A macchiato can have a slight sweetness, but it's not inherently a sweet drink.
The perceived sweetness in a macchiato largely depends on the type of macchiato and how it's prepared. Here's a breakdown:
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Espresso Macchiato (or Caffè Macchiato): This is simply espresso "marked" with a small amount of foamed milk. The milk adds a touch of creaminess and potentially a hint of sweetness, but the strong espresso flavor dominates. Many would consider this not sweet at all. The coffee will have a slight sweetness. However, the combination of sweetness and creaminess of the milk isn't enough to dilute the strength of the espresso, so some may argue that a macchiato can taste slightly bitter.
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Latte Macchiato: This is milk "marked" with espresso, often with a flavored syrup. These are generally much sweeter due to the larger volume of milk and the added syrup. They are quite different from espresso macchiatos.
Therefore, whether a macchiato is sweet depends entirely on which version you're talking about and whether or not any sweeteners have been added. An espresso macchiato will be less sweet (or not sweet at all), while a latte macchiato is far more likely to be sweet.
