As a coffee shop owner, you know that flavoring syrups are an essential ingredient in creating a diverse and exciting menu. Whether you're looking to add a touch of sweetness, a burst of flavor, or a unique twist to your beverages, the right syrup can make all the difference. We’ll review the best flavoring syrups every coffee shop should have, from classics like vanilla and caramel to distinctive flavors like lavender and rose. Beyond coffee, flavoring syrups can be used to create a variety of beverages, including Italian sodas, lemonades, and co*cktails. So, let's dive in and discover the endless possibilities that these flavoring syrups can bring to your menu!
Check out the best coffee syrup flavors:
- 1. Vanilla Syrup
- 2. Caramel Syrup
- 3. Hazelnut Syrup4. Chocolate Syrup5. Lavender Syrup6. Simple Syrup7. White Chocolate Syrup8. Rose Syrup9. Sugar-Free Vanilla Syrup10. Sugar-Free Caramel Syrup
1. Vanilla Syrup
Vanilla syrup is a must-have flavoring syrup for any coffee shop. Its sweet and creamy taste is incredibly versatile and can be used in various drinks. From classic lattes and cappuccinos to iced coffees and frappes, this flavoring syrup can enhance the taste of almost any beverage. Vanilla has a natural affinity for mixing well with other flavors. Pair it with classics like chocolate, caramel, and hazelnut or even fruity flavors like strawberry and mango.
Vanilla syrup tasting notes: Smooth, creamy, marshmallow, floral
Here are some popular drinks you can create with vanilla coffee syrup:
- Vanilla latte
- Vanilla frappe
- Vanilla chai latte
- Vanilla mocha
2. Caramel Syrup
Caramel syrup is an essential flavoring for any coffee shop looking to have classic coffee drinks on its menu. This sweet and rich syrup adds a buttery, creamy caramelized flavor to beverages, making it a favorite among coffee enthusiasts. Caramel syrup can be used in a variety of drinks, including lattes, cappuccinos, iced coffees, and even milkshakes. Its versatility allows it to pair well with several flavors, such as vanilla, chocolate, hazelnut, and cinnamon.
Caramel syrup tasting notes: Sweet, rich, butterscotch, creamy
Caramel is a best-selling flavor on any coffee shop menu. Here are some drinks you can add to increase your sales:
- Caramel latte
- Caramel macchiato
- Salted caramel mocha
- Caramel cold brew
3. Hazelnut Syrup
If you're looking to add a touch of nutty goodness to your coffee shop menu, then hazelnut syrup is a must-have flavoring syrup. Hazelnut syrup has a distinct flavor that mimics the taste of roasted hazelnuts. Its smooth and buttery notes create a warm and comforting experience, perfectly complementing the bold flavor of coffee and espresso shots. When it comes to pairing flavors, hazelnut syrup goes well with chocolate, caramel, vanilla, and almond, creating a harmonious blend of flavors that will delight your customers.
Hazelnut syrup tasting notes: Sweet, nutty, toasted, earthy
Let's dive into some delicious coffee drinks you can make with hazelnut syrup:
- Hazelnut latte
- Hazelnut mocha
- Chocolate hazelnut frappe
- Iced hazelnut coffee
4. Chocolate Syrup
Perfect for crafting authentic mochas, chocolate frappes, and hot chocolates, chocolate is a staple syrup flavor for coffee shops. While many coffee syrup brands offer a classic chocolate flavor in their catalog, they also have more interesting flavors like dark chocolate and fudge chocolate to create original coffee creations. When it comes to pairing flavors with chocolate, there are endless possibilities. Some popular combinations include chocolate and caramel, chocolate and peanut butter, chocolate and raspberry, and chocolate and hazelnut.
