by Chenée Lewis
How to make Starbucks brown sugar syrup recipe, or apple brown sugar syrup! This is a true Starbucks brown sugar syrup dupe that will save you time and money by whipping up your favorite iced coffee drinks at home!
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For more coffee goodness, check out my Sweet Cream Cold Foam Recipe, my Starbucks Pumpkin Sauce, and my Iced Sugar Cookie Almond Milk Latte (Starbucks Copycat)!
What is the brown sugar syrup at Starbucks?
Before we delve into how to make a Starbucks Brown Sugar Syrup dupe, let's understand what it is. Simply put, it's a vanilla syrup infused with the rich, caramelized flavor of brown sugar and cinnamon powder. Starbucks uses this delightful liquid sweetener in their coffee shops to add sweetness and depth to the Iced Brown Sugar Oat Milk Shaken Espresso, and various other drinks on their menu.
The secret behind the allure of Starbucks Brown Sugar Syrup lies in its unique flavors. It boasts a perfect balance of sweetness and warm, with toasty notes of toffee that are reminiscent of freshly baked cookies. This syrup doesn't just add sweetness; it's a great way to elevate your iced tea and coffee to a whole new level, making it a must-try for espresso-based drinks, and could also be amazing in hot chocolate or on ice cream!
Can you buy a bottle of brown sugar syrup at Starbucks?
No, but you can definitely find similar products like Starbucks brown sugar syrup for sale on Amazon or at other online retailers -- this Torani Brown Sugar Cinnamon Syrup has great reviews and this syrup looks like the real deal but the price is outrageous!! But honestly, the good news is that it's easy to make copycat Starbucks syrups yourself!
Does Starbucks brown sugar syrup have cinnamon?
There is definitely a distinct cinnamon flavor that I've noticed, which is why we're including it in the simple ingredients list for this homemade brown sugar syrup! Here's everything you'll need:
- light brown sugar - you can also use dark brown sugar for even more molasses flavor!
- water - use filtered water for the best flavor!
- cinnamon - a bit of ground cinnamon amps up the warm, spicy flavors of this syrup!
- vanilla - make sure you use a good-qualitypure vanilla extract. Or better yet, check out my post onhow to make vanilla extractat home with just 2 ingredients!
See recipe card for quantities.
Equipment
The only equipment you'll need for this recipe is a small saucepan and a heatproof container or glass jar to pour your delicious brown sugar syrup in to cool. Here's the saucepan that I use!
Instructions
This is essentially a twist on a classic simple syrup recipe, with a couple extra hints of flavor. So it's a super easy recipe to make! Check the recipe card below for detailed instructions, but here's how it will go:
Combine brown sugar and water in saucepan.
Heat and stir over medium heat until sugar dissolves and mixture is smooth.
Turn off heat, stir in brown sugar and vanilla until combined.
Pour into a heatproof container, cool to room temperature, and enjoy in your favorite drinks!
Hint: Only cook the brown sugar and water until the sugar is dissolved -- you don't want to reduce the mixture too much.
Variation: Apple Brown Sugar Syrup
If you've had the Starbucks Iced Apple Crisp Oatmilk Shaken Espresso, you know there's a fantastic twist on this brown sugar syrup that makes the perfect autumn coffee drink! Here's how to customize this recipe to make it:
- Apple Juice - swap out the water for apple juice or apple cider.
- Reduce Sugar - reduce the brown sugar called for in the recipe by 1 tablespoon. Just measure out a cup of brown sugar, then use a measuring spoon to remove one tablespoon of it.
That's it! It'll have a delicious apple cinnamon flavor with caramel-y vanilla notes! Delish!
Storage
Store this Starbucks brown sugar syrup dupe in an airtight container -- I used a mason jar, but you can also use a coffee syrup bottle with a pump for a fun coffee bar experience! Keep your delicious syrup in the fridge and use within 2 weeks.
Top Tip
Add your cinnamon and vanilla after taking the syrup mixture off of the heat, so that the flavors don't cook off.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between classic syrup and brown sugar syrup?
The main difference is the type of sugar used. Instead of using regular white sugar like in classic syrup, this Starbucks brown sugar syrup recipe uses brown sugar, and adds vanilla and cinnamon!
What is spiced brown sugar syrup?
This brown sugar syrup is made with cinnamon, giving it a bit of delicious fall spice and rounding out the vanilla and brown sugar flavors!
Is the apple brown sugar syrup at Starbucks seasonal?
Yes it is! Which is why this copycat recipe is great -- you can make your favorite Starbucks drink at home, all year long! See the recipe card below for how to make the apple version of this brown sugar syrup!
What other fall recipes should I try?
If you like the cinnamon and brown sugar flavors in this syrup, you'll love my Cinnamon Cupcakes, my Pillsbury Cinnamon Roll Donuts, and my Pumpkin Banana Muffins! You should also try this pistachio latte recipe!
Looking for other recipes like this brown sugar syrup? Try these:
- Christmas Gin Cocktails
- Sweet Cream Cold Foam Recipe
- Creamy Espresso Martini with Baileys
- Peppermint Espresso Martini
If you try this recipe,I would love it if you couldleave a star review rating and comment below! It’s so wonderful hearing your feedback! And don’t forget to share your creations with me by tagging@chenee_today on Instagram!
📖 Recipe
How to Make Starbucks Brown Sugar Syrup - Easy Recipe
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How to make Starbucks brown sugar syrup recipe, or apple brown sugar syrup! This is a true Starbucks brown sugar syrup dupe that will save you time and money by whipping up your favorite coffee drinks at home!
Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes minutes
Course: Breakfast, Drinks
Cuisine :American
Servings: 10 servings
Calories: 89kcal
Recipe Source: Chenée Lewis
Equipment you may need
heat-proof container
Ingredients
- 1 cup (237 ml) water - preferably filtered
- 1 cup (220 g) light brown sugar - you can also use dark brown sugar
- 4 teaspoon (20 ml) pure vanilla extract
- 1½ teaspoon (4 g) ground cinnamon
Instructions
Stir together brown sugar and water in a saucepan.
1 cup water, 1 cup light brown sugar
Heat over medium heat, stirring, until sugar dissolves and mixture is smooth.
Remove from heat and stir in cinnamon and vanilla.
1½ teaspoon ground cinnamon, 4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Pour into a heatproof container to cool completely, then store in refrigerator until ready to use.
Video
Notes
Starbucks Apple Brown Sugar Syrup:
If you've had the Starbucks Iced Apple Crisp Oatmilk Shaken Espresso, you know there's a fantastic twist on this brown sugar syrup that's perfect for autumn! Here's how to customize this recipe to make it:
- Apple Juice - swap out the water for apple juice or apple cider.
- Reduce Sugar - reduce the brown sugar called for in the recipe by 1 tablespoon. Just measure out a cup of brown sugar, then use a measuring spoon to remove one tablespoon of it.
Nutrition
Serving: 3 tablespoons | Calories: 89 kcal | Carbohydrates: 22 g | Protein: 0.04 g | Fat: 0.01 g | Saturated Fat: 0.001 g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.001 g | Sodium: 8 mg | Potassium: 33 mg | Fiber: 0.2 g | Sugar: 22 g | Vitamin A: 1 IU | Vitamin C: 0.01 mg | Calcium: 23 mg | Iron: 0.2 mg
Nutrition Disclaimer
Did you try this recipe? Rate it below!I can't wait to see (and share) your results! Follow me on Instagram at @chenee_today and tag #cheneetoday!
Last Updated on January 20, 2024 by Chenée Lewis