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Apple drinks are the Starbucks orders I notice fastest. I keep coming back to them when the fruit flavor shows up before the coffee or syrup gets too heavy.
That is why I pulled together this list of the best Starbucks apple drinks, from official menu drinks to a few secret-menu style orders worth trying.
I have kept the ordering details simple so you can ask for them at the counter without overexplaining the build.
9 Best apple drinks from Starbucks (Delicious orders to try)
1. Caramel Apple Spice - Official Menu Item
The Starbucks caramel apple spice smells, looks, and tastes, like a seasonal drink, but it’s actually available all year round!
It’s very sweet, but the combination of caramel syrup and apple flavors perfectly gives me an indulgent taste that reminds me of going to the fair as a kid.
I have seen younger Starbucks drinkers go straight for this one, and I understand why. It is a caffeine-free way to warm up on a cold day, which makes it an easy after-school treat in our house.
Starbucks Caramel Apple Spice is made with cinnamon dolce syrup, steamed apple juice, whipped cream, and caramel sauce drizzled on top. The cinnamon and caramel push it toward dessert, while the apple juice keeps the flavor recognizable.
It still comes in at 380 calories and 71 grams of sugar, so it reads more like dessert than an everyday drink. That is usually what I want from it.
2. Spiced Apple Pie
This Starbucks secret-menu style drink is sometimes called the Spiced Apple Pie and sometimes the Cinnamon Dolce Apple Pie, but the build is basically the same either way.
I think this is the perfect hot apple Starbucks drink for fall because it captures all the flavors that I associate with that time of year – and it really tastes just like an apple pie! It’s rich and spicy and perfect for my mountain apple picking trips.
The Starbucks Spiced Apple Pie has about 400 calories and 60 grams of sugar, which is why it feels closer to a slice of pie than a light coffee order. It is also caffeine-free.
How To Order A Starbucks Spiced Apple Pie
- Ask for a drink that is half hot Passion Mango Tea (one sachet) and half steamed apple.
- Ask for Cinnamon Dolce Syrup (tall - 3 pumps, grande - 4 pumps, venti - 5 pumps).
- Top with whipped cream, graham cracker crumbs, and Cinnamon Dolce Sprinkles.
3. Apple Crisp Oatmilk Frappuccino - Official Menu Item
The Apple Crisp Oatmilk Frappuccino is one of the fall drinks I make a point of ordering while it is around.
Surprisingly, it’s also the only Frappuccino that also features an oatmilk base. I do appreciate that this one can be ordered both as a Coffee Frappuccino (100mg caffeine) and as a Creme Frappuccino (caffeine free).
I almost treat it like two drinks, because the coffee and creme versions give me different experiences.
The coffee version reminds me of a late-night diner dessert with coffee beside it, while the creme version feels more like apple pie with vanilla ice cream. They land in the same flavor family, but the mood is different, and the drink stays cold and creamy enough that it never feels too heavy.
4. Caramel Apple Spice Frappuccino
I have seen this one turn up in homemade Frappuccino-style orders, and it feels like a colder take on Starbucks Caramel Apple Spice.
Sometimes, this one shows up on secret menu lists as the Apple Pie Frappuccino or Apple Pie a la Mode Frappuccino, but the ingredients are the same.
Like other Frappuccinos, it is rich, but the apple juice keeps the caramel from taking over completely. I notice the apple more once the caramel softens the first blast of sweetness.
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. Plus, there’s no caffeine — my kids love this one!
In a venti serving, it has about 420 calories and 70 grams of sugar, so this is very much an occasional drink for me. I enjoy it as a treat, not something I would call light.
How To Order A Starbucks Caramel Apple Spice Frappuccino
- Ask for a a Creme-based Frappuccino with three pumps of Cinnamon Dolce Syrup and apple juice to the cup's second line.
- Top with whipped cream, caramel drizzle, and Cinnamon Dolce Sprinkles.
5. Caramel Apple Frappuccino
The Caramel Apple Frappuccino is a variation on the Caramel Apple Spice Frappuccino, but caramel is the flavor that stands out first.
In addition to regular caramel, this recipe adds 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, I find it to be less sweet and more indulgent.
The apple and caramel flavors blend well, but the 450-plus calories and 70 grams of sugar make it a once-in-a-while drink for me.
How To Order A Starbucks Caramel Apple Frappuccino
- Over ice, ask for apple juice to the first line and then whole milk to the second line.
- Ask for 3 pumps of cinnamon dolce syrup, 3 pumps of cream base, and 2 pumps of dark caramel sauce. Blend.
- Top with whipped cream, caramel ribbon crunch, caramel drizzle, and cinnamon dolce sprinkles.
6. Peach Apple Lemonade
The Starbucks Peach Apple Lemonade is one of my favorite warm-weather orders because the fruit flavors stay bright instead of heavy. The first sip feels cold and sweet, then the lemonade pulls it back just enough, especially when the weather turns sticky and I want something that still tastes bright.
I usually reach for this one when someone wants a secret-menu style drink without a long, fussy order. It is one of the easier ones to order in a busy line.
I find that 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.
