• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • About
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Lunch & Dinner
    • Side Dishes
    • Snacks
    • Drinks & Cocktails
    • Gluten-Free Desserts
  • Gluten-Free Resources
  • Services
    • Portfolio

Olivia's Kitchen logo

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Spring
  • Recipes
  • Resources
  • About
  • Services
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Spring
    • Recipes
    • Resources
    • About
    • Services
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
  • ×

    Olivia's Kitchen / Drinks & Cocktails / Starbucks Classic Syrup Copycat

    Published: Mar 15, 2023 · Modified: May 17, 2023 by Olivia Parsons

    Starbucks Classic Syrup Copycat

    Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

    This homemade simple syrup is made in 10 minutes from 2 ingredients. Use it in coffee drinks, tea, or cocktails for sweetness. It tastes just like the Starbucks Classic Syrup. Make your favourite coffee shop drinks at home!

    jar of simple syrup with a spoon of sugar on a wood board.

    The Starbucks Classic Syrup is essentially just a simple syrup! There’s no need to spend $7 per latte once you learn how easy it is to make this copycat recipe at home in your own kitchen.

    All you need is 10 minutes and 2 ingredients that you definitely already have in your pantry! White sugar, and water—that's it. Control the sugar in your drinks and cut costs by making a classic simple syrup at home.

    This simple syrup recipe 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 favorite coffee drinks. Add it to hot coffee, iced coffee, tea drinks, or cold drinks and cocktails for an easily dissolved liquid sugar.

    This simple recipe makes a great gift for a coffee lover! Keep reading to learn how easy this classic coffee syrup recipe is to make.

    Jump to:
    • Why You'll Love This Recipe
    • Ingredient Notes
    • Substitutions
    • Step-by-Step Instructions
    • How to Use Simple Syrup
    • Storage
    • Expert Tips
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • More Gluten-Free Coffee Drinks
    • Recipe
    • Reviews

    Why You'll Love This Recipe

    • Coffee shop flavour at home! No need to spend $15 on a bottle of classic syrup when you can make it and have enough for a month of drinks. It's great in tea and cocktails too.
    • 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. With just a few swaps you can make other flavoured syrups like my homemade brown sugar syrup or make your own vanilla syrup recipe.

    Ingredient Notes

    Here are the simple ingredients you'll need to make your own simple syrup:

    ingredients to make classic simple syrup.
    • White sugar: Simple syrup is just a mixture of sugar and water. White cane sugar gives the most neutral flavour so that the vanilla can come through.
    • Water: Use filtered water for the best tasting syrup.

    Substitutions

    If you don’t have white sugar, use an equal amount of brown sugar for a easy brown sugar syrup. You can also add flavorings and make vanilla simple syrup using vanilla extract or real vanilla bean, or use another flavour like cinnamon sticks, 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.

    jar of simple syrup with a spoon of sugar on a wood board with a cup of coffee in the background.

    Step-by-Step Instructions

    Be sure to read the recipe card below for the full ingredient list and steps to make simple syrup.

    (1) Place equal parts sugar and water in a small saucepan. Turn the heat to medium-high and whisk together so there are no lumps of sugar.

    (2) Once boiling, cook until the sugar is completely dissolved (2-4 minutes).

    boiling sugar and water to make simple syrup.

    (3) Remove from the heat and carefully 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.

    pouring simple syrup from a glass jar into a cup of coffee.

    How to Use Simple Syrup

    This homemade classic syrup is a great way to sweeten coffee, tea, or cocktails. It can be used in hot drinks or cold beverages. Think iced coffee, 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 coffee syrups:

    • Whisk the ingredients together before boiling. This is the best way to ensure the syrup comes together smoothly and has no clumps.
    • Don’t let the sugar water 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.
    • Add flavor. Check out my vanilla syrup recipe and brown sugar cinnamon syrup.
    • 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

    I don’t have white sugar. Can I still make classic syrup?

    If you don’t have white sugar, use an equal amount of brown sugar for a simple syrup. See my homemade brown sugar syrup. It will taste a little different than a plain simple syrup, but it's delicious.

    Why does the syrup have to be refrigerated?

    Keeping the syrup in the fridge will slow any bacteria production and keep it usable for longer.

