Starbucks has an amazing choice of hot and cold drinks, but did you know that they have a wide range of apple options?
With summer and fall right around the corner, it's the perfect time to enjoy some apple goodness, but you don’t want to end up with one you won’t enjoy.
Well, don't worry, because we'll introduce all the best Starbucks apple options for you to try in this guide.
9 Best Apple Drinks From Starbucks (Delicious Orders To Try)
1. Caramel Apple Spice
The Starbucks caramel apple spice smells, looks, and tastes, like a seasonal drink, but it's actually available all year round.[1]
It's very sweet, but the combination of caramel syrup and apple flavors perfectly gives you an indulgent taste that reminds us of going to the fair as a kid.
It’s really popular with younger Starbucks drinkers and a great way to perk yourself up on a cold day.
Starbucks caramel apple spice is made by mixing cinnamon dolce syrup topped steamed apple juice, which is then topped with whipped cream and caramel sauce drizzles.
There are 380 calories and 71 grams of sugar in a serving, so it's closer to a dessert than a drink and definitely not a diet option.
However, you can't deny how good this Starbucks apple drink tastes, and with no caffeine, it's a great treat for kids.
2. Spiced Apple Pie
If you want a cinnamon dolce apple pie then look no further, Starbucks has you covered.
This is the perfect hot apple Starbucks drink for fall because it captures all the flavors we associate with that time of year - and it really tastes just like an apple pie!
The combination of spice, a slight tang from the hot passion tango tea, and the apple make the Spice Apple Pie unique, unlike anything else we've tried from Starbucks.
It's a great one for the holidays, and despite the sweetness, the complex flavors actually make this a favorite with older Starbucks drinkers who love apple pie.
The Starbucks Spiced Apple Pie has got about 400 calories and 60 grams of sugar in a serving, but it's completely caffeine-free.
If you like rich and spicy drinks, then this Starbucks apple drink is definitely one for you to try.
Ask Barista For: Half hot passion tango tea and half light apple juice. Next, ask for 5 pumps of cinnamon dolce syrup, whipped cream, graham crackers, and cinnamon sprinkles on top.
3. Caramel Apple Spice Frappuccino
Keeping with the caramel apple pie theme, Starbucks has a fantastic caramel apple spice Frappuccino.
Now, this isn't on the regular menu, but you can order it from the secret menu by asking for half whole milk, half apple juice, 4 pumps of cinnamon dolce syrup, and whipped cream with caramel sauce and on top.
Like other Starbucks Frappuccinos, this is a very rich drink, but the addition of the extra apple juice actually helps to balance the sweetness of the caramel syrup out slightly and give more of an apple pie taste.
It’s a great spiced apple option for those who prefer cold drinks, and it’s perfect for sweet tooth Starbucks drinkers on a hot day.
In a venti serving, you've got about 420 calories and 70 grams of sugar, so it certainly isn't healthy, but it tastes incredible.
4. Apple Pie Frappuccino
Who doesn't love apple pie? And when you combine it with steamed milk and cream in a Frappuccino you've got something special!
The Starbucks Apple Pie Frappuccino is another popular Starbucks secret menu option that is sweet and comforting.
It combines cream, apple, and cinnamon to give you all the flavors of an apple pie. It's definitely only for those who like the sweetest of drinks, but we think it's a great year-round treat.
To order a Starbucks apple pie Frappuccino, ask for cream up to the first line, apple juice up to the second line, 2 pumps of cinnamon dolce syrup, and 2 pumps of caramel syrup.
Top it off with whipped cream, caramel sauce drizzles, and some ground-up biscotti on top of the caramel drizzle if you want to add texture.
At 480 calories per serving, this cinnamon dolce syrup topped option is one of the most calorific Starbucks drinks available, and it also has over 75 grams of sugar.
So it is kind of like indulging in a warm slice of apple pie, however, it's a trendy apple secret menu drink for teenagers, and it's completely safe for everyone avoiding caffeine.
