Learn how to make a Starbucks copycat brown sugar syrup at home
If you enjoy using brown sugar syrup to sweeten your morning coffee, you have to try this homemade recipe version! This is a copycat of Starbucks sweetener. It's a perfect addition to any cold brew coffee, iced coffee, or espresso.
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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 and espressos. It adds just the right amount of sweetness that blends perfectly with so many drinks.
What You'll Learn In This Recipe
In this recipe, you'll learn the basics to making a simple syrup at home. Simple syrups can be used in all kinds of cocktail and coffee recipes.
Typically, simple syrups are a one to one ratio of sugar and water. For this recipe, we're adding a little twist with maple syrup and a little less water than usual.
However, the same basic cooking method can be used for any other simple syrup recipe you make!
What Is Starbucks Brown Sugar Syrup?
Brown sugar syrup is one of Starbucks newest simple syrup flavors. This simple syrup is used in the ever-popular Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso and many TikTok original drink creations.
The ingredients listed on the bottle are a little vague: invert sugar, brown sugar, water, natural flavors, salt, and preservations. However, when you taste this delicious syrup, you'll get hints of brown sugar, maple syrup, and cinnamon.
While brown sugar syrup is usually available at Starbucks, it can be expensive to purchase an entire bottle to use at home. This recipe is a copycat version - I swear you won't be able to taste the difference - and you can make it at a fraction of the price.
Ingredient Notes
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's everything you'll need for this recipe:
- Light brown sugar: Obviously we'll need some brown sugar to recreate this magical syrup recipe. I found light brown sugar works best!
- Pure maple syrup: It's really important that you purchase pure maple syrup, not the maple flavored syrup. Maple flavored syrup will not result in the same taste!
- 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.
Tools & Equipment
Not many tools are needed for this recipe, which is why I believe everyone should be making simple syrup at home. It's so easy!
- Small saucepan
- Reusable bottle with cap/lid - I like to use plastic squeeze bottles or a glass jar
Recipe Frequently Asked Questions
Nope! It won't have the same final taste or texture that the Starbucks version.
You can make an endless amount of coffee and cocktail drinks with this recipe. I'd suggest starting out with my brown sugar oat milk shaken espresso.
This means that you have cooked the simple syrup for too long. You only want to cook the mixture until the sugar is just dissolved. If you cook the simple syrup for too long, the mixture will become cloudy and foamy.
Love this recipe? Please leave a 5-star ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐rating in the recipe card below. Don't forget to follow along on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and Pinterest for more recipes.
4 Ingredient Starbucks Brown Sugar Syrup
Ingredients
- ½ cup firmly packed light brown sugar
- ⅓ cup pure maple syrup
- 1 (3 inch) cinnamon stick
- ⅛ teaspoon fine sea salt
Instructions
- Add brown sugar, maple syrup, cinnamon stick, and salt along with 5 tablespoons (2 ½ ounces) of 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 24 hours at room temperature.
- Remove cinnamon stick. Use syrup, or store in a sealed bottle in the refrigerator for 4 - 5 months.
Nutrition
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Nicole
I found this recipe on YouTube. I've tried a few others that have claimed they were Starbucks copycat recipes. This is literally the only recipe I made that tasted like the Starbucks version. It's SO good and makes all my coffee drinks taste better.
Jessica Mode
Thanks, Nicole! I worked really hard to make it taste EXACTLY like the Starbucks version. So glad you can tell 🙂 Thanks for making the recipe!
Caleigh
How long does it typically stay good for? I’ve made some syrups and they go bad after a week or so.
Jessica Mode
Carleigh - this lasts 4 - 5 months! Most quality simple syrups should last a long time, so I'm surprised to hear that! Make sure to follow the storage instructions in the recipe, and this one will last! Also, be sure the bottle you're storing it in is SUPER clean! You can even boil the glass jar to make sure it's fully sterilized.
brianna
as i’m writing this review i’m tasting the syrup in my homemade shaken espresso and it’s PERFECT!! I finally found the one recipe that tastes spot on like the starbucks one 🙂 thank you sm for this.
Jessica Mode
Ahh - so glad you love it!! The other recipes I tried were missing that secret ingredient of maple syrup to make it taste extra delicious. Thanks so much for trying the recipe 🙂
Madeline
So simple (lol get it, simple syrup)! Okay, normally I shy away from things like this because I’m afraid of burning the sugar, but I had no issues. Only took 5 minutes. Tastes so amazing! I did substitute ground cinnamon because I couldn’t find cinnamon sticks at the store and it.
Ashlynn
How much ground cinnamon did you use? I can’t find the sticks either!
Jessica Mode
Hey Ashlynn! I'd try about 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon. Hope this helps 🙂
Starsugar
Hello, wondering if this is what is used in the brown sugar oat milk shaken espresso? Thanks!
Jessica Mode
Hey there! Yes, this is the syrup used in the shaken oatmilk espresso (I have a recipe for this drink too). Can't wait for you to try it out! 🙂
Dave
Just made it. Mixed it with half very strong coffee, half oat milk... I don't have an espresso machine anymore even even still it tastes just like SB oat milk latte with brown sugar syrup exactly. An espresso machine is my only missing major piece to this pie, I need to buy a new one. But in the meantime, Philz Coffee + Oat Milk + this syrup is amazing.
Sam
I found this to be a little to cinnamon-y (like cinnamon heart candy tasting) after leaving the stick in overnight. Maybe that's just me. If I made this again, I'd only simmer with the cinnamon and then take the stick out. Otherwise has been enjoyable.
Janique
Hi. Will this taste really different if I use dark brown sugar? That’s all I have on hand now. 🙂
Jessica Mode
Hey Janique! Dark brown sugar will likely give the syrup a richer, heavier taste. It should still work though 🙂