Chocolate syrup tasting notes: Rich, cocoa, fudge, creamy
Whether you're a fan of classic mochas or looking to experiment with new flavors, here are some coffee drinks you can make with chocolate syrup:
- Mocha
- Chocolate mint latte
- Chocolate peanut butter frappe
- Chocolate-covered strawberry latte
5. Lavender Syrup
Lavender syrup adds a floral and slightly sweet flavor to coffee, tea, and other beverages. It complements citrus flavors like lemon and orange, as well as other floral notes like rose and chamomile. With its unique pairings, lavender is an excellent choice for your coffee shop.
Lavender syrup tasting notes: Sweet, floral, herbal, delicate
With lavender syrup, you can create a range of delightful beverages that will keep your customers coming back for more. Here are a few popular options:
- Lavender latte
- Lavender lemonade
- Lavender white mocha
- Lavender matcha latte
6. Simple Syrup
Ideal for sweetening virtually any drink, simple syrup, or pure cane syrup, is made from just two ingredients - pure cane sugar and water. Its clean, sweet taste is ideal for adding sweetness to a beverage without altering its flavor. It dissolves in cold or hot beverages and is a great alternative to granulated sugar. Because it dissolves more easily in drinks than traditional sugar, simple syrup is perfect for replacing sugar packets at your self-service station for customers to sweeten their coffee. In addition to sweetening coffee and teas, simple syrup is a common ingredient in co*cktails, mocktails, and housemade sodas.
Simple syrup tasting notes: Sweet, clean, neutral
While simple syrup can be used to sweeten almost any drink, here are four unique ways you can use it on your coffee menu:
- Cold brew coffee
- Iced coffee lemonade
- Mint mojito iced coffee
- Frappe coffee
7. White Chocolate Syrup
Bringing a rich, creamy cocoa butter sweetness to coffee, white chocolate syrup is an indulgent addition to your menu's flavor add-ins. It's great in lattes, mochas, milkshakes, and frappes, and its creaminess pairs well with several other ingredients. Combine white chocolate coffee syrup with a delightful range of fruity flavors such as raspberry, blueberry, and blackberry. Alternatively, pair it with other indulgent flavors like vanilla and caramel, or nutty flavors like macadamia nut and pistachio.
White chocolate syrup tasting notes: Sweet, buttery, milky, vanilla
Here are just a few variations of mochas you can make with white chocolate syrup:
- Classic white mocha
- White macadamia mocha
- Lavender white mocha
- Pumpkin spice white mocha
8. Rose Syrup
Enhancing the coffee experience without overpowering its natural flavors, rose syrup’s subtle flavor pairs harmoniously with any coffee roast’s taste profile. Its floral sweetness and delicate fragrance add unexpected notes to coffee, espresso, teas, lemonades, and refreshers. Rose syrup pairs exceptionally well with flavors like vanilla, chocolate, cardamom, and other botanical flavors.
Rose syrup tasting notes: Sweet, floral, delicate, aromatic
Experiment with these four drinks and let the enticing aroma and delicate taste of roses leave your customers with a lasting impression.
- Rose latte
- Rose cardamom cold brew
- Pistachio rose latte
- Strawberry rose iced tea
9. Sugar-Free Vanilla Syrup
When it comes to flavoring syrups, sugar-free options are becoming increasingly popular among health-conscious coffee lovers. And one flavor that stands out among the rest is sugar-free vanilla. It is specifically formulated to provide the same delicious taste as regular vanilla syrup but without the guilt of added sugars. This makes it an excellent choice for customers who are watching their sugar intake or following a low-carb or keto diet.
Any drink that you make with traditional vanilla syrup can be substituted with the sugar-free option. Here are some coffee drink ideas with sugar-free vanilla syrup to spark some inspiration for your menu:
- Iced sugar-free vanilla americano
- Lite vanilla cappuccino
- Low sugar toffee latte
- Sugar-free vanilla cold brew
Sugar-free vanilla syrup tasting notes: Smooth, creamy, marshmallow, floral
10. Sugar-Free Caramel Syrup
Sugar-free caramel syrup opens up a world of possibilities for creating delicious and guilt-free coffee drinks that cater to a wider range of customers. This syrup provides the rich and creamy taste of traditional caramel without the added sugar. It is made with sugar substitutes like sucralose or stevia, making it a great option for customers watching their sugar intake.
