 10 minutes, perfect for a scrumptious pick-me-up without the wait.
- Simple Ingredients: Uses everyday staples like raspberries, cocoa, and milk, making this recipe accessible and fuss-free.
- Impressively Elegant: The vivid pink hue and layered presentation make it as delightful to look at as it is to drink.
- Rich, Layered Flavors: Combines fruity tartness, creamy sweetness, chocolate depth, and nostalgic cake batter notes in one cup.
- Customizable: Easily adjust sweetness and types of espresso or milk to suit your personal taste or dietary preferences.
Why This Pink Velvet Macchiato with Raspberry Milk, Cocoa, and Cake Batter Recipe Works
This delightful Pink Velvet Macchiato succeeds because of its carefully balanced layers and thoughtful technique. The homemade raspberry syrup, cooked just long enough to release the raspberries’ natural vibrancy and sweetness, creates a naturally pink base that sets this drink apart. Adding natural unsweetened cocoa powder to the espresso infuses it with a subtle richness that perfectly complements the fruity raspberry notes. The choice to mix the milk with the syrup before adding ice and espresso ensures a smooth, creamy texture and a beautifully layered visual effect that feels downright luxurious for such an easy recipe.
Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient in this recipe plays a unique role, from the fresh flavor of raspberries to the smoky depth of espresso, creating a harmonious symphony in your cup.
- 120 g raspberries (1 cup): Fresh or frozen raspberries provide the tart, vibrant base for the syrup.
- 100 g granulated sugar (½ cup): Sweetens the syrup beautifully, balancing raspberry tartness.
- 55 g water (¼ cup): Helps dissolve the sugar and infuse flavors as the syrup simmers.
- 1 tsp cake batter extract (optional): Adds a nostalgic, sweet aroma reminiscent of freshly baked treats.
- 2 tbsp raspberry syrup: The star pink syrup that flavors the macchiato.
- 6 oz milk of choice: Your creamy partner; use dairy or plant-based milk.
- ½ tsp natural unsweetened cocoa powder: Brings a subtle chocolate depth to the espresso.
- 2 oz PapaNicholas Chocolate Raspberry Espresso: The perfect espresso to tie all flavors together.
Ingredient Substitutions & Tips
- Raspberries: You can swap for frozen raspberries or frozen mixed berries if fresh aren’t available.
- Granulated Sugar: Substitute with honey, maple syrup, or coconut sugar to vary sweetness and flavor.
- Milk of Choice: Almond, oat, soy, or coconut milk work beautifully for dairy-free options.
- Espresso: Use any mocha, chocolate, raspberry, or classic espresso. Instant espresso dissolved in hot water is also a convenient option.
👨🍳 Pro Tips for Perfect Results
- Make your raspberry syrup fresh: Simmering the raspberries just 5 minutes releases intense flavor without bitterness.
- Use a fine mesh sieve: To ensure your syrup is silky smooth and free of seeds, strain carefully after simmering.
- Add cocoa directly to espresso: Mixing the cocoa powder into hot espresso helps it dissolve perfectly for a creamy finish.
- Adjust sweetness mindfully: Taste your syrup as you go, especially if your raspberries are very tart, and tweak sugar accordingly.
- Layer your drink gently: Pour espresso slowly over the raspberry milk to maintain that gorgeous layered effect.
How to Make Pink Velvet Macchiato with Raspberry Milk, Cocoa, and Cake Batter Recipe
Step 1: Craft the Raspberry Syrup
Begin by combining the raspberries, sugar, water, and optional cake batter extract in a small saucepan. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Use the back of a spoon to crush the raspberries as they soften, releasing their vibrant juices. Let it simmer for about 5 minutes until fully infused with sweetness and color. Remove from heat and strain through a fine mesh sieve into a clean bowl or container, discarding the seeds and solids. This syrup is the heart of your pink velvet macchiato.
💡 Pro Tip: Use fresh or frozen raspberries to enjoy the freshest flavor possible; frozen raspberries work just as well and are often sweeter.
Step 2: Mix Raspberry Syrup and Milk
Pour 2 tablespoons of your freshly made raspberry syrup into your serving cup. Warm or chill 6 ounces of your preferred milk, then add it directly to the syrup. Stir gently to combine, creating a luscious pink milk base that smells like summer in a glass.
