Apple Brown Sugar Syrup

If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to add a little autumnal spice to your favorite breakfast, baking, and coffee recipes, this Apple Brown Sugar Syrup is the way to go! Made with just 5 ingredients in mere minutes, this molasses-tinged apple simple syrup is the fall flavor booster your kitchen is missing. 

If you’ve ever deigned to recreate an Iced Starbucks Apple Crisp Macchiato at home, this homemade apple brown sugar syrup is the secret ticket to harnessing all the juicy apple flavor you’re after. It’s sweet, tart, and deliciously spiced, just like your favorite apple crisp.

And, while this DIY Starbucks apple brown sugar syrup is great for boosting your favorite coffee with a little something special, it’s just as delightful drizzled over pancakes, swirled into oatmeal, or blended into a milkshake. Honestly, it’s the perfect stand-in for regular simple syrup whenever you’re looking to add cinnamon apple yumminess to whatever it is you’re making. 

Plus, my apple crisp syrup a snap to make! Simply simmer apple juice and brown sugar with a few spices until the sugar dissolves, then decant into the store-and-pour bottle of your choice. Seriously, folks. Do yourself a favor and set aside just 10 minutes to make this incredible autumnal sweetening syrup. You can thank me later. 😉

Jump to:

• What is Apple Brown Sugar Syrup?
• What does it taste like?
• Why You’ll Love This Apple Brown Sugar Syrup Recipe
• Ingredients Needed
• Substitutions
• How To Make Apple Brown Sugar Syrup, Starbucks-Style
• Optional Variations & Dietary Adjustments
• Serving Suggestions
• Recipe Success Tips
• FAQs
• Apple Brown Sugar Syrup Nutrition
• Other Homemade Syrup Recipes
• Apple Brown Sugar Syrup

What is Apple Brown Sugar Syrup?

If you’re a fan of CoffeeCopycat (and I hope you are!), you might’ve already tried my recipe for Starbucks brown sugar syrup. The idea here is much the same — make a simple syrup (i.e. equal parts of sugar and water) out of brown sugar to infuse it with rich notes of molasses. 

The big difference is that this tasty brown sugar cinnamon syrup is infused with warming spices and made with apple juice instead of water. The result is a bottle full of cozy apple-spiced flavor that you can add to any of your favorite cocktails, coffee drinks, baking recipes, or breakfasts.

What does it taste like?

This delightful elixir tastes like someone bottled the essence of freshly baked apple crisp – that irresistible mix of juicy apples with a perfect hint of cinnamon- and nutmeg-spiced warmth. It’s somehow simultaneously bright and warm, like the perfect distillation of fall in a sweet, syrupy liquid that you can add to all your favorite recipes.

Why You’ll Love This Apple Brown Sugar Syrup Recipe

If you’re still on the fence about making this apple-infused brown sugar simple syrup, you should know that it is:

• Quick & Easy - Pour your ingredients into a saucepan, heat briefly until the sugar dissolves, then go nuts adding apple cinnamon goodness to everything you can think of!
• Made With Just 5 Simple Ingredients - Unlike many store-bought coffee syrups, this cinnamony apple brown sugar syrup recipe is made with only real, easy-to-pronounce ingredients that are probably already lurking in your pantry. There are no artificial colors, weird preservatives, chemical emulsifiers, or anything else that might raise an eyebrow with my health conscious readers.
• Super Versatile - Whether you add a splash to your cold brew, shake it up with espresso and milk, or make an apple macchiato, there are tons of apple coffee concoctions you can create with this stellar ingredient. But, that’s not all! It’s also great in cocktails (like maybe an apple spice old fashioned, perhaps?), for sweetening whipped cream, stirring into yogurt, and SO MUCH MORE. Read on below for extra inspo!

Ingredients Needed

As promised, this apple cinnamon brown sugar syrup is made from just a handful of ingredients. Here’s what to grab:

• Apple Juice - As it turns out, making apple simple syrup is as simple (HA!) as trading water for apple juice. Just make sure you’re using 100% real apple juice, not the stuff that’s made with HFCS and “natural” apple flavor.
• Dark Brown Sugar - Opting for dark brown sugar will give your syrup an additional punch of molasses-y goodness. 
• Cinnamon - This warming spice is apple’s favorite dance partner. 🕺
• Nutmeg - With a warming flavor that has naturally sweet undertones, nutmeg is a no-brainer. If possible, try to purchase whole nutmeg and grate your own — it’ll taste much more potent and last indefinitely in your spice cabinet.
• Salt - A touch of salt helps to intensify the warm spices and juicy apple flavors of this fall-inspired simple syrup.

Substitutions

Need to make a swap? Not to worry, I have you covered:

• Apple Juice - Feel free to swap in apple cider instead. Just note that depending on the brand you choose, you might have a bit of pulp to contend with. You can always strain it if you prefer!
• Dark Brown Sugar - If you’re fresh out, you can easily make your own by combining white granulated sugar with molasses. You can also use light brown sugar (and add a touch of extra molasses if you have it), or swap in less-refined sugar varieties like muscovado or grated jaggery.
• Cinnamon & Nutmeg - If you don’t have ground cinnamon on hand, toss in about 4 inches worth of cinnamon sticks and let them steep for 30 minutes before removing and composting them. You can also store the sticks in your simple syrup if you’d like. Alternatively, feel free to use pre-blended apple pie spice, or experiment with your own favorite warming spices like ginger, cardamom, or allspice.

