The Caramel Apple Cider That Started It All

When I was 13, a long-haired, sexy Starbucks barista had a caramel apple cider waiting for me every single time I showed up to work.

Let me back up. I was an ice cream scooper, and our little shop shared a space with a Starbucks. One of the baristas there loved giving me crap for being Mormon. And you have to remember, I grew up in a water family. I wasn’t drinking coffee, I wasn’t drinking tea, and I definitely wasn’t strolling into Starbucks ordering fancy drinks with six modifiers.

Then in September of 1999, Starbucks launched their caramel apple cider, and he made me one. Everything about drinks changed for me that day. I remember standing there thinking, wait, we can do THIS to apple juice?! After that, he’d have one ready and waiting whenever I came in for my shift, and I’m pretty sure that’s where my lifelong love affair with a really good drink began.

Starbucks eventually dropped it from the fall menu, which felt like a personal betrayal, so now I make my own salted caramel apple cider at home. It’s cozy and sweet with just enough salt to keep you coming back for another sip. And somewhere out there, I hope that long-haired barista thinks about what he started for me

Here’s a downloadable version of this recipe just for you!

Now it’s your turn. What discontinued drink or snack do you still miss? Tell me in the comments.

If you want access to all of my fall recipes you can click below for the link to my fall curriculum which has drink recipes, fall supper recipes, and so much more!

Salted Caramel Apple Cider

In September of 1999, Starbucks launched their caramel apple cider. Everything about drinks changed for me that day. I remember standing there thinking, wait, we can do THIS to apple juice?!

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Servings: 2 servings

Ingredients Method

Ingredients

  

• 3 cups fresh-pressed pasteurized apple juice, not from concentrate
• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
• ¼ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
• ½ teaspoon vanilla syrup
• Pinch of salt to taste
• Caramel sauce
• Whipped cream
• Small pinch of ground cloves for topping

Method

 

1. Warm the cider. Heat cider over medium-low until hot and fragrant.
2. Add the salt and spices. Remove the cider from the heat, then stir in a pinch of salt and spices.
3. Prep the cup. Drizzle caramel sauce around the inside of your serving cup, adding a little extra caramel to the bottom.
4. Pour. Pour the warm spiced cider into the caramel-lined cup.
5. Finish. Top with whipped cream, drizzle generously with caramel sauce, and finish with a light sprinkle of ground cloves.