Homemade Brown Sugar Syrup (Starbucks Copycat)
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If you’ve ever ordered the Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso from Starbucks, you already know that brown sugar syrup is the reason it’s so good.
This recipe is a simple syrup made with brown sugar, water, cinnamon, and vanilla, perfect for a cozy coffee syrup you can keep on hand all week.
This homemade brown sugar syrup is quick, simple, and made with pantry ingredients you already have. I’ve made it during the full on morning scramble (packing lunches, reheating coffee, the whole thing), so I know it works when time is tight.
Starting as a stay-at-home mom and now juggling life as a work-from-home mom, I’ve learned that a good coffee at home is one of the easiest ways to make the day feel a little better, without the daily Starbucks run.
With the success of my vanilla coffee syrup and sugar cookie syrup, I’m knew I had to give you guys a brown sugar version too!
Ingredients You’ll Need
You only need a few pantry ingredients. The full ingredient amounts can be found on the recipe card at the bottom of the post!
- Brown Sugar– I like dark brown sugar for a rich molasses flavor.
- Water– We’re making a simple syrup, so water is a must for dissolving the sugar and getting the consistency right.
- Cinnamon – Just a little. The cinnamon makes the syrup taste just like Starbucks’ version and brings out the brown sugar flavor more. Tip: If you want to get fancy, you can use a cinnamon stick instead during the simmering process!
- Vanilla Extract – I add vanilla for two reasons: it just seems right, and it rounds out the flavors.
- Pinch of Salt– A pinch of fine sea salt (less than 1/8th of a teaspoon) keeps the syrup from tasting too sweet.
How to Make Brown Sugar Syrup
Step 1:
In a small saucepot, combine the brown sugar, cinnamon, water, and salt.
Step 2:
Bring the ingredients to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, reduce the temperature to keep the mixture simmering. Simmer 2 minutes until the sugar has dissolved.
Step 3:
Off heat, stir the vanilla extract into the sugar syrup. Transfer the brown sugar syrup to a mason jar or bottle with a tight fitting lid.
The syrup is ready to use right away.
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight jar in the fridge for up to a month, or keep it on the counter for about a week.
How To Use Brown Sugar Syrup
Coffees: Use your brown sugar syrup for coffee, hot or iced lattes (like my Cookie Butter Cloud Latte), and homemade iced shaken espresso.
Teas: Add to matchas, chai lattes, and decaf tea.
Cold Foams: Add brown sugar syrup to a sweet cream cold foam, cookie butter cold foam, or add a pump to your pumpkin cold foam.
Cocktails and Mocktails: Add to espresso martinis or Irish coffees.
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Homemade Brown Sugar Syrup Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup dark brown sugar, firmly packed
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Pinch of fine sea salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Combine the water, brown sugar, cinnamon and salt in a small saucepan.
- Bring to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, turn the heat down to a simmer.
- Simmer the mixture for two minutes or until the brown sugar dissolves and becomes syrupy.
- Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
- The syrup can be used right away for hot coffee or cooled down a bit for iced coffee.
