Starbucks Apple Crisp Macchiato is a delicious and creamy espresso coffee drink with apple, brown sugar, and cinnamon flavors. As the weather turns chilly, there’s nothing quite like this hot beverage to warm your bones with a perfect kick of caffeine. This autumn coffee-based drink combines the tartness of apples with the sweetness of brown sugar, making it a treat that might give the seasonal favorite, the Pumpkin Spice Latte, a run for its money. You will love how the spiced apple drizzle tastes!
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What makes the Starbucks Apple Macchiato unique?
The magic happens with the unique apple juice syrup that captures all the essence of fall. Unlike store-bought syrups, this homemade version slowly simmers fresh apples with warm spices, allowing all the flavors to meld together beautifully. The combination of tart apple notes with rich brown sugar creates layers of complexity that make each sip memorable. While this isn’t a traditional Italian macchiato, it follows more of a latte structure with the signature Starbucks twist.
Starbucks Apple Crisp Macchiato ingredients
For the Apple Cinnamon Syrup:
- Apple juice – Provides the foundational apple flavor base for the syrup
- Brown sugar – Adds deep, molasses-like sweetness that complements apple flavors
- Cinnamon sticks – Infuses warm, aromatic spice notes throughout the syrup
- Ground nutmeg – Contributes subtle warmth and complexity to the spice blend
- Apple, chopped – Intensifies the fresh apple taste and adds natural sweetness
- Lemon juice – Brightens flavors and prevents apple oxidation during cooking
- Salt – Enhances all other flavors and balances the sweetness
For the Brown Sugar Simple Syrup:
- Water – Creates the liquid base for dissolving brown sugar
- Brown sugar – Provides rich sweetness with molasses undertones
For the Macchiato Assembly:
- 2% milk or milk of choice – Creates the creamy base when steamed and frothed
- Espresso or strong brewed coffee – Forms the caffeinated foundation with bold flavor
How to Make this Starbucks Copycat Recipe
This recipe consists of three components. You’ll need to make an apple syrup, a brown sugar syrup, and then the macchiato. Here are the recipe steps:
Apple Cinnamon Syrup
- In a small saucepan or skillet, combine apple juice, brown sugar, cinnamon sticks, nutmeg, lemon juice, chopped apple, and salt.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer on low for about 20 minutes.
- Remove from the heat and allow the syrup to cool to room temperature.
- Strain and pour the syrup into a glass container. Refrigerate.
Brown Sugar Simple Syrup
- Heat water in the microwave for 30 seconds.
- Add brown sugar and stir.
- Pour the brown sugar syrup into a glass container. Refrigerate
Apple Crisp Macchiato Assembly
- Place brown sugar syrup in a mug.
- Heat milk and froth it with a milk frother.
- Pour the frothed milk into the mug.
- Spoon the froth over the milk.
- Pour espresso over the milk. Do not stir.
- Drizzle the apple crisp syrup on top.
Variations and substitutions for this Starbucks Apple Crisp Macchiato recipe
Don’t skip this recipe just because you don’t own an espresso maker! Instant espresso powder, Italian-style Moka coffee, or even extra-strong drip coffee are all good alternatives.
For those who don’t want to drink cow’s milk, use your favorite non-dairy milk substitute. Oat milk is delicious in this drink. Get the Apple Crisp Oatmilk Macchiato recipe.
You can use apple cider for a more intense apple flavor.
Milk Frothing Methods Without Equipment
French Press Method:
Pour warm milk into a large French press. Keep the pot steady with one hand while pulling the plunger up and pressing down slowly, keeping the filter submerged. Takes only seconds to create medium-bubble froth.
Whisk Method:
Heat the milk in a small saucepan over medium-low heat, whisking vigorously for 3-5 minutes. Observe to prevent simmering and splattering.
Jar Method:
Pour warm milk into a jar with a tight-fitting lid. Shake vigorously until bubbles appear. Creates large, short-lived foam but doesn’t affect flavor.
Storage & Reheating Instructions
- Refrigerator Storage: Store apple cinnamon syrup and brown sugar syrup in separate covered containers for up to 1 week. Shake before use, as separation is normal.
- Reheating Method: Bring assembled macchiato to room temperature before gently reheating in the microwave for 30-45 seconds. Do not boil.
- Freezing: Syrups can be frozen in ice cube trays for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before use.
Love Starbucks drinks? Try these copycat recipes!
- Brown Sugar Oat Milk Shaken Espresso
- Iced Apple Crisp Macchiato
- Cafe Mocha
- Caramel Macchiato
- Flat White Coffee
- London Fog Tea Latte
- Peppermint Mocha
- Pumpkin Spice Latte
- Sweet Cream Cold Brew
- White Chocolate Mocha
Favorite apple drinks
Check out more of my easy drink recipes and the best Starbucks drink recipes here on CopyKat!
Starbucks Apple Crisp Macchiato Easy Copycat Recipe
Ingredients
Apple Crisp Syrup
- 1 cup apple juice
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 3 cinnamon sticks
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- ¼ cup chopped apple
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Brown Sugar Simple Syrup
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- ½ cup water
Apple Crisp Macchiato
- ½ ounce brown sugar syrup
- ½ to 1 ounce apple crisp syrup
- 1 cup 2% milk or other milk of your choice
- 2 ounces espresso (2 shots) or strong brewed coffee
Instructions
Apple Crisp Syrup
- In a small pot, combine apple juice, brown sugar, cinnamon sticks, nutmeg, lemon juice, chopped apple, and salt.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer on low for about 20 minutes.
- Remove from the heat and allow syrup to cool to room temperature.
- Strain and pour the syrup into a glass container. Refrigerate. This will make about 8 to 10 servings.
Brown Sugar Simple Syrup
- Heat the water in the microwave for about 30 seconds.
- Add brown sugar and stir.
- Pour the brown sugar syrup into a glass container.
- Store in the refrigerator. This will make about 16 servings.
Apple Crisp Macchiato Assembly
- Place the brown sugar syrup into the bottom of a mug.
- Heat milk and froth it with a milk frother.
- Pour the frothed milk into the mug.
- Spoon froth over the milk.
- Pour two shots of espresso over the milk. Do not stir.
- Drizzle the apple crisp syrup over the foam in a crosshatch pattern.
I love Starbucks Apple Crisp Macchiato! It’s my favorite drink!