Sugar-free caramel syrup is a surefire way to attract health-conscious customers who still crave the rich and creamy taste of caramel in their coffee. Here are just a few drinks you can make as guilt-free alternatives with sugar-free caramel syrup:
Sugar-free caramel syrup tasting notes: Sweet, rich, butterscotch, creamy
- Sugar-free caramel latte
- Sugar-free caramel frappe
- Sugar-free caramel cold brew
- Sugar-free caramel nut latte
Coffee Syrup Brands
Making your flavoring syrups in-house can be time-consuming and expensive. Luckily, there are many premium syrup brands out there with expansive flavor lists. These brands have been around for years and have perfected the art of creating delicious and high-quality syrups. Here are the top 5 coffee syrup brands that you need to know:
1. Monin
Monin is a well-known and respected brand in the coffee industry. With a focus on using premium, all-natural ingredients when creating the syrups, Monin offers an array of flavors, from classic choices like vanilla and caramel to more unique options like hot honey and hibiscus. Monin syrups are known for their consistent quality and taste and in addition to their traditional line of syrups, they also offer sugar-free, zero-calorie, and organic flavors.
- Price Point: $6.89 - $9.69
- Sizes Available: 750mL & 1L bottles
- Sugar-Free/Low-Calorie Flavors: Yes
See what our customers are saying about Monin flavoring syrups!
2. Torani
Torani is another popular brand that has been a favorite among baristas for decades. As a matter of fact, Torani's vanilla syrup was used to create the first-ever flavored latte in 1982! Since then, they have developed an extensive list of classic and unexpected flavors. Their syrups are made with pure cane sugar and are known for their smooth, rich taste.
- Price Point: $6.29 - $7.19
- Sizes Available: 750mL bottles
- Sugar-Free/Low-Calorie Flavors: Sugar-free only
See what our customers are saying about Torani flavoring syrups!
3. DaVinci Gourmet
DaVinci Gourmet is a brand that prides itself on crafting premium syrups for coffee shops. Their syrups are made with real fruit and natural flavors to complement coffee's complex flavor profile. Some of their top-selling flavors include strawberry, raspberry, and coconut.
- Price Point: $4.29 - $8.49
- Sizes Available: 375mL & 750mL bottles
- Sugar-Free/Low-Calorie Flavors: Sugar-free only
See what our customers are saying about DaVinci Gourmet flavoring syrups!
4. Capora
Capora is a newer player in the coffee syrup market, but they have quickly gained a reputation for their high-quality products. Their syrups are made with real ingredients and are free from artificial flavors and preservatives. Capora offers a range of flavors, including classics like vanilla and mocha, as well as unique options like cucumber mint and orange blossom vanilla.
- Price Point: $5.69
- Sizes Available: 750mL bottles
- Sugar-Free/Low-Calorie Flavors: Sugar-free only
See what our customers are saying about Capora flavoring syrups!
5. Ghirardelli
Ghirardelli is a name that is synonymous with chocolate, and their syrups are no exception. Their flavoring sauces add a rich, indulgent flavor to coffee, frappes, and milkshakes, and the thick texture is perfect for drizzling. Choose from milk, dark, and white chocolate flavors as well as caramel to create a variety of delicious drinks.
- Price Point: $4.99 - $17.49
- Sizes Available: 12 fl. oz. & 64 fl. oz. bottles
- Sugar-Free/Low-Calorie Flavors: No
See what our customers are saying about Ghirardelli flavoring syrups!
Offering just a couple of classic coffee drinks on your coffee shop’s menu doesn’t cut it anymore. These days, customers want unique flavored drinks they wouldn’t think to make at home. Coffee syrups are an easy way to create one-of-a-kind specialty drinks that can soon have everyone lining up at your counters to try.
