Coffee Pod Central

Caramel Apple Iced Coffee (Keurig or Nespresso)

Fall's trending iced coffee made with a quick apple cider syrup and caramel. No special pods needed.

By The Coffee Pod Central team · Published · 3 min read

Caramel apple is fall’s other big coffee flavor. Google Trends data reported by FOX shows search interest in caramel apple iced coffee spiking every September. It tastes like a caramel apple from the fair poured over ice: a little tart, a little buttery, and much less sweet than it sounds.

The secret ingredient is apple cider, reduced into a quick syrup, so you don’t need a special flavored pod. Any strong K-Cup or Nespresso espresso works.

Caramel Apple Iced Coffee (Keurig or Nespresso)

Prep
10 min
Brew
3 min
Serves
1
Tart, buttery and cold, with no special pods needed.

Ingredients

  • 1 dark roast K-Cup brewed at 6 oz, or 2 Nespresso espresso shots (1 Vertuo double espresso)
  • 1 cup ice
  • 3 oz milk or oat milk
  • 1 tbsp caramel sauce, plus more to drizzle
  • 2 tbsp apple cider syrup (below) or 1 tbsp apple butter
  • Pinch of cinnamon
  • Apple cider syrup: 1 cup apple cider + 2 tbsp brown sugar + 1 cinnamon stick
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Steps

  1. Make the syrup: simmer the apple cider, brown sugar and cinnamon stick in a small pan for 10–12 minutes until reduced by about half and slightly syrupy. Let it cool (it thickens as it cools).
  2. Drizzle caramel sauce around the inside of a tall glass, then fill it with ice.
  3. Brew your coffee and stir in 1 tbsp caramel sauce and 2 tbsp apple cider syrup while it's hot.
  4. Pour the sweetened coffee over the ice.
  5. Top with cold milk and a pinch of cinnamon, and stir.

Make it café-style: caramel apple cold foam

Froth 3 oz of cold milk (2% or oat milk foam best) with 1 tablespoon of apple cider syrup and a small pinch of salt using a handheld frother, then spoon it over the top instead of stirring in plain milk. Finish with a thin caramel drizzle.

Tips

  • Use apple cider, not apple juice. Cloudy cider has more apple flavor and tang, and the syrup tastes much less like candy.
  • Make syrup ahead. The cider syrup keeps in a jar in the fridge for about a week, enough for 3–4 drinks.
  • Brew small and strong. A 6 oz K-Cup or a double espresso stands up to ice and syrup; a 10 oz brew tastes watery.
  • Salted caramel works too. A little salt makes the caramel and apple flavors pop.
The easy shortcut

Caramel sauce for coffee

A squeeze bottle of coffee-shop-style caramel sauce makes the glass drizzle easy and lasts for dozens of drinks.

What we like

  • Thick enough to drizzle
  • Mixes into hot coffee easily
  • Also great in lattes and cold brew

Keep in mind

  • Adds sugar; sugar-free versions are thinner

Make it hot instead

Skip the ice, stir the caramel and cider syrup into a hot 8 oz cup, and top with steamed milk. It’s basically a caramel apple latte.

Frequently asked questions

What is caramel apple iced coffee?

It’s iced coffee sweetened with caramel and an apple element, usually apple cider syrup or apple butter, often topped with cold foam and cinnamon. It’s a popular fall drink.

Can I make caramel apple iced coffee with a Keurig?

Yes. Brew a dark roast K-Cup at 6 oz, stir in caramel sauce and apple cider syrup while it’s hot, then pour it over ice and top with milk.

Can I use apple juice instead of apple cider?

You can, but cider gives a deeper, tangier apple flavor. If you use juice, reduce it the same way and add an extra pinch of cinnamon.

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