I tried Starbucks' new drink for fall, and I think it tastes way better than the Pumpkin Spice Latte

Starbucks releases a new drink every season, and I've been dutifully ranking them since the winter of 2019.

The coffee giant had a very successful summer with the release of the Chocolate Cream Cold Brew (my new go-to Starbucks order) and three tropical pineapple and passion fruit drinks. So I was super excited to see what fall would bring.

Starbucks introduced the Apple Crisp Macchiato in August 2021. The hot and iced versions featured the flavors of apple and brown sugar, along with apple purée, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a caramelized-spiced apple drizzle.

Raegan Powell, the senior manager on Starbucks' research and development team, told me that Starbucks tested a "bushel of apple-flavored favorites" — including apple syrup, apple cider doughnuts, and a variety of apple pies, cakes, and crisps — while developing the drink.

"Creating an ingredient with a spicy baked-apple flavor was crucial to be able to bridge an autumn-red apple to espresso," Powell said. "The number one thing we heard when developing the ingredients was that customers wanted more apple."

While I didn't find the iced Apple Crisp Macchiato to be very memorable, I thought the ingredients worked perfectly together when the drink was hot. The apple flavor came through much stronger, and the warm cinnamon notes made every sip comforting. I also loved the foam on top with the caramelized-spiced apple drizzle, which added just the right amount of sweetness.

So I was intrigued to see how the flavors would change this year, and if I'd still prefer the hot Apple Crisp Macchiato over the iced version.

A Starbucks spokesperson told me the new drink, which was released on Tuesday, is made with creamy oat milk and Starbucks' Blonde Espresso. As with its predecessor, the Apple Crisp Oatmilk Macchiato combines layered flavors of apple, cinnamon, and brown sugar, and features the same caramelized-spiced apple drizzle.

"Crafting the Apple Crisp Oatmilk Macchiato with Starbucks' Blonde Espresso gives the beverage a soft and smooth foundation that ties all the flavors together," said Harvey Rojas Mora, Starbucks' beverage developer. "The oat milk adds a creaminess and brings forward the oat flavors of a traditional apple crisp topping."

Starbucks also wanted to recognize its customers' growing demand for non-dairy options, a spokesperson told me.

"Alternative dairy milk continues to be a customer favorite, and now represents nearly 25% of all milk-related beverages sold," they said. "As interest in alternative dairy continues to grow, we're thrilled to bring our customers Starbucks' first non-dairy fall beverage."

My iced drink had the same ombré effect as the original Apple Crisp Macchiato, as well as the same dark-red bottom. It made for a pretty picture.

I popped the cap off to check out the top, which was a deep caramel color.

Just like last year, my Iced Apple Crisp Macchiato was way too strong on the first sip. I winced as the intense coffee flavor on top hit my lips — it overpowered everything.

I was surprised to find that I actually enjoyed the iced Apple Crisp Oatmilk Macchiato so much more than the iced dairy version I had tried last summer. The apple flavor came through so much stronger, giving each sip a refreshing crispness.

And while I don't usually love oat milk in my coffee, I thought its creaminess worked really well with Starbucks' Blonde Espresso to create a drink as satisfying as an ooey gooey apple crisp. It tasted like fall in a cup.

I far preferred the original hot Apple Crisp Macchiato to the iced version, so I was excited to see if anything would change with Starbucks' new recipe.

The caramelized-spiced apple drizzle looked inviting as it peeked out from the foam on top of my Apple Crisp Oatmilk Macchiato — I just wish there had been more of it!

The hot Apple Crisp Oatmilk Macchiato tastes warm and comforting, and the notes of cinnamon really come through in the hot version. The iced version tasted just a bit sweeter and more balanced to me, but I thought both beverages were delicious.

What I love about the Apple Crisp Oatmilk Macchiato is that it's such a great everyday option for fall. I've always found Starbucks' famous Pumpkin Spice Latte to be too sweet for me (sorry PSL fans!), but the Apple Crisp Oatmilk Macchiato is so much more balanced. It's a great way to get your caffeine fix while embracing the fall spirit — even when the weather is still hot and sticky.