Our copycat recipe for Starbucks apple crisp syrup delivers all the delicious fall flavors of apples and cinnamon straight to your kitchen! This homemade apple brown sugar syrup perfectly captures the cozy, delicious warmth of the original recipe. Add it to your fall menu today to enjoy delicious autumn-tinged drinks and desserts whenever you want!
My introduction to apple crisp syrup came when I recently tried Starbucks Iced Apple Crisp Nondairy Cream Chai. Now, if you haven’t tried this offering, I highly recommend it. I was instantly in love with the flavor of this drink — the warming spices of chai combined with creamy oat milk, cold foam, and a drizzle of this wonderful apple flavor — I instantly knew I needed to try making this syrup at home so I could add it to own my homemade tea and coffee drinks. I tested a few different versions of this syrup before settling on the one you’ve found here. I’m happy with it and I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. Happy drinking!
~Kristen
Why You’ll Love This Delicious Syrup Recipe
- One of the easiest homemade syrups to whip up. Just boil the ingredients together in a medium saucepan, strain, and cool. It’s that simple!
- It tastes exactly like the one Starbucks uses to make its fall drinks, so you can enjoy homemade versions of them any time you want without having to walk into the store.
- It’s free of chemicals, artificial ingredients, and preservatives. Since you’re making it at home, you know exactly what goes into your syrup.
- You can customize the flavor to better suit your preference. Just taste and adjust as you make it!
- The ingredients are budget-friendly.
- There are so many ways to use this apple brown sugar syrup! Try any of our suggestions below for delicious ways to add the taste of fall to various drinks and dishes.
The Original
Starbucks’ apple crisp syrup offers a delightful mixture of apples, cinnamon, brown sugar, and warm spices, making it an instant favorite addition to fall drinks. It’s most famously used for their hot or iced Apple Crisp Macchiato, where the flavorful syrup is paired with a shot of espresso and steamed milk.
Of course, this spiced apple drizzle is too perfect to use only for an apple crisp macchiato recipe. That’s why it eventually made its way into SB’s cold brew and tea offerings alongside other seasonal Starbucks beverages that could use a touch of both sweetness and spice in every sip!
Ingredient Notes
- Apple Cider: Provides authentic, fruity apple flavors with a slightly tangy undertone to the copycat Starbucks apple crisp syrup.
- If you don’t have apple cider, you can use apple juice. Just make sure you’re not using apple cider vinegar!
- Brown Sugar: Adds a caramel-like sweetness to the liquid syrup.
- You can also use coconut sugar for this recipe if you prefer.
- Vanilla Extract: Enhances the syrup’s overall flavor profile while helping balance the flavors of apple and spices.
- Sliced Sweet Red Apple: Adds a natural, sweet apple taste that only intensifies as it cooks in the syrup.
- Ground Cinnamon: Lends the warmth and spice making the syrup perfect to use for making various autumn-inspired drinks and dishes.
How to Make Apple Crisp Syrup
- In a small pot over high heat, combine the apple cider, sugar, vanilla, apple slices, and cinnamon.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 15 minutes.
- Once done, turn off the heat and strain the syrup, reserving the apples for another use if you like.
- Let the syrup cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
- Enjoy!
Expert Tips
Don’t toss the apple slices you have left over from straining the syrup! These syrup-soaked apple slices are a delicious addition to oatmeal, ice cream, pancakes — you name it!
This delicious syrup makes the perfect addition to an at home coffee bar.
Ways to Enjoy Apple Syrup
- Drizzled into your favorite hot coffee or tea.
- Used to sweeten various homemade lattes and other espresso-based drinks.
- Lend fall flavors to different Starbucks copycat recipes.
- Poured generously on top of zucchini bread pancakes, waffles, or French toast.
- Mixed into oatmeal or chia pudding.
- Drizzled over cold treats like my banana tahini kefir ice cream.
Storage
Allow the syrup to cool completely before storing. You can store this Starbucks apple crisp syrup in an airtight container or mason jar with a lid in the fridge. It should last for about 1 to 2 weeks.
You can also freeze the syrup by pouring it into ice-cube trays or freezer-safe containers, which you can add to your iced coffee or other cold drinks. If you’re using it to flavor warm drinks, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight, shake it up, pour it, then serve.
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Starbucks Apple Crisp Syrup
Ingredients
- 1 cup apple cider if you don't have apple cider, use apple juice
- 1 cup brown sugar or coconut sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 sweet red apple sliced, I like to use Honeycrisp
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- In a small pot over high heat, add the apple cider, sugar, vanilla, apple slices, and cinnamon.
- Bring to a boil and then reduce the heat to a simmer.
- Simmer for 15 minutes then turn off the heat.
- Strain the syrup (save the strained apples to enjoy in another dish!), then allow it to cool before storing it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
- Enjoy!
