Olipop’s New Caramel Apple Flavor Tastes Like Fall Vibes in a Can

When I think of caramel apples, one memory snaps clearly into my mind: I was in college and had just voted in my first presidential election (what could go wrong!), and I bought a caramel apple on a stick at the bake sale taking place at the voting center. It was a crisp fall day, and as I sank my teeth through the thick layer of sugary caramel, I crunched into a tart green apple and thought: this is a perfect fall treat. 

The thing is, caramel apples are also sticky, chewy, and sometimes the first few bites are the best part. So, when I saw that prebiotic soda brand Olipop recently released a new limited-edition Caramel Apple flavor in early September, I knew I wanted to try it. Luckily, when I was on a press trip in Vermont this month with CBC Culinary House, the fridge was fully stocked with every Olipop variety I could imagine — including this new fall flavor. 

According to an Olipop press release, Caramel Apple is a “limited-edition flavor that layers glossy caramel richness over the snap of crisp green apple.” It’s meant, of course, to mimic the taste of a classic caramel-coated apple that many people associate with fall. 

You can find Olipop at major supermarkets and stores like Target, Walmart, Whole Foods, and Costco. To find the closest place to buy Olipop near you, use the website’s store locator, where you can even filter for a specific flavor — like Caramel Apple!

When I first cracked open a can of Olipop’s Caramel Apple flavor with Celia Funderburk, editorial assistant at The Kitchn, who was on the same press trip, we were both surprised to see that the soda was nearly completely clear, with almost no color. “I was expecting it to have a light brown color, but I kind of loved that it was just clear. It made it feel slightly less artificial,” Celia says.

When I took a sip, I was immediately impressed by how true the flavor is to the name. It definitely hits on both caramel and apple notes, with the apple coming first and the caramel really taking over and lingering. I’m not typically a big soda drinker, and I don’t tend to go for sweet drinks (though I love a dessert), so the overall sweetness of this flavor was a little too much for me. That said, I really appreciated that the caramel wasn’t just an overwhelming sugary taste — it had a deeper, buttery quality. 

Comparing the drink to the experience of eating a caramel apple, I’d say the Olipop soda is most like that very first bite: a sweet, caramel-filled mouthful with a hint of apple. As we sipped, Celia noted that the carbonation really helped bring through some of the crispness of an apple. 

Overall, Celia described the soda as “rich, smooth, and flavorful!” She added, “If you’re looking for a soda to match the fall vibes outside, then this can is for you, especially if you’re a fan of root beer or cream soda vibes.”

I’m fully aligned. Though it’s on the sweeter side of my preference, the flavor screams fall — and I just know this would be so good poured over a scoop of vanilla ice cream.