Starbucks Apple Crisp Macchiato

Starbucks Apple Crisp Macchiato is a delicious and creamy espresso drink with apple, brown sugar, and cinnamon flavors. Homemade apple cinnamon syrup and brown sugar syrup are what make this coffee drink extraordinary.

homemade Starbucks apple crisp macchiato.


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Starbucks Fall Drinks

As the weather turns chilly, there’s nothing quite like a hot beverage to warm your bones. And when you add a kick of caffeine, like in this Starbucks Apple Crisp Macchiato, well, so much the better!

This perfect autumn coffee-based drink combines the tartness of apples with the sweetness of brown sugar for a treat that might give the seasonal favorite, Pumpkin Spice Latte, a good run for its money!

Why not decide for yourself and whip up a few of these Apple Crisp Macchiatos to see which you prefer?

What Makes the Starbucks Apple Macchiato Unique?

When you notice the first few red and orange leaves starting to appear on the trees, you know it won’t be long before the tables at your local farmers’ market are heavy with freshly picked apples and fresh-pressed apple juice. This coffee drink captures all the magic of the season with its one-of-kind apple juice syrup.

Making the apple brown sugar syrup Starbucks uses in this drink isn’t difficult, but it does take time.

Once the mixture comes to a boil, make sure to turn the heat down until it’s barely simmering, and don’t forget to stir often to keep it from burning. Let it cool entirely off the heat before straining to allow all the spices to release their flavors into the syrup.

Don’t be confused when you hear the term macchiato used to describe this beverage. That’s just what the folks at Starbucks call it. While an authentic macchiato has less milk, with only a teaspoon or two of foam to ‘mark’ the espresso, this version has a lot more.

Think of this drink like a latte to get the proportions correct, and everything will turn out fine.

Starbucks Apple Crisp Macchiato Ingredients

Here’s a list of what you need:

  • Apple juice 
  • Brown sugar 
  • Cinnamon sticks 
  • Ground nutmeg 
  • Apple 
  • Lemon juice 
  • Salt
  • Water 
  • 2% milk, or other milk of your choice 
  • Espresso or strong brewed coffee 
Starbucks apple crisp macchiato ingredients.

How to Make Starbucks Apple Crisp Macchiato

There are three components to this recipe. You’ll need to make an apple syrup, brown sugar syrup, and then the macchiato. Here are the recipe steps:

Apple Cinnamon Syrup

  1. In a small saucepan or skillet, combine apple juice, brown sugar, cinnamon sticks, nutmeg, lemon juice, chopped apple, and salt.
apple cinnamon syrup ingredients in a pan.
  1. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer on low for about 20 minutes.
apple cinnamon syrup cooking in a pan.
  1. Remove from the heat and allow syrup to cool to room temperature.
  2. Strain and pour the syrup into a glass container. Refrigerate.
apple cinnamon syrup in a glass jar.

Brown Sugar Simple Syrup

  1. Heat water in the microwave for 30 seconds.
  2. Add brown sugar and stir.
  3. Pour the brown sugar syrup into a glass container. Refrigerate
brown sugar simple syrup in a glass jar.

Apple Crisp Macchiato Assembly

  1. Place brown sugar syrup in a mug. 
  2. Heat milk and froth it with a milk frother.
  3. Pour the frothed milk into the mug.
pouring frothed milk into a mug.
  1. Spoon froth over the milk. 
spooning milk froth on top of a macchiato.
  1. Pour espresso over the milk. Do not stir. 
pouring espresso into frothed milk in a mug.
  1. Drizzle the apple crisp syrup on top.
drizzling apple cinnamon syrup on a macchiato.

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.

homemade Starbucks apple crisp macchiato, apples, and cinnamon sticks.

Three Different Methods for Frothing Milk Without a Milk Frother

Milk frothers are inexpensive, and they do an excellent job at frothing milk for those without an espresso machine, but there are other ways to prepare the milk with mixed results:

The French Press Pot Method

Pour warm milk into a four-cup or larger French press pot coffee maker. Place the French press pot on the counter and use one hand to keep the French press pot steady.

Pull the plunger up and press down slowly, keeping the metal filter portion submerged in the milk. Repeat until bubbles begin to form in the milk.

It only takes a few seconds to create a decent quality froth with medium bubbles.

The Whisk Method

If you have the time and the upper body strength, whisking is a good way to create a froth for the Starbucks Apple Macchiato.

Since it can take anywhere from 3 to 5 minutes, try whisking while warming the milk in a small saucepan on the stove over medium-low heat.

Use a small hand whisk to stir vigorously, but make sure never to allow the milk to come to a simmer and watch out for splattering the milk.

The Jar Method

Although the jar method produces rather large and short-lived foam, it is by far the easiest solution for folks who don’t have a dedicated frother.

Just pour warm milk into a jar (or any large container) with a well-fitting and waterproof lid. Cover and shake until bubbles start to appear.

The Jar Method won’t make your drink pretty, but it won’t affect its flavor.

Can you store this macchiato for later?

While you should try to drink a Starbucks Apple Crisp Macchiato as soon as possible, you certainly can keep the two syrups in the fridge.

Just store the Starbucks apple cinnamon syrup and the brown sugar syrup in separate covered containers and use them up within a week.

overhead view of a homemade Starbucks apple crisp macchiato.

Love Starbucks drinks? Try these copycat recipes!

Favorite Apple Drinks

Check out more of my easy drink recipes and the best Starbucks drink recipes here on CopyKat!

homemade Starbucks apple crisp macchiato.

Starbucks Apple Crisp Macchiato

You can make Starbucks Apple Crisp Macchiato at home with this easy copycat recipe.
5 from 6 votes
Print Pin Rate Add to Collection
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Apple Crisp Macchiato, Starbucks Recipes
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 1
Calories: 311kcal

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.

Nutrition

Calories: 311kcal | Carbohydrates: 60g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 19mg | Sodium: 192mg | Potassium: 667mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 46g | Vitamin A: 256IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 317mg | Iron: 1mg

About Stephanie Manley

I recreate your favorite restaurant recipes, so you can prepare these dishes at home. I help you cook dinner, and serve up dishes you know your family will love. You can find most of the ingredients for all of the recipes in your local grocery store.

Stephanie is the author of CopyKat.com's Dining Out in the Home, and CopyKat.com's Dining Out in the Home 2.

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