BD–003: Field Ration 7 (Salted Caramel Latte Drill)

Purpose: Deliver an indulgent yet disciplined salted caramel latte that boosts morale without sugar chaos. Built on 15W40 from Aerial Resupply Coffee. Outcome: Silky caramel, clean salt lift, strong coffee backbone. Time on target: about 6 minutes.

Section I - Equipment and Supply Loadout

• Primary Brewer: Espresso machine preferred. Moka pot acceptable. Strong AeroPress concentrate is a fallback.
• Milk System: Steam wand or electric frother that produces fine microfoam.
• Implements: Milk pitcher, thermometer, spoon, preheated mug or 12 to 14 oz glass.
• Consumables: 2 tbsp caramel syrup, pinch of flaky sea salt, 6 to 8 oz milk (whole or barista oat), optional caramel drizzle.
• Coffee Component: Double shot of 15W40 espresso, 18 to 20 g dose, 36 to 40 g yield.

QC Note: Keep caramel at room temp for fast dissolution. Use cold milk to gain better foam structure and temperature control.

Section II - Pre Mission Checks

1. Grind and Dose: Fine grind for espresso. Target 18 to 20 g. If using Moka, grind slightly coarser than espresso.
2. Milk Discipline: Choose whole milk or barista oat for stable microfoam. Aim for 140 to 150 F, not hotter.
3. Salt Control: Stage flaky sea salt. You will need only 2 to 4 flakes per drink. Over-salting kills balance.
4. Staging: Preheat mug. Measure 2 tbsp caramel syrup into your serving vessel before you pull the shot.

Abort Criteria: If milk is overheated or large bubbles persist after tapping and swirling, dump and refoam. Texture is a mission requirement, not a luxury.

Section III - Execution (SOP)

1. 03:00 - Pull Espresso: Extract a double shot of 15W40 to 36 to 40 g in about 25 to 30 seconds. Moka: brew tight concentrate, about 2 to 2.5 oz.
2. 02:15 - Integrate Caramel: Pour the hot espresso into the waiting 2 tbsp caramel syrup. Stir 10 to 15 seconds until fully glossy and uniform.
3. 01:45 - Steam Milk: Stretch briefly, then roll to create fine microfoam. Target 140 to 150 F. Swirl to keep texture tight.
4. 01:00 - Combine: Pour milk steadily into the caramel espresso base. Finish with a small heart or simple line art.
5. 00:30 - Salted Finish: Light crosshatch caramel drizzle. Add 2 to 3 flakes of sea salt. Do not season like soup.
6. 00:00 - Presentation: Serve immediately. Aroma should read caramel first, coffee second, salt last.

ARC Intel: Always dissolve caramel in the hot espresso before milk. This keeps sweetness consistent from first sip to last. Salt goes on top at the end, never stirred in fully, so it lifts flavor without turning the drink briny.

Section IV - Field Adjustments and Variants

• Low Sweetness: Drop caramel to 1 tbsp and add 1 tsp vanilla extract for aroma without sugar creep.
• Protein Load: Replace 2 oz of milk with vanilla protein drink for post PT recovery.
• Smoke Screen: Use smoked sea salt flakes for a deeper contrast with 15W40 dark notes.
• Iced Ration: Build caramel with hot espresso, then flash over ice and top with cold foam. Keep salt garnish minimal.
• Mocha Variant: Replace 1 tbsp caramel with 1 tbsp dark chocolate syrup for a salted caramel mocha profile.

Section V - Troubleshooting (Immediate Action Drills)

• Symptom: Cloying sweetness. Cause: Too much syrup or stirred salt. Fix: Cut caramel by 25 to 50 percent. Keep salt as garnish only.
• Symptom: Bitter finish. Cause: Over extraction. Fix: Grind slightly coarser or reduce shot yield to 34 to 36 g.
• Symptom: Flat texture. Cause: Large bubbles or overheated milk. Fix: Refoam to 140 to 150 F with tight microfoam.
• Symptom: Weak coffee presence. Fix: Increase dose to 20 g or pull a ristretto style 1 to 1.7 ratio.

Section VI - Performance Profile

Flavor: Buttery caramel up front, rounded by 15W40 dark chocolate and stone fruit notes, finished by a clean salt pop.

Caffeine Window: About 120 to 150 mg per double shot method dependent.

Use Cases: Pre-brief morale, afternoon discipline, reward after maintenance ops, weekend rally point.

Section VII - Sustainment and Prep for Next Sortie

• Wipe and purge steam wand immediately after use. Milk stone is the enemy.
• Rinse and dry pitchers. Keep caramel caps clean to avoid crystallization.
• Rotate 15W40 stock in airtight containers, cool and dark.

Section VIII - Interop and Further Reading

Field Ration 7 is part of the ARC Signature Series. For other mission builds, review the index: Caffeine Field Manual. Train your home brewing fundamentals here: From Barracks to Barista. Learn who and why we serve here: About Aerial Resupply Coffee.

Final Tasking - Load the Right Roast

Field Ration 7 runs on 15W40. Keep your unit supplied at Aerial Resupply Coffee. Discipline. Community. Caffeine.