The Starbucks Peach Apple Lemonade has about 250 calories and 55 grams of sugar, and it is caffeine-free. It is sweet, but the lemonade keeps it from tasting flat.
How To Order A Starbucks Peach Apple Lemonade
- Pick your cup size and ask for half lemonade and half apple juice.
- Add in peach syrup: 3 pumps for tall, 5 pumps for grande, 7 pumps for venti.
7. Starbucks Apple Crisp Macchiato - Official Menu Item
The Starbucks Apple Crisp Macchiato combines flavors of apple, brown sugar, caramel, and coffee in a way that balances some bitterness and sweetness.
I like that this drink goes bold on sweetness but still leaves the espresso visible. The brown sugar and caramel sit up front, then the coffee pushes back through the apple flavor instead of disappearing, and the espresso still cuts through.
It’s perfect for coffee lovers, and the Starbucks Apple Crisp Macchiato makes an excellent alternative to the classic Starbucks caramel macchiato.
It is topped with a caramelized spiced apple drizzle and a dusting of brown sugar, which is part of why the flavor reads so pie-like.
With 320 calories, 45 grams of sugar, and 150mg of caffeine, the Apple Crisp Macchiato is the apple drink I would pick when I want coffee without going fully into iced latte territory.
8. Starbucks Apple Cider
Starbucks does not stock a standard hot apple cider, but this secret-menu style order gets close enough for me.
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.
The brown sugar flavoring gives the warmed apple juice a spiced edge, and I often add cinnamon dolce syrup when I want it to taste more like cider than plain juice. It gives the drink a warmer spice note than plain juice alone.
If steamed apple juice feels a little plain on its own, this version feels much more like a treat.
How To Order Starbucks Apple Cider
- Ask for a steamed apple juice with 3 pumps brown sugar syrup and 2 pumps cinnamon dolce syrup.
9. Steamed Apple Juice - Official Menu Item
Starbucks' signature steamed apple juice earns a place on any apple-drink list because it is the simplest version of the flavor they offer. I like it when I want apple flavor without any coffee hiding behind it.
It’s one of the simplest on the menu and made from nothing but pure, warm apple juice. Starbucks obviously didn’t invent apple juice, but this one sure makes it feel like they did — it’s that good!
It is popular with young kids and with adults who want straight apple flavor.
Starbucks doesn’t use concentrated apple juice and has their own brand, Tree Top Apple Juice . (Yes, moms, it’s the same apple juice they sell in juice box form.)
A serving has 220 calories and 50 grams of sugar, so it is still a sweet drink, even before any extra customizations. I still think of it as a sweet treat.
How to order Starbucks apple drinks?
I have covered the best Starbucks apple drinks, but ordering at Starbucks still leaves room for small surprises.
A few things help make sure you get the version you actually want:
Juice or syrup?
There are two main ways Starbucks adds apple flavor to their drinks; syrup or juice.
Apple syrup is sweeter and usually tastes less natural, while apple juice gives the drink a cleaner fruit base. I notice the difference most in the first sip.
In most of the caffeinated apple drinks I have seen, Starbucks uses apple syrup rather than apple juice.
Cinnamon syrup and apple maple syrup are the flavors I see pairing best with Starbucks apple drinks, though there are plenty of other combinations that work too.
Choose your apple juice
That familiar flavor helps the apple drinks taste consistent from one order to the next.
BaristaHQ Tip: 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 usually add apple syrup for an extra charge, often around $0.50 depending on size and store, and I have seen that vary enough that I never assume the price.
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.
BaristaHQ Tip: You can also add white or brown sugar to your drinks at no extra cost.
Ice it
A lot of the hot drinks on this list can be ordered cold too.
When I want that, I usually ask for it over ice instead of assuming the store will make the switch for me.
Use the app
I like to use the Starbucks app to pre-order my apple drink and skip the queues.
The app also lets me check ingredients, nutrition, and add-ons before I place the order, especially when I am trying a new combination.
FAQs
Does Starbucks have apple cider?
Starbucks does not have a standard hot apple cider, but I have ordered a close version by asking for steamed apple juice with brown sugar syrup.
Is Starbucks steamed apple juice the same as apple cider?
Steamed apple juice is still just apple juice, at least in the version I have been served.
How much sugar is in a caramel apple spice from Starbucks?
The Caramel Apple Spice has about 70 grams of sugar, which is a lot even for a sweet Starbucks apple drink.
Is the apple crisp macchiato better hot or cold?
I usually enjoy the caramel and apple pie flavors more when the drink is hot, and that warmth also makes the Apple Crisp Macchiato's espresso easier to pick up.
For me it comes down to mood, so I would try the hot and cold versions and see which one fits the moment.
Final words
My top two Starbucks apple drinks are the Apple Crisp Oatmilk Frappuccino and the Peach Apple Lemonade.
On a long workday, I would not be surprised to see myself ordering one of each at the drive-thru.
If you like your apple drinks hot, cold, sweet, or tart, there is probably one here that fits. I keep coming back because the apple flavor usually comes through clearly instead of feeling like an afterthought.
