Relive the autumnal glory days of youth with my Starbucks copycat Iced Caramel Apple Cream Latte recipe! A creamy, frosty combo of milk and espresso is gussied up with brown sugar apple spice syrup and topped with a dreamy cloud of salted caramel cream cold foam for a drink that tastes like one of my favorite fall desserts.
Now that we’re sliding into a new season, I hear all kinds of excitement about pumpkin. Not that I mind—I’m a fan of the omnipresence of Starbucks pumpkin spice lattes and the wide-ranging effect they’ve had on society writ large. (Seriously, there’s pumpkin spice trash bags and cat litter, not to mention the half-dozen other Starbucks favorites featuring pumpkin spice syrup.)
But where is all the love for other autumnal stars? Namely, why is apple spice so often forgotten in the fresh fervor of fall? Once you make a batch of my homemade apple spice syrup, a whole new world of coffee delights awaits you. If you haven’t already, you should definitely try my iced apple crisp macchiato, iced apple crisp cream chai, and iced apple crisp shaken espresso next.
That said, this iced caramel apple spice latte is perhaps the GOAT of all apple coffee drinks. Why? Because the only thing better than an iced apple spice latte is one that’s topped with a thick layer of salted caramel cream cold foam. 😍
Jump to:
- What is an Iced Caramel Apple Cream Latte?
- What does it taste like?
- Why You’ll Love This Caramel Apple Latte Recipe
- Ingredients Needed
- Substitutions
- How To Make Starbucks’ Iced Caramel Apple Cream Latte
- Optional Variations & Dietary Adjustments
- Serving Suggestions
- Recipe Success Tips
- FAQs
- DIY Starbucks Iced Caramel Apple Cream Latte Nutrition
- Other Fall-Inspired Starbucks Recipes
- Iced Caramel Apple Cream Latte (Starbucks Copycat)
What is an Iced Caramel Apple Cream Latte?
The fundamental components of any coffee-based latte are bold espresso and creamy milk. Here, these two ingredients are mixed with a cozy apple coffee syrup and poured over ice, giving a fun contrast of warm flavors and cool temperatures. Delightful!
But the crowning glory of Starbucks’ caramel apple spice latte recipe is its phenomenal topper—caramel-flavored sweet cream cold foam. Imagine the richness of whipped cream mixed with the frothy consistency of latte foam mixed with the rich taste of salty caramel. Now imagine that atop an apple-flavored latte. It is, in short, a drink I’d happily go bobbing for.
What does it taste like?
Remember those giant candied apples from harvest festivals and county fairs? Or those delightfully sticky lollipops with an apple hard candy base and a chewy caramel coating? Consider my apple-infused Starbucks caramel iced latte recipe the warmly-spiced coffee version of those beloved treats.
While dark espresso is featured front and center in this caramel apple latte, plenty of creamy milk helps tame the bitterness while adding a lovely richness. Then, the DIY brown sugar apple syrup swoops in with the craveable sweetness of apple pie—like having a cuppa joe alongside an a la mode crisp.
But, rather than adding a scoop of ice cream as the topper, this Starbucks copycat features a salty-sweet cold foam topper laced with the pleasantly bittersweet flavor of burnt sugar. Each sip is a study in contrasts—sharp espresso against the softening effects of dairy, warm cinnamony goodness in a frosty cup, and an ethereal crown of fluffy cold foam. Perfection!
Why You’ll Love This Caramel Apple Latte Recipe
- Sweetly Nostalgic - No joke—the first sip of this iced coffee drink transported me back to the 4th grade school fair. After much cajoling, my mom finally caved and let me get a caramel apple. The thing was enormous, but one of the yummiest things I’d ever eaten.
- Only 6 Basic Ingredients - All you need is milk, cream, espresso, apple and caramel simple syrups, and salt. Easy, peasy!
- Budget-Friendly - I don’t know about y’all, but my pocketbook is feeling considerably lighter after all the back-to-school expenditures and the impending holiday season. The easiest way to beef up your billfold is by making your own favorite café-style drinks at home!
