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Apple Caramel Latte Macchiato Recipe

Caramel Latte Macchiato meets Apple Cider in this fantastic cozy Fall drink recipe that is much better (and cheaper) than anything you can get on Starbucks! This Apple Caramel Latte Macchiato is the coziest coffee to date! 

 

Glass cup with apple caramel latte macchiato, drizzle with caramel on the edges, hand holding glass jar with caramel in the background.

 

It's packing with warming Fall flavors of apple cider and salted caramel and it's the perfect treat to warm up on. Definitely much better than Starbucks and not to mention a lot cheaper!

 

Apple Caramel Latte Macchiato is the sister of Pumpkin Spice Latte and they are both essential cozy fall drinks! I got this idea from a reader last year, she was not really excited about PSLs and wanted something a little different. So my brain started churning on ideas.

 

What's equally iconic as pumpkin for Fall? Yes, apples!

And what goes really well with apples? Yes, caramel!

 

A clear mug with apple caramel latte macchiato. Glass jar with caramel sauce and apple slices on wooden plate.

 

Hence, this drink is the ultimate comforting drink to sip on this year. It's time to find your woollen socks and sweaters, the cutest mugs and a batch of peanut butter chocolate chip cookies. These are the simple pleasures in life that I live by.

 

What is the difference between latte, macchiato and cappuccino

 

These names are thrown around quite a bit. I can't say I'm a fanatic about these terms either. However, to ease any confusion here's a quick coffee comparison:

 

  • Latte: A latte is usually 6-8 oz steamed milk, a single or double shot espresso, and topped with a thin layer of frothed milk. At Starbucks they use 2 % milk.
  • Macchiato: In Italian, the term "macchiato" translates as "marked" or "stained", meaning a stained or marked coffee. It is an espresso coffee drink, topped with a small amount of foamed or steamed milk to let the taste of the espresso to still shine through.
  • Latte macchiato: It is made by adding a shot or half a shot of espresso to steamed milk, topped with a milk foam layer. The layers are more distinct than in a latte where it's more evenly distributed.
  • Cappuccino: According to Nescafé, this coffee is all about the structure and the even splitting of the elements into equal thirds. ⅓ espresso, ⅓ steamed milk and ⅓ milk foam, from bottom to top. 

 

So essentially, a latte macchiato has all the same elements as a cappuccino, although I'm sure there are a million of variations out there.

 

For example in this recipe, I have simplified the process, so that both the steamed milk and milk foam is on top and is made together, just like I did with my pumpkin spice latte. You can call it whatever you want, it is still DELICIOUS.

 

Clear glass cup with apple caramel latte macchiato and a drizzle of caramel sauce.

 

How to make this caramel macchiato iced

 

I have finally realized not everyone lives in a colder climate, where Fall actually is a time for hot drinks and cozy blankets. So, if you still want the flavors of Fall but it's simply to damn hot outside, you can always make this apple caramel latte macchiato ICED.

 

I use homemade apple cider, and I keep it in a bottle in the fridge. However, to properly mix the instant coffee into this drink we need to heat something up, so I'm choosing the apple cider. Heat either in the microwave or on the stove and mix with the instant coffee.

 

Let the apple cider coffee cool. There's no need to steam the milk, but you may still want to blend it to make the foam.

 

Add caramel sauce to the bottom of a glass and give it a swirl to cover it, top with ice cubes . Pour in apple cider coffee and mix. Top with the blended milk and a drizzle of caramel sauce.

 

Pouring apple caramel latte macchiato from blender to glass cup.

 

How to make frothed milk at home

 

I've always been put off by making copycat coffee shops and Starbucks recipes at home because of the steamed milk and frothed foam. Until I discovered this neat little trick - the blender! Yes, it's still not easy to separate the steamed milk from the foam, but frankly, I don't care.

 

I heat the milk, and depending on the recipe, adding syrup and spices or even pumpkin puree until steaming but not boiling. Then I pour it into a heat-proof blender and blend for 30 seconds. That is it! Now there will be a foamy top to the milk.

 

Blender filled with apple caramel macchiato.

 

This recipe makes more than one drink, and to distribute the foam more evenly I'm holding a spoon to the foam before pouring into the mugs. I divide the steamed milk into the mugs, then I divide the foam.

 

Of course, there are simple tools such as a milk frother, and even some coffee machines have this feature. I'm just telling you there are actually other ways, using tools you should definitely already have in your kitchen.

 

Apple Caramel Latte Macchiato Recipe

 

Add milk, apple cider and instant coffee granules to a small saucepan. Give it a stir and let it heat up until just before it's simmering. Add vanilla extract and sweetener of choice. My homemade apple cider is already sweetened, in addition to the salted caramel sauce, so I don't feel like I need anything else. If you like it sweeter, you can add a touch of maple syrup or honey.

