In a 1997 interview for Power Music Network, Vega said, "'Caramel' was intended to be one of those old fashioned songs, like "The Girl from Ipanema," or what Astrud Gilberto would sing.

[9] On its release, Larry Flick of Billboard commented, "This soft-served morsel shows Vega in rare form as she whips up a sultry, lounge-ish tune that drips with her soft warm vocals.

"[8] In a review of Nine Objects of Desire, Daina Darzin of Cash Box considered the song to "sidle up to an almost Latin vibe and mellifluous orchestration".

[10] Elysa Gardner of the Los Angeles Times wrote, "'Caramel' has a bossa nova feel, with lilting flutes and muted trumpets adding nuance.

[13] Dave Hansen of The Daily Utah Chronicle wrote, "'Caramel' sounds like something one would hear coming from the cantina on The Love Boat with a slinky seductress on the microphone.