Apple Crisp Macchiato (Starbucks Copycat Recipe)

Last Updated on February 17, 2023 by brewthatcoffee

The start of fall ushers in cooler breezes, apple pies, and caramel taffies. Starbucks has done it again, capturing nostalgic autumn memories in one cup.

Their new release – the Apple Crisp Macchiato – boasts layers of brown sugar, cinnamon, and apple flavors reminiscent of homemade gooey apple pie filling. Our homemade recipe? Well, it’s just as good!

The Apple Crisp Macchiato is made with a caramelized-spiced apple syrup base, oat milk, and a double shot of Blonde espresso. The apple crisp macchiato syrup is made from cooked apple pieces, concentrated apple juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a hint of lemon juice and salt.

Launched in 2021, the Starbucks Apple Crisp Macchiato has returned with several tweaks. It now contains creamy oat milk and the light blonde espresso roast. If you can’t wait till fall, we’ve got you covered. Here’s how to make the famous Apple Crisp Macchiato at home with our straightforward copycat recipe.

What Is The Starbucks Apple Crisp Macchiato?

Starbucks Apple Crisp Macchiato is a sweet, tasty seasonal beverage made with an espresso shot poured over steamed milk and a caramelized-spiced apple syrup base. It contains layers of complex flavors like apples, brown sugar, oats, and cinnamon.

The drink is finished with the same caramelized-spiced apple drizzle. This Apple Crisp Macchiato is available hot, iced, or blended into a Frappuccino form.

What It Tastes Like

The Apple Crisp Macchiato is the perfect autumn beverage when wanting a break from the iconic pumpkin spice latte flavors. The brilliant idea came from the idea of pairing a slice of warm apple pie and a classic cup of coffee.

We were initially worried that the apple flavor would be too sweet and overdone or resemble fake green apple flavoring. However, we were pleasantly surprised by how well-rounded the drink was.

A super-sweet, fruity drink differs from the idea Starbucks is trying to achieve. Instead, the apple flavors are subtle and delicate, masking behind the cinnamon and light caramel flavors.

Starbucks’ research and development team created delicious spicy baked apple flavors that bridge autumn red apples with espresso. The sweet apple and brown sugar flavors are tamed by the bitterness and acidity of the espresso shot and the spiciness of the cinnamon and nutmeg.

Then, while a macchiato and latte are both a mixture of espresso and steamed milk, the latte is finished with foam. Expect your macchiato-inspired drink to have a more intense espresso-forward taste than what you may be used to in a latte.

Whether You Should Order It Hot or Iced

The autumn beverage is available hot, iced, or as a Frappuccino – we preferred the hot version.

Although the iced version is downright delicious, the spiced apple syrup melts into the hot Apple Crisp Macchiato. It adds a richer, more intense apple flavor and warm cinnamon notes. It may be due to the autumn holidays that we associate with cozy fires and warm beverages.

You’ll savor every last sip of the warm, comforting Apple Crisp Macchiato.

The New Starbucks Version Of This Drink (Oat Milk And Blonde Espresso)

After debuting in 2021, Starbucks updated its Apple Crisp Macchiato. The standard recipe is made with oat milk and Starbucks’ Blonde Espresso.

Starbucks’ Blonde Espresso gives the Apple Crisp Macchiato a soft, smooth foundation that helps tie all the flavors together.

For those wondering, a blonde espresso is used to describe espressos made from lightly roasted beans. This creates a lighter-colored espresso with less bold, sweeter, more acidic notes.

The oat milk adds an extra creamy texture and allows the oat flavors of traditional apple crisp topping to shine. However, you can still order the drink with any milk of your choosing.

The Apple Crisp Macchiato is Starbucks’ first non-dairy and vegan-friendly fall beverage.

What We Think of It

We love the updated version of the Apple Crisp Macchiato.

Oat milk is one of the best coffee creamers. Its flavor surprisingly mimics full cream cow’s milk, but it’s smoother, richer, and sweeter.

The oat-like aftertaste and sweetness compliment the Apple Crisp Macchiato – hot or cold. It makes the drink taste even closer to a slice of freshly baked apple crisp.