💡 Pro Tip: Use cold milk and serve over ice for a refreshing iced macchiato, or warm milk for a cozy café-style treat.
Step 3: Prepare the Cocoa-Infused Espresso
Add half a teaspoon of natural unsweetened cocoa powder into a small espresso cup. Brew 2 ounces of your chocolate raspberry espresso directly over the cocoa, stirring immediately so the powder dissolves completely and blends with the coffee’s rich flavor.
💡 Pro Tip: If you don’t have an espresso machine, dissolve 2 oz of hot water into the equivalent amount of instant espresso powder and then mix the cocoa powder in.
Step 4: Assemble Your Pink Velvet Macchiato
Add ice cubes to your pink raspberry milk, leaving room at the top. Slowly pour the warm cocoa espresso mixture over the milk and ice. The espresso’s dark stream will cascade through the vivid pink base, creating a mesmerizing layered effect that’s almost too pretty to disturb with a stir—almost!
💡 Pro Tip: Pouring espresso slowly over the back of a spoon helps maintain those beautiful layers so your drink looks as impressive as it tastes.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Learn from these common pitfalls:
- Syrup too thick or too thin: Simmer just 5 minutes to get a balanced syrup; longer cooking can make it overly thick or caramelized.
- Forgetting to strain: Skipping the sieve means seeds in your syrup, which creates an unpleasant texture.
- Not dissolving cocoa powder properly: Adding cocoa powder directly to cold espresso can result in clumps; always stir into hot espresso.
- Over-sweetening: Taste the syrup carefully before adding more sugar to avoid an overwhelming sweetness.
- Pouring espresso too quickly: Rushing this step can ruin the beautiful layered presentation.
- Using low-quality espresso: The espresso flavor is vital to balance raspberry and cocoa; poor espresso dulls the drink.
Delicious Variations to Try
Once you’ve mastered the classic version, here are some exciting variations to delight your palate:
Vanilla Bean Pink Velvet Macchiato
Add ½ teaspoon of vanilla bean paste to the milk mixture for a warm, aromatic twist that pairs beautifully with raspberry and cocoa notes.
Almond Joy Macchiato
Mix in a splash of almond extract with your raspberry syrup and sprinkle crushed almonds on top for a nutty, decadent spin.
Coconut Raspberry Dream
Use coconut milk instead of regular milk and garnish with shredded toasted coconut to evoke tropical vibes in your pink velvet macchiato.
Spiced Pink Velvet Macchiato
Add a pinch of cinnamon and cardamom to your cocoa powder to infuse a subtle warmth and spice that deepens the flavor profile beautifully.
Decaf Delight
Use decaffeinated espresso or instant espresso for a late-night treat that preserves all the flavor without the caffeine buzz.
How to Serve Pink Velvet Macchiato with Raspberry Milk, Cocoa, and Cake Batter Recipe

Garnishes
Top your macchiato with a dusting of cocoa powder, a few fresh raspberries, or a tiny swirl of whipped cream for an extra indulgent feel.
Side Dishes
Pair with light pastries like buttery shortbread cookies, almond biscotti, or a slice of vanilla pound cake for a cozy café-style experience.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve in a clear glass mug or a tall latte glass to showcase the stunning pink and brown layers. Add a pretty reusable straw or a delicate spoon for stirring, and place on a colorful coaster or tray for an Instagram-worthy moment.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Extra raspberry syrup can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week. Give it a good stir before using as syrup might thicken or separate slightly.
Freezing
While the macchiato itself isn’t suited for freezing, you can freeze leftover raspberry syrup in ice cube trays and thaw cubes as needed for fresh batches.
Reheating
To reheat the raspberry syrup or milk mixture, warm gently on the stove or in the microwave just until warm—avoid boiling to preserve flavor. Espresso should be freshly brewed for best taste.
FAQs
Can I make this drink vegan?
Absolutely! Use your favorite plant-based milk such as oat, almond, or soy, and make sure your espresso is free from dairy additives.
What if I don’t have cake batter extract?
The cake batter extract adds a subtle nostalgic sweetness, but you can omit it or add a few drops of vanilla extract instead for a lovely aroma.
Can I use frozen raspberries?
Yes, frozen raspberries work wonderfully and often result in a richer syrup when simmered down.
How sweet is this drink?