Ingredients Needed
- Heavy Cream & Whole Milk - Mixing cream and milk in a higher cream-to-milk ratio than half n’ half is what allows us to achieve such a dreamy latte-froth-meets-whipped-cream consistency.
- Caramel Syrup & Apple Brown Sugar Syrup - The key ingredients for making this latte taste like a caramel apple!
- Sea Salt - Adding a touch of seasoning prevents our apple caramel latte from being too cloyingly sweet. And I mean, come on—salted caramel just sounds yummy, right??
- Brewed Espresso - For bold coffee taste and just the right amount of caffeine. Feel free to use your favorite decaf espresso!
- 2% Milk - I used 2% here because that’s the default option for this Starbucks drink.
- Ice - For keeping things cool while still being cozy. If possible, start with filtered water for the cleanest taste.
Substitutions
Wanna customize your order? Have at it! Here are some simple ingredient swaps to try:
- Heavy Cream & Whole Milk - You’re welcome to use slightly lighter whipping cream instead of heavy cream. You can also use half-n-half in place of milk and add cream to make it richer. I suggest a 2:1 ratio of half n’ half to milk if you go this route.
- Caramel Syrup - Feel free to shake things up with a different flavor of cold foam. Pecan, sugar cookie, or honey simple syrup would all be great to pair with apple spice flavors.
- Sea Salt - Kosher salt also works, but doesn’t retain the same trace minerals as sea salt. You could also use table salt, but I find the iodization process leaves it tasting a bit bitter.
- Apple Brown Sugar Syrup - Again, feel free to get creative here. Other warmly spiced options include gingerbread, toasted cinnamon, pumpkin spice, or cinnamon dolce, and any of them would play nicely against the salty caramel cold foam.
- Brewed Espresso - Feel free to use cold brew or strongly brewed conventional coffee if needed.
- Milk of Choice - I used 2%, but you’re welcome to use whatever milk (dairy or plant-based) you prefer.
- Ice - For an added caffeinated kick, try swapping in coffee ice cubes.
How To Make Starbucks’ Iced Caramel Apple Cream Latte
Step 1: Make Salted Caramel Cold Foam. Add the heavy cream, whole milk, caramel syrup, and sea salt to a small jar or container. Froth with a milk frother for 10-20 seconds or until foamy. Set aside.
Step 2: Make Apple Spice Latte. Add ice to a tall glass, then pour in the apple brown sugar syrup. Top with espresso, then milk of choice. Stir if desired.
Step 3: Assemble. Top the apple latte with the salted caramel cold foam, then drink up!
Optional Variations & Dietary Adjustments
- Dairy-Free/Vegan - Feel free to use chilled full-fat canned coconut milk that has been well shaken to replace the milk/cream mixture for the cold foam. You can also use vegan whipping cream and full-fat barista blend oat milk if you prefer. Then, use whatever plant-based milk you prefer in your lattes!
- Sugar-Free - Use or make sugar-free syrups to keep the calories in check. If you’re making your own, I love using a monkfruit blend.
- No-Salt - If you’re on a low-sodium or no-sodium diet, you can omit the salt.
- Caffeine-Free - While decaf coffee has had a lot of the caffeine removed, there’s still a bit that gets left behind. If you can’t have any, try using a coffee substitute like roasted chicory or dandelion.
- Hot Caramel Apple Latte - Steam the milk for your apple latte base, then trade out the salted caramel cold foam in favor of salted caramel whipped cream.
Serving Suggestions
No matter how you enjoy it, this iced caramel apple cream latte is sure to add a delicious dose of joy to your day! Here are just a few ideas to get you started:
- Apple Adoration: Serve your frosty latte with chewy apple cider cookies for a cozy, fruity afternoon break. It's a match made in autumn heaven!
- Mommy & Me: Whip up a kid-friendly apple spice-flavored milk topped with a dollop of caramel cold foam so your little ones can join in on the seasonal fun.
- Harvest Snack: Pair this latte with a platter of sharp cheddar cheese and crispy apple slices for a sophisticated snack. Sweet and savory for the win!
