Sweet, spiced apple juice swirled with buttery caramel and a hint of cinnamon—this Starbucks caramel apple cider copycat delivers cozy café vibes with brown sugar, vanilla, and apple juice.
Steamy and rich with cinnamon warmth, this homemade treat is your favorite fall scent in a mug. Add whipped cream and caramel? Yes please.
If you’ve ever wrapped your hands around a warm Starbucks mug on a chilly day and thought, “Why doesn’t this magic happen in my own kitchen?” …well, ta-da. That’s exactly what we’re conjuring here. This copycat caramel apple cider is smooth, velvety stuff—like apple pie’s mischievous cousin who decided to show up in drinkable form. It smells like fall exploded in your saucepan in the absolute best way. Cozy for weeknights, Saturday mornings, or post-dinner book-reading on the couch with questionable socks.
Table of Contents
Don’t let this one slip away — pin it now and thank yourself later!
Don’t let this one slip away — pin it now and thank yourself later!
Why You’ll Love this Starbucks Caramel Apple Cider
You don’t need to wear a chunky knit scarf to enjoy this, but hey, I wouldn’t judge.
- Ridiculously simple to make: You just simmer some juice, stir in syrup, top with cream and caramel, and boom—pure coziness.
- Smells like a fall candle in the best way: Cinnamon sticks and brown sugar mingle on the stove like they own the place.
- Fun way to impress without actual effort: People think you’ve got barista-level skills. You quietly giggle.
- Budget-friendly and reusable: That syrup you whipped up? It’ll be living in your fridge for weeks, waiting for round two (or seven).
- Customizable cozy: Make it sweeter, spicier, more caramelly—nobody here is yelling about measurements.
- Good for all ages: Zero caffeine, lots of happy.
Ingredient Notes
Nothing fancy here—just some pantry friends making beautiful things happen.
- Water: This forms the base of your syrup, helping the sugars dissolve into sticky, liquid gold.
- Brown sugar: Adds deep, molasses-y warmth. Go for dark brown if you want extra depth, light brown if you’re feeling subtle.
- Granulated sugar: Balances out the caramel tones so it doesn’t get too rich to handle.
- Cinnamon sticks: Whole sticks give you that slow, cozy infusion; ground cinnamon’s fine in a pinch but strain well.
- Vanilla extract: Stirred in at the end for round, mellow perfume vibes. Skip the imitation option if you can—it’s worth the real deal.
- Apple juice: This is where the “cider” in caramel apple cider earns its keep. Use no-added-sugar juice if your sweet tooth prefers moderation.
- Cinnamon dolce syrup: Your homemade masterpiece. Don’t skip it—it’s the soul of the drink.
- Whipped cream: Soft, pillowy toppings make everything feel fancier. Even when you’re in pajamas.
- Caramel sauce: Goop it on with abandon. I like the thick stuff, personally. Bonus if it dribbles down the side of the mug.
How To Make This Starbucks Caramel Apple Cider
This comes together faster than your favorite playlist can get to track four. Here’s the step-by-step magic.
-
Start the syrup: In a small saucepan, grab water, brown sugar, white sugar, and cinnamon sticks. Let it all warm together over medium heat while you stir like a patient little potion master. It’ll come to a gentle boil and the sugars should fully dissolve—this smells fantastic already, by the way.
-
Add the vanilla: Once it’s gently bubbling and all melded together, remove from the heat and stir in vanilla. Let it cool slightly before pouring into a clean jar or heatproof container. Store it in the fridge with a tight lid and it’ll stick around for up to six weeks.
-
Warm the apple juice: You can do this in another small pan over medium heat until it starts to simmer around the edges. Or if you’re in Sweatpants Mode, microwave it in a mug in 30-second bursts until it’s hot and steamy.
-
Assemble the magic: Stir a couple spoonfuls of syrup into your warm apple juice, then pour into a cozy mug. (Or two mugs. Sharing season, anyone?)
-
Make it swoon-worthy: Top with a soft swirl of whipped cream and drizzle caramel sauce over the top. Don’t hold back—it’s not the moment for restraint.
Storage Options
Alright, so you made the syrup. What next? Don’t stress—it stores like a dream. Once cooled, just pop it in a mason jar or any tight-lidded container and slide it into the fridge. It’ll keep for about six weeks, so feel free to live your fancy café dreams whenever the mood strikes. I like to label mine with a date, mostly so I feel like a Very Organized Human.
The assembled cider, though? That’s best enjoyed fresh and steamy. The whipped cream starts to slump if you try to save it, and the caramel… well, it gets weird. Trust me, reheating a built drink just isn’t the vibe. But here’s a fun tip: you can prep the syrup ahead and heat the juice whenever. It’s like semi-instant magic.
