If you’re looking for iconic fall flavors that don’t include pumpkin spice, I have the perfect drink!
The iced caramel apple cream latte brings back memories of that lazy afternoon spent at your local apple orchard.
But without the sticky mess left on the table by someone’s toddler or the swarming hive of bees loitering about.
This caramel apple latte is the perfect way to celebrate the azure blue skies and brilliant fall colors we long to see this time of year.
And with a few simple ingredients, this recipe comes together almost as fast as you can snap your fingers.
Ready? Let’s get to it!
If you’re a skip-to-the-good part kind of person, click here to jump right to the recipe.
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What is an Iced Caramel Apple Cream Latte?
One of the best new beverages to hit the Starbucks menu combines the natural flavors of apple pie with espresso.
This delectable afternoon treat is finished with a generous dollop of salted caramel cream cold foam.
It’s the grown-up version of a caramel apple pop with the most delicious hint of coffee flavor swirled in.
As I said, it’s one of the best fall drinks to grace the Starbucks menu since the debut of the pumpkin spice latte!
What’s in an Iced Caramel Apple Cream Latte?
Although it may seem complicated at first glance, this recipe quickly comes together with a few simple ingredients.
Milk
As you may have guessed, milk is a key ingredient for this latte recipe.
You’ll need milk for both the base of the drink and the salted caramel cream cold foam.
You can use your milk of choice when whipping up a batch at home, but keep the following in mind.
- Whole milk adds an extra component of a creamier mouth feel to the drink but doesn’t froth particularly well.
- The standard coffee shop version uses 2% milk for the drink’s base.
- You can use nondairy milk; however, not all versions will froth well. In my experience, creamy oat milk froths the best in comparison to soy, almond, and coconut milk.
- Oat milk cold foams extremely well, but if you want to stick with a version closest to the coffee shop one, use a mixture of heavy cream and skim milk.
Espresso
The hint of coffee flavor that complements the apple syrup so well in this recipe comes from espresso.
But if you don’t have an espresso machine, you can try instant espresso or even cold brew.
For this type of recipe, I like to use my French press to brew a batch of coffee slightly stronger than I would normally brew in the morning.
You can even leave the coffee out or use decaf if you’re sensitive to caffeine.
There are so many ways to customize this recipe!
Flavor Syrup
Two different flavor syrups star in this drink.
The first is an apple brown sugar syrup.
Although you can buy it on Amazon, it’s quite expensive, and just as easy to whip up a batch yourself at home.
The second type of flavor syrup you’ll use in this recipe is caramel syrup for the cold foam.
I like using simple syrup with added caramel extract; however, you can also opt for premade caramel syrup.
Copycat Iced Caramel Apple Cream Latte Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 2-3 large apples cut into small pieces Honeycrisp apples work best in this recipe
- 3/4 cup milk of your choice
- 3.5 cups hot water
- 4 tbsp finely ground espresso
- 1-2 tsp caramel syrup homemade or premade
- 3 tbsp heavy whipping cream
- 1 tbsp skim milk
- 1 pinch sea salt
- ice coffee cubes for a stronger coffee flavor
Instructions
- Add the brown sugar, water, and apple chunks to a small saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil and simmer for an additional 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Once the apples are soft, pour the mixture through a strainer positioned over a bowl. Using a spoon, crush the apples to remove as much of the juice as possible. Once you've removed what you can from the apples, pour the syrup into a jar. For the ultimate frosty drink, allow the syrup to cool in the fridge for at least 1 hour before assembling the drink. If you're using premade apple syrup, skip the first 2 steps.
- Combine the hot water and espresso in a French press. After 6 minutes have passed, push the plunger down and pour the coffee into a Mason jar for storage in the fridge for up to 3 days. As with the syrup, if you're looking for a frigid drink, allow it to cool in the refrigerator before assembling it. If you have an espresso machine, simply pull 2 shots of espresso and allow them to cool before assembling.
- Combine the caramel syrup, whipping cream, skim milk, and sea salt in a small bowl or milk frother. Froth to your desired consistency.
- Once it's time to assemble the drink, fill your favorite glass with ice, followed by approximately 1/4 cup of strongly brewed coffee or 2 shots of espresso. Add 1-2 teaspoons of the apple syrup and 3/4 cup milk and stir to combine. Finish with a dollop of the salted caramel cold cream foam, and enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you order an iced caramel apple cream latte year-round?
Unfortunately, this drink is a seasonal menu option at most coffee shops. But with a few key ingredients and a simple recipe, you can whip up a batch at home any time of year!
Does an iced caramel apple cream latte contain caffeine?
The drink is generally made with espresso, which contains caffeine. But you can order a decaf version or leave out the espresso portion entirely if you’re avoiding caffeine.
How much sugar is in an iced caramel apple cream latte?
According to the Starbucks website, the grande size contains 45 grams of sugar. For comparison, the American Heart Association suggests a daily sugar limit of 24 grams (6 teaspoons) for women and 32 grams (9 teaspoons) for men.
But by making your own version at home, you can significantly reduce sugar content without sacrificing flavor.
Final Thoughts
The iced caramel apple cream latte is the ultimate way to enjoy the best fall flavors (no offense, PSL)!
This drink is the most delicious blend of flavors that pairs brilliantly with harvest festivals or afternoon trips to the apple orchard.
By whipping up a batch at home, you’ll save yourself time, money, and a lot of excess calories from those way-too-sweet coffee shop versions.
Cheers to all the best the fall season has to offer!
And if you love this recipe, check out my other coffee-inspired content:
- What is a Chai Latte? Breakdown and Tasty Upgrade Ideas!
- How to Make the Iced Apple Crisp Nondairy Cream Chai at Home
- How to Make a Dreamy Caramel Cold Brew with Chocolate Cream
- How to Make a Refreshing Copycat Chocolate Cream Cold Brew
- Should You Try Putting Olive Oil in Coffee?
- Best Copycat Recipe for an Iced Lavender Oatmilk Latte
- How to Make the Best Homemade Iced Mint Mocha Latte
- How to Make a Copycat Starbucks Caramel Brulee Latte
- How to Make an Iced Pumpkin Cream Chai Tea Latte
- How to Make a Copycat Iced Apple Crisp Shaken Espresso
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