How To Make Apple Brown Sugar Syrup, Starbucks-Style

This apple brown sugar coffee syrup comes together with almost zero fuss. Here’s how:

Step 1: Add all ingredients to a small saucepan and whisk until combined.

Step 2: Heat to a simmer, then simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and allow to cool at room temperature for 15 minutes. 

Step 3: Transfer to a syrup bottle or mason jar and store in the fridge for up to 7 days.

Optional Variations & Dietary Adjustments

The great thing about making your own apple brown sugar Starbucks syrup is that you can totally tweak it to fit your needs. Here are just a few ideas to get you started:

• Lower-Sugar - While you can’t make this apple syrup completely sugar-free (apples naturally contain sugar), you can definitely make it less sugary. Opt for a lower-sugar apple juice and swap in your favorite sugar-free brown sugar alternative.
• Add Other Spices - Depending on what you plan on making with your apple brown sugar simple syrup, adding other spices like cardamom or ginger might be just what your recipe needs!
• Add An Extra Layer Of Flavor - Consider adding a splash of vanilla extract or maple extract for a symbiotic flavor boost.

Serving Suggestions

This apple brown sugar syrup is a magic wand that can transform everyday recipes into fall-inspired wonders. Whether you're adding a touch of coziness to your morning coffee or creating a dessert that feels like a hug from autumn, let your creativity flow and enjoy every delightful experiment! 🍏🍬🍹

Here are some fun ideas to get your creative juices flowing:

• Apple Pie Latte: Stir a drizzle of your apple brown sugar syrup into your latte for a cozy fall twist on a classic favorite.
• Caramel Apple Coffee Frappe: Add a touch of syrup to a blender with espresso, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a handful of ice cubes, and just enough milk to get the blender moving. Top with apple cinnamon-infused whipped cream and some toffee sprinkles for a seriously indulgent midday treat! 
• Apple Spice Iced Coffee: Transform your cold brew into an autumn delight by mixing in your syrup with some ice cubes for a refreshingly cozy sip.
• Spiced Apple Martini: Shake up a fall-inspired cocktail by mixing vodka, apple brown sugar syrup, a dash of cinnamon, and a squeeze of lemon for a sweet and tangy treat.
• Apple Bourbon Fizz: Combine bourbon, club soda, a splash of cinnamon apple syrup, and a twist of orange for a bubbly and spirited concoction.
• Apple-Infused Pancakes: Drizzle your brown sugar apple syrup over a stack of fluffy pancakes for a breakfast that tastes like a slice of apple pie.
• Apple Oatmeal Bliss: Stir your syrup into your morning oatmeal for an instant burst of fall flavors – it's like eating breakfast in an apple orchard.
• Apple Brown Sugar Ice Cream Sundae: Warm up your syrup slightly and mix with caramel sauce. Drizzle it over vanilla ice cream (on top of a blondie, perhaps??) for a luscious dessert.
• Apple Crisp Parfait: Layer your syrup between yogurt, granola, and apple slices for a parfait that captures the essence of fall.
• Apple Brown Sugar Bread Pudding: Infuse donut bread pudding with the warm flavors of your syrup – it's comfort in every spoonful!

Recipe Success Tips

Creating a homemade apple brown sugar simple syrup is a delightfully simple kitchen endeavor. Here are some recipe success tips to ensure you whip up a syrup that's bursting with fall flavors:

• Start with a basic ratio of 1:1 brown sugar to apple juice. For a more intense apple flavor, you can add chopped apples or apple peels to the mixture. Make sure to strain out any solids before bottling.
• Simmer your mixture over low heat to avoid causing the sugar to caramelize too quickly. This helps in preserving a fresh apple flavor.
• Store your syrup in the refrigerator. While the high sugar content acts as a preservative, refrigeration ensures its freshness.
• For longer shelf life, use the freezer. Most homemade simple syrups will freeze well for up to 6 months. 
• Invest in smart storage solutions like store-and-pours or squeeze bottles with lids. These will ensure your apple cinnamon sweetness goes exactly where it's supposed to and doesn't create a sticky mess.

FAQs

Apple Brown Sugar Syrup Nutrition

With both “brown sugar” and “syrup” in the name, it should be pretty apparent that this apple brown sugar simple syrup is a sweetener. As such, it should be used in moderation!

For every spoonful of this golden elixir, you're looking at around 87 calories. Not too shabby, right? It's like a little splash of fall joy for your tastebuds. There’s zero fat and zero protein to speak of. 

Plus, there's a touch of sodium – about 61 mg, just to keep things interesting. Then we've got the star of the show – sugar. There's about 21 grams of it, giving your syrup that luscious sweetness. Just imagine those sugary apple notes mingling with your favorite recipes. Sweet perfection!

So, there you have it, the nutritional lowdown on your homemade apple syrup. It's like autumn in a bottle, ready to add that magical touch to your drinks, desserts, and culinary creations. Pour it, drizzle it, and enjoy it – a little taste of coziness and apple goodness in every drop! 🍏🍯🌟

Total nutritional content per serving is:

• Calories: 87 calories
• Total Fat: 0 grams
• Protein: 0 grams
• Sodium: 61 mg
• Carbohydrates: 22 grams
• Sugar: 21 grams

*This nutritional information is an estimate and calculated based on the ingredients used to create the recipe. The nutritional value of your ingredients may differ slightly. Furthermore, this food is not intended to prevent, diagnose, cure, or treat any disease.

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xoxo Megan