A Starbucks apple crisp macchiato is a popular seasonal coffee drink made with rich espresso, steamed milk, and flavors of apple and brown sugar. However, many coffee drinkers wonder just how much sugar is packed into Starbucks’ sweet macchiato.
The apple crisp macchiato contains a considerable amount of sugar, as do most of Starbucks’ high-calorie coffee-based drinks. The amount of sugar can vary based on the size ordered. A grande (16 oz) apple crisp macchiato from Starbucks contains approximately 39 grams of sugar. This is equal to about 9.75 teaspoons of added sugar. This is a very high amount compared to the recommended daily limits on added sugar intake.
Daily Recommended Sugar Intake
Health organizations like the American Heart Association recommend limiting added sugar intake to no more than:
– Men: 36 grams or 9 teaspoons
– Women: 25 grams or 6 teaspoons
This means a grande apple crisp macchiato from Starbucks exceeds the recommended daily amount of added sugars for women by over 50% and men by about 8%. Just a single grande drink delivers almost 2 days worth of added sugar for women or over a day’s worth for men.
Consuming excess added sugars like those in the Starbucks apple crisp macchiato can lead to obesity, heart disease, diabetes, fatty liver disease and tooth decay according to health experts. So this seasonal drink should be considered an occasional treat, not part of a daily habit.
Sugar Content by Size
Starbucks offers the apple crisp macchiato in 3 sizes: tall (12 oz), grande (16 oz), and venti (20 oz). The sugar content increases with the drink size:
| Size | Sugar (grams) | Sugar (teaspoons) |
|---|---|---|
| Tall | 30 | 7.5 |
| Grande | 39 | 9.75 |
| Venti | 51 | 12.75 |
As you can see, the venti size has over 50 grams or 12.75 teaspoons of added sugar. This is 130% of the daily limit for women and 139% for men – from one coffee drink alone!
Ingredients Analysis
So what ingredients in the apple crisp macchiato deliver so much sugar?
A grande apple crisp macchiato is made with:
– 2 shots of espresso
– Steamed whole milk
– Sweetened apple juice blend
– Brown sugar syrup
– Caramel sauce
– Whipped cream
– Caramel sugar topping
The main sources of added sugar are the apple juice blend, brown sugar syrup, caramel sauce, and caramel sugar topping that flavor the espresso and steamed milk.
The nutrition information on Starbucks’ website does not provide a full breakdown of grams of sugar per ingredient. However, we know that concentrated fruit juices, syrups, buttery caramel sauces, and sugar toppings all contain large amounts of added sugars. Starbucks adds generous portions of these high-sugar ingredients to create the apple crisp macchiato’s sweet dessert-like taste.
Comparable Sugar Content of Other Drinks
To put the apple crisp macchiato’s high sugar content into context, here is how it compares to the sugar in some other popular beverages (using grande/16 oz serving sizes):
| Beverage | Total Sugar (grams) |
|---|---|
| Starbucks Apple Crisp Macchiato | 39 |
| Starbucks Bottled Frappuccino | 46 |
| Pepsi | 41 |
| Gatorade | 21 |
| Ocean Spray Cranberry Juice | 33 |
| Naked Fruit Smoothie | 53 |
A Starbucks apple crisp macchiato has more sugar than a 12-ounce Pepsi and nearly as much as a bottled Frappuccino. The macchiato also exceeds the total sugar in fruit juices and is close to the extremely high sugar content of many smoothies.
Tips for Ordering with Less Sugar
The apple crisp macchiato cannot be made sugar-free at Starbucks. However, here are some tips for reducing sugar if you want to occasionally indulge in this seasonal treat:
– Order the tall size – it cuts 24% of the sugar compared to the grande
– Request less pumps of the brown sugar syrup
– Ask for light caramel drizzle and topping
– Get it made with nonfat milk instead of whole milk
– Ask for half the usual amount of whipped cream
– Order it hot instead of iced – cold dulls the perception of sweetness
Keep in mind that even with modifications, the apple crisp macchiato will still be a high sugar beverage.
Healthier Lower Calorie Alternatives
If you visit Starbucks frequently, the apple crisp macchiato and other sweet drinks may not be the best options for your daily coffee or tea. Here are some lower sugar and calorie Starbucks drink ideas:
– Hot brewed coffee or americano – add milk/cream to taste
– Iced coffee with a splash of milk
– Tea – try green, white, mint, chai or English Breakfast
– Cold brew coffee or cold brew with a splash of milk
– Skinny vanilla latte made with sugar-free syrup and nonfat milk
– Cappuccino with fewer pumps of flavored syrup
– Refreshers made with light juices, tea, and no added syrup
Choosing beverages that rely on coffee, tea, and lighter dairy or non-dairy milks more often can help control calories, sugars, and fat. Avoiding heavily sweetened coffeehouse drinks like the apple crisp macchiato is best for your health and waistline. Consider them an occasional treat if you have a sweet tooth.
Conclusion
Starbucks’ apple crisp macchiato is a fall favorite, but it comes at a cost with its very high amount of added sugar. A grande (16 oz) serving contains about 39 grams or 9.75 teaspoons of sugar – well over the recommended limits on added sugar intake for women and men. The drink gets its intense sweetness from a blend of fruit juice, buttery caramel sauce, sugary syrup, and topped with whipped cream and more caramel drizzle.
Ordering a smaller size, asking for less syrup and toppings, or choosing sugar-free flavors can slightly reduce the amount of added sugar in an apple crisp macchiato. But ultimately, health-conscious coffee drinkers should consider it an occasional splurge. Sticking to drinks made primarily with coffee, tea, and light dairy allows enjoyment of Starbucks beverages while better controlling your daily added sugar consumption.