Starbucks offers a variety of coffee and espresso drinks that can be customized to each customer’s liking. One of the customization options is choosing a syrup flavor to add to hot, iced and blended drinks. Starbucks has classic syrup flavors like vanilla, caramel and hazelnut, but they also have seasonal and limited edition flavors as well. One of these special syrups is the honey blend syrup.
What is Honey Blend Syrup?
The honey blend syrup at Starbucks is made with natural honey and natural flavors. It has a smooth, sweet honey taste that pairs nicely with coffee, espresso and milk. The honey flavor is not overpowering or too sweet. It provides a nice subtle honey note that enhances other flavors.
The honey blend syrup contains honey, sugar, water, natural flavors and potassium sorbate (as a preservative). It is a liquid syrup that easily mixes into hot and cold drinks. Each pump of honey blend syrup contains approximately 20 calories.
History of Honey Blend at Starbucks
Starbucks first introduced its honey blend syrup in summer 2019 as part of its summer menu line-up. It was brought back again in summer 2020 due to its popularity. The honey blend syrup has typically been a limited edition, seasonal offering from Starbucks, available for a few months in the summertime.
When it first launched in summer 2019, the honey blend syrup could be added to any handcrafted Starbucks drink for an extra charge. It became an instant hit among Starbucks customers who enjoyed its natural sweet honey flavor.
The honey blend syrup was perfect for summer because honey is associated with the warmer months and bees are most active during the summer. The honey blend syrup provided customers with a refreshing, yet comforting summer beverage option.
Drinks with Honey Blend at Starbucks
While the honey blend syrup can be added to any drink, Starbucks has featured it in signature drinks on their menu over the years. Some of the most popular Starbucks drinks featuring honey blend syrup include:
- Honey Almondmilk Cold Brew – Cold brew coffee sweetened with honey blend, and topped with almond milk foam.
- Iced Shaken Espresso with Honey Blend – Espresso shaken with ice, honey blend and milk over ice.
- Honey Citrus Mint Tea – Peach-flavored black tea with honey blend, steamed lemonade and mint.
- Honey Black Tea Lemonade – Brewed black tea lemonade sweetened with honey blend.
- Pistachio Honey Cream Cold Brew – Pistachio flavor added to cold brew along with honey blend and a floating cold foam top.
In addition to being featured in specialty drinks, customers can customize their own drinks with honey blend syrup as well. It’s commonly added to iced coffee, cold brew, lattes, macchiatos and tea lemonades. A pump or two of honey blend can enhance an iced chai tea latte as well.
Availability of Honey Blend at Starbucks
As a limited edition, seasonal syrup, the honey blend is only available at certain times of the year according to Starbucks’ schedule. Typically it has been available in the summer months for a duration of 2-3 months at participating Starbucks locations.
In summer 2019 when it first launched, the honey blend syrup was available from June 4 through September 2. The following year in summer 2020, it returned on June 30 and was available through September 7.
Most recently in summer 2022, the honey blend syrup returned for a limited time from August 9 through September 12. Based on when Starbucks has previously offered the honey blend, customers can expect it to likely return again sometime between June and September in 2023 if the schedule follows previous years.
The availability can vary a bit year to year, so customers interested in trying honey blend syrup should check with their local Starbucks for exact timing. The honey blend is not normally offered during fall and winter months outside of the summer window.
How to Order a Drink with Honey Blend at Starbucks
Ordering a Starbucks drink with honey blend syrup is easy. Here are some tips for ordering:
- Know the Date – First check that honey blend is currently available, as it’s not out year-round.
- Choose Your Drink – Pick any hot, iced or blended Starbucks coffee or tea beverage.
- Ask for Honey Blend – Request the honey blend syrup to be added. Specify how many pumps of syrup if you have a preference.
- Pick Other Customizations – Complete your drink with milk, espresso shots, toppings, etc.
- Size – Choose between short, tall, grande or venti sizes.
- Hot or Iced – Specify if you want the drink hot or iced.
- That’s it! – Pay for your customized drink with honey blend syrup and enjoy.
Examples:
- “I’ll take a grande iced coffee with 2 pumps of honey blend syrup.”
- “Could I get a venti cold brew with honey blend and almond milk please?”
- “May I have a tall hot latte with one pump of honey blend?”
Keep in mind that some locations may charge extra to add the honey blend syrup, while others include it in the regular drink price. Be sure to check the total at the register.
Honey Blend vs. Other Starbucks Syrups
How does the honey blend syrup compare to other Starbucks syrup options? Here’s a quick breakdown:
- Vanilla – Honey blend is smoother and more subtle than vanilla.
- Caramel – Not as rich and buttery as caramel, honey blend provides a lighter sweetness.
- Hazelnut – Hazelnut is nuttier in flavor, while honey blend is milder.
- Cinnamon Dolce – Honey blend has a cleaner, purer taste than cinnamon dolce.
- Toffee nut – Toffee nut is heavier and almost candy-like compared to honey blend.
The smooth, delicate honey flavor comes through with the honey blend without overpowering the coffee or tea. It sweetens subtly without being cloying. If you enjoy flavored syrups but want something lighter than vanilla or caramel, the honey blend makes an excellent option.
