5 Best Coffee Syrups for 2022 Reviewed

For many of us, coffee tastes perfect in its natural state. If anything, we’ll add a splash of milk and go on with our day. However, every once in a while, we crave flavor that goes beyond dairy or sweeteners. When this happens, coffee syrups or “sauces” are a great solution.

What’s the difference between a coffee syrup and a sauce? How do I know which syrup to choose? What options do you recommend? We’ll cover this and more in this buyer’s guide.

The Best Coffee Syrups

Product Review Rating Price
Starbucks Syrup Variety Pack Read Review 5.0 Check Price
Ghirardelli Syrup Set Read Review 5.0 Check Price
Torani Syrups Read Review 4.9 Check Price
Jordan's Skinny Syrup Read Review 4.8 Check Price
Monin Honey Syrup Read Review 4.8 Check Price

After reading this buyer’s guide, we hope that you’ll have an idea of the syrup you want to try. We’ve tried, tested, and reviewed several brands on the market, narrowing down our list to the 5 best syrups for coffee. We chose each one with different audiences in mind, so we are confident that the type you are looking for is featured on our list.

Starbucks Syrup Variety Pack
Our Favourite

1. Starbucks Syrup Variety Pack

5.0/5.0
Looks / Appearance 5.0 / 5.0
Ease of use 5.0 / 5.0
Functionality 5.0 / 5.0

Pros

  • – 3 different flavors 
  • – Great for hot & iced drinks 
  • – Wallet-friendly option 
  • – Great gift-giving option

Cons

  • – Limited availability

These syrups are amazing because they allow you to bring home a signature flavor and replicate your favorite Starbucks drink.

2. Ghirardelli Syrup Set

5.0/5.0
Looks / Appearance 5.0 / 5.0
Ease of use 4.0 / 5.0
Functionality 5.0 / 5.0

Pros

  • – Total of 5 flavors 
  • – Great on ice cream & desserts 
  • – Barista spoon is included

Cons

  • – Not great for iced coffee

Not only are Ghirardelli syrups great in coffee, but also desserts. Put some over your dessert or ice cream. You’ll be in for quite the treat.

3. Torani Syrups

4.9/5.0
Looks / Appearance 5.0 / 5.0
Ease of use 5.0 / 5.0
Functionality 5.0 / 5.0

Pros

  • – Great for flavoring lattes
  • – 3 flavors included 
  • – Large, 25.4 fl oz bottles 
  • – Strong, yet sweet tones

Cons

  • – Limited availability

These Torani Syrup flavors are spot on. They are a great alternative to expensive coffee syrups and concentrates.

4. Jordan's Skinny Syrup

4.8/5.0
Looks / Appearance 5.0 / 5.0
Ease of use 4.0 / 5.0
Functionality 5.0 / 5.0

Pros

  • – Zero calories or sugars
  • – Total of 6 flavors 
  • – 25 servings per bottle
  • – Great for iced or hot coffee

Cons

  • – Takes time to get used to flavor

These syrups make it possible to enjoy sweet coffee minus the guilt. If you’re on a keto, sugar-free, gluten-free, kosher, or non-GMO diet, you don’t have to say goodbye to great-tasting coffee.

5. Monin Honey Syrup

4.8/5.0
Looks / Appearance 4.5 / 5.0
Ease of use 5.0 / 5.0
Functionality 5.0 / 5.0

Pros

  • – Amazing taste 
  • – Great for many drinks 
  • – No artificial flavors or preservatives
  • – Supports bee colonies

Cons

  • – Packaging could improve

We are fans of Monin as a company and the gourmet honey syrup that they sell. It tastes great in either hot or iced coffee, and you can use it with several other beverages too!

What’s the Difference Between Coffee Syrup and Coffee Sauce?

Coffee syrup and coffee sauce are often used interchangeably. After all, both can be used to flavor brews, desserts, and range in flavors from vanilla to fruit to chocolate. However, there are some notable differences between the two. 

The main difference is that syrup is best used for iced beverages. It’s in liquid form, so it will blend in nicely with your already chilled beverage. On the other hand, the sauce is thicker and, just like sugar, will clump to the bottom of the cup.

Moreover, sauces are typically used to add flavor and body to drinks. They should be added to hot beverages to ensure even distribution. If you want an iced beverage, make sure to add the sauce while your brew is hot and then pour it over ice. 

What Makes a Good Coffee Syrup?

For starters, there are several types of coffee syrups, so you want to be sure you READ THE LABEL. We can’t stress this enough because many java drinkers will use the wrong syrup in their java and then complain it tasted disgusting. 

There are a lot of flavored syrup products out there, so to land a quality option, you want to be sure it’s meant to be used with coffee. Also, be sure you consider coffee syrup brands. A well-known, reputable brand is likely to offer quality syrups. 

Make sure you’re buying the right stuff by using this brief guide: 

  • – Coffee-Flavoring Syrups. This is the kind you want since they’re made to be used in coffee-based drinks. They contain a great amount of sugar to sweeten up your java without overpowering the flavor or your brew.  
  • – Agave Syrup. Also known as agave nectar, you’ll enjoy this type of syrup in your coffee as well. Agave is known for its sweetness and hint of caramel flavor. 
  • – Dessert Sauces. Now, these are a hit or a miss. The Ghirardelli pack that we’ve featured worked wonders in our coffees. Usually, they’ll be labeled “coffee sauces,” but if the bottle is labeled “dessert sauce,” it may be worth a try!
  • – Mixed-Drink Syrups. These are the type you want to avoid since they are infused with fruit flavors and designed to be used in cocktails. 
  • – Concentrate. These products are already caffeine-packed, so you don’t want to mix them in with your coffee. They will leave you feeling extremely jittery and bring forward a taste that’s much too bold. 
  • – Cooking Syrups. This type of syrup is used in marinades or sauces as a flavoring agent. They won’t work well in your coffee so stay away.
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Can Flavored Coffee Be Healthy?

Yes, it can! If you’re watching your calorie intake or prefer to pass on the sugar, have peace of mind that there are calorie-free syrups out there. A great sugar-free option we reviewed is Jordan’s Skinny Syrup. You’ll be surprised to find that it tastes almost as great as the original version.

If you’re a health nut, you don’t have to sacrifice sweet java. Simply use a coffee syrup without the calorific content! 

Wrap Up

Coffee syrups are a great way to switch things up every now and again. The best syrups for coffee depend on each individual’s taste buds, which is why we love variety packs when trying syrup in our brews for the first time. You also want to take coffee syrup brands into consideration. You can’t go wrong with well-known companies like Starbucks, Ghirardelli, or Jordan’s Skinny Syrups. 

While the amount of pumps you need depends on the amount of java you’re drinking and your preferences, here is a general guide to follow:

  • 8 oz. of brew = 2 tablespoons of syrup = 4 pumps
  • 12 oz. of brew = 3 tablespoons of syrup = 6 pumps
  • 16 oz. of brew = 4 tablespoons of syrup = 8 pumps
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Happy caffeinating!