Quick & Easy Starbucks Caramel Apple Spice Recipe

Starbucks Caramel Apple Spice Drink

This Starbucks Caramel Apple Spice recipe is just one of those hot drinks that feels like Autumn in a cup.

To me, the aroma from each sip of steamed apple juice and cinnamon dolce syrup is reminiscent of apple pie fresh from the oven.

Topped with whipped cream and caramel sauce, a Starbucks Caramel Apple Spice certainly is a treat.

What’s great about this tasty apple and cinnamon drink, is that it’s so simple to make at home.

Plus, my copycat recipe for a single serving of this hot Starbucks apple cider drink is easily adapted into a bigger batch for large gatherings.

Caramel Apple Spice Calories

A Caramel Apple Spice is a great Starbucks drink option for kids since it does not contain caffeine. Not to mention, the barista can steam it to a lower than temperature than normal.

But while this drink is caffeine-free, a Starbucks Caramel Apple Spice does contain its fair share of calories. Afterall, it’s juice flavored with syrup and topped with whipped cream and caramel sauce.

So how many calories are in a Starbucks Caramel Apple Spice?

Starbucks Caramel Apple Spice	Calories
Short (12 oz)	220
Tall (12 oz)	300
Grande (16 oz)	380
Venti (20 oz)	460

One thing I really love about making my favorite Starbucks drinks at home, is having control over everything that goes into them.

Oftentimes, this means substituting the type of sweetener, syrup and milk in order to reduce carbs, sugar and fat content.

For instance, you can reduce the sugar by leaving out the cinnamon dolce syrup. Instead, steep cinnamon sticks in the apple juice.

Additionally, you can forgo the whipped cream or caramel sauce on top, but really, would you want to? Afterall, I like to think of this drink as a treat.

Caramel Apple Spice Ingredients

To make a copycat version of this Starbucks apple cider drink, let’s first take a look at the exact ingredients the barista uses.

Starbucks Caramel Apple Spice Recipe Ingredients

• Starbucks Cinnamon Dolce Syrup
• Apple Juice
• Whipped Cream
• Caramel Sauce

As you can see from this list, you can easily get the last three ingredients from most stores.

Just note, it’s preferable to get caramel sauce that’s in a squeeze bottle. This way you can make a nice swirl pattern like a barista. It’s all in the details, right?

Personally, Ghirardelli caramel sauce is my favorite. Not to mention, it’s delicious on a bowl of ice cream. And their Salted Caramel flavor is to die for!

Additionally, Torani and Smucker’s brands sell caramel sauce in a squeeze bottles. Typically, these items are located in the store’s ice cream toppings section.

On the other hand, it’s really easy to make your own flavored simple syrups at home.

For example, you can see how I easily make homemade vanilla syrup, caramel syrup and Starbucks Classic syrup.

And here’s my Starbucks copycat recipe for Cinnamon Dolce Syrup. I can’t even begin to tell you how sweet and delicious it is. And it only takes a few ingredients to make it.

And like I mentioned earlier, you can forgo using syrup altogether. Instead, to get all the yummy cinnamon flavor sans sugar, just steep a cinnamon stick in the apple juice while it’s steaming.

But, if you do want to buy a bottle of already-made syrup, it’s pretty easy to find.

3 Places to Buy Starbucks Cinnamon Dolce Syrup

1. See if your grocery store sells it. Mine carries small bottles of Starbucks Vanilla, Classic and Caramel but not Cinnamon Dolce.
2. Buy a bottle and pump from your local Starbucks if they have enough in stock to sell you one.
3. Otherwise, get a bottle of Cinnamon Dolce syrup from Amazon. Just be sure and buy a pump for the syrup bottle, too.

How to Make a Homemade Starbucks Caramel Apple Spice

Making a copycat version of this Starbucks drink couldn’t be easier. Here’s all you have to do.

Step 1: Steam Apple Cider or Juice

Basically, steaming apple juice is the same thing as warming it up on the stove. However, you can also use a microwave.

Simply, pour some apple juice (or apple cider) into a pan and warm it up using low to medium heat.

The goal is to get it to about 150-160° Fahrenheit and not to boil it.

Additionally, if you’re not going to add syrup to the drink, add a cinnamon stick to the apple juice. Let it steep for at least 5 minutes.

Step 2: Add Cinnamon Dolce Syrup to the Cup

While the apple juice or cider is steaming, add the cinnamon dolce syrup to a cup.

So, you’re probably wondering how many pumps of syrup to use.

Take a look at my Barista’s Guide to Hot Tea at Starbucks. There you can see the exact number of pumps Starbucks adds to each size drink, along with a lot of other hot tea information.

A good rule of thumb is to use 2 pumps for an 8 ounce hot drink and then add an additional pump for every additional 4 ounces.

Furthermore, each pump of syrup is equal to 1/2 tablespoon.

How much syrup Starbucks adds to a hot drink

Drink Size	Pumps of Syrup	Tablespoons
8 oz	2	1
12 oz	3	1.5
16 oz	4	2
20 oz	5	2.5

Step 3: Pour Steamed Juice into Cup

I love this step, since the aroma of cinnamon fills the air as the steamed juice mixes with the cinnamon syrup.

Fill the cup with juice close to the top, leaving a little room for toppings.

Step 4: Top Drink with Whipped Cream & Caramel Sauce

Finally, add a layer of whipped cream and top it off with caramel sauce. You can even garnish the Caramel Apple Spice with a cinnamon stick.

If you’re really trying to make your Caramel Apple Spice look just like it came from Starbucks, squeeze the caramel sauce in a circular pattern.

To do this, start at the edge of the drink and squeeze the caramel sauce around in circles until you get to the top.

How to Make Caramel Apple Spice in a Crock Pot

Caramel Apple Spice is a fun drink to serve to large groups especially during the Autumn months.

For instance, this warm and cozy drink is perfect for bonfires, Halloween parties or Thanksgiving get togethers.

And it’s so simple to make.

All you have to do is combine the apple juice or apple cider and cinnamon syrup in a crock pot. See the recipe notes below for exact quantities.

Then, set the slow cooker to low and let it warm up for a couple hours.

When guests are ready for a taste, simply scoop some into a mug and top it with whipped cream and caramel sauce.

Other Fall-Favorite Starbucks Copycat Drink Recipes

Here are a few more of my favorite Starbucks copycat recipes to warm up with this fall and winter.

• Pumpkin Spice Chai Tea Latte
• Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Sauce for Lattes
• Chai Tea Latte

Starbucks Caramel Apple Spice Recipe