There is apple tea, and then there is a cup that actually reminds you of hot apple cider.

When I first created our Apple Cider Fixin tea, that was the difference I was after. I wasn't trying to make another tea with a few pieces of apple tossed into it. I wanted all of those familiar flavors I thought belonged in a pot of apple cider anyway: warm cinnamon, clove and nutmeg, a little citrus, and plenty of apple flavor.

As a tea blender, I came at apple cider tea a little differently than many recipes you'll find online. Instead of starting with a mug of apple cider and adding a black tea bag, I wanted to build an herbal tea that could give you those familiar apple-and-mulling-spice flavors right from the cup.

That means you can brew it and drink it just as it is when you want something reminiscent of cider without the sweetness of a mug full of apple cider. Or you can do what my team and I did here and take those flavors in an entirely different direction with milk, a splash of cider and homemade caramel.

And really, caramel + apples + a creamy latte? It wasn't a hard combination to say yes to.

This Caramel Apple Cider Tea Latte starts with a caffeine-free apple cider tea made with red rooibos, real apples and traditional mulling spices, then adds frothed milk, apple cider and homemade caramel for a creamy fall drink with plenty of apple-and-spice flavor.

Jump straight to the Caramel Apple Cider Tea Latte recipe ↓

Jump to:

• What Makes Apple Cider Tea Taste Like Cider?
• Caramel Apple Cider Tea Latte Recipe
• How to Brew Apple Cider Tea for a Latte
• Want Apple Cider Tea Without the Latte?
• Apple Cider Tea FAQs

                                                   ^{Photo by: Kayla Joy Creative} 

What Makes Apple Cider Tea Taste Like Cider?

One thing I've learned from blending tea is that what looks flavorful in a dry tea blend isn't always what delivers the most flavor to your finished cup.

Take those pretty chunks of dried apple, for instance. Of course I wanted real apples in Apple Cider Fixin. But dried fruit steeped in a mug of hot water doesn't release the big, juicy apple flavor you might imagine when you look at it. Once that little piece of fruit is diluted into six or eight ounces of water, its flavor is actually rather subtle.

So when I developed this blend, I thought less about making an "apple tea" and more about what makes apple cider taste like apple cider.

It's a bit like pumpkin pie. Plain pumpkin doesn't taste much like the flavor most of us imagine when someone says pumpkin pie. Add cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and those other familiar spices, though, and suddenly you recognize it.

Apple cider works much the same way.

I started with red rooibos because its naturally smooth, almost vanilla-like flavor works beautifully with apples and warm spices. The color mattered to me, too. Tea isn't only about flavor. We drink with our eyes first, and the naturally deep reddish color of rooibos looks right at home in a cider-inspired cup.

Then there are real dried apples, cinnamon, orange peel, clove and nutmeg, along with a little organic apple cider extract to bring that recognizable cider flavor forward. The rooibos, fruit, and spices create the foundation rather than asking added flavor to do all the work. There's no need for added sugar, sweeteners or coloring to make the brewed tea taste and look the part.

The result is a tea you can drink completely on its own, but it also gives us a pretty fabulous starting point for this latte.

Caramel Apple Cider Tea Latte Recipe

Now we get to turn that apple-and-spice tea into something a little more fancy.

The tea brings the apple and warm spices. A small amount of real apple cider bumps up the apple flavor without making cider the entire drink. Frothed milk makes everything creamy, and homemade caramel ties the apple, spices and naturally smooth rooibos together.

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Caramel Apple Cider Tea Latte

Yield: 2

Author: Farmhouse Teas

Prep time: 10 Min  Cook time: 20 Min  Total time: 30 Min

A creamy caramel apple cider tea latte made with spiced Apple Cider Fixin tea, frothed milk, a splash of apple cider and homemade caramel sauce.

Ingredients

Caramel

• 1 can coconut cream
• 1 cup coconut sugar
• Pinch Salt
• 2 ½ tsp arrowroot starch

Tea Latte

• 12 oz brewed Apple Cider Fixin Organic Loose Leaf Tea
• 1 cup milk of choice, frothed
• 2 tbsp natural apple cider

Instructions

To Make the Caramel Sauce

1. Combine the coconut cream and coconut sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat and whisk until the sugar dissolves.
2. Add a pinch of salt and the arrowroot starch and bring to a boil.
3. Once boiling, reduce the heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes, whisking frequently.
4. Once the caramel has thickened remove from heat and let cool completely.