And no, this syrup doesn’t freeze well. Sugar-heavy things tend to crystallize and misbehave in the freezer, so keep it chilled—not frozen. Think of it like a fancy roommate that needs a bit of fridge space.
Variations and Substitutions
There’s no wrong way to cozy up apple juice, truly. Whether you’re tweaking for allergies, preferences, or just that awkward “ran out of caramel” moment, here are some fun ideas.
- Swap apple juice for spiced cider: It adds even more depth and fall flavor, like a cozy orchard hug in a cup.
- Use oat milk or dairy-free whipped cream: Totally dairy-free versions taste just as lovely (and still look great with a caramel drizzle).
- Add a shot of bourbon (or rum): For grown-up evenings… trust me. Not too much, just enough to warm your toes.
- Try maple syrup instead of caramel: It’s earthy and sweet, like a spa treatment for your tastebuds.
- Toss on some cinnamon sugar: Sprinkled on top of the whipped cream? Absolutely divine and dangerously snackable.
- Infuse with cloves or nutmeg: Simmer one or two whole cloves with your syrup or grate a little nutmeg on top. Instant autumn upgrade.
What to Serve with Starbucks Caramel Apple Cider
This warm and silky drink doesn’t need much to shine, but if you’re feeling extra cozy—or extra hungry—here’s what pairs beautifully.
-
A slice of almond cake: Something about nutty, buttery cake next to spicy-sweet cider just works. It feels like a coffee shop treat you’d pay $7 for and instantly regret sharing.
-
Candy corn cupcakes: If it’s October and you’re riding the sugar train happily, adding a fluffy cupcake to the mix is the kind of irresponsible snack choice I fully support.
-
Cinnamon raisin toast with butter: Just something humble, toasted until the edges are crisp, with melty butter soaking in. Don’t knock it ’til you’ve had it alongside this drink.
-
A few salty pretzels or crispy crackers: I know, it sounds odd. But something salty next to all that sweetness? Chef’s kiss. Balancing act, baby.
Don’t let this one slip away — pin it now and thank yourself later!
Don’t let this one slip away — pin it now and thank yourself later!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this caramel apple cider ahead of time?
You can totally prep the cinnamon dolce syrup in advance—it holds up great in the fridge for a few weeks. Just heat up your apple juice and stir the syrup in when you’re ready. I don’t recommend assembling the whole drink ahead, though, since whipped cream and warm drinks don’t play nice over time. It gets… droopy.
Do I have to use Starbucks cinnamon dolce syrup?
Nope! In fact, you’re making your own version right here. It’s super easy and better than the bottled stuff (no preservatives, no mystery ingredients). Plus, you’ll feel like a homemade syrup wizard and that’s a pretty great mood boost.
Can I make it less sweet?
Absolutely. Just use a little less syrup or skip the whipped cream… or the caramel drizzle… or both (but why?). You’re the boss of this mug. Taste as you go and nudge it sweeter or more subtle depending on your vibe.
What kind of apple juice should I use?
Look for something that’s 100% juice with no added sugar if you want a crisper apple flavor. Cloudy or unfiltered juice adds depth and body, while clear juice has that bright, shiny taste. Either one works, so go with what calls to you in the juice aisle.
Copycat Starbucks Caramel Apple Cider
Ingredients
Cinnamon Dolce Syrup
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) water
- 1/4 cup (55 g) brown sugar light or dark, packed
- 1/4 cup (50 g) granulated sugar
- 2 cinnamon sticks or 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon (strained)
- 1 tsp (5 ml) vanilla extract real, if possible
Caramel Apple Cider
- 2 cups (480 ml) apple juice 100% juice, no added sugar preferred
- 2-4 tbsp (30-60 ml) cinnamon dolce syrup homemade, to taste
- whipped cream for topping
- caramel sauce for drizzling
Equipment
- Saucepan
- Spoon
- Mug
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Heatproof jar (for syrup storage)
Instructions
- Make the syrup: In a small saucepan, combine water, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and cinnamon sticks. Cook over medium heat, stirring, until the sugars dissolve and mixture comes to a gentle boil, about 3–5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Let cool slightly, then pour into a clean jar and refrigerate. (Syrup keeps for up to 6 weeks.)
- Warm the apple juice: Heat apple juice in a small saucepan over medium heat until steaming (or microwave in your mug in 30-second bursts until hot).
- Assemble: Stir 1–2 tablespoons of cinnamon syrup (to taste) into each mug of hot apple juice. Stir well.
- Top and serve: Finish each mug with whipped cream and a generous drizzle of caramel sauce. Enjoy immediately while warm and cozy.