Nutrition Information for Honey Blend
The nutrition information for Starbucks’ honey blend syrup is included below per pump serving:
| Calories | Sugar | Total Fat | Sodium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 | 5g | 0g | 0mg |
As you can see, a single pump of honey blend syrup adds 20 calories and 5 grams of sugar to your drink. This is quite low compared to some of Starbucks’ other syrup flavors. For example, classic vanilla syrup provides 50 calories and 12g of sugar per pump.
The honey blend is a nice option if you are looking for added flavor with minimal extra calories and sugar. Keep in mind that if you add multiple pumps of honey blend or other mix-ins like milk or whipped cream, the nutrition values will increase.
Cost of Adding Honey Blend at Starbucks
The cost to add honey blend syrup to your Starbucks drink can vary by location. Some locations include syrup additions like honey blend at no extra charge, while others may charge:
- $.50 per pump
- $.60 per pump
- $.75 per pump
It just depends on the specific Starbucks store policy. One pump of honey blend per drink is usually plenty to get the nice honey flavor, but you can opt for more pumps for a stronger taste. Keep in mind the calorie and sugar content will go up with each additional pump.
When ordering, just be aware that you may be charged extra to customize with the honey blend so the total doesn’t catch you off guard at the register. It can be a nice splurge to enhance your favorite coffee or tea beverage.
Does Honey Blend Have Health Benefits?
Some customers opt to add honey blend syrup to their drinks because they believe honey has health benefits. Here is some background on the potential benefits of honey:
- Antioxidants – Raw honey contains antioxidant compounds like phenolic acids and flavonoids.
- Anti-Inflammatory – Some research shows honey exhibits anti-inflammatory properties.
- Immune System – The antioxidants in honey may give the immune system a slight boost.
- Healing Wounds – When applied topically, honey has been used for wound healing and reducing infections.
- Sore Throat Relief – The thick consistency of honey can temporarily coat and soothe the throat.
That being said, the Starbucks honey blend syrup itself is not 100% pure raw honey. The syrup contains added sugars and natural flavors along with some honey. So any potential medicinal benefits would likely be reduced compared to pure raw honey.
A pump or two of Starbucks’ honey blend is certainly not going to provide major health benefits on its own. But it can add a tasty honey kick to coffee or tea, which are healthy beverages on their own when consumed without excess cream, sugar or toppings.
Honey Blend vs. Other Natural Sweeteners
How does honey blend syrup compare to some other natural liquid sweetener options that can be added to drinks? Here is a quick honey blend vs. maple syrup vs. agave nectar vs. stevia breakdown:
| Honey Blend | Maple Syrup | Agave Nectar | Stevia | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calories | 20 per pump | 52 per Tbsp | 60 per Tbsp | 0 |
| Sugar | 5g per pump | 13g per Tbsp | 16g per Tbsp | 0g |
| Taste | Smooth, subtle honey | Robust maple flavor | Mild, neutral | Very sweet |
As you can see, maple syrup and agave nectar are higher in both calories and sugar compared to a pump of Starbucks honey blend. Stevia has no calories or sugar, but many dislike the strong aftertaste. Overall the honey blend provides a nice balance of subtle sweetness and flavor.
Making Your Own Honey Blend Syrup
The honey blend syrup is simple to recreate at home if you want to enjoy the flavor in your own coffee and tea beverages. Here is an easy homemade honey blend syrup recipe:
Homemade Honey Blend Syrup
Ingredients:
- 1 cup honey
- 1/4 cup hot water
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions:
- Add 1/4 cup very hot water to a liquid measuring cup.
- Add 1 cup honey and stir to blend well, melting the honey with the hot water.
- Add 1 tsp vanilla extract and mix again until fully incorporated.
- Transfer to an airtight container or bottle.
- Store in the refrigerator up to 2 weeks. Shake before using.
- Use 2-3 tablespoons (or to taste) in any hot or iced coffee, tea, milk drink, smoothie, etc.
This easy 3-ingredient homemade honey syrup can be adjusted to your preferred consistency and sweetness level. Adding some vanilla extract helps replicate that Starbucks honey blend flavor. Store it in the fridge and add it to customize drinks at home.
Bottom Line on Honey Blend
Starbucks’ honey blend is a fan-favorite, limited edition syrup that makes a menu appearance for a few months most summers. It provides a subtle sweetness and smooth honey flavor that livens up any hot or iced coffee or tea beverage. Customers love honey blend in Starbucks’ specialty summer drinks like honey citrus mint tea, iced shaken espressos, and iced coffee.
The honey blend syrup contains pure honey, sugar, water, natural flavors and preservatives. It is lower in calories and sugar compared to Starbucks’ other core syrup options and provides some of the antioxidant benefits associated with honey. But the blended syrup itself should not be considered a health supplement.
Starbucks customers eagerly await the return of honey blend syrup each summer. To enjoy it, simply request it as a custom add-in to your favorite Starbucks beverage when it’s available seasonally. Or recreate it at home with an easy homemade honey syrup recipe to flavor drinks any time of year. Either way, the honey blend is a delightful enhancement that delivers a touch of sweetness.
Conclusion
The honey blend syrup at Starbucks is a popular special edition syrup that makes a temporary appearance on menus each summer. Customers love the subtle honey sweetness and flavor it adds to drinks like iced coffees, teas, lattes, and cold brews. Since the syrup is seasonal, be sure to get it while you can when it’s available from June through September. Or try making a homemade honey syrup to add that honey blend taste to your drinks year-round. With its smooth sippable flavor, honey blend has become a warm weather favorite at Starbucks.