Starbucks brown sugar syrup has become an incredibly popular addition to coffee and espresso drinks. The rich, velvety sweet brown sugar flavor pairs perfectly with Starbucks signature espresso roast and steamed milk. But can you purchase this syrup in stores to use at home?
Is Starbucks brown sugar syrup sold in grocery stores?
Unfortunately, authentic Starbucks brown sugar syrup is not currently sold at any grocery stores or mass market retailers. The syrup is manufactured exclusively for Starbucks and is only available at Starbucks retail locations.
Starbucks does sell a few of their popular syrup flavors, like vanilla, caramel, and cinnamon dolce, in grocery stores. However, the brown sugar syrup remains a Starbucks exclusive item. This is likely because brown sugar syrup is one of Starbucks’ most unique and recognizable flavors.
Can you buy Starbucks syrups online?
There are some online shops that claim to sell “Starbucks brown sugar syrup.” However, buyer beware – these products are almost certainly not the real thing. Starbucks does not allow their official brown sugar syrup to be resold by third parties.
Any brown sugar syrup you find online is likely a knock-off, imitation product. It may be manufactured by a private label company and marketed as “Starbucks style,” but it will not perfectly replicate the flavor of the authentic syrup used in Starbucks stores.
Can you make your own version at home?
The good news is that while you can’t buy authentic Starbucks brown sugar syrup in stores, you can make a tasty homemade version! This DIY brown sugar syrup tastes very close to the Starbucks original. Here is a simple recipe:
Homemade Brown Sugar Syrup
| 1 cup | Brown sugar |
| 1/2 cup | Water |
| 1/4 tsp | Ground cinnamon |
In a small saucepan, combine the brown sugar and water. Heat over medium, stirring frequently, until the sugar has fully dissolved. Remove from heat and stir in the cinnamon. Let cool completely before transferring to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator.
To use, add 2-3 tablespoons of the homemade syrup to coffee, lattes, cappuccinos, etc. Adjust to taste based on your sweetness preference. Adding a splash of milk or cream can also give a closer match to the Starbucks flavor profile.
Tips for the best homemade brown sugar syrup
Making your own brown sugar syrup at home is easy, but there are a few tips to get the closest match to the Starbucks version:
- Use a very dark brown sugar – look for sugar labeled as “dark” or use muscovado sugar.
- Add just a pinch of salt to enhance the flavor.
- Use strong coffee or espresso – the syrup will blend better with a more robust base.
- Skip the cinnamon if you want it to be an exact dupe of the Starbucks syrup.
- Heat the mixture just until the sugar dissolves – overheating will change the flavor.
- Stir in a teaspoon of vanilla extract once cooled for extra depth.
Purchasing online from unofficial sellers
Again, a word of caution about purchasing brown sugar syrup from unofficial online sellers. Starbucks does not authorize any resellers to market their official products.
If you buy “Starbucks” syrup online, it’s nearly guaranteed to be counterfeit. The safety and quality of these imitation products is questionable. Since they are not actually approved by Starbucks, there’s no way to know how they were manufactured or what ingredients were used.
Many third party syrups use artificial flavoring or preservatives that may affect the taste. They are simply trying to mimic the Starbucks product, but cannot perfectly replicate it.
Risks of ordering from unauthorized sellers
- The syrup may be inaccurately labeled.
- It will not taste exactly like Starbucks brown sugar syrup.
- The ingredients and nutritional information may be unreliable.
- You are supporting an unauthorized business illegally marketing trademarked products.
Unless you purchase syrup directly from a licensed Starbucks store, you cannot be sure what you are getting. Customers report inconsistencies in taste, color, thickness, and quality of these unauthorized syrups.
Where to buy Starbucks brown sugar syrup
To reiterate, the only place you can buy genuine Starbucks brown sugar syrup is directly from Starbucks cafes and coffeehouses. Ask your barista for a bottle of the syrup to take home. Some locations will sell the pre-packaged bottles, if they have inventory available.
Unfortunately, this means buying Starbucks brown sugar syrup requires a trip to an actual Starbucks retail store. But the good news is that Alternatives like the easy homemade version above can still let you satisfy your brown sugar coffee cravings!
Conclusion
Starbucks brown sugar syrup stands out for its unique deep, molasses-like sweetness and creamy texture. While the authentic product remains exclusive to Starbucks cafes, you can recreate it at home using just brown sugar, water, and spices.
Beware of any brown sugar syrup for sale online and don’t purchase from unauthorized re-sellers. To enjoy the real deal, your best option is getting it straight from the source – your neighborhood Starbucks baristas.
So go ahead and treat yourself to a brown sugar coffee drink when you visit Starbucks. Then try mixing up a batch of the easy DIY copycat version to enjoy at home!