5. Caramel Apple Frappuccino
Want a caramel twist on an apple pie? Then the Caramel Apple Frappuccino has you covered.
The caramel apple Frappuccino is pretty similar to the apple pie Frappuccino but uses dark caramel sauce to add a hint of bitterness.
This actually balances out some of the Starbucks brown sugar, and even though it has more syrup, it's a bit less sickly sweet.
It's also a bit more about the caramel and less about the apple, so it's a good alternative if you don't want too strong an apple taste. This drink is also on the Starbucks secret menu.
The apple and caramel flavors blend well, but there are over 450 calories and 70 grams of sugar in a single serving, so it should definitely only be enjoyed occasionally.
Ask Barista For: Starbucks apple juice to the first line, whole milk to the second line, 3 pumps of cinnamon dolce syrup, 3 pumps of a cream base, 2 pumps of dark caramel sauce.
Next, ask for whipped cream, caramel ribbon crunch, caramel drizzle, and cinnamon dolce topping.
6. Peach Apple Lemonade
The Starbucks peach apple lemonade is one of the most refreshing beverages. The fruit flavors mix wonderfully to give you an ice-cold hit that's sure to bring your temperature down on a hot day.
This is another secret menu order, so you'll need to ask for half chilled lemonade (made with real lemon juice), half apple juice, and 5 pumps of peach syrup.
You can play around with the ratios too, so if you prefer peach, you can add a few extra pumps of peach syrup to your order.
The Starbucks peach apple lemonade has about 250 calories and 55 grams of sugar but no caffeine at all.
The natural sweetness of all the individual ingredients makes it a very sweet apple Starbucks drink which might not be for everyone, but the tartness of the lemon juice does balance it slightly.
This is definitely one of the best summer Starbucks drinks.
7. Starbucks Apple Crisp Macchiato
Starbucks doesn't offer very many apple-based coffee drinks on the main menu, but the Starbucks apple crisp macchiato is a very interesting one.
The Starbucks Apple Crisp Macchiato combines flavors of apple, brown sugar, caramel, and coffee in a way that balances some bitterness and sweetness.[2]
The Starbucks Apple Crisp Macchiato is designed to be bold and sweet. It has a lot of brown sugar, apple, and a caramel drizzle, but you can also still taste the bold espresso - giving the apple crisp flavors.
It's perfect for coffee lovers, and the Starbucks Apple Crisp Macchiato makes an excellent alternative to the classic Starbucks caramel macchiato.
The Starbucks apple crisp macchiato is made with an espresso, steamed milk, and layered flavors of apple and brown sugar.
It's then topped with a caramelized spiced apple drizzle and a dusting of brown sugar, and you can even add whipped cream if you like.
There are 300 calories, 45 grams of sugar, and 150mg of caffeine, so the Starbucks Apple Crisp Macchiato is the perfect apple drink for those who want an energy boost.
You can also order an iced version if you prefer it cold.
8. Starbucks Apple Cider
Starbucks doesn't actually stock any hot apple cider, but this Starbucks secret menu order is as close to hot cider as you're going to get.
It's all about the apples and spice, and this is one of the lowest-calorie options if you want a tasty apple-based Starbucks drink.
It's a simple one to order. Just ask for steamed apple juice with Starbucks Oprah chai syrup.
The Oprah chai syrup was created in partnership with Oprah Winfrey herself and blends together cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, and cloves.
This gives the warmed apple juice a spicy undertone, and if you like it spicier, you can ask for a few extra pumps.
There are about 200 calories in a serving and 40 grams of sugar, but obviously, that will increase if you add extra cinnamon dolce syrup (or any Starbucks syrup).
The Starbucks apple cider is a favorite with Starbucks drinkers of all ages and is a Starbucks menu option guaranteed to perk you up on a cold day.
9. Steamed Apple Juice
No list of the best Starbucks apple drinks would be complete without their signature steamed apple juice.
