Have you ever tried the Caramel Apple Cider at Starbucks? It is really yummy and a treat that I enjoy on occasion with my girls.
The thing with the Caramel Apple Cider is that it is a little pricey ($3.25 for a tall size drink) and when you compound that by 3 people… well it adds up.
You can make this yourself at home pretty easily with just 4 ingredients. And even better you can customize it to exactly your tastes. The Starbucks version is a little too sweet for me so I actually prefer to make it at home.
This is a perfect drink to pop in a Crock Pot for a party or I like to put it in a Thermos for trips to the pumpkin patch, to see Christmas lights and so on.
This recipe was published by Starbucks plus I did my due diligence by hitting Starbucks up repeatedly to sample this drink side by side with what I made.
I feel pretty confident that this is almost exactly what you will find there. The only difference is that you probably don’t have the high powered machine at home to froth up the cider. So yours will be frothless but not to worry. The flavor is the same just be sure to get the cider nice and hot.
Here is what you need:
- Apple Juice or Apple Cider (Tree Top is what my Starbucks uses but I don’t think it matters too much)
- Caramel sauce (to drizzle on top)
- Whipped Cream (store bought or I like to make my own whipped cream)
- Cinnamon Dulce Syrup from Starbucks (recipe below if you don’t have this or don’t want to buy it)
So you just want to add those things into a cup- the trick is to get the cider super hot so a microwave is fine or I use the stove top.
- Start by adding 6 tablespoons of Cinnamon Dulce Syrup to the bottom of a mug or a saucepan.
- Next add 12oz of Apple Juice or Apple Cider. Heat on medium until nice and hot (not quite boiling) and pour into a mug. (In the micro this is roughly 2 minutes)
- Top with whipped cream and then drizzle a layer of caramel syrup on top.
YUM!
The Cinnamon Dulce syrup is sold in 1 L containers at my Starbucks for $13. Publix Ad and Kroger Ad have got the best repines for home cooking again. Expensive but seriously that will last you ages and ages.
Since the flavor of Cinnamon Dulce is basically a cinnamon simple syrup, you can also make it yourself:
- Add 1/2 cup brown sugar and 1/2 cup white sugar to a saucepan.
- Add 1 cup of water and stir well. Bring to a slow boil and remove from heat.
- Add 1 tablespoon of cinnamon and stir well.
The cinnamon won’t dissolve completely but that didn’t make a difference to me. Store in a sealed container in the fridge for a few weeks.
**NOTE: I find the Starbucks drink a tiny bit too sweet. I cut the Cinnamon Dulce syrup in half for my drinks- just 3 tablespoons rather then 6.
If you decide to make this please come back and let me know what you think!
And here are several other Starbucks Copycat Recipes to try!
- Iced Coffee Recipe (add flavor syrups or chocolate for a mocha)
- Starbucks Hot Chocolate (best hot chocolate and so easy!)
- Iced Passion Tea Lemonade Recipe
- Easy Frappucino Recipe
- Cranberry Bliss Bars (these are amazing!!)
Yeah! I hope you like it!
We haven’t tried the Starbucks version, but my family loved this last night! Thanks for such great ideas!
Yeah so glad to hear it Kara!
I made the dulce sauce and it is fabulous. Super addictive and saves me so much money. I also made my own whipped topping to put on it, also super simple and it’s delicious.
So glad to hear it Tara! I love this drink too 🙂
I made this tonight and I am definitely going to make this again. It is so, so, delicious! I made the dulce sauce and halved it, as you suggested, and it’s the perfect mix of sweet and tart. Thanks for sharing!!
Oh so glad Megan! I love this one too 🙂
I am kind of an apple cider snob, and Starbucks is a favorite of mine. I have to admit, I was very skeptical when I saw this recipie. I made it tonight and I was instantly hooked! I used apple juice instead of a apple cider. This is a PERFECT copy cat recipe. Thank you so much for posting this!
LOL- thanks so much Katie! I am so glad you liked it 🙂
Thanks for this Recipe!!!!!!! I was spending $4.00 for a small cup!!!!!
LOL well I won’t say it isn’t worth $4 because it is super good but so much cheaper to make at home 🙂
This was SOOOOO good and worth the effort so I don’t have to make a 20 minute drive to Starbucks!!
Yeah! I am so happy to hear it 🙂
OMG Charlene!!!!
This is the BEST!!!! Love, Love, Love it!!! Honestly, I think your version is better than Starbucks!!!
Again, LOVE IT!!!!
Yeah so glad Liz! Sometimes the stuff from Starbucks can taste a little artificial to me- the syrups and stuff. So I agree the homemade is often worth the trouble 🙂
I’ve been making this non-stop for about a month now, and telling ask my friends to get the recipe! I make the syrup from your recipe as well…it’s an absolute favorite and I feel good giving it to my kids because it’s not loaded with artificial junk! Thank you!
yeah! Thanks so much for sharing Amy! Made my day 🙂
i loved the Starbuck’s cider the one time I tried it 2 years ago. So, I followed your recipe including the cinamon dulce and it came out delicous! Thank you so much for sharing! I am thrilled to have it for the cold winter nights in SW Florida!
Yeah so glad to hear it Carrie!
Thanks Charlene for sharing this great experiment!
I just spent a week in Seattle wandering around downtown and found myself continually stopping in Starbucks for a warm cup of this wonderful stuff! Now I can make it at home here in Boise!!!
Vicki
Ha ha! Shoot! You missed Cafe Ladro in Seattle! That is my favorite coffee ever- they make a Mocha with orange peels brewed in the espresso. So good! And El Diablo on top of Queen Anne has my favorite Mexican Hot Chocolate ever 🙂 I hope you enjoyed your trip.
Thank you soooo much!!! The cinnamon dulce made the trick, and now I can give my girls something warm for their tummies without leaving home in these cold days. Thank you!!
Whoo hoo! So glad you like the recipe 🙂
Has anyone made this in a crockpot?
This hot caramel apple cider is amazing! I made this tonight and it tastes exactly like Starbucks! I even made your cinnamon syrup and it was so easy and tastes great! Thanks so much for posting this recipe. You hit the nail on the head with this one. It will save me a lot of money. Thanks again!
Yeah so happy to hear that Stacy!
My family loves the Starbucks version, but as you stated, it can get pricey. Just tried this tonight, and it is just as good! I followed your recommendation of cutting the syrup in half, and it is perfect! Thank You!
Yeah so glad to hear it!
Actually found this recipe last year and have been making it ever since. Love this recipe! Which is actually a good thing, since I don’t think Starbucks makes the caramel apple cider any longer. It’s caramel apple spice. I’m lazy and buy the whipped cream in a can, but I’m OK with that.
My kids love the whipped cream in a can- we buy it sometimes too 😉 I love homemade whipped cream but the can is super convenient. Glad you liked the recipe Donna!
How long will the cinnamon dolce syrup last if i make it? I am thinking it wont last as long as the bottled syrup you can buy from Starbucks because it wont have all the preservatives in it.
That’s probably right Tracy but the simple syrup will last a really long time. Maybe not years but months for sure 🙂
I’ve lived overseas my entire adult life and our Starbucks doesn’t carry this on their menu. I’ve been making your recipe for years now and everyone agrees that it is a must-have at all fall/winter parties 🙂 Thanks for giving us this all-time fall favorite!
Oh I’m so happy to hear that Alison!