Excited to try Starbucks' fall drink, the apple crisp oatmilk macchiato? This easy recipe will help you recreate this amazing autumn beverage at home. This homemade one will taste even better than Starbucks'!
If you love Starbucks' fall drinks, you'll definitely want to try our copycat recipes for pumpkin spice latte and pumpkin cream cold brew.
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Why This Recipe Works
Why is this apple crisp oatmilk macchiato recipe the best? Let me explain why it tastes the most like Starbucks' popular fall coffee drink.
- Apple Crisp Syrup: This homemade syrup is quick to make, and is heavy on the fall spices and flavors that Starbucks' syrup has. It tastes just like theirs!
- Brown Sugar Syrup: This simple syrup is made from water and dark brown sugar and is what sweetens the drink.
- Oatmilk: In 2022, Starbucks changed the recipe to use oatmilk barista blend instead of dairy milk, making this macchiato their first 100% vegan drink. This milk is creamy and its nuttiness balances well with the sweet, spicy flavors from the syrups.
- Coffee: We use the same roast of coffee that Starbucks uses: their Blonde Espresso roast. If you can't find this type of coffee, use any medium-light roast coffee to make your espresso/coffee.
Ingredients
What's in an apple crisp oatmilk macchiato? Let's explore what goes into this delicious fall beverage!
- Apple Crisp Syrup: This is the key ingredient in this fall-flavored macchiato! It's basically a simple syrup made with dark brown sugar and concentrated apple juice, and then infused with a puree of apples, cinnamon, and nutmeg. A tiny hint of lemon is added, too.
- Brown Sugar Syrup: This is a simple combination of equal amounts of dark brown sugar and water.
- Milk: For the 2022 vegan version, Starbucks use Oatly barista blend oatmilk, but if you can't find that substitute with Califia Farms Oatmilk Barista Blend. What's important is that you have a barista blend. For the 2021 original version, Starbucks used USDA Organic 2% milk (T.G. Lee in the South). If you don't need this vegan or dairy free, it also tastes amazing made with whole milk.
- Coffee: Use espresso or moka pot coffee for this oatmilk macchiato. Starbucks uses its Blonde Roast beans.
How to Make
- Start by making the syrup. Dissolve the dark brown sugar in the juice.
- Add the remaining ingredients and simmer on low heat for 15 minutes, then remove the cinnamon sticks.
3. Pour 1 fl oz (2 tablespoons) of the brown sugar simple syrup into a tall 16-ounce glass.
4. Add ¾ cup of steamed oat milk barista blend.
5. Add 2 shots of espresso. (Since we're using moka pot coffee and not "real" espresso, we used the traditional definition of a shot equaling 2 tablespoons [1 fl oz], but Starbucks' shots are only 0.75 fl oz.)
6. Foam ¼ cup of steamed oat milk barista blend with a milk frother or steam wand, then pour on top. Garnish the macchiato with a crosshatched pattern of syrup. Enjoy!
Recipe FAQs
This coffee drink is packed with fall spices, a subtle apple flavor, and a rich depth from the blonde espresso and nutty oatmilk. Making the syrups at home and using freshly brewed coffee will make this drink even more amazing.
Yes, it does contain some sugar from the two different syrups, but it doesn't taste overly sweet--especially if you stir it before drinking. The nutty oatmilk, blonde espresso, and fall spices help balance out the sweetness from the syrups.
Starbucks' apple crisp macchiato is made from two shots of blonde espresso, steamed oatmilk barista blend, and brown sugar simple syrup, and is topped with foamed oatmilk and a drizzle of the syrup. It's available hot, iced, or as a frappuccino.
Yes, this macchiato was originally released by Starbucks on August 24, 2021, as a new addition to their fall lineup. But with our recipe, you can easily make it any time at home.
Serve
Once you've made the macchiato, make sure to serve it right away, as the foamed oatmilk will start to deflate quickly.
Looking for a sweet treat to enjoy with your coffee? You'll love one of these!
- Panera Pumpkin Muffins
- Vegan Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls
- Cranberry Apple Galette
- Vegan Pumpkin Scones
- Pumpkin Pie Bars
Store
Make Ahead: Make a double or triple batch of the syrups and store them in large bottles with a syrup pump on top. At Starbucks, one pump of syrup is equal to 1 fl oz (2 tablespoons). Be sure to refrigerate the syrups.
Variations
Iced Version: Start with the brown sugar syrup, then add 1 cup of cold oatmilk barista blend instead of steamed milk. Add the ice and coffee, then drizzle with the apple crisp syrup. Skip the foam.