It’s one of the simplest on the menu and made from nothing but pure, warm apple juice. You can then add extra white or brown sugar, or syrups to alter the taste.
It’s popular with young kids and with Starbucks drinkers of all ages who simply love the taste of apples.
Starbucks doesn't use concentrated apple juice and has their own brand, Tree Top Apple Juice.[3]
It's sweet and works really well steamed, and it can be combined with cinnamon syrup (or other flavors) to give it a twist.
There are 220 calories and 50 grams of sugar in a single serving, but it's also one portion of fruit in a cup, so you can feel good while you're drinking it.
How To Order Starbucks Apple Drinks? (To Get What You’re After)
We've introduced some of the best Starbucks apple drinks, but there's always a lot to think about when ordering at Starbucks.
Here are some tips to make sure you get what you really want:
Juice Or Syrup?
There are two main ways Starbucks adds apple flavor to their drinks; syrup or juice. The syrup is sweeter and tends to give a slightly less natural taste, but works well in sugary drinks.
Apple juice tends to be used as a base and provides a more naturally sweet flavor. Generally, your caffeinated drinks will use apple syrup rather than apple juice.
You can also add extra syrups and flavors to your drinks, and even on our list there are loads of cinnamon syrup Starbucks options.
The best flavors for Starbucks apple drinks are cinnamon syrup and apple maple syrup, but there's a lot of different options.
Choose Your Apple Juice
Starbucks uses their own brand of apple juice called Tree Top Apple Juice. It's designed by them and blends well with the drinks they have on the menu.
You can ask for their light apple juice which has slightly less sugar and fewer calories, or you can ask for extra apple juice if you want to maximize the flavor.
Customize Your Drink
You can add extra flavor to your apple drink by adding apple syrup. This usually costs $0.50 extra, though it will depend on the size of your drink.
Other flavors like cinnamon syrup, toffee nut, or other fruit, will also work well, so you can experiment and make your own secret recipe Starbucks apple drink.
You can also add white or brown sugar to your drinks at no extra cost.
Ice It
The comforting flavor of apple makes it perfect for a cold day, but if you want your apple Starbucks fix in summer, you can ask for most of their drinks cold.
Starbucks will usually just pour it over ice if you ask so that you can have your favorite apple drinks year-round.
Use The App
You can use the Starbucks app to pre-order your apple drink and skip the queues.[4]
It will also let you see all the ingredients, the nutritional value, and what other additions you can put into the drink. Using the app makes it simpler to get the right order every time.
Frequently Asked Starbucks Apple Drink Questions
Does Starbucks have apple cider?
Starbucks doesn't have actual hot apple cider, but you can order it from the secret menu by asking for steamed apple juice with added Oprah chai syrup.
This is a caffeine-free Starbucks hot cider, but the natural brown sugar should give you an energy boost.
Is Starbucks steamed apple juice the same as apple cider?
No, Starbucks apple cider has the Oprah chai syrup to give it a more complex and spiced flavor.
How much sugar is in a caramel apple spice from Starbucks?
The Starbucks caramel apple spice has about 70 grams of sugar which is a lot even compared to other sweet Starbucks apple drinks.
Is the apple crisp macchiato better hot or cold?
We find that the Starbucks caramel and apple pie flavors mix better when they're hot, making the espresso shot in the base of the Apple Crisp Macchiato easier to drink.
However, it's all down to personal preference, so you'll have to try both types of Apple Crisp Macchiato and see what you prefer.
Final Words
Starbucks offers some incredible apple drinks, but you can also customize existing drinks to add the apple flavor.
Whether you like hot, cold, sweet, or tart, there's an apple Starbucks drink for you and if you love apple pie you're going to love these drinks!
Hopefully, this guide has introduced some great new options for you to try.
References:
1. https://www.starbucks.com/menu/product/475/hot
2. https://www.starbucks.com/menu/product/2123563/hot
3. https://www.treetop.com/consumer/
4. https://www.starbucks.com/rewards/mobile-apps/