    How many pumps of syrup does Starbucks use?

    In a a typical flavored latte for example, Starbucks typically uses 3 pumps of syrup in a tall, 4 pumps in a grande, and 5 pumps in a venti. I like to make my own syrup at home so I can control the sugar in my drinks, and cut costs.

    3 glass bottles of syrups, classic, vanilla, and brown sugar.

    You will be shocked by how easy it is to make a copycat version of Starbucks' Classic Syrup. This homemade simple syrup recipe is a delicious way to add liquid sweetener 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!

    More Gluten-Free Coffee Drinks

    • Homemade Brown Sugar Syrup
    • Vanilla Syrup Recipe
    • Healthier Pumpkin Spice Latte
    • Pumpkin Cold Foam
    • Healthier Peppermint Mocha
    • Healthier Gingerbread Latte

    Related Recipes

    • skinny spicy margarita in a tajin rimmed glass with ingredients around.
      Skinny Spicy Margarita Recipe
    • a jar of vanilla simple syrup on a wood board infront of a mug of coffee.
      Homemade Vanilla Coffee Syrup (Starbucks Copycat)
    • a glass jar of brown sugar syrup with a bowl of brown sugar and a cinnamon stick.
      Homemade Brown Sugar Syrup (Starbucks Copycat)
    • 4 photos of creme de menthe christmas drinks.
      6 Crème de Menthe Christmas Drinks

    Have you made this classic simple syrup? I'd very much appreciate it if you leave a 5-star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review below, and tag me on instagram @fromoliviaskitchen!

    Recipe

    jar of simple syrup with a spoon of sugar on a wood board.

    Starbucks Classic Syrup Copycat

    This homemade simple syrup is made in 10 minutes from 2 ingredients. Use it in coffee drinks, tea, or cocktails for sweetness. It tastes just like the Starbucks Classic Syrup. Make your favourite coffee shop drinks at home!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Sauce
    Cuisine: American
    Diet: Gluten Free, Low Lactose, Vegan
    Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Servings: 1 cup
    Calories: 96.7kcal
    Author: Olivia Parsons

    Ingredients
     

    • 1 cup white sugar
    • 1 cup filtered water

    Instructions

    • Place the sugar, and water 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 carefully pour the syrup into a glass jar. Allow to cool completely then close the jar and refrigerate for 3-4 weeks.

    Notes

    • 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.
     
    Nutrition facts are an estimate. 1 serving = 2 tbsp.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 96.7kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Sodium: 0.25mg | Potassium: 0.5mg | Sugar: 25g | Calcium: 0.25mg | Iron: 0.01mg
    Tried this recipe? I'd love to see!Mention @fromoliviaskitchen or tag #oliviaskitchen!
    « Gluten-Free Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
    Fluffy 4 Ingredient Vegan Pancakes »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    No Comments

    Let us know what you think! Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    liv surrounded by gluten-free baked goods and charcuterie board

    Hi there! I'm Olivia, and welcome to my kitchen. I'm a mid-20's foodie who started cooking for myself in university. I love to nourish my body with delicious healthy comfort meals, and I never skip dessert. I'm all about eating your cravings in a balanced way. Get to know me here!

    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok

    Summer is coming

    • chimichurri shrimp skewers on a white plate with lemon slices.
      Grilled Chimichurri Shrimp Skewers
    • strawberry cheesecake cookies with halves and strawberries around.
      Strawberry Cheesecake Cookies
    • top view of 2 spoons in a cast iron skillet cookie.
      Mini Skillet Cookie
    • gluten free turkey meatballs on a bed of risotto in a black bowl.
      Gluten-Free Turkey Meatballs
    • green pasta sauce with peas in a black bowl.
      Green Pasta Sauce
    • gluten free lemon cookies with a few lemon slices and one with a bite missing.
      Gluten-Free Lemon Cookies

    READER FAVORITES⭐️

    • close up of gluten free cheez its
      Gluten-Free Cheez Its Copycat
    • square salmon sushi bake with toppings surrounding on a wooden board.
      Salmon Sushi Bake
    • close up of square pepperoni pizza
      Gluten-Free Detroit Style Pizza
    • gluten free focaccia bread pieces on a wood board
      Easy Gