It’s fall season and we all know what that means! Starbucks’ seasonal fall menu is back and on the books. I know most of us were patiently waiting for the pumpkin favorites to return, but I hope that hasn’t stopped you from trying their other new staples of the season. Another flavor that has been ramping up this season for the past couple of years, is their apple crisp. It first came out in August of 2021 in their launch of the Apple Crisp Oat Milk Macchiato, but has come back this season in its sister form with the Iced Apple Crisp Oat Milk Shaken Espresso. Â
I was having a study session in Thomas Cooper, as one does when cranking out studying for exams, and I stopped by Starbucks. I normally go for the old classics like the Caramel Macchiato or the White Chocolate Mocha, but the beautifully written and aesthetic sign was calling for me.
I was a huge fan of the Apple Crisp Oat Milk Macchiato because it had just the right amount of apple. Me, being the southerner I am, I also added caramel syrup. Who doesn’t love a good caramel apple flavor?! With me needing all the energy I could get for this study session, I thought getting the shaken espresso version would be the perfect choice, so I did.
This beverage certainly had a cozy taste to it and was a good balance of apple crisp to coffee. In my opinion, I believe it could’ve been a little more powerful with its flavor. Most of that apple crisp wasn’t there until the aftertaste; which I am not complaining about because that is the taste that gets left on you tongue. The staple fall flavor wasn’t there enough for me though and could’ve been sweeter considering the bitterness of the espresso. To sweeten it, I might add an extra pump of the Apple Brown Sugar syrup. The oat milk however, does wonders and adds a creamy smooth element that brings the drink all together. I would imagine that if you think the Pumpkin Spice Latte is too sweet, this would be an excellent alternative to it.
I ended up going back last week and decided to try it again, but this time I decided to pair it with the new apple croissant. The warm croissant gives you the feels of being wrapped up in a blanket by the fireplace. It is not sweet at all, but the glaze on top and the warm apple filling in the middle gets the job done. Take a few sips of that shaken espresso and then eat a bite of the croissant and it’s over. Such nice flavors put together that fits the fall season. Love is in the air during this colorful season. Even a Starbucks drink deserves its matching partner.Â
All in all, I would give the new Apple Crisp Oat Milk Shaken Espresso a 6/10! I think this will be a popular item this year! I hope the Pumpkin Spice Latte girlies don’t get too upset about the champion having a close runner up or even a winner in some books!
