This homemade brown sugar syrup is made in 10 minutes from 2 ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen. Use it in coffee drinks, tea, or cocktails for sweetness. Optional instructions to make Brown Sugar Cinnamon Syrup.
This Homemade Brown Sugar Syrup rivals your favourite coffee shop drink. There’s no need to spend $7 per latte once you learn how easy it is to make this copycat recipe at home.
All you need is 10 minutes and 2 ingredients that you probably already have! Brown sugar, water, and some cinnamon if you want to make brown sugar cinnamon syrup (recipe included!).
This simple brown sugar syrup is gluten-free, nut-free, dairy-free, and vegan. It will keep in the fridge for a month, so you can save money on your daily drinks. Add it to hot or iced coffee, tea, or cocktails for a sweet kick with notes of caramel. Keep reading to learn how easy it is to make!
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Coffee shop flavour at home! No need to spend $7 on a flavoured latte when you can make this syrup and have enough for a month of drinks.
- Made in 10 minutes. All you have to do is watch the pot boil, then you’ll have homemade syrup for a month.
- Lasts for a month. Store cooled syrup in a covered glass jar in the fridge.
- Allergy-friendly. This recipe is gluten-free, nut-free, dairy-free, and vegan.
- Customizable. Instructions included for how to make a brown sugar cinnamon syrup. Add other flavours or extracts of your choosing.
Ingredient Notes
Here are the main ingredients you'll need to make this brown sugar syrup:
- Brown sugar: The key ingredient! Using brown sugar adds a nice depth of flavour to the syrup. You can use light brown sugar or dark brown sugar for more flavour.
- Water: Use filtered water for the best tasting syrup.
- Cinnamon stick or ground cinnamon: optional for Brown Sugar Cinnamon Syrup. Using whole cinnamon sticks is my preference for great flavour.
To Make Brown Sugar Cinnamon Syrup
Starbucks made the Brown Sugar Cinnamon syrup popular a few years ago with the launch of their Brown Sugar Cinnamon Shaken Espresso drink. The subtle cinnamon flavour complements the brown sugar very well. Good news is it’s super easy to adapt this recipe to make a brown sugar cinnamon syrup!
All you need to add is either 1 cinnamon stick or 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon when boiling the syrup. Instructions included below!
Substitutions
If you don’t have brown sugar, use an equal amount of white sugar for a classic simple syrup. Add vanilla extract or vanilla bean extract to make vanilla syrup, or use another flavour like almond extract, butter extract, or mint extract. Add 1-2 teaspoon of extract after you have removed the boiled syrup from the heat, to retain most of the flavour.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Be sure to read the recipe card below for the full ingredient list and instructions for how to make brown sugar syrup.
(1) Place all ingredients in a small saucepan. Turn the heat to medium-high and whisk together.
(2) Once boiling, cook until the sugar dissolves (2-4 minutes).
(3) Remove from the heat and use tongs to discard the cinnamon stick if using. Pour the syrup into a glass jar, mason jar, or airtight container.
(4) Allow to cool completely then close the jar and refrigerate for 3-4 weeks. Use in coffee, tea, or cocktails.
How to Use Brown Sugar Syrup
This liquid sweetener works great in coffee, tea, or cocktails. It can be used in hot or cold drinks. Think cold brew, iced tea, hot chocolate, bubble tea, or an espresso martini. Start with about 2 teaspoons and increase or decrease depending on your preferences. Most coffee shop drinks will have 2-4 pumps, which is equal to 2-4 tablespoons.
Storage
Place syrup in a glass jar to cool completely. Cover with a lid and keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 weeks.
Expert Tips
Here are some of my top tips and tricks for the best homemade syrup:
- Whisk the ingredients together before boiling. This will ensure the syrup comes together smoothly and has no clumps.
- Don’t let the syrup boil for too long. You just want it to appear smooth and homogenous, with all of the sugar dissolved. Boiled too long, and the syrup will become much too viscous once cooled.
- Allow the syrup to cool completely before closing and refrigerating. Condensation in the jar can cause the syrup to spoil prematurely.
- When using the syrup in a drink, start with 1-2 teaspoons and increase if you like it sweeter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Add 1 cinnamon stick or 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon to the saucepan with the brown sugar and water. Boil together and remove the cinnamon stick if using before jarring the syrup.
If you don’t have brown sugar, use an equal amount of white sugar for a simple syrup.
At Starbucks, a grande brown sugar iced shaken espresso contains 3 espresso shots and 3 pumps of brown sugar syrup, aka 3 tablespoons, shaken together with ice. This foamy espresso is then poured into a cup and topped with about an inch of milk (or dairy-free milk). Starbucks tops theirs with some cinnamon powder. It is a delicious drink that is super easy to make at home using this syrup and a martini shaker.
You will be shocked by how easy it is to make brown sugar simply syrup. This easy recipe is a delicious syrup to add to your favorite drinks. Make your coffee, tea, and cocktails sweeter with this simple coffee shop syrup. No need to pay $7 per drink. Hope you enjoy and leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review below!
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Have you made this brown sugar syrup? I'd very much appreciate it if you leave a 5-star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review below, and tag me on instagram @livglutenfree!
Recipe
Homemade Brown Sugar Syrup (Starbucks Copycat)
Ingredients
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 cup filtered water
- 1 cinnamon stick or 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon optional for Brown Sugar Cinnamon Syrup
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in a small saucepan. Turn the heat to medium-high and whisk together.
- Once boiling, cook until the sugar is completely dissolved (2-4 minutes).
- Remove from the heat and use tongs to discard the cinnamon stick if using. Pour the syrup into a glass jar.
- Allow to cool completely then close the jar and refrigerate for 3-4 weeks.
Notes
- To make Brown Sugar Cinnamon Syrup: Add 1 cinnamon stick or 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon to the saucepan with the brown sugar and water. Boil together and remove the cinnamon stick if using before jarring the syrup.
- How to use the syrup: Add to hot or iced coffee, tea, or cocktails. Start with about 2 teaspoons and increase or decrease depending on your preferences. Most coffee shop drinks will have 2-4 pumps, which is equal to 2-4 tablespoons.
- Storage: Place syrup in a glass jar to cool completely. Cover with a lid and keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 weeks.
Let us know what you think!