To Make the Latte

1. Divide the brewed tea and natural apple cider into serving mugs then add a tablespoon of the caramel into each mug, stir until combined.
2. If desired, froth a ½ cup of milk and add to each mug spooning the froth on top.
3. Drizzle each mug with caramel and enjoy.

How to Brew Apple Cider Tea for a Latte

When you're making a tea latte, you want your tea to be flavorful enough to stand up to the milk, caramel, and other ingredients you're adding.

For a regular cup of Apple Cider Fixin, use about 1 teaspoon of loose-leaf tea per 6 to 8 ounces of boiling water and steep for 5 to 7 minutes.

One of the benefits of loose-leaf tea is that you aren't locked into one strength. If you like a bolder apple cider tea, use a little more tea or give it a little more time to steep. Herbal teas are particularly forgiving when it comes to a longer steep, so you can adjust your cup until the apple and spices are as strong as you like them.

For this latte, starting with a flavorful brew is especially helpful because the milk and caramel are going to soften the tea once everything comes together.

Want Apple Cider Tea Without the Latte?

You certainly don't have to make the whole recipe every time you want those flavors.

Brew Apple Cider Fixin on its own and you've got apple, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, and citrus without adding actual cider or sweetener. That's handy when you love the flavor of hot apple cider but don't necessarily want a sweet mug of apple juice every time the craving hits.

You can also add a splash of apple cider when you want more sweetness and apple flavor, stir in a little honey or maple syrup, or add milk for a simple apple cider tea latte without making the caramel sauce.

And don't count this tea out just because the weather isn't cold. Brew it a little stronger, let it cool, and pour it over ice for an iced apple cider tea.

Apple Cider Tea FAQs

Does apple cider tea have caffeine?

That depends on what it's made with. Some apple cider tea recipes use black tea, which naturally contains caffeine. Apple Cider Fixin is an herbal blend made with red rooibos rather than black or green tea, so it is naturally caffeine-free.

Can I make apple cider tea without apple cider?

Yes. That's what I wanted Apple Cider Fixin to do in the first place. It can be brewed and enjoyed on its own without adding apple cider. The two tablespoons of cider in this latte recipe add extra apple flavor and sweetness, but they aren't necessary for making a regular cup of apple cider tea.

Can I make this apple cider tea latte dairy-free?

Yes. Use your favorite dairy-free milk in place of dairy milk. If you want plenty of foam on top, choose one that you already know froths well.

Can I make apple cider tea ahead of time?

Yes. Brew the tea ahead of time and refrigerate it in a covered container. When you're ready to make the latte, reheat the tea and add the remaining ingredients. For the best texture, froth the milk when you're ready to serve it rather than assembling the entire latte ahead of time.

Can you drink apple cider tea iced?

Absolutely. Brew the tea a little stronger than usual so the ice doesn't dilute the flavor too much. Let it cool and pour it over ice. Drink it plain, add a splash of cider or add cold milk for an iced apple cider tea latte.

                                                                                  ^{Photo by: Kayla Joy Creative} 

Take Your Apple Cider Tea One Step Further

You can certainly stop at a simple mug of Apple Cider Fixin, but adding frothed milk, caramel, and that little splash of cider turns it into something else entirely. It’s the kind of seasonal drink you might expect to find written on a coffeehouse menu, only you get to decide exactly what goes into your cup.

And tea makes a pretty fabulous base for those kinds of drinks. Chai lattes, London Fogs, turmeric lattes, and other coffeehouse favorites don’t have to start with coffee or a bottle of sugary flavored syrup. Once you know a few simple techniques, you can make them right in your own kitchen.

That’s exactly why we put together our FREE Coffeehouse at Home Guide. If you enjoyed turning this apple cider tea into a creamy caramel latte, grab the guide and discover more ways to make coffeehouse-inspired drinks at home.

More Tea & Fall Drink Recipes to Try

• How to Make Mulling Spices for Cider, Potpourri, Baking & More
• How to Make Perfect Dried Apples at Home
• How to Make a Chai Tea Latte
• How to Make Tea Concentrate
• Herbal Simple Syrup Recipes
• How to Set Up a DIY Coffee Bar at Home