 

Note that in Scandinavia, apple cider is something completely different. I am not talking about that carbonated alcoholic beverage, but a mulled apple drink, known as apple cider in the US. I would translate it to eplegløgg, in Norwegian. See link above for recipe.

 

Pouring caramel sauce into clear glass cup.

 

Prepare the mugs by pouring salted caramel sauce into them and swirl to cover the bottom.

 

Cool the mixture a bit (unless you have a heat-proof blender) and then blend. It will get bigger in volume as you blend, so you shouldn't completely fill the blender. Work in batches if needed.

 

Using a spoon, hold the foam back while you divide the milk mixture among the mugs. Then divide the foam between the mugs. Drizzle with more salted caramel sauce!

 

To make it extra decadent you can add some whipped cream on top, but then the foam will be less prominent. I think a fall drink like this would be a perfect pairing with either a slice of apple pie cake or chocolate pear cake with hazelnut crumb topping. Although I would never pass on a classic cinnamon roll. It's time to slow down and unwind.

 

 

Clear cup with apple caramel macchiato, salted caramel around the edges.

 

Enjoyed this apple caramel macchiato? Check these recipes out as well!

 

I’d love to hear your thoughts. Comment below or tag me @thegingerwithspice on Instagram. And don’t forget to Pin it for later!

 

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📖 Recipe

Clear glass cup with apple caramel latte macchiato and a drizzle of caramel sauce.

Apple Caramel Latte Macchiato

Yield: 3 drinks
Prep Time: 1 minute
Cook Time: 3 minutes
Total Time: 4 minutes

Caramel Latte Macchiato meets Apple Cider in this fantastic cozy Fall drink recipe that is much better (and cheaper) than anything you can get on Starbucks!

Ingredients

  • 2 cups apple cide, 250 ml, see recipe in notes
  • 1 cup milk, 125 ml*
  • 6 teaspoon instant coffee granules
  • 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3 teaspoon salted caramel sauce, see recipe in notes
  • extra sweetener, if desired**

Instructions

  1. Add milk, apple cider and instant coffee granules to a small saucepan. Give it a stir and let it heat up until just before it’s simmering. Add vanilla extract and, if using, additional sweetener of choice.
  2. Prepare the mugs by pouring salted caramel sauce into them and swirl to cover the bottom.
  3. Cool the mixture a bit (unless you have a heat-proof blender) and then blend. It will get bigger in volume as you blend, so you shouldn’t completely fill the blender. Work in batches if needed.
  4. Using a spoon, hold the foam back while you divide the milk mixture among the mugs. Then divide the foam between the mugs. Drizzle with more salted caramel sauce!

Notes

* I like my coffee more on the milky side, but there is absolutely nothing wrong with changing the ratio of milk to apple cider. If you reduce the milk, remember that you will also reduce the foam on top. You can also just add more apple cider and keep the same amount of milk.

** My homemade apple cider is already sweetened, in addition to the salted caramel sauce, so I don’t feel like I need anything else. If you like it sweeter, you can add a touch of maple syrup or honey.

Also note that apple cider in Scandinavia is something completely different. I'm not talking about the carbonated alcoholic beverage, but a mulled apple drink, also known as eplegløgg in Norwegian. Above I have linked to my homemade version.

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 3 Serving Size: 1 grams
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 144Total Fat: 1.9gSaturated Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 7mgSodium: 68mgCarbohydrates: 28.2gFiber: 0.2gProtein: 2.9g

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or tag @thegingerwithspice on Instagram, I'd love to see!

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Lathiya

Thursday 17th of October 2019

Caramel, vanilla, apple cider and what else not to love about this recipe? Perfect for the season.

Stine Mari | Ginger with Spice

Friday 18th of October 2019

Thank you so much.

Renu

Tuesday 1st of October 2019

Such an amazing combination of flavours here. I am drooling here, a huge coffee fan and this looks like just yum, wish I can make it now.

Stine Mari | Ginger with Spice

Tuesday 1st of October 2019

Thank you so much! I hope you get to make it.

Mirlene

Monday 30th of September 2019

I would have never thought caramel macchiato can meet apple cider... That is a fabulous combo that I am sure will wow pretty much anybody! Delicious drink that looks absolutely stunning!

Stine Mari | Ginger with Spice

Tuesday 1st of October 2019

Thank you so much, kind Mirlene!

Emily

Sunday 29th of September 2019

I feel like I'm qualified to be a barista now! This is such a delicious latte recipe, perfect for Fall!

Stine Mari | Ginger with Spice

Tuesday 1st of October 2019

Haha, thank you dear Emily!

Jacqui Debono

Sunday 29th of September 2019

I am generally not a coffee drinker, but this recipe is delicious! I am trying the hot chocolate recipe next!

Stine Mari | Ginger with Spice

Tuesday 1st of October 2019

Me neither, black coffee is too bitter for me. But I love it with milk and sugar, hence why I can't drink it all the time. The hot chocolate is so delicious too!

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