Get a taste of Starbucks' fall menu with my copycat Iced Apple Crisp Oatmilk Shaken Espresso recipe! Between the apple brown sugar syrup, toasty oat milk, and bold espresso, this frosty, creamy delight is bursting at the seams with autumnal glory.
Confession: I LOVE fall. Not only am I ready for a break from this sweltering heat, but I’m also amped about back-to-school shopping, trick-or-treating, baking, cozy stews, and crunchy leaves, to name just a few of my favorites. And of course, there’s something to be said about classic fall flavors—pumpkin, warm spices, and apples galore!
Last year, Starbucks debuted their iced apple crisp macchiato, and unsurprisingly, I immediately took a liking to it. In fact, I enjoyed it so much that I recreated Starbucks apple brown sugar syrup just so I could make it on repeat. After all, mama needs plenty of go juice for all the fun autumn activities, and espresso is my savior.
When Starbucks released its upcoming fall lineup, I was pumped to see the cinnamon apple-y goodness return in a whole new light—as an iced shaken espresso. So, if you agree that apple-picking season feels a little too far off, this sweet n’ spicy, deliciously creamy, naturally vegan cup of yum is the perfect antidote.
Jump to:
- What is Starbucks apple crisp shaken espresso?
- What does it taste like?
- Why You’ll Love This Apple Crisp Oatmilk Shaken Espresso Recipe
- Ingredients Needed
- Substitutions
- How To Make An Iced Apple Crisp Oatmilk Shaken Espresso
- Optional Variations & Dietary Adjustments
- Serving Suggestions
- Recipe Success Tips
- FAQs
- Homemade Iced Apple Crisp Oat Milk Shaken Espresso Nutrition
- Other Iced Coffee Recipes
- Iced Apple Crisp Oat Milk Shaken Espresso (Starbucks Copycat)
What is Starbucks apple crisp shaken espresso?
This cozy apple coffee drink isn’t technically available for sale until August 22nd, but Starbucks’ recipes follow a pattern—including their shaken espressos.
So, what is a shaken espresso? The idea is simple—take freshly brewed espresso and a generous splash of coffee syrup, shake it all together with ice like a cocktail until chilled and frothy. Finally, top with your favorite variety of milk for richness. Delightful!
That means the new apple shaken espresso is essentially the same as a brown sugar shaken espresso or iced hazelnut oatmilk shaken espresso. The only difference is it’s made with apple cinnamon syrup instead of brown sugar syrup or hazelnut syrup.
What does it taste like?
This yummy iced coffee drink combines the cozy warmth of autumn with a refreshingly icy twist. Each sip greets you with the robust, deep flavor of freshly brewed espresso, its dark bitterness softened by the creaminess of oat milk.
But the real star of the show is is the homemade cinnamon-spiced apple brown sugar syrup. It delivers bright, sweet apple crispness, enlivened with a hint of cinnamon and caramelly brown sugar. It's like drizzling the essence of a freshly baked apple pie right into your cup!
Why You’ll Love This Apple Crisp Oatmilk Shaken Espresso Recipe
- A Sippable Segue. I’m always ready for fall weather well before it arrives. This slurp-worthy sensation is the perfect bridge between the dog days of summer and autumn’s first kiss. It’s got the cozy flavors I crave in a deliciously chilly package!
- Quick & Simple. 3 ingredients and 5 minutes is all you need to whip up this iced shaken espresso recipe—no fancy equipment required.
- Budget-Friendly. Not only does this copycat Starbucks oat milk shaken espresso taste like a dream, it’s also bound to make your wallet happy—especially if you make your own coffee syrup! Rather than spending $5+ on one drink, you can spend the same amount for a week’s worth of coffee yum.
Ingredients Needed
As promised, you only need a handful of ingredients to make this Starbucks dupe. Here’s what to grab:
- Espresso - You can’t have a shaken espresso without it! If you don’t have an espresso machine, not to worry—here’s how to make espresso in a French press.
- Apple Brown Sugar Syrup - While you’re welcome to use store-bought coffee syrup, it’ll set you back a pretty penny. My all-natural homemade version requires just 5 basic ingredients and a few minutes of effort, and it costs a fraction of the store-bought stuff.
- Oat Milk - I recommend reaching for a full-fat version for the creamiest mouthfeel—my favorite is Oatly Full Fat, but feel free to use any brand you prefer.
- Ice - Start with filtered water for the cleanest-tasting results.
Substitutions
Need to customize your order? No problem. Here are some easy swaps to try:
- Espresso - If hot espresso isn’t in the cards, make cold brew espresso instead.
- Apple Brown Sugar Syrup - Feel free to sub in any flavor you prefer. Toasted cinnamon syrup, cinnamon dolce syrup, or gingerbread syrup are great sweet n’ spicy alternatives.
- Oat Milk - You’re welcome to use any variety of dairy or plant-based milk you like!
- Ice - Worried about flavor dilution? Swap in coffee ice cubes to ensure a potent coffee flavor.
