If You Want to Switch Up Your Starbucks Order, This Drink Might Be Your New Fall Favorite
If classic fall pumpkin drinks aren’t your thing, then you should know that Starbucks just brought back a fan-favorite fall flavor that might win you over instead. As of October 9, Starbucks’ Apple Brown Sugar Syrup has returned to stores — five days earlier than initially planned. The Apple Crisp drink options capture sweater weather in a totally different way that’s just as perfect for the season.
I had never tried any of the Apple Crisp drinks from Starbucks before, and when Starbucks offered me a tasting of the returning drink, I knew I had to give it a try after seeing so much hype around the drinks on the internet. I was intrigued by both the Iced Apple Crisp Oatmilk Shaken Espresso and the Apple Crisp Cream Cold Foam, but I didn’t see any drinks on the menu that incorporated both. I was feeling inspired by the new official secret menu, so I decided to make my own drink with the two menu items.
As someone who loved this season’s new pecan syrup and will always be a PSL stan, I had high expectations for this apple drink order. Here’s my honest review of the fun seasonal drink that might sneak its way into your autumn rotation.
What Are Starbucks’ Iced Apple Crisp Oatmilk Shaken Espresso and Apple Crisp Cream Cold Foam?
While you can ask for Apple Brown Sugar syrup in any drink, it appears that the only Apple Crisp drink actually on the Starbucks menu right now is the Iced Apple Crisp Oatmilk Shaken Espresso, which first hit the fall menu in 2023. The Apple Crisp Cream Cold Foam debuted in 2024 and is also available to add onto iced drinks. (An Apple Crisp Protein Cold Foam version is new this year.)
A grande size of the Iced Apple Crisp Oatmilk Shaken Espresso has three shots of Blonde Espresso and four pumps of Apple Brown Sugar Syrup. I added the Apple Crisp Cream Cold Foam on top to create the ultimate fall drink. To order my customization, I just asked for an Iced Apple Crisp Oatmilk Shaken Espresso with Apple Crisp Cream Cold Foam. A grande size of this drink cost $8.38 at my Starbucks location.
My Honest Review of Starbucks’ Iced Apple Crisp Oatmilk Shaken Espresso and Apple Crisp Cream Cold Foam
When I think of fall drinks, apple cider immediately comes to mind, so that’s what I was expecting from Starbucks’ apple-flavored syrup. However, this flavor really is much more reminiscent of an apple crisp. I smelled and tasted the cold foam before stirring it, and it reminded me exactly of warm apple pie.
Once I had fully mixed the drink together, though, I was a bit surprised by the subtleness of the flavor. After trying so many super-sweet secret menu drinks, I assumed this drink would have a strong, sugary apple flavor. Instead, it had an extra bold espresso taste that was much stronger than the stirred-in milk, cream, and syrup. If I hadn’t known differently, I would have thought I was just drinking an Oatmilk Shaken Espresso (which I do love!).
I prefer my drinks with bold flavor, so personally I’ll be sticking with Pumpkin Spice drinks until Starbucks’ holiday menu launches next month. But if you like sipping something that’s only lightly sweetened, I definitely recommend giving the Apple Crisp drinks a taste.
