Apple Crisp Macchiato Recipe– Layer the flavors of Fall to make our apple crisp macchiato recipe! Apples, cinnamon, and brown sugar combine to make homemade, simple syrup and spiced apple drizzle- along with freshly brewed espresso and milk of choice, these are the building blocks of the famous Starbucks drink. Serve the drink hot or cold, and since you don’t have to wait on the Starbucks seasonal menu, enjoy this tasty Autumn beverage year-round!
As if Starbucks didn’t have the market cornered on all things Fall, they released the Apple Crisp Macchiato in 2021; apple lovers worldwide let out a collective sigh. While you can purchase the drink in-store, skip the lines to make our apple crisp macchiato recipe in the comfort of your own home.
WHAT IS THE APPLE CRISP MACCHIATO?
Preparing a macchiato involves skillfully layering ingredients. Starbucks departs every so slightly from a real macchiato which combines milk “marked” (the meaning of the word macchiato) by espresso shots because they give us all those tasty syrups and sauces that make us line up at their stores to try it out.
WHAT IS THE STARBUCKS APPLE CRISP MACCHIATO MADE OF?
If you purchase the drink in-store, this is how they make it.
- 3 pumps Apple Brown Sugar Syrup
- 1 cup steamed oat milk
- 2 shots Blonde Starbucks Espresso
- Spiced Apple Drizzle
WHAT YOU NEED TO MAKE THIS RECIPE
- Brown Sugar: Sweet the simple syrup and drizzle with brown sugar. I prefer dark brown sugar, but light brown sugar will work.
- Apple: We use peels and diced apples to make the simple syrup and apple drizzle.
- Spices: Cinnamon and nutmeg flavor the syrup and drizzle for the perfect taste of Fall.
- Lemon Juice: Compliment and draw out the natural flavor of apple using fresh lemon juice.
- Apple Cider: Hot cider creates a thick drizzle to finish the drink.
- Espresso: Macchiatos come together using espresso, but you can also use coffee or cold brew concentrate.
- Milk: Starbucks advertises using oat milk to make their drink, but use your milk of choice.
HOW TO MAKE OUR APPLE CRISP MACCHIATO RECIPE
The full recipe with measurements is in the recipe card below.
To make our apple crisp macchiato recipe we begin with begin by adding a layer of apple crisp simple syrup, followed by ice and cold milk or steamed milk. Then, finish the drink with espresso or cold brew and top it with our homemade spiced apple drizzle in the form of a lattice to make it look just like apple pie in a mug.
For the Apple Crisp Simple Syrup:
Warm water, apple peels, and cinnamon sticks in a saucepan over medium heat until hot (but not boiling).
Add brown sugar and nutmeg; stir until they dissolve.
Remove the pan from heat and allow the syrup to cool before transferring it to a glass jar.
For the Spiced Apple Drizzle:
Add diced apples to a mixing bowl and coat them with lemon juice, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Set it aside.
Boil apple cider in a saucepan and pour the mixture over the apples; stir until the sauce thickens.
Strain the sauce into an airtight container and set the apples aside. Let the spiced apple drizzle thicken and cool before using.
For the Apple Crisp Macchiato:
Begin by adding 2 tablespoons of simple syrup to a drinking glass.
Pour ice and cold milk, or steamed milk over the syrup. Then, finish the drink with espresso, coffee, or cold brew concentrate.
Garnish the beverage with our homemade spiced apple drizzle in the form of a lattice, just like apple pie in a cup.
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WHAT TO DO WITH THE LEFTOVERS
- Refrigerate – You will want to drink the macchiato right away, but store the apple crisp syrup and drizzle in two separate containers; they will keep for two weeks.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Are you supposed to stir the apple crisp macchiato?
Macchiatos are generally not stirred, but because I do what I want- I stir mine.
Is apple crisp macchiato better iced or hot?
They are the same in terms of flavor. However, I prefer iced apple crisp because I taste more of the apple flavor. Full disclosure, I am more of an iced coffee drinker overall, so that is a factor.
What does the Starbucks apple crisp macchiato taste like?
It tastes like a caramel apple in a cup or a caramel apple sucker from the nineties. What I love about the drink is that it tastes like apple, but it’s not overly sweet.
Can I buy the syrups instead of making them at home?
The Starbucks flavored syrup is expensive, so you can easily substitute other brands with similar flavors. I prefer to make our own apple crisp syrup since we usually have those ingredients on hand. If you choose to go the store-bought route, here are some options:
• Apple Brown Sugar Syrup
• Apple Syrup
Is the apple crisp macchiato sweet?
Our apple crisp macchiato contains sugar in the homemade syrup and drizzle, but somehow the drink doesn’t taste overwhelmingly sweet.
What’s the best apple to use to make the apple crisp simple syrup?
I use sweet honey crisp, but I have tried Granny Smith and Pink Lady apples with good results.
YOU SHOULD ALSO TRY:
Apple Crisp Macchiato Recipe
Equipment
- Drinking Glass or Mug
Ingredients
For the Apple Crisp Simple Syrup:
- 1 cup water
- 4 apples, peels only
- 3 cinnamon sticks
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
For the Spiced Apple Drizzle:
- 4 apples, peeled and diced
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon, ground
- 1 teaspoon nutmeg, ground
- 1 cup apple cider
For the Apple Crisp Macchiato:
- 4 tablespoons Apple Crisp Simple Syrup
- ¾ cup milk, steamed, or warmed and frothed
- 2 shots espresso, or ¼ cup cold brew concentrate
- Spiced Apple Drizzle, to garnish
Instructions
For the Apple Crisp Simple Syrup:
- Warm water, apple peels, and cinnamon sticks in a saucepan over medium heat until hot (but not boiling).
- Add brown sugar and nutmeg; stir until they dissolve.
- Remove the pan from heat and allow the syrup to cool before transferring it to a glass jar.
For the Spiced Apple Drizzle:
- Add diced apples to a mixing bowl and coat them with lemon juice, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Set it aside.
- Boil apple cider in a saucepan and pour the mixture over the apples; stir until the sauce thickens.
- Strain the sauce into an airtight container and set the apples aside. Let the spiced apple drizzle thicken and cool before using.
For the Apple Crisp Macchiato:
- Begin by adding 2 tablespoons of simple syrup to a drinking glass.
- Pour ice and cold milk or steamed milk over the syrup. Then, finish the drink with espresso, coffee, or cold brew concentrate.
- Garnish the beverage with our homemade spiced apple drizzle in the form of a lattice, just like apple pie in a cup.
Notes
- The nutritional information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for professional advice.