This all-natural copycat of a Starbucks Caramel Apple Spice Cider tastes like warm apple pie topped with vanilla ice cream…in a mug!
Oh my word, y’all. Move over hot chocolate…I have a new favorite warm drink for chilly days! This Caramel Apple Cider is, simply put, amazing. In fact, I can’t really think of a better description than what I wrote in the flowery line at the top of this post. It tastes just like warm, spiced apple pie topped with rich, creamy vanilla ice cream…except in beverage form!
If you’ve ever had a Starbucks Caramel Apple Spice, you’re already familiar with the phenomenon that is apple cider on steroids. Because as delicious as a plain and simple warm apple cider is on a blustery day, sometimes it can’t really compete with luscious, decadent hot chocolate. But this drink…this drink will give regular ol’ hot cocoa a run for its money!
Like the Starbucks drink that it mimics, this apple “cider” begins with a base of apple juice, although you can certainly use actual cider if you happen to have some on hand. It’s flavored with my quick and easy Homemade Cinnamon Syrup (which calls for ground cinnamon as opposed to cinnamon sticks, since most people already stock the former in their spice cabinets). Then it’s topped with light, fresh whipped cream and drizzled with a gooey caramel sauce.
I use my 5-Minute, 5-Ingredient Homemade Caramel Sauce because it’s, well, ready in five minutes…not to mention the fact that it’s eat-with-a-spoon divine. If you decide to make your own caramel sauce as well, just do so a bit ahead of time so that it can cool and thicken a bit and doesn’t melt your whipped cream on contact!
And you know what else? This recipe can easily be multiplied in order to whip up a whole big batch of apple cider! Serve it out of a slow cooker at your next fall gathering, Halloween shin-dig, or holiday party as part of an “apple cider bar,” complete with a bowl of whipped cream for dolloping and a jar of caramel syrup for drizzling. That way your guests can dress up their drinks to their liking!
That’s it…Caramel Apple Cider that’s beyond simple and scrumptious! So bring on fall, y’all…I know exactly how I’m going to stay warm and cozy this year. 😉
This all-natural copycat of a Starbucks Caramel Apple Spice Cider tastes like warm apple pie topped with vanilla ice cream...in a mug!
Ingredients
- 12 ounces apple juice (or apple cider)
- 1 tablespoon Homemade Cinnamon Syrup
- Fresh whipped cream (see Tips below)
- 1 tablespoon 5-Minute, 5-Ingredient Homemade Caramel Sauce
Instructions
- Bring apple juice to a low simmer in a small pot set over medium heat (or warm it in the microwave). Transfer to a large mug and stir in 1 tablespoon Homemade Cinnamon Syrup (or more, to taste). Top with a generous dollop of fresh whipped cream and drizzle with 1 tablespoon Homemade Caramel Sauce. Serve warm.
- To make a large batch of apple cider in the crock pot, multiply this single recipe by your number of desired servings, keeping in mind the maximum capacity of your slow cooker. Pour the apple juice in the slow cooker and flavor it with the cinnamon syrup. Set out a chilled bowl of whipped cream, a jar of caramel sauce, and a bunch of mugs for people to dress up their drinks.
Notes
To make approximately 2 cups of fresh whipped cream, start with 1 cup chilled heavy cream. Use an electric mixer to beat at medium speed until soft peaks just begin to appear. Sprinkle 1/4 cup (sifted) powdered sugar and 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract over the whipped cream and beat at medium-high speed until soft peaks form. Do not overbeat! Whipped cream may be tightly covered and stored in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. This amount of whipped cream is enough to top 4 to 6 servings of Caramel Apple Cider, so reduce or multiply it accordingly, depending on how many servings you wish to make.
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I’m not much of a coffee person, so if I go to Starbucks, this is what I’d get. But now I don’t have too! Love this recipe!
If you’re interested in linking up, we are hosting Show Me Saturday and would love to help you spread the word. Hoping you have an awesome weekend!
I hope you get to try this soon, Ginger! And thanks for the invite to your link party…I just hopped over. 🙂 Hope your week is off to a wonderful start!
This looks like something I definitely need to make! Holy delicious!
Thank you, Amber! I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to drink regular apple cider again after this dessert version. 🙂 I appreciate you stopping by and hope your week is off to a great start!
Looks yummy! Thank you for sharing on Show Me Saturday
Thanks so much, Lindsay, and I appreciate you hosting and hopping over to say ‘hi.’ Hope your week is going well! 🙂
This looks better than Starbucks!!! Love that crazy easy caramel recipe! Pinned!~
Thanks, Lindsey, and I really appreciate the pin! I totally agree on the caramel sauce…it’s changed my life. 😉 This is just one more excellent use for it!
Looks fabulous! I’d love to try it soon. I think we’d all be fighting over it. 🙂
Ha, Melanie…make a bunch! It’s definitely worth fighting over. 😉 Thanks for stopping by…happy Tuesday!
Looks amazing! Mmm!!! I hate spending so much on a Starbucks drink… so glad to find your copycat version! Pinning! Would love to invite you to link up with us on Thursdays please! Hope your week’s been great!
Thanks so much, Kendra…I agree that it feels pretty good to replicate a yummy Starbucks treat at home for a fraction of the price! 😉 I appreciate the pin and the invite to your party…I just hopped over and linked up. Hope you have a great week!
I am addicted to Starbucks Caramel Apple Cider. Now I can just make it at home, which is even better!
I couldn’t agree more, Valerie…even better, but perhaps a tad bit dangerous? 😉 All I know is that I’ve been drinking more Caramel Apple Cider than I should lately, but it’s just so darn good. Hope you enjoy it, too! 🙂
Oh wow, that looks decadent! Yum yum! Thanks for sharing this on the Project Parade. I’d love to share some recipes with you on my blog if you get the chance. Have a lovely day!
Thanks so much, Courtney…hopping over for a visit now. 🙂 Hope you have a great week!
Mmm … this sounds simply amazing! So perfect for fall:)
Thanks so much, Ginnie…it’s stolen the spot as much favorite fall drink. 🙂 Hope you enjoy it as well if you have a chance to try it!
This sounds so delicious. I want one right now!!! I’m including this in a collection of Halloween ideas on my blog tomorrow. Thanks so much for sharing this with us at Your Turn to Shine!
Thanks so much, Jamie! I appreciate including me in your round-up and stopping by to let me know. Hope you have a great Halloween! 🙂