How To Make An Iced Apple Crisp Oatmilk Shaken Espresso
This DIY Starbucks apple espresso drink is a snap to mix up at home. Here’s how:
Step 1: Ice It. Add ice to a mason jar, then add the espresso and apple brown sugar syrup.
Step 2: Shake. Seal the jar with the lid and shake a few times.
Step 3: Pour the iced coffee (ice and all) into a tall glass.
Step 4: Top with oat milk and stir if desired. Drink up!
Optional Variations & Dietary Adjustments
When you step into the role of barista, a giant menu of options opens up. Here are just a few ways to make this apple crisp shaken espresso your own:
- Sugar-Free - Simply use your favorite cup-for-cup sugar alternative to make your syrup, or use the sugar-free syrup of your choice. Note that most full-fat oat milk has sugar added, so consider using a different type of milk (e.g. whole milk or coconut milk) instead.
- Milk-Free - If you prefer your coffee black, omit the milk entirely and let the cinnamon apple espresso flavor shine!
- Decaf - Swap in your favorite decaf espresso roast to take the caffeine down a few notches. If you can’t have any caffeine, use roasted chicory or Dandy Blend as a caffeine-free alternative.
Serving Suggestions
Whether you're cozying up for a movie night or hosting a brunch, these suggestions make any occasion a little more special:
- Classic Pairing: Double down on the autumnal goodness and serve your apple shaken espresso alongside a warm slice of homemade apple crisp or apple pie.
- Dessert Float: Add a scoop of coffee, vanilla, cinnamon, or apple pie ice cream directly to your shaken espresso for a decadent float.
- Spiked & Sassy: Mix in a shot of bourbon or spiced rum for an adults-only version of this fall favorite.
- Jazz It Up: Top your espresso with a generous dollop of cinnamon whipped cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce for an extra indulgent touch.
- Fall-Flavored Breakfast: Enjoy your shaken apple crisp espresso with a cinnamon apple bagel, apple cinnamon muffins, or Greek yogurt topped with apple cinnamon granola for serious apple pie vibes.
Recipe Success Tips
- Use a large enough mason jar. You want there to be enough room for the ice and liquids to bounce around. If you don’t have one, try using a cocktail shaker.
- Freshly brewed espresso will taste far superior to a shot that’s been sitting around awhile. If you want to prepare ahead of time, cold-brewing espresso is your best bet.
- Not sure which oat milk to buy? If you can’t find my favorite Oatly, look for full-fat, extra creamy, or barista blend options for the best frothability.
- Start cold. Make sure your syrup, milk, and even your mason jar are chilled ahead of time. The hot espresso will get diluted from the water, so ensuring all other ingredients and implements are cold will prevent it from getting too watery.
FAQs
Both mine and Starbucks’ recipes call for just espresso, apple brown sugar syrup, and oatmilk. The biggest difference with homemade is that my syrup has just apple juice, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt.
Starbucks, on the other hand, is made with invert sugar, brown sugar, water, natural flavors (FYI: “natural” isn’t regulated, so this means nothing), salt, plus weird preservatives like potassium sorbate and malic acid. I don’t know about you, but I prefer the homemade version. 😬
Technically speaking, all of the ingredients for the iced apple crisp oat milk shaken espresso are gluten-free. However, if you order in stores, Starbucks cannot guarantee that the drink will be gluten-free since it’s made with shared equipment. If you’re a true celiac, you’re better off sticking to homemade.
Yep! Since it’s made with oat milk instead of dairy, this Starbucks offering is indeed vegan-friendly.
Homemade Iced Apple Crisp Oat Milk Shaken Espresso Nutrition
Each serving of this delicious DIY comes in around 250 calories, so it’s definitely a treat. There's about 7 grams of fat and 3 grams of protein from the oat milk. It’s not a protein powerhouse, but it’s something!
Carb-wise, it's on the higher side with 45 grams—most of that comes from the 37 grams of sugar. The sodium content is fairly low at 175 mg, which isn’t too shabby. Overall, it’s a fun indulgence when you're craving something sweet and spiced, just like a slice of apple pie in a cup!
Total nutritional content per serving is:
- Calories: 250 calories
- Total Fat: 7 grams
- Protein: 3 grams
- Sodium: 175 mg
- Carbohydrates: 45 grams
- Sugar: 37 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.
Other Iced Coffee Recipes
Iced Apple Crisp Oat Milk Shaken Espresso (Starbucks Copycat)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 oz espresso or 5 oz cold brew espresso
- 3 tablespoon apple brown sugar syrup
- ¾ cup oat milk I used Oatly Full Fat
- ice
Instructions
- Add ice to a mason jar, then add the espresso and apple brown sugar syrup to the jar. Seal the jar with the lid and shake a few times.
- Pour the iced coffee (ice and all) into a tall glass. Top with oat milk and stir if desired. Drink up!
Nutrition
xoxo Megan
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