And the vibrant, fruity flavors of the blonde espresso complement the baked apple and cinnamon flavors better than a richer, dark roast coffee.

Making The Apple Crisp Macchiato Syrup

The apple crisp macchiato syrup is the make-or-break ingredient in the Apple Crisp Macchiato.

It is a simple syrup made with concentrated apple juice and dark brown sugar and then infused with apples or apple puree, cinnamon sticks, nutmeg, and a hint of lemon.

Starbucks doesn’t specify the apple variety they use, but we recommend using a sweet apple like Honeycrisp, Gala, or Fuji.

Ingredients

• 1 cup concentrated apple juice
• ½ cup dark brown sugar
• ¼ cup chopped apple
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice

Instructions

To make the syrup:

1. In a small saucepan, combine the apple juice, dark brown sugar, chopped apple, cinnamon sticks, ground nutmeg, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt.
2. Bring the syrup to a boil, lower the heat, and leave it to simmer on low for 15 to 20 minutes until the syrup thickens and the apples soften.
3. Remove the saucepan and allow the syrup to cool to room temperature.
4. Strain and pour the syrup into a mason jar. Press down on the apples with a spatula to extract as much juice as possible.
5. Refrigerate.

The apple crisp macchiato syrup will keep fresh for approximately a month in your fridge if stored properly.

Iced Apple Crisp Oat Milk Macchiato Recipe

Equipment

• Espresso machine or moka pot

Ingredients

• 2 Tablespoons apple crisp macchiato syrup to taste
• 1 cup oat milk
• 2 shots espresso, cooled
• Ice
• Ground cinnamon and nutmeg for topping if desired

Instructions

1. Prepare two shots espresso and leave to cool.
2. Pour the apple crisp macchiato syrup into a glass.
3. Pour oat milk over the syrup.
4. Add a generous amount of ice to your glass.
5. Gradually pour the cooled espresso over the ice.
6. Drizzle the top extra syrup and garnish the drink with a sprinkle of cinnamon and nutmeg.

Hot Apple Crisp Oat Milk Macchiato Recipe

Equipment

• Espresso machine
• Milk frother
• Digital thermometer

Ingredients

• 2 Tablespoons apple crisp macchiato syrup to taste
• 1 cup oat milk
• 2 shots espresso
• Ground cinnamon and nutmeg for topping if desired

Instructions

1. Prepare two shots espresso.
2. Heat oat milk in a small saucepan until it reaches 131 to 141⁰F.
3. Pour the apple crisp macchiato sugar syrup into your cup.
4. Pour ¾ cup of the steamed oat milk over the syrup.
5. Add two shots espresso.
6. Froth the remaining ¼ cup of steamed milk and pour on top.
7. Garnish the drink with a drizzle of apple crisp macchiato syrup and a dash of cinnamon and nutmeg.

Ways To Froth Milk Without A Milk Frother

You can still skip those Starbucks runs even if you don’t have a frother. Here are our top methods to froth milk.

Immersion Blender (Hand-Held Wand)

Here’s how to froth milk with an immersion blender:

• Warm the milk on the stove or in the microwave – it only needs to be warm, not boiling hot.
• Pour the milk into a glass just wide enough to fit the immersion blender; only fill it halfway. Place the hand wand in the milk, and blend on low for about 60 seconds or until frothy.

French Press

Yup, you can even froth milk using a French press. Here’s how:

• Warm your milk on the stove or in the microwave.  
• Allow the milk to rest for one minute before pouring it into the French press.
• Place the lid on the press, and swiftly move the plunger up and down for about 15 seconds or until frothy.

Electric Mixer

Last, an electric mixer also does the job when making frothy milk.

• Warm your milk on the stove or in the microwave.  
• Pour it into a wide, heatproof bowl.
• Immerse the mixer in the bowl and switch it on.
• Mix the milk until it turns into a thick texture with a foamy layer on top.

Apple Crisp Macchiato FAQs

Conclusion

Skip the long line at Starbucks this fall and whip up a homemade copycat version of their Apple Crisp Macchiato.

This coffee beverage features sweet apple syrup and spicy cinnamon and nutmeg notes. It is the perfect way to enjoy the nostalgia of autumn memories.