Last Updated on April 5, 2023 by brewthatcoffee
What syrup does Starbucks use? Here is the brand revealed, along with a ranking of the flavors.
Like many coffee shops, Starbucks uses several varieties of sugar-based syrups to add extra flavor and sweetness to their coffees. If you’ve ever wondered what brand Starbucks uses in their coffees and blended drinks, our guide tells you all you need to know and how to buy them.
Starbucks’ syrups are made by two companies that partnered with Starbucks to create Fontana syrup. This brand is exclusive to Starbucks and not always available for public sale. In some stores, you may be able to purchase a bottle of syrup if they have spares.
Baristas worldwide use a blend of sugar, water, and flavorings known as simple syrups to create a range of delicious drinks. The companies making these syrups also offer sugar-free varieties and a huge assortment of flavors. You can make your own at home or buy similar ones to Starbucks’ brand.
What Brand of Syrup Does Starbucks Use?
Although the flavor syrups are labeled Starbucks’ Syrup, the signature flavors are made by two partnered companies, both well-known for flavor syrups. Monin and Torani are known for their wide range of sauces, flavorings, syrups, and liqueurs.
Monin is a French company dating from 1912, making exquisite drinks flavors using family recipes and organic ingredients for over a hundred years. They have a huge range of syrups designed for use in coffee shops.
Torani started making hand-crafted syrups in 1925. They began with only five syrup flavors but quickly grew to make a variety of syrups, including favorites like Pumpkin Spice and Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough.
While Starbucks used Torani and Monin in the past, they now have their own syrups in partnership with the two brands, Fontana Syrup.
Starbucks Syrups are Available in Limited Flavors:
You can order vanilla, caramel, and hazelnut flavors online at Amazon.
How To Buy Fontana Syrup At Starbucks
Fontana syrup is not a product that Starbucks officially sells online or in stores. However, sometimes you may be able to buy a bottle of Fontana syrup from one of the signature Starbucks coffee branches if they have spares available.
The bottles will not be displayed for you to buy, so you’ll have to ask your barista if they have any extra flavor syrup available for sale. They can only sell barcoded bottles, which do not include seasonal syrups like Pumpkin Spice and Chestnut Praline. The only barcoded syrups are Classic, Carmel, Cinnamon Dolce, Hazelnut, Vanilla, and Sugar-Free Vanilla.
Other Ways To Buy Starbucks Fontana Syrup
Sometimes Fontana syrup is available online in places like Amazon, and buying a few bottles this way is possible. However, it is more likely you’ll find similar brands like Torani. Another option is to follow Starbucks’ flavor syrup recipes and make your own at home.
All the Starbucks Syrups, Ranked
We’ve ranked the Starbucks Syrups, starting with the best flavors.
1. Classic Syrup
A traditional syrup made with sugar and water, used to add sweetness to drinks. You’ll find it in the Sweeteners section rather than the Flavors menu.
2. Vanilla Syrup
This is a classic syrup with a strong vanilla flavor, perfect for adding to coffees, teas, and blended drinks.
3. Brown Sugar Syrup
A simple sugar syrup with brown sugar imparts a rich, sweet molasses taste. This syrup is particularly good in coffees and lattes. It also pairs well with spices and can work well in chai tea.
4. Cinnamon Dolce Syrup
The Cinnamon Dolce syrup pairs rich brown sugar with a subtle cinnamon flavor. Cinnamon Dolce goes perfectly in coffees, teas, iced coffees, and frappucinos and is a popular menu item for creating secret menu drinks.
5. Toffee Nut Syrup
Toffee nut syrup has a rich, buttery caramel flavor and warm, nutty notes. This syrup is perfect for hot chocolates and frappuccinos.
6. Hazelnut Syrup
A wonderful hazelnut flavor syrup with a sweet taste. It goes well with dairy and non-dairy drinks and is perfect for iced coffees and lattes.
7. Honey Blend
Honey Blend is Starbucks’ honey-flavored syrup. It’s used in secret menu items to add sweetness and is a staple of drinks like Jade Citrus Mint Brewed Tea. Find it under Sweeteners rather than Flavors. You can use it to replace the Classic Syrup in sweet beverages if you prefer a honey flavor.
8. Pumpkin Spice Syrup (Seasonal)
A flavored syrup with warm spicy notes and a hint of pumpkin to add to your seasonal fall drinks. Made most popular by the signature Pumpkin Spice Latte.
9. Peppermint Syrup
A syrup with strong peppermint and spearmint notes is excellent for adding to teas and making minty hot chocolates and mochas.
10. Apple Brown Sugar (Seasonal)
A syrup with crisp apple notes against warm caramel, making it a perfect addition to fall drinks—best in iced coffees or the Apple Crisp Macchiato.
11. Caramel Syrup
This caramel syrup evokes the taste of heated caramelized sugar, though some people find it a little artificial tasting. It works best in blended drinks like frappucinos.
12. Raspberry Syrup
Some people find the Raspberry Syrup overly sweet and artificial, but the new recipe has a more natural berry taste. This syrup is great in hot teas and cold refreshers.
13. Toasted Vanilla Syrup
A syrup combining the flavors of vanilla with toasted sugar, and best used sparingly as it can be overly sweet and with a chemical aftertaste.
14. Sugar-Free Vanilla Syrup
Currently, the only sugar-free syrup Starbucks offers, the sugar-free vanilla syrup provides a sweet alternative for those who can’t have sugar. Unfortunately, it has a rather artificial and distinct alcoholic aftertaste.
Starbucks Syrup Brand FAQs
Conclusion
It can be difficult to source Starbucks’ brand Fonta Syrups, though some stores may be able to sell you excess bottles of syrup. However, you can only buy bottles if they are barcoded, which limits you to the six main syrup flavors.
You can buy similar flavor syrups from companies like Monin and Torani or make your own simple syrups with added flavors at home. Many baristas suggest using Monin, even though it is the pricer brand, as the organic flavors are usually better than the more artificial-tasting flavors of some other brands.
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