Tired of Pumpkin Spice? Try an Apple Crisp Oat Milk Macchiato
You can make this tasty new Starbucks drink at home.
The Pumpkin Spice Latte has been a seasonal Starbucks favorite for almost 20 years. It seems like every autumn, the sweet and spicy flavor palette works its way into more and more of the coffee chain’s products, from pumpkin spice pastries to Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew. But what if you’re simply not in the mood for pumpkin spice, or want to save the pumpkin flavor for a Thanksgiving dessert next month? Have no fear, for there’s a delicious new fall drink in town: the Apple Crisp Oat Milk Macchiato. And the best part is, you can make it at home.
What is the Apple Crisp Oat Milk Macchiato?
The macchiato debuted at Starbucks this season, and is a variation on a drink first introduced last year. While I’ll admit the phrase “Apple Crisp Oat Milk Macchiato” doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue like “Pumpkin Spice Latte” does, this drink is definitely worth trying, especially if you’re tired of pumpkin spice supremacy. The macchiato is the coffee chain’s first fall sip that’s non-dairy by default, and Starbucks describes it as “layered flavors of apple, cinnamon, oats, and brown sugar combined in harmony with espresso, creamy oat milk, and spiced apple drizzle.” It’s a bit like a hybrid of coffee and apple cider, with a touch of extra sweetness thanks to the cinnamon and brown sugar. But somehow, I felt it tasted less cloying than your standard Pumpkin Spice Latte — but perhaps I’m merely sick of the pumpkin-flavored syrup and longing for a new flavor.
While a Pumpkin Spice Latte has 390 calories in a medium (or grande) size cup, the Apple Crisp Oat Milk Macchiato has 320 — so this new drink is less caloric, plus the fact that it’s made with oat milk is a nice perk for those of us who are trying to go dairy-free. Dairy alternatives have become increasingly popular lately, whether they’re being used for lactose intolerance, weight loss, or the potential improvement of skin or gut health. Just like the Pumpkin Spice Latte before it, the Apple Crisp Oat Milk Macchiato is available hot or iced, and both versions pair well with a baked good like a muffin or loaf.
A review of the drink from EliteDaily.com calls it “perfectly sweet and a little bit tart.” Insider.com says it’s better than the classic Pumpkin Spice Latte, concluding that it’s “so much more balanced” than that other fall favorite. Another review, from Brit.co, claims it “tastes like autumn feels.”
Can I make this Starbucks drink at home?
Good news: It’s not hard to replicate this apple crisp coffee beverage in your kitchen. Making your own syrup from real apples is definitely the healthier option, since it doesn’t contain the processed corn syrup found in flavored Starbucks drinks (including the macchiato). This TikTok video walks you through how to make an Apple Crisp Oat Milk Macchiato of your very own.
Ingredients:
- ½ cup light brown sugar
- ½ cup white sugar
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 1 teaspoon ginger (optional)
- 3 crushed cardamom pods (optional)
- 1 cup water
- 1 large apple
- Oat milk, to taste
- 1 to 2 shots espresso
- Powdered cinnamon, to taste
Instructions:
- Put light brown sugar, white sugar, cinnamon sticks, ginger and cardamom pods (if using), and water in small sauce pan on high heat, giving them time to incorporate before adding apple.
- Once syrup is warm, add cut-up apple and bring to boil. Reduce to medium heat and let stew. This may take a while, so be patient. Wait for apple pieces to take on mushy texture.
- Once syrup is ready, strain it into a cup or jar. Let it cool.
- Add syrup to taste, fill cup halfway with oat milk, and add ice and espresso. Top with a dusting of cinnamon.
If oat milk’s not your thing, the drink will taste just as good with whole milk, half-and-half, or any other milk product you like.
Whether you buy this Apple Crisp Macchiato from your local Starbucks or decide to try making it yourself this year, it’s sure to get you into a cozy (and caffeinated) fall mood.