Frappuccino: Pour the ingredients into a blender along with ½-1 cup of ice and ⅛-1/4 teaspoon of xanthan gum, then blend until smooth. Garnish with whipped cream and a drizzle of syrup. (Note: Starbucks uses Starbucks VIA Instant Italian Roast [affiliate] in frapps.)
Expert Tips
- Cool syrups before using. They will thicken as they cool, and you'll get a better drizzle on top with cold syrup.
- Espresso Shot Size: Starbucks doesn't use the traditional 1 fl oz shot; they use a 0.75 fl oz shot to save money. Since we're using moka pot coffee instead of real espresso, we used the traditional shot size.
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Recipe
Apple Crisp Oatmilk Macchiato
Ingredients
For the Apple-flavored Syrup
- ½ cup concentrated apple juice, thawed
- ½ cup dark brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon unsweetened applesauce
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon concentrated lemonade, thawed
For the Brown Sugar Simple Syrup
- ½ cup dark brown sugar
- ½ cup filtered water
For the Macchiato
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar simple syrup
- 1 cup oatmilk barista blend (Oatly or Califia Farms)
- 2 shots blonde espresso, or moka pot coffee
- 1-2 tablespoons apple crisp syrup, to taste
Instructions
- Dissolve the sugar into the juice in a saucepan set over medium-high heat. Lower the heat to medium and stir in the remaining ingredients. Simmer for 15 minutes on low heat, then remove the cinnamon sticks and set aside. Makes ¾ cup (6 fl oz).
- Dissolve the sugar into the water and bring to a simmer over medium heat, then set aside. Makes ¾ cup (6 fl oz).
- Prepare two shots (2 fl oz; 60 ml) of espresso using your preferred method. If you do not own an espresso machine, use a moka pot instead.
- Heat the milk in a small saucepan over medium heat until it reaches 131-143°F.
- Enjoy the macchiato right away. For the best experience, do not stir before drinking.
Notes
- Cool syrups before using. They will thicken as they cool.
- Frappuccino: Pour the ingredients into a blender along with ½-1 cup of ice and ⅛-1/4 teaspoon of xanthan gum, then blend until smooth. Garnish with whipped cream and a drizzle of apple crisp syrup. (Note: Starbucks uses Starbucks VIA Instant Italian Roast [affiliate] in frapps.)
- Iced Version: Use 1 cup of cold milk instead of steamed milk and skip the foam, then pour the drink over ice.
- Espresso Shot Size: Starbucks doesn't use the traditional 1 fl oz shot; they use a 0.75 fl oz shot to save money. Since we're using moka pot coffee instead of real espresso, we used the traditional shot size.
- Don't make this with regular oatmilk, as it won't taste the same, and you'll have to increase the syrup. Use a barista blend like the ones made from Oatly or Calfia Farms.
Nutrition
Serving sizes and nutritional information are only an estimate and may vary from your results.
Our Apple Crisp Macchiato recipe post was originally published on August 25, 2021, and was republished on November 20, 2021 and September 2022 with reformatted content and updated FAQs.
Amanda
Yum! Thank you!
I was wondering, you wouldn't happen to be planning to make a copycat recipe of the actual Spiced Apple Drizzle that goes on top at Starbucks, would you? I love the whole drink, but this is definitely the favorite part of the drink for me
Emma
I'm so glad that you enjoyed it, Amanda! The spiced apple syrup recipe is already part of the caramel apple macchiato recipe. I would only make it into a separate post/recipe card if there was enough demand for it. Thanks for your kind review!
Amanda Hotaling
I don't know how I missed that! Thank you so much!
Emma
No problem, Amanda! You're welcome.
Kathy
Taste like an apple pie
Emma
Thank you, Kathy! I'm glad that you enjoyed this!
Marcos
This didn't taste like the real thing at all..
Emma
I'm sorry you didn't find it tasted similar, Marcos--I tried to make it match the one from my local Starbucks as close as I could. Did you make the apple crisp syrup according to the recipe? Did you substitute anything? There's lots of subtle factors (like the flavor and quality of the coffee, measurement accuracy, etc.) that can greatly affect the flavor.
Alex
The coffee has an excellent, deep nutty flavor and complements the rich apple and spice syrup. The sweet apple and coffee flavors are a wonderful combination.
Emma
Thanks for your kind comment, Alex!
Beth
This is a cinnamon apple coffee delight. The Starbucks one tastes slightly artificial, but overall, they are very similar. This apple crisp macchiato smells like fall, with the scent of coffee and the syrups blending together. The foam and cinnamon taste great, and the coffee is smooth and yummy.
Emma
I'm glad you enjoyed it, Beth!