Skip to Content

Copycat Starbucks Brown Sugar Syrup

This copycat Starbucks brown sugar syrup is super simple, and super delicious. The rich, deep molasses flavor is sweetly scented with cinnamon. You’ll love adding this brown sugar simple syrup to everything! 

Brown Sugar Syrup in a small pot.

Simple syrup is usually just two ingredients: sugar and water.

But you can get really creative if you add just a few more unique flavors!

This brown sugar simple syrup has a deep, rich flavor from the molasses in the brown sugar. It’s accented by the sweet cinnamon that becomes infused throughout. 

My favorite way to use this syrup is in coffee, like my homemade iced brown sugar oat milk shaken espresso. It’s a great way to make your homemade coffee taste like the stuff from the coffee shop, but you get to save a few bucks!

This copycat syrup also tastes great in freshly brewed iced tea, or over your favorite ice cream.

You’re going to love using this homemade Starbucks recipe!

Brown Sugar Syrup in a glass.

Ingredients for brown sugar simple syrup

  • Water –  We need water to help loosen the consistency of the syrup, and so the sugar doesn’t burn.
  • Brown sugar – This sugar adds a deep molasses flavor.
  • Vanilla extract – Vanilla extract helps bring all of the flavors together and adds sweetness.
  • Cinnamon stick – The cinnamon stick adds warmth and spice to our syrup, making it cozy and delicious.
Brown sugar and water in a pot.

How to make copycat Starbucks brown sugar syrup

Making brown sugar syrup is super easy! 

Step 1:

First, make sure you have a clean jar, or squeeze bottle, to put your finished syrup in. 

A funnel is a great tool that makes pouring the syrup into containers easy and mess-free. 

Step 2:

Now, take a small pot over medium heat, and combine the water, brown sugar, vanilla, and the cinnamon stick.

You can stir this a little bit, just to combine the water and the sugar, but you do not need to stir this the entire time.

Step 3: 

Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, and cook for 5 minutes until the sugar has completely dissolved (if it looks cloudy, there are still sugar granules present, so keep simmering,) and has thickened.

Step 4:

Remove the pot from the heat, and let cool completely. 

To speed up the process, you could put the pot in a large bowl of ice water, and stir vigorously for 5 minutes. This will cool the mixture quickly! 

Step 5:

Remove the cinnamon stick, and pour the mixture into your container of choice (I recommend either a jar or a squeeze bottle). 

Cooked Brown Sugar Syrup in a pot.

Can I use different sugar?

I would not recommend white sugar for this recipe, because we are relying on that deep, molasses flavor that only comes from brown sugars. 

You could use either dark brown, or light brown sugar for this recipe. But remember, light brown sugar has less molasses, so that rich, dark flavor will be less than it would be if you used dark brown sugar. 

Can I double the recipe?

Yes! This recipe easily doubles, and triples. 

Storage for brown sugar simple syrup 

This syrup stored easily in a clean jar with a lid, or in a squeeze bottle, in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. 

A coffee drink in a cup.

More copycat Starbucks recipes

Brown Sugar Syrup

Brown Sugar Syrup

Yield: 1 cup
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes

This brown sugar syrup is super simple, and super delicious. The rich, deep molasses flavor is sweetly scented with cinnamon. You’ll love adding this brown sugar simple syrup to everything! 

Ingredients

  • 1 cup water
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cinnamon stick

Instructions

  1. In a small pot over medium heat combine the water, brown sugar, vanilla, and the cinnamon stick.
  2. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 5 minutes until the sugar has dissolved and thickened.
  3. Remove from heat and transfer to a jar. 
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 89Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 8mgCarbohydrates: 23gFiber: 0gSugar: 22gProtein: 0g

This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition information can vary for a variety of reasons. For the most precise nutritional data use your preferred nutrition calculator based on the actual ingredients you used in the recipe.

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Instagram using the hashtag #nutmegnanny

Brown Sugar Syrup pin for Pinterest.
Brandy

About Brandy!

I am a food lover and recipe developer bringing you delicious recipes that taste great and are easy to make! My food is inspired by travels around the world and my love of flavorful food. A list of things that make me happy: cats, Coke Zero, houseplants, and travel. Read more...

Brittany

Thursday 10th of November 2022

This recipe is so good!! I love the brown sugar oat lattes at Starbucks and this is pretty spot on. Now I just need to find their oat milk! Can’t wait to play with this one and try other flavours too!

Dawn

Sunday 11th of December 2022

@Brittany, not sure where you live but I found the oatly barista edition which is what Starbucks uses in the creamer section of my grocery store.

Apple Cider Mojito - Nutmeg Nanny

Friday 9th of September 2022

[…] additional sugar is necessary, but, if you’d like, adding a bit of homemade brown sugar syrup is always a hit. Plus, the deep rich flavors of molasses-studded brown sugar work well with the […]

Homemade Iced Brown Sugar Oat Milk Shaken Espresso

Friday 3rd of June 2022

[…] Plus it’s made with homemade copycat Starbucks brown sugar syrup! […]

SEEN ON

as seen on promo graphic

SEEN ON

as seen on promo graphic
Skip to Recipe