You Can Order a Caramel Apple Refresher at Starbucks—Here’s How
Updated: Sep. 09, 2020This secret menu Caramel Apple Refresher is the perfect drink for bridging the gap between summer and fall.
The Starbucks secret menu isn’t exactly a well-kept secret. It’s the best place to find fun, inventive drinks, like the fresh, citrusy Lemon Meringue Frappuccino, super chocolaty Twix Frappuccino and tropical Piña Colada Frappuccino.
Now, we have the intel on an autumnal Starbucks drink that’s the perfect for this time of year. It’s the Caramel Apple Refresher, and we can’t wait to try it!
FYI: This is the reason why Starbucks sizes aren’t small, medium and large.
How Do You Order a Caramel Apple Refresher?
Like most viral Starbucks drinks, the Caramel Apple Refresher isn’t found on the regular menu, but thanks to the Frappuccino mixologists at Totally the Bomb, you can walk into any store with this recipe.
The basis for this drink is the new Kiwi Starfruit Refresher, which is starfruit- and kiwi-flavored juice shaken with ice. OK, so how does kiwi taste like caramel apple?
- First, order a Grande Kiwi Starfruit Refresher with no water or other additions.
- Then, ask to substitute the water with apple juice.
- Here comes the caramel! Ask for one pump of caramel, plus an extra caramel drizzle around the cup.
That’s it! It’s as easy as (caramel apple) pie.
P.S. Just remember that secret menu beverages take more time and effort, so have the recipe ready or use the Starbucks app to order. Your barista—and fellow customers—will thank you for not holding up the line.
Get More Caramel Apple Flavor
Do you know how to make traditional caramel apples? (You know, the kind where you go beyond melting a package of caramels.) It’s easier than you might think—all you need is butter, brown sugar and corn syrup. It’s time to learn how to make real caramel apples!
Caramel Apple-Inspired Recipes for Fall
Caramel Apple Strudel
My father, who was born and raised in Vienna, Austria, would tell us stories about how his mother covered all of the kitchen counters with dough whenever she made apple strudel. This recipe is a modern, delicious way to carry on part of my family's heritage. —Sarah Haengel, Bowie, Maryland
Caramel Apple Float
Who doesn't love the flavors of caramel, apples, and vanilla ice cream together? If I'm feeling fancy, I drizzle caramel syrup around the inside of my glass before adding the apple cider and ginger ale. —Cindy Reams, Philipsburg, Pennsylvania
Caramel-Apple Skillet Buckle
My grandma used to bake a version of this for me when I was a little girl. She would make it using fresh apples from her tree in the backyard. I've adapted her recipe because I love the combination of apples, pecans and caramel. —Emily Hobbs, Springfield, Missouri
Caramel Apple Scones
A drizzle of caramel complements the apple and whole wheat flavors of these rustic-looking scones. —Arlene Cook, Bainbridge, Georgia
Caramel Apples
Who doesn’t love a good gooey caramel apple? Make a double batch because these treats always go fast! —Karen Ann Bland, Gove, Kansas
Caramel Apple Pie with Streusel Topping
I developed this recipe through the years to get it exactly where we want it. I've entered several pie contests with it and placed first each time—one bite and you'll know why this pie's a winner! —Laurel Dalzell, Manteca, California
Caramel-Apple Shortbread Cookies
There is nothing like seeing my friends almost melt to the floor when they bite into something I made. These cookies never fail to elicit oohs and aahs. —Amber Taylor, Lenoir City, Tennessee
Caramel Apple Bars
These bars make an excellent fall dessert. We like to warm individual servings in the microwave and serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. It quickly became a family favorite; maybe it'll become one of your family's, too. —Carol Stuber, Osawatomie, Kansas
Caramel Apple Cupcakes
Take these extra special cupcakes to your next event and watch how quickly they disappear! With a caramel topping and spice cake base, they're the perfect mix of two fall-favorite treats. —Diane Halferty, Corpus Christi, Texas
Oatmeal Caramel Apple Cookies
This recipe for caramel apple cookies is a fun twist on traditional oatmeal raisin. These treats are hard to resist! —Rachel Lewis, Danville, Virginia
Rustic Caramel Apple Tart
Like an apple pie without the pan, this scrumptious tart has a crispy crust that cuts nicely and a yummy caramel topping. —Betty Fulks, Onia, Arkansas
Easy Mini Caramel Apple Cheesecakes
Cheesecake is the ultimate comfort food, but a big slice can be too rich. These bite-sized cheesecakes topped with apples and creamy caramel dazzle the senses. —Brandie Cranshaw, Rapid City, South Dakota
Apple Crisp Pizza
While visiting a Wisconsin orchard, I tried a tempting apple crisp pie. At home, I put together this apple pizza. As it bakes, the enticing aroma fills my kitchen, and friends and family linger waiting for a sample. —Nancy Preussner, Delhi, Iowa
