How To Make Brown Sugar Syrup And Match Starbucks For Flavor

When you learn how to make brown sugar syrup and replicate exactly as what is available at Starbucks, you will have one absolutely amazing coffee syrup.

In fact, you will have the best and most delicious one!

Keep reading for an amazing tasty recipe and instructions on how to make one of Starbucks best beverages that you can make with this syrup!

How To Make Brown Sugar Syrup For Coffee

Simple syrup is easy to make and Brown sugar simple syrup is a variation of Starbucks classic syrup and is just as easy to make.

You can simply make one with just brown sugar and water. If you want to emulate the taste of Starbucks brown sugar syrup, then you will need some additional ingredients to match the hints of cinnamon and maple.

I find those flavors linger yet oddly are not listed on the bottle as ingredients.

The aim of this recipe is to match what is available at Starbucks as closely as we can.

Read: Brown sugar syrup Starbucks recipe

Brown Simple Syrup Ingredients

There are many different brown sugar syrup recipes, and to be fair, I am happy to say that they are all good.

But,

they are just missing that “secret” ingredient or two to replicate that flavor that you get from a Starbucks brown sugar syrup.

I’ve included a couple of items to help replicate that flavor exactly.

Note: I’m using light brown sugar in this recipe as it produces a better taste. While cinnamon is used, use a stick and not a powder.

Here are the Ingredients for making a 270 ml (9 oz) serving:

• 6 cups of light brown sugar.
• 4 cups of maple syrup.
• 2x 6 inch (15 cm) cinnamon stick.
• 1.5 teaspoons of extra fine sea salt.
• 270 ml (9 Oz) Bottled or filtered water.

Homemade Brown Sugar Simple Syrup Instructions

Add your maple syrup, cinnamon stick, water and light brown sugar to your saucepan. Stir well and add the extra fine sea salt and keep stirring.

Heat your saucepan at a medium heat and still well and continuously while it’s heating. Stop when all the sugar has dissolved.

If your sugar and all the ingredients have mixed well together, take your syrup off the heat. There is no need for it to simmer or boil.

Let your solution cool down and decant it into a clean glass bottle with an airtight lid and put your two cinnamon sticks in.

After 24 hours, remove the cinnamon sticks.

Store your 9 oz (270 ml) brown sugar syrup well, and it will keep good without loss of flavor for 4 to 5 months.

What Does Homemade Brown Sugar Syrup For Coffee Taste Like?

It seems like brown sugar syrup has been on the Starbucks menu forever, but surprisingly it only debuted in spring of 2021.

The syrup goes incredibly well with oat milk and oat milk coffee beverages and milk tea. I love to put it in my iced coffee during the hot summer for a tasty change.

It has tastes of molasses with hints of cinnamon and maple with very caramel tones – particularly if you heated your solution while making it. Here at Latte Love Brew, we suggest that you heat your syrup gently while making it to get those caramel tones into your syrup. 

Ways To Use Your Brown Sugar Syrup In Beverages

Brown sugar syrup is very versatile and can be used in a number of beverages – including the specialty and tasty iced brown sugar oat milk shaken espresso.

You can also add it to your pancakes, ice cream, shaved ice, milk tea and tea drinks without milk.

Here are some common uses:

• Iced coffee.
• Iced cappuccino.
• Regular or iced latte.
• Iced latte with almond or oat milk.
• Coffee soda.
• Tea latte.
• Cold brew coffee.
• Iced espresso.
• Chai tea latte.

There are some uncommon uses also, including adding ginger and hot water as a flu remedy – I’ve heard reports that this is popular in Taiwan and parts of China. 

Making A Brown Sugar Oat Milk Shaken Espresso

Let’s get some great use out of your syrup and replicate Starbucks brown sugar oat milk shaken espresso.

For syrup, follow the instructions above.

Making The Perfect Shot Of Espresso

Weigh 20 grams of coffee beans using your digital coffee scale. Grind your coffee beans to a very fine grind.

Tamp your grounds evenly and with 30 kg of pressure.

Pull your shot of espresso using your home or professional espresso machine.

It should take 25 seconds with a variance of 5 seconds to pull a 1 ounce (30 ml) shot. Time it.

If your shot takes too long or is too quick, you will need to adjust something, most likely the grind size.

If your shot has pulled too quickly, there is not enough contact between the hot water and your coffee grounds. In this situation, it is probable that your grind size is too large.

In the situation that your shot takes too long to pull there is too much contact between your coffee grounds and the hot water. Adjust your coffee grind size and make it slightly larger.

When you have your perfect shot ready, add it to your cocktail shaker, add a couple of ice cubes and 2 tablespoons of brown sugar syrup and shake well for 20 to 30 seconds.

Pour your shaken espresso into a glass with ice, add oat milk and stir well.

Frequently Asked Questions About How To Make Brown Sugar Syrup

Why Is My Brown Sugar Syrup Watery?

Your brown sugar syrup is too runny when you have more water in the syrup. The solution to this is to add more of the other ingredients in the same ratios as the recipe to thicken the syrup. Simple syrup has a 1:1 sugar to water ratio.

If you are making the syrup for other purposes other than coffee or tea, you may need a thicker syrup and a stronger sugar to water ratio of 2:1.

What Is The Ratio Of Maple Syrup To Brown Sugar?

The ideal ratio of maple syrup to brown sugar is 2/3rd. If you are using 3 cups of brown sugar, use 2 cups of maple syrup. If you use more or less than this ratio, you won’t be able to match the taste of Starbucks brown sugar syrup.

How Long Does Homemade Brown Sugar Syrup Last In The Fridge?

Your homemade brown sugar syrup, when stored in a glass container with an airtight lid, will last for 4-5 months and maintain the flavor.

Does Brown Sugar Syrup Thicken As It Cools?

Yes, your brown sugar syrup will thicken as it cools down. This is the same for all syrups, be it a brown sugar syrup, black sugar syrup or one made with regular white sugar.

Does Simple Syrup Need To Boil?

It is not absolutely necessary that your simple syrup boils as you make it. It is not even a requirement that any homemade syrup is heated as granulated sugar of all types dissolves at room temperature.

The heating is suggested as it makes it easier and helps to get a more even distribution of the ingredients through the syrup. This is also why a low heat or a medium heat is suggested.

How Is Brown Sugar Made?

Brown sugar is due to the addition of molasses syrup to the boiling sugar crystals from the refining process.

It is also made by coating granulated white sugar with molasses.

Final Thoughts – How To Make Brown Sugar Syrup

When you know how to make brown sugar syrup you can delight your taste buds with a host of lovely beverages like brown sugar milk tea and that Asian classic brown sugar boba as well as some very tasty coffee beverages.

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Derek Marshall

Derek Marshall, a certified barista by the Specialty Coffee Association possesses over two decades of experience in specialty coffee shops. He holds professional certifications for coffee brewing and barista skills. Derek is also an author with authoritative books covering various coffee topics including specialty coffee, sustainability and coffee, coffee brewing, coffee recipes, coffee cocktails and books focusing on Brazilian coffee, Vietnamese coffee, Indonesian coffee and Malaysian coffee. As a barista for over two decades, Derek Marshall has worked in specialty coffee shops across the United Kingdom, Spain, Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, Indonesia, and Vietnam. His expertise extends to the distinct coffee cultures, specialty beverages, and brewing techniques of each nation. Functioning as a coffee consultant, Derek charges US$50 per hour. To learn more about Derek Marshall and Latte Love Brew, visit his About Me Page. For coffee inquiries, contact him at +34-639-410-375 or Derek@LatteLoveBrew.com, mentioning your name and location