You are going to love how easy making your own vanilla syrup is! If you are a coffee lover like me then this homemade vanilla coffee syrup recipe is a must have to make all of your favorite vanilla iced coffee drinks at home. This also works great in hot drinks, but a rich simple syrup is the key to making iced drinks smooth and not gritty. Plus, you don’t want all the sugar to sink to the bottom of your cold beverages.
While the grocery store I shop at has vanilla beans and vanilla bean paste, they are expensive. Two vanilla bean pods cost $14, and at the local spice store one small bean is $5. So I chose to make my vanilla syrup using vanilla extract to make it more affordable.
Making a homemade syrup like this is especially cost effective when compared to what you would spend to get your favorite coffee shop drinks out. Plus, this delicious vanilla syrup can be used to add a touch of sweetness to iced tea and other hot and cold drinks besides coffee.
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What is Starbucks vanilla syrup made of?
Starbucks vanilla syrup is made up of the following ingredients; sugar, water, natural flavor, potassium sorbate (preservative), and citric acid.
Most other coffee shop syrups will contain similar ingredients to extend the shelf life of their syrups.
Ingredient Notes
See recipe card for exact amounts.
granulated sugar – we use regular sugar, you can use organic cane sugar if you want. I have not tried this recipe with a sugar substitute. Brown sugar will give this vanilla syrup richer color with notes of molasses flavor.
vanilla – pure vanilla extract is best, not imitation vanilla. See below for details on making this recipe with a real vanilla bean.
water – purified water can be used, we use tap water.
How to make this vanilla syrup for coffee recipe
- Add water and white sugar to a small saucepan, bring to a boil and cook until the sugar dissolves.
- Take off the heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
- Allow to cool and transfer it to a jar. If using a mason jar you can pour it right into the jar and allow it to cool there.
Alternative method using a vanilla bean pod
- Add the water, sugar and vanilla bean to a small saucepan and bring it to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Allow to cool and strain, discard the vanilla pod.
Coffee recipes with vanilla syrup
- Vanilla Latte – a shot of espresso or strong coffee and vanilla syrup, topped with steamed milk.
- Vanilla Iced Coffee – room temperature or cold coffee and vanilla syrup poured over ice.
- Vanilla Frappuccino – brewed coffee (or espresso), milk, and vanilla syrup blended and topped with whipped cream. I make a super easy version of this drink.
- Vanilla Macchiato – a shot of espresso or strong coffee and vanilla syrup, topped with a dollop of frothed milk.
- Vanilla Affogato – vanilla ice cream topped with a shot of espresso and drizzle of vanilla syrup.
What are the ingredients in vanilla syrup?
Simple vanilla syrup is made with water, sugar and either one whole vanilla bean or pure vanilla extract. It is made with simple ingredients (and no preservatives).
How many tablespoons are in a pump of vanilla syrup?
One pump of vanilla syrup at Starbucks is about 1/4 ounce, or 1/2 tablespoon.
Does Starbucks make their own syrup?
While there are Starbucks brand syrups they stopped making their own in 2022. Based on a quick google search it appears that they are now made by a company named Fontana Flavors.
Storage
Store vanilla syrup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for about a month. We store ours in a mason jar, you can use a glass bottle with a pump. If you store it in a jar be sure to use a clean spoon to measure out the desired amount so you don’t contaminate what is in the container.
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Copycat Starbucks Vanilla Syrup
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 1/2 tbsp vanilla extract
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Instructions
- Add water and white sugar to a small saucepan, bring to a boil and cook until the sugar dissolves, usually about 2 minutes. Take off the heat and stir in the vanilla extract.1 cup water, 1 cup sugar, 1 1/2 tbsp vanilla extract
- Cool and transfer to a jar. It can be poured into a mason jar while it is still hot.
Notes
Nutrition Facts
More coffee syrups you might like…
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