- Morning Bliss: Enjoy your latte alongside a bowl of protein overnight oats topped with cinnamon apple preserves or a drizzle of maple syrup. Pairing it with a hearty breakfast will ensure your blood sugar doesn’t spike and crash before lunchtime.
- Dessert Duo: Complement your latte with a slice of apple crumble pie or warm air fryer apple crisp—perfect for those who love their desserts with a side of coffee.
- Caramel Drizzle: Feel free to go all out on the caramel love. I like to squirt the inside of my glass with squiggles of thick caramel sauce that slowly melts into the drink.
Recipe Success Tips
- Stay in the Moment. Lattes and cold foam are both best when made fresh. Why? Espresso oxidizes and takes on a bitter quality as it sits, while cold foam deflates. If you want to get a headstart, I recommend setting up your espresso by adding the grinds to your machine the night before. You can also refrigerate your travel cup with the apple spice syrup inside so all you have to do is brew and pour. For the cold foam, simply add the ingredients to a lidded container and refrigerate. In the morning, froth and go!
- Smart syrup storage. Anyone who has lived with a toddler knows: sticky countertops are no fun. To prevent a mess, I recommend buying syrup bottles with either pour-spouts or pumps.
- Start cold. Aside from the espresso, make sure all of your ingredients are nice and cold so your iced apple caramel cream latte stays icy for longer.
FAQs
As of the time of publication, yes! Starbucks has this fun seasonal drink for sale, BUT only if you order through the app and there’s no telling when they’ll pull it. But, now you know how to DIY it, so caramel apple latte season is whenever you say it is. 😉
Heck yeah! You can either make this iced apple macchiato, subbing half caramel syrup for the apple syrup. You could also squirt caramel sauce inside your glass before making the macchiato, or top your macchiato with caramel cold foam or caramel whipped cream. Or you could do all of the above!
Not really. Like whipped cream, cold foam tends to deflate over time. That said, I’m experimenting with making it in an aerosol whipped cream dispenser for convenience—I’ll let you know how it goes! In the meantime, I recommend just mixing the milk, cream, syrup, and salt in a container, then refrigerating it until you’re ready to froth it.
DIY Starbucks Iced Caramel Apple Cream Latte Nutrition
This Iced Caramel Apple Cream Latte is definitely a treat, with 334 calories and 15 grams of fat per serving. But that’s mostly due to our dreamy, creamy topping and the sweet coffee syrups. Speaking of sweet, each latte has 43 carbs, with 42 coming from sugar. While some are naturally occurring in the milk, most of that comes from our syrups.
If you’d like to lighten things up, consider using skim milk or a low-calorie plant milk for the apple latte base and/or swap in sugar-free syrup. On the plus side, there’s 8 grams of protein per serving—not too bad for a drink, right? Note that this is with 2% milk as my latte base and using whole milk and heavy cream for the cold foam.
Lastly, there's the sodium—463 mg per serving. While that won’t break the bank for many folks, it’s something to keep an eye on. All in all, this latte is a delightful seasonal splurge that's great for savoring rather than gulping.
Total nutritional content per serving is:
- Calories: 334 calories
- Total Fat: 15 grams
- Protein: 8 grams
- Sodium: 463 mg
- Carbohydrates: 43 grams
- Sugar: 42 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 Fall-Inspired Starbucks Recipes
Iced Caramel Apple Cream Latte (Starbucks Copycat)
Equipment
Ingredients
Salted Caramel Cold Foam:
- 2 tablespoon heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon whole milk
- 1 tbsp caramel syrup
- ⅛ teaspoon sea salt
Caramel Apple Cream Latte:
- 2 tablespoon apple brown sugar syrup
- 2 oz brewed espresso
- ¾ cup milk of choice (I used 2%)
- ice
Instructions
- Make the cold foam by adding the heavy cream, whole milk, caramel syrup, and sea salt to a small jar or container and frothing with a milk frother for 10-20 seconds or until foamy. Set aside.
- Add ice to a tall glass, then pour in the apple brown sugar syrup. Top with espresso, then milk of choice. Stir if desired.
- Top the apple latte with the salted caramel cold foam, then drink up!
Nutrition
xoxo Megan
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