Caramel Apple Doughnut Muffins
Welcome autumn and Halloween into your kitchen with these muffins. The recipe will remind you of cinnamon-sugar cake doughnuts. —Julie Ruble, Charlotte, North Carolina
Caramel Apple Muffins
These muffins are perfect for anyone who loves caramel apples. They are particularly good with breakfast or during a coffee break. —Therese Puckett, Shreveport, Louisiana
Apple Pie Bites
These apple pie bites are fun for kids to make. Simply wrap strips of pastry around apple wedges and shake on some cinnamon-sugar. Then just bake and watch them disappear! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Gourmet Caramel Apples
These drizzled confections look gorgeous and taste over-the-top yummy. With peanut butter flavor and a salty burst, they'll be the treats you can't wait to make each year. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Chunky Apple Cake
After taste testing lots of apple cakes, I've found this apple cake recipe the best. Full of old-world comfort, the yummy brown sugar sauce really makes the cake special. For a festive occasion, top with a dollop of whipped cream. —Debi Benson, Bakersfield, California
Taffy Apple Pizza
This sweet treat from Melissa Beachy of Guthrie, Kentucky has something for everyone. With peanut butter, apple, peanuts, caramel topping and a sugar cookie crust, the pleasing pizza pie is sheer delight!
Caramel Apple Bites
Kids can help make these perfect fall bites by dipping the baked cookies in caramel and nuts. It's a fun food craft for all of us. —Darlene Brenden, Salem, Oregon
Contest-Winning Caramel Apple Crisp
When my kids and I make apple crisp, we use all sorts of apples to boost the flavor and texture. Add melted caramels, and you’ve got something scrumptious. —Michelle Brooks, Clarkston, Michigan
Caramel Apple Jam
The flavors of apples, brown sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg come together in this spreadable treat. The jam is a must-have at our breakfast table. —Robert Atwood, West Wareham, Massachusetts
Apple Caramel Cheesecake Bars
The streusel topping that comes with this recipe for apple cream cheese bars is absolutely irresistible. If you can’t resist a “taste test” before a party, just arrange each apple bar on a serving platter and no one will know a piece is missing from the pan! —Katherine White, Henderson, Nevada
Caramel Apple Fondue
I serve this warm caramel dip with sliced apples while we're watching football games on Sunday afternoons. It really warms us up. —Katie Koziolek, Hartland, Minnesota
Caramel-Pecan Apple Pie
You'll love the smell in your kitchen—and the smiles on everybody's faces—when you make this scrumptious caramel apple pie recipe. It takes me back home to Virginia, to my granny's table. —Jean Castro, Phoenix, Arizona
Slow Cooker Caramel Apple Cider
Spiced with cinnamon sticks, allspice and caramel, this warm-you-up sipper will chase away winter's chill. Serve brimming mugs alongside a platter of festive cookies at your next holiday gathering. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Caramel-Pecan Apple Slices
Here's a warm, decadent side dish for fall or winter brunches. Ready to eat in only 15 minutes, the apples are also good alongside a pork entree or spooned over vanilla ice cream. —Carol Gillespie, Chambersburg, Pennsylvania
Caramel Apple Creme Brulee
Here's the cream of the apple dessert crop. Fruit, caramel and cinnamon flavors enhance the rich, velvety custard. Served warm or chilled, it's a classic end to a meal. —Cheryl Perry, Hertford, North Carolina
Caramel Apple Cookies
It looks like a caramel apple but it's really a chocolate chip cookie. You can coat the caramel with your favorite type of nut, sprinkles or mini chips. I am often asked to bring these to parties.—Tammy Daniels, Batavia, Ohio
Caramel Apple Cheesecake
This apple cheesecake won the grand prize in an apple recipe contest. With caramel both on the bottom and over the top, every bite is sinfully delicious. —Lisa Morman, Minot, North Dakota
Apple Nachos
It doesn't get much easier than whipping together these colorful, crisp apple nachos. These nacho look-alikes will delight any guest with a sweet tooth! —RaeAnn Gnatkowski, Carrollton, Michigan
Caramel Apple Cake Pops
For a perfect fall treat, mix spice cake and apples with frosting to form cake balls. Then dip them in caramel coating, and let the kids go nuts, rolling them in peanuts. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Colossal Caramel Apple Trifle
As a pastor's wife and state auxiliary leader, I host many large gatherings. Whenever I make this "punch bowl cake", it makes a big impression, I return with an empty bowl every time!" -Deborah Randall Abbeville, Louisiana
Originally Published: September 09, 2020
