Is the New Starbucks Coffee Drink Healthier Than a PSL Everyday Health MenuNewslettersSearch Diet & Nutrition Is the New Starbucks Coffee Drink Healthier Than a PSL A registered dietitian reviews the latest seasonal offering from the coffee chain, and reveals a hack for making your own Apple Crisp Macchiato. By Kelly Kennedy, RDNFor My Health StoryMedically Reviewed by Lynn Grieger, RDN, CDCESReviewed: September 24, 2021Everyday Health BlogsMedically ReviewedApple-pie flavored coffee is as decadent as it sounds.Photo Courtesy of StarbucksStarbucks pretty much single-handedly made pumpkin a household-name flavor when it introduced the Pumpkin Spice Latte, or PSL, 18 years ago. Over time, the drink’s popularity encouraged plenty of imitators, a cold-brew version, and pumpkin spice flavors for just about every kind of food and beverage imaginable. Since then, the coffee chain has been looking to repeat that success with other seasonal creations in its limited-time-only fall menu. This year’s drink focuses on another piece of iconic fall produce, the apple. But the Apple Crisp Macchiato, as delicious as it sounds, bears about as much resemblance to an apple nutritionally as the PSL does to pumpkin — which is to say, very little. The ACM (even the abbreviation isn’t as catchy as PSL) is offered hot or iced, and its base is espresso and steamed whole milk, although it can be customized with low-fat, nonfat, or nondairy milk. It is flavored with Apple Brown Sugar syrup and topped with a Spiced Apple Drizzle. While coffee or espresso on its own can be a healthy, antioxidant-rich choice, all the extras make this beverage more of a dessert. A 16-ounce (“Grande”) ACM made with whole milk, one shot of espresso, and two pumps of flavor contains:300 calories12 grams (g) of protein7 g fat (4.5 g saturated)47 g carbohydrates (45 g from sugar)0 g fiber150 milligrams (mg) of caffeine RELATED: Coffee, Even Decaf, May Promote Liver Health That’s not an ideal way to kick off your day. Syrups and other sweeteners — if you look at the list of ingredients for this drink, you’ll find five types of sugar — are one of the biggest problems. More than half the calories in this drink come from sugar. There are roughly 11 teaspoons (tsp) in an ACM, which is more than an entire day’s worth for men as recommended by the American Heart Association and almost double the limit for women. And while you’re looking at that ingredients list, note the chemical stabilizers and thickeners, including “preservative potassium sorbate,” “sodium citrate,” and “xanthan gum.” Those are not exactly my idea of sweet fall flavors. Perhaps surprisingly, the Apple Crisp Macchiato is slightly superior nutritionally to the PSL. The same size PSL made with whole milk, two pumps of flavor, and whipped cream racks up 90 more calories, 7 more grams of fat (plus 0.5 g trans fat — ew!), and 5 more grams of added sugar. So, if you’re going to treat yourself once in a great while and you’re choosing between the two, the Apple Crisp Macchiato is the (slightly) better choice. I still wouldn’t recommend drinking either of these beverages regularly, however. If you’re making a daily coffee run, your best bet is to grab a brewed coffee either black or with a little bit of milk. A Grande dark roast, for example, will set you back a mere 5 calories! A cappuccino made with skim milk may be a good compromise; it can feel like a special treat while keeping calories, fat, and added sugars to a minimum. You’ll even get a little boost of protein from the milk. RELATED: Does Coffee Count as Fluid? How to Make a Healthier Apple Crisp Macchiato at Home If you simply can’t shake that Apple Crisp Macchiato craving, don’t worry. You can make yourself a “fake-iato” at home and enjoy the flavors of a warm apple pie in a mug without all the extra junk. Here’s what I do: Mix ¼ to ½ tsp (to taste) of apple pie spice with ½ tsp brown sugar in the bottom of a mug. Stir in 2 ounces (oz) (about one shot) of espresso or strong coffee and ½ tsp pure vanilla extract. Gently stir in 6 oz frothed milk (of your choice), and you’ll have a cupful of all the fall feels. No milk frother on hand? No problem. Simply pour your milk into a microwave-safe jar with a lid and give it a shake for 30 seconds. Then remove the lid and place it in the microwave for 45 to 60 seconds, checking frequently to make sure it doesn’t bubble over. Voilà, frothed milk. In contrast to the Starbucks Apple Crisp Macchiato, your homemade macchiato will have only 90 calories, 0 g fat, 13 g carbohydrates, 6 g protein, and only 2 g added sugar! Now, that’s a “splurge” you can afford every day. RELATED: How to Brew the Healthiest Cup of Coffee It’s unrealistic for anyone, myself included, to eat perfectly healthfully all the time. Foods and beverages that are considered nutritionally empty can be delicious and fun to eat, especially as part of a seasonal celebration or ritual. If you’re following a nutritious diet 80 percent of the time, indulging in less-than-ideal foods the remainder of the time is fine. A well-balanced diet is centered on nutritious whole foods and includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats, as described by MyPlate. While I wouldn’t recommend an Apple Crisp Macchiato as a daily beverage, one or two during the season to satisfy your craving can certainly fit into a healthy diet. 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