What Brown Sugar Syrup Does Starbucks Use?

A couple of questions that were asked to us on our active online coffee community were “What brown sugar does Starbucks use?” and “Can I make my own homemade brown sugar syrup?”

First questions first, and for those of you who are in a rush…

Starbucks has their own brand of Syrups; it is their own brown sugar syrup that they use.

And yes, you can make your own brown sugar syrup at home, and I’ll detail you an excellent recipe that mimics the flavor perfectly.

Keep reading from that amazing and tasty recipe!

What Brown Sugar Syrup Does Starbucks Use?

Starbucks use their own brown sugar syrup as all of their syrups, of all flavors. Their own branded syrups are manufactured for them under license by Fontana.

The exact formula and recipe is a trade secret; thankfully it is not difficult to make your own.

Read: Brown sugar syrup Starbucks recipe

Brown Sugar Syrup Recipe – Homemade Brown Sugar Syrup Starbucks Copycat Recipe

All other recipes that I have seen for a Starbucks brown sugar simple syrup recipe fails to fully replicate the flavor, they are missing that hint of maple and cinnamon that oddly and curiously lingers when you taste Starbucks brown sugar syrup.

No special equipment or hard-to-find ingredients are needed either.

Let’s get making the best and most accurate simple syrup recipe that is most similar to what you will find at the world leading gourmet coffee shop.

Brown Sugar Syrup Ingredients

There are only 5 ingredients in this recipe, whereas most brown sugar simple syrup recipes have only 2, water and brown sugar. 

Our goal is to get you matching what is made and sold by Starbucks as closely and as much accuracy as possible.

The three additional ingredients are maple syrup, a cinnamon stick and fine sea salt to mellow the flavor.

Here is the ingredient list:

• 6 cups of Light brown sugar
• 4 cups of Maple Syrup.
• Two 6 inch Cinnamon Stick.
• 1.5 teaspoons of fine Sea Salt.
• 9 oz (270 ml) Fresh water, bottled is best!

Let’s get you making that 9 oz serving of brown sugar syrup.

Read: How to make black sugar syrup

Instructions For Your Homemade Brown Sugar Syrup

Add your ingredients into a saucepan and heat at a medium heat and stir well.

Keep stirring as your water and ingredient mixture simmers and until all the brown sugar has dissolved. This should only take a minute or two.

Once your solution is ready, take it off the heat and let it cool. Transfer all the content – including the cinnamon sticks into a glass container with an airtight lid.

After 24 hours remove the cinnamon stick as they will continue to extract the flavor. Store your brown sugar well and it will stay fresh for around 4 to 5 months.

Pro Tips For Making The Best Brown Sugar Syrup

• 1. Use pure maple syrup – do not replace with maple flavored syrup or artificial syrup. The taste is not the same.
• 2. Only simmer the water to the point in which the sugar dissolves. If you leave it too long your syrup will become cloudy and foamy.
• 3. Use the best quality ingredients that you can find. The better your ingredients, the better your syrup will be.

Frequently Asked Questions About What Brown Sugar Syrup Does Starbucks Use

What Is Starbucks Brown Sugar Syrup Made Of?

The ingredients on a Starbucks bottle of brown sugar syrup lack clarity, it lists:

• Brown sugar.
• Natural flavors.
• Invert sugar.
• Salt.
• Preservatives.
• Water.

When you taste the syrup on its own you will notice the delicious syrup has hints of cinnamon and maple syrup, yet none of those are listed in the ingredients. Perhaps they are part of the “natural flavors”.

What Kind Of Sugar Syrup Does Starbucks Use?

There are only three simple syrups at Starbucks cane sugar, classic syrup and brown sugar syrup.

Is The Brown Sugar Syrup At Starbucks Seasonal?

No, the brown sugar syrup was introduced in early 2021 and is now here to stay. The Brown sugar syrup espresso drink is also a permanent feature.

How Much Sugar Is In One Pump Of Starbucks Brown Sugar Syrup?

Each pump of Starbucks brown sugar syrup has 5 grams of sugar and 10 calories.

Read: How to make brown sugar syrup

Is The Brown Sugar Syrup at Starbucks Sweet?

Yes, the brown sugar syrup at Starbucks is sweet. It’s every bit as sweet as a regular brown sugar, regular sugar or their classic simple syrup.

The reason that syrups are used at Starbucks is because you get a better and more even distribution of sweetness when compared to granulated sugar. Also, brown sugar adds a slightly different flavor than regular sugar white sugar.

Can You Buy A Bottle Of Syrup From Starbucks?

Yes, you can buy a bottle of syrup from Starbucks either in person or online. You can also buy their syrup from Amazon, Walmart, Target or eBay.

As an alternative you can consider Torani, who have a more extensive range of flavors as both regular syrups and sugar-free versions.

Final Thoughts – What Brown Sugar Syrup Does Starbucks Use?

If you are skimming and scanning down to find the quick answer to what brown sugar syrup does Starbucks use, I guess you missed it at the top.

Here it is again.

Starbucks uses their own brown sugar syrup. All their syrups used are their brand. Have a close look at the label when you are next in Starbucks. Their syrups of all flavors are made under license by Fontana.

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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