The sweetness primarily comes from the raspberry syrup; you can reduce sugar in the syrup or add less syrup to tailor the sweetness to your liking.
Is there a caffeine-free option?
You can use decaffeinated espresso or substitute brewed cocoa for the espresso for a caffeine-free but flavorful alternative.
Can I make the syrup in advance?
Definitely! The raspberry syrup can be prepared ahead and refrigerated up to one week, making morning assembly super quick.
What type of espresso works best?
Chocolate raspberry espresso is ideal for depth and complementary flavors, but any mocha, chocolate, raspberry, or plain espresso works well.
How can I keep the layered effect?
Pour the espresso slowly over the back of a spoon onto the milk to avoid mixing and keep those beautiful pink and brown layers intact.
Final Thoughts
This Pink Velvet Macchiato with Raspberry Milk, Cocoa, and Cake Batter Recipe is truly a delightful treasure to have in your café repertoire. It’s a gorgeous, flavorful drink that combines whimsy with comfort and is simple enough to enjoy any day of the week. Whether you want a treat for yourself or a charming drink to impress guests, this recipe delivers with vibrant flavor, gorgeous presentation, and easy prep.
Have you tried this Pink Velvet Macchiato with Raspberry Milk, Cocoa, and Cake Batter Recipe? I’d love to hear how it turned out! Leave a comment below. If you loved this recipe, please share it with friends and family. Happy cooking! ☕❤️
PrintPink Velvet Macchiato with Raspberry Milk, Cocoa, and Cake Batter Recipe
This Pink Velvet Macchiato is a delightful homemade coffee drink featuring a naturally pink raspberry syrup combined with milk, cocoa powder, and rich chocolate raspberry espresso. It offers a unique blend of fruity sweetness, cocoa richness, and the bold flavor of espresso, perfect for a refreshing and visually stunning treat.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 1 macchiato 1x
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Raspberry Syrup
- 120 g raspberries (1 cup), fresh or frozen
- 100 g granulated sugar (½ cup)
- 55 g water (¼ cup)
- 1 tsp cake batter extract (optional, for flavor)
Pink Velvet Macchiato
- 2 tbsp raspberry syrup
- 6 oz milk of choice
- ½ tsp natural unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 oz PapaNicholas Chocolate Raspberry Espresso (or any mocha, chocolate, raspberry, or plain espresso)
Instructions
- Make Raspberry Syrup: In a small saucepan, combine raspberries, sugar, water, and cake batter extract. Stir occasionally and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Let it simmer for 5 minutes, crushing the raspberries as they soften to release their juices.
- Strain the Syrup: Remove the saucepan from heat. Pour the mixture through a fine mesh sieve into a bowl or container, pressing gently to extract as much liquid as possible. Discard solids.
- Prepare the Raspberry Milk Base: In your serving cup, pour 2 tablespoons of the freshly made raspberry syrup. Add 6 ounces of your preferred milk, then stir to combine thoroughly with the syrup.
- Add Ice: Fill the cup with ice cubes, leaving enough room at the top for the espresso layer.
- Make Cocoa Espresso: In a small espresso cup, add ½ teaspoon of natural unsweetened cocoa powder. Brew 2 ounces of espresso directly over the cocoa, stirring to dissolve and blend the cocoa thoroughly.
- Assemble the Macchiato: Slowly pour the cocoa espresso over the raspberry milk and ice, creating a layered macchiato effect. Serve immediately and enjoy the vibrant and flavorful drink.
Notes
- Type of espresso: While chocolate raspberry espresso is recommended for the best flavor, any mocha, chocolate, raspberry, or plain espresso can be used. Instant espresso can substitute by mixing 2 oz. of hot water with the appropriate amount of instant espresso powder and cocoa.
- For a less sweet drink: Reduce the amount of raspberry syrup in the drink to decrease sweetness, keeping in mind the milk’s pink hue may be less vivid. Alternatively, reduce sugar in the syrup recipe by up to 50%, tasting as you go to adjust for tartness.
- Storing extra syrup: This recipe yields enough syrup for about 5 drinks. Store any leftover syrup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.
Keywords: Pink Velvet Macchiato, raspberry syrup, raspberry macchiato, chocolate raspberry espresso, homemade macchiato, coffee recipe, flavored espresso drink

