Learn how to make a Starbucks copycat brown sugar syrup recipe at home. It's the perfect coffee syrup to add to any cold brew, iced coffee, or espresso and takes under 5 minutes to make.
If you've been wondering where to buy Starbucks brown sugar syrup or haven't been able to source the product, this is the perfect solution! Try making a homemade version of this simple syrup so you have it on hand at all times.
I've been loving the flavor this copycat recipe brings to my homemade cold brew coffees, iced lattes, and espressos. It adds just the right amount of sweetness that blends perfectly with so many drinks.
Plus, this recipe has a secret ingredient that actually makes it taste like the Starbucks version: maple syrup. Not many other copycat recipes use maple syrup, but it's the key to tasting exactly like the Starbucks version.
You're going to love this Starbucks dupe brown sugar syrup recipe. I promise!
Jump to:
What You'll Learn In This Recipe
- The secret ingredient used in Starbucks brown sugar syrup.
- How to make delicious syrup at home. Hint: It's super easy to make, and it will save you so much money instead of going to coffee shops.
- How to properly store and use this syrup.
Ingredients You Need
Many recipes for copycat Starbucks brown sugar syrup are missing a key ingredient that you'll find in this recipe - maple syrup! Trust me, it's the secret ingredient that you'll need to have a similar taste.
Here are the simple ingredients you'll need for this recipe:
- Light brown sugar: We'll need some brown sugar to recreate this magical syrup recipe. I found light brown sugar works best, but you could also substitute dark brown sugar if that's all you have on hand.
- Pure maple syrup: It's really important to purchase pure maple syrup. That's the secret ingredient to getting the same taste as Starbucks. Do not use flavored maple syrup or molasses as substitutions.
- Cinnamon stick: A cinnamon stick is going to provide more flavor than ground cinnamon.
- Fine sea salt: And of course, everything that's sweet needs a pinch of salt to mellow out the flavors.
Check out the recipe card below for the full details on ingredient quantities.
How To Make This Recipe
This DIY syrup can be whipped up in under 5 minutes. Here's how:
1. Add the brown sugar, maple syrup, cinnamon stick, and fine sea salt to a small saucepan.
2. Cook the simple syrup over medium heat just until all of the sugar is dissolved. This usually takes about 1 - 2 minutes.
Then, allow the mixture to cool in the saucepan until it is no longer steaming.
3. Transfer the simple syrup, along with the cinnamon stick, to a reusable bottle that has been sterilized. Allow the cinnamon to steep in the syrup for 24 hours at room temperature.
After 24 hours, remove the cinnamon stick. You can use the syrup immediately, or store it in a sealed bottle in the refrigerator for 4 - 5 months.
Then, it's time to use this simple syrup recipe in your favorite drinks. I like to stir about ¼ ounce - 1 ounce of this delicious brown sugar syrup into a cold or iced coffee drink. It's best to use liquid sweetener in cold beverages so it fully dissolves into the drink (unlike granulated sugar).
That being said, this recipe also works great in hot coffee.
Expert Tips
- Do not replace pure maple syrup with maple-flavored syrup (like Mrs. Butterworth). These are not the same ingredients and will result in a different final product.
- You only want to cook the simple syrup until the sugar is just dissolved. The mixture will become cloudy and foamy if you cook the simple syrup for too long.
- Are you wondering what Starbucks drinks use brown sugar syrup? I'd suggest starting with an iced brown sugar oatmilk shaken espresso.
- You can also mix this brown sugar simple syrup into iced coffees, iced lattes, or even hot coffee for a delicious taste.
- Need a cute storage solution for this syrup? I like these airtight containers with pumps (from Amazon) that look very similar to the ones at Starbucks. Storing it in a mason jar is also an easy and cheap option.
Recipe FAQs
I'd recommend using about ¼ ounce (about one pump) to 1 ounce (about four pumps) of the syrup, depending on how sweet you like your coffee.
To make the same rich flavor as the Starbucks version, you'll need brown sugar, pure maple syrup (the secret ingredient for making an exact dupe), cinnamon stick, salt, and water.
If properly stored in a sterilized bottle that can be resealed, the syrup should last in the refrigerator for 4 - 5 months.
Yes, all of these ingredients are shelf stable, so it is fine to store at room temperature on the counter. However, if you see signs of mold, discard it immediately without tasting or using it.
I have found that the syrup lasts longer (4 - 5 months) when stored in the refrigerator. So, the syrup may last for less time when stored on the counter.
Yes, this syrup is great not only for coffee lovers but also for cocktail enthusiasts. Try adding the syrup to an espresso martini or even a tropical, tiki-style drink.
More Coffee Recipes
Try some of my other favorite coffee and Starbucks copycat recipes:
Love this recipe? Please leave a 5-star ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating in the recipe card below. Have questions as you're cooking? Leave a comment below, and I'll help!
Copycat Starbucks Brown Sugar Syrup (4 Ingredients)
Equipment
Ingredients
- ½ cup firmly packed light brown sugar
- ⅓ cup pure maple syrup
- 1 (3 inch) cinnamon stick
- ⅛ teaspoon fine sea salt
- 5 tablespoons (2 ½ ounces) cool water
Instructions
- Add brown sugar, maple syrup, cinnamon stick, salt, and water to a small saucepan. Cook over medium heat just until all the sugar has dissolved, about 1-2 minutes.
- Let cool in saucepan, then transfer syrup and cinnamon stick to a reusable bottle and seal tightly with a lid. Allow cinnamon to steep in the syrup for up to 24 hours at room temperature.
- Remove cinnamon stick. Use syrup, or store in a sealed bottle in the refrigerator for 4 - 5 months.
Melli Jonas
I used butterworth syrup because 100% is to expensive. I ordered a Trenta iced coffee with 2 shots blonde and oatmilk with cinnamon powder. I didn’t want to spend the extra $4 for brown sugar syrup so I made this and added it when it got here. It tastes JUST LIKE the brown sugar shaken espresso that would’ve costed me $8.35 for the Venti and $9.35 for a Trenta. I am going to try with my own Bustelo next! Thanks for the recipe!
Jessica Mode
Melli - That makes me happy to hear! Glad to know it's good with regular syrup as well 🙂
ro
this is the BEST flavored syrup recipe i’ve ever made!! first i made just one small jar of it, then i doubled the amount i made, and right now i’m making a huge bottle of it because i add this to every single drink i make it’s just too good.
Jessica Mode
I'm so glad you loved it! 😊
Nikesha Goodman
How do you keep the mixture from crystalizing again in the fridge?
Jessica Mode
Once it's cooked, you shouldn't have issues with crystalizing. However, you should also be okay to keep the syrup at room temperature as well!
K
Mine returned to a solid state within 10 minutes. What am I missing here?
Jessica Mode
If you cook the sugar too long, it can harden. You'll want to cook the mixture JUST until the sugar is dissolved, then remove it from the heat. I hope this helps 🙂
Sarah K
Hi there! If I were to triple this recipe, should I add 3 cinnamon sticks? I've never worked with cinnamon sticks, but I'm worried that with it "steeping" for 24 hours they might get overpowering. (I have a 750 mL glass bottle that I use for my simple syrups 🙂 )
Jessica Mode
Hi Sarah! Great question, I'd probably stick to two cinnamon sticks even if you're tripling the recipe 🙂 It's so smart to make one big batch!