When autumn rolls around, everyone immediately loses their minds over pumpkin spice. I will just go ahead and say it: I am pretty meh when it comes to pumpkin spice lattes. But give me crisp, spiced, caramelized apple flavors any day of the week and I am completely sold. This drink is easily my favorite Fall go-to, delivering all the cozy flavors of fresh apple pie right in a glass without tasting like a cup of artificial syrup.
As part of my ongoing series over on Instagram called “Everyday Cafe,” my entire goal is showing you how ridiculously simple it is to whip up café-level coffee drinks right on your own kitchen counter. You do not need an expensive setup or fancy barista gadgets to make something that tastes luxurious. Plus, once you cook down a batch of this homemade spiced apple syrup, the possibilities are endless. It is incredible stirred into hot or iced coffee, shaken into fall cocktails, drizzled over warm oatmeal, or spooned directly over a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
How To Make This Apple Pie Iced Latte
The magic of this drink begins on the stove with a fresh Granny Smith apple. Dice your apple into small cubes and toss them into a small saucepan along with dark brown sugar and aromatic apple pie spice. Let them gently heat together so the sugar begins to melt and coat the fruit. Pour in your water, give it a stir, and let the mixture simmer gently for 10 to 15 minutes until the apples are tender and the liquid reduces into a rich, fragrant syrup. Remove the pan from the heat, stir in the vanilla bean paste and flaky sea salt to bring out all those deep caramel notes, and let it cool.
When you are ready to build your latte, add one to two tablespoons of the cooled syrup to your serving glass, depending on your preferred level of sweetness. Pull one or two shots of fresh espresso and stir them directly into the syrup so it dissolves effortlessly. Fill your glass to the brim with fresh ice cubes and pour in your milk of choice, leaving an inch or two at the top for the crown.
To finish, whip up the velvety brown sugar vanilla cold foam. In a small cup or jar, combine the heavy cream, milk, brown sugar, and vanilla bean paste. Use a hand frother to froth the mixture for about 20 to 30 seconds until it turns into a thick, pillowy foam (or simply shake it vigorously in a small sealed jar). Pour that luscious cream right over your apple-infused espresso base and enjoy every cozy sip!
Tips and Best Practices
- Pick the Right Apple: Granny Smith apples are the ultimate choice here because their natural tartness perfectly balances the rich sweetness of the dark brown sugar and spices.
- Batch Your Syrup: Homemade apple syrup keeps well in a sealed glass jar in the fridge for up to two weeks, making your morning latte routine practically instantaneous.
- Chill the Dairy for Fluffy Foam: For the thickest, most luxurious cold foam, make sure your heavy cream and milk are ice-cold straight from the refrigerator before blending with your hand frother.
- Stir Before Sipping: While the layered look is gorgeous for the camera, give your drink a quick swirl with a straw before drinking so the spiced syrup, rich espresso, and sweet cream blend into every sip.
More Recipes You May Like
If you love leveling up your home barista routine, check out these other favorites from the blog:
- Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew: A lightly sweet, spiced morning cup topped with a velvety pumpkin butter cold foam.
- Honey Cinnamon Iced Latte: A cozy transitional drink combining warm spiced espresso with a velvety homemade honey cinnamon cold foam.
- Salted Maple Shaken Espresso: A quick, cozy shaken espresso sweetened with real maple syrup and crowned with velvety maple cold foam.
- Iced Blackberry Vanilla Latte: Freshly stewed sweet and tangy blackberries layered with espresso, milk, and vanilla bean cream.
- Cold Brew with Pistachio Cold Foam: Rich pistachio butter whipped into a nutty, decadent topping over crisp iced coffee.
People Also Ask (FAQs)
Can I make this latte hot instead of iced? Yes! Simply stir your apple pie syrup directly into hot brewed espresso in a mug, pour in your favorite steamed milk, and spoon the warm or cold frothed foam right on top.
What kind of milk works best for this drink? Barista-blend oat milk or whole milk creates the creamiest latte base, but any unsweetened dairy or plant-based milk will work wonderfully.
Can I make the cold foam dairy-free? Definitely! Swap the heavy cream for a plant-based heavy whipping cream alternative and use a barista-blend oat milk to help the foam hold its shape when using a hand frother.
Apple Pie Iced Latte
Equipment
- Hand Frother
- Saucepan
- Stove Top
Ingredients
- 1 Granny Smith apple cubed
- 1/2 cup dark brown sugar
- 1 tsp apple pie spice
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 tsp vanilla bean paste
- Pinch flaky salt
- 1 to 2 tbsp apple pie syrup to taste
- 1 to 2 shots brewed espresso
- Ice
- Milk of choice about 6 to 8 oz
- 1.5 tbsp heavy cream
- 1 tbsp milk
- 1/2 tsp brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp vanilla bean paste
Instructions
- Add the cubed Granny Smith apple, dark brown sugar, and apple pie spice to a small saucepan set over medium-low heat. Pour in the water and stir everything together, bringing the liquid to a gentle simmer.
- Allow the mixture to simmer gently for 10 to 15 minutes until the apples are tender and a fragrant syrup forms.
- Remove the pan from the heat, stir in the vanilla bean paste and a pinch of flaky salt, and let the syrup cool.
- To make the latte, add 1 to 2 tablespoons of your cooled apple pie syrup into the bottom of a serving glass. Brew 1 to 2 shots of espresso and pour them directly over the syrup, stirring well to combine.
- Fill the glass generously with ice cubes. Pour in your milk of choice, leaving about an inch or two of room at the top for the cold foam.
- In a small cup or jar, combine the heavy cream, milk, brown sugar, and vanilla bean paste. Use a hand frother to froth the ingredients until thick and pillowy, or shake vigorously in a sealed jar. Pour the brown sugar vanilla cold foam directly over the top of the latte and serve immediately.
