This Starbucks-inspired Apple Brown Sugar Syrup is made with just 4 simple ingredients and takes less than 30 minutes to prepare! Use it in lattes, mocktails, and cocktails, or drizzle it over pancakes, waffles, or ice cream.
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Why This Recipe Works
Perfect for fall - If you're looking for the best coffee syrup for fall, this is the one! It's made with apples, brown sugar, and lots of warming spices. It's perfect for both hot and cold drinks.
Similar to Starbucks - This syrup is inspired by the Apple Brown Sugar Syrup from Starbucks to make a copycat Iced Apple Crisp Oat Milk Shaken Espresso. It won't be exactly the same because Starbucks uses natural flavors in their syrup (not real apples) and that's just very hard to replicate exactly. That being said, the syrup comes very close and it's really delicious!
Easy to make - It only takes 30 minutes to make this syrup with minimal hands-on time and you only need 4 simple ingredients!
Ingredients
- Apples - Any kind of sweeter variety of apples works great in this syrup. I like using Gala or Honey Crisp. I recommend avoiding any overly sour apples like Granny Smith because they won't give the syrup the same sweet apple flavor.
- Brown sugar - Brown sugar adds a slight molasses flavor to the syrup but you can also use cane sugar if you prefer. If you want an even stronger molasses flavor, use dark brown sugar. Keep in mind that it might overpower the apple flavor though. Try the syrup from this Iced Brown Sugar Oat Milk Shaken Espresso for plain brown sugar flavor.
- Spices - The recipe calls for apple pie spice but you can also add additional cinnamon to enhance the warm flavors even more. Vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste both work great in this recipe.
Variations and Substitutions
- Sugar-free - If you don't want to use regular brown sugar, you can replace it with a sugar-free substitute. Alternatively, you can also use maple syrup in a 1:1 ratio.
- Apple sauce - If you don't have apples, you can use unsweetened apple sauce instead. Simmer the syrup as you normally would and strain it at the end to remove the fiber from the sauce and make the syrup smoother. I use this method in my Iced Apple Crisp Macchiato.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Add brown sugar, water, diced apples, and apple pie spice to a medium saucepan.
- Bring the mixture to a boil stirring constantly until the sugar dissolves to make sure it doesn’t burn.
- Lower the heat and simmer for 15 minutes stirring occasionally.
- Take the syrup off the heat, stir in vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste, and allow it to cool for 10-15 minutes. The longer it sits, the more apple flavor the syrup will have.
- Strain the syrup into a large measuring cup or a bowl through a fine mesh strainer. Use a spoon to squeeze as much syrup out of the apples as possible.
- Transfer to an airtight jar and store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. Wait for the syrup to cool completely before closing with a lid.
Serving Suggestions
- Coffee - The best way to use this syrup is in coffee-based drinks, I highly recommend trying it in this Iced Apple Crisp Oat Milk Shaken Espresso inspired by the popular fall Starbucks drink. It works in any latte or macchiato too. Try it in this Iced Apple Crisp Macchiato.
- Cocktails - Try it in this Spiced Rum Apple Cider Cocktail or this Apple Cider Margarita.
- Mocktails - You can turn the cocktails above into mocktails by leaving out the alcohol and just using apple cider, this syrup, and sparkling water.
- On food - You can use this syrup where you would normally use maple syrup. Drizzle it on pancakes, waffles, French toast, or oatmeal. Try it on these Apple Ring Pancakes or these Gluten-Free Apple Butter Waffles. You can also drizzle it over ice cream or any dessert!
Storing
Fridge: Store the syrup in an airtight jar in the fridge for two weeks. Most simple syrups will stay fresh for up to three weeks if stored properly but I always recommend two weeks to stay on the safe side. It shouldn't smell off, thicken up too much, or have any mold on top. Always use a clean spoon to make sure it stays fresh for longer.
Freezer: You can freeze any syrup you won't have time to use. Pour it into ice cube mold and use as needed. Brew your espresso over the syrup cubes to help them defrost better or defrost in the fridge in a small container before using.
FAQs
Yes, you can replace the apples with 1 cup of unsweetened apple sauce. Although there won't be any big pieces of apples, I highly recommend still straining the syrup after cooking to make it smoother and less thick.
Yes, you can freeze any leftover syrup in ice molds and add 1-2 ice cubes to your drink as you need. If you're adding it to coffee, try brewing the espresso over the frozen syrup to help it melt faster. You can also defrost it in the fridge.
My go-to brands are Monin or Torani for any flavored syrups. I've never tried their apple or brown sugar-flavored syrups but most of them are usually great in coffee.
More Homemade Syrups
You can make a homemade flavored syrup with practically any fruit, spice, or herb. All you need is sugar in a 1:1 ratio and your flavor of choice. Below are four of my favorite fruity syrups for cocktails, mocktails, or lattes. To see all the latest ones, head over to the Flavored Syrups category page.
Print📖 Recipe
Apple Brown Sugar Syrup
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 15 mins
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 1 ⅓ cup 1x
- Category: Flavored Syrups
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Description
This Starbucks-inspired Apple Brown Sugar Syrup is made with just 4 simple ingredients and takes less than 30 minutes to prepare! Use it in lattes, mocktails, and cocktails, or drizzle it over pancakes, waffles, or ice cream.
Ingredients
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup water
- 2 small apples, core removed, diced (2 cups diced)
- ½ tsp apple pie spice
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Add brown sugar, water, diced apples, and apple pie spice to a medium saucepan.
- Bring to a boil stirring constantly until the sugar dissolves to make sure it doesn’t burn.
- Lower the heat and simmer for 15 minutes stirring occasionally.
- Take the syrup off the heat, stir in vanilla extract, and allow it to cool for 10-15 minutes. The longer it sits, the more apple flavor the syrup will have.
- Strain the syrup into a large measuring cup or a bowl through a fine mesh strainer. Use a spoon to squeeze as much syrup out of the apples as possible.
- Transfer to an airtight jar and store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. Wait for the syrup to cool completely before closing with a lid.
Holly says
This was so delicious in a latte! We also used it on pancakes.
Sarah says
Any ideas what I could use the cooked apples for? I hate to waste them.
Veronika Sykorova says
I like stirring them into my oatmeal, blending in smoothies, or using as a topping for pancakes or waffles! Keep in mind the apple peel will be a little chewy. You could also blend the apples into a sweet apple sauce and heat it up to put on your pancakes or oatmeal.
Rachel Goveas says
What kind of apples should I use? Granny smith or something like gala?
Veronika Sykorova says
Granny smith would be too tart for this syrup, any sweeter variety works. I recommend Gala or Honey Crisp.