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–+ servings
tall glass mug filled with this caramel apple spice, hot apple cider recipe, topped with whipped cream and a drizzle of caramel. apples, cinnamon sticks, and a red and white linen are blurred in the background.
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4.78 from 9 votes

📖 Caramel Apple Spice - Starbucks Copycat

This copycat Starbucks recipe is cozy and satisfying, while toning down to sweetness to a more manageable level. A caramel apple spice is the perfect drink for a cool fall night!
Prep Time2 minutes
Cook Time8 minutes
Total Time10 minutes
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: American
Servings: 1 Drink
Calories: 192kcal
Author: Meredith

Ingredients

  • 1 C apple cider
  • ¼ teaspoon cinnamon + more to top
  • 1 tablespoon caramel sauce or syrup + more to top
  • whipped cream for topping

Instructions

  • Place apple cider, cinnamon, and caramel into a small saucepan over medium heat. Whisk to combine and stir periodically throughout the heating process. Warm to desired temperature (approximately 5-10 minutes)
  • Pour hot cider into a mug, leaving room for whipped cream
  • Top with whipped cream, a drizzle of caramel, and a dusting of cinnamon

Notes

Recipe Variations and Substitutions
    • Replace the ground cinnamon with a cinnamon syrup. To do this swap, replace the ground cinnamon with 1 tablespoon of cinnamon syrup.
    • Use apple juice instead of apple cider. Replace 1-to-1. Note that your drink will be sweeter if you do this.
    • Make this into a spiked apple cider. Add 1-2oz of your favorite bourbon or brandy before adding your toppings and enjoy!
Make it for a Party!
While this recipe is written out for a single serving, you can easily double it or multiply the ingredient ratios out for a larger group!
Make it for 4-8
Having a small get together? You can still make this on the stove!
    • Make sure you have a medium or large size saucepan to heat your cider and caramel sauce in in (size will depend on how many servings you are making).
    • Allow yourself a little more time to heat up your cider. With the larger volume, it will take a little longer to get your cider heated up. Don’t worry, it’s worth the wait!
Make it for 8 or More
Having a larger gathering? It's time to bust out the crock pot!
    • Pour 8 cups of apple cider and ½ cup of caramel sauce into the crockpot and stir.
    • Add 2-3 cinnamon sticks to the crock pot (replacing the ground cinnamon).
    • Cover and cook on low for 2-4 hours, stirring occasionally to help the caramel dissolve.
    • Have mugs, whipped cream, caramel sauce, and ground cinnamon ready for your guests to serve themselves and enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 192kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 11mg | Sodium: 79mg | Potassium: 276mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 35g | Vitamin A: 125IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 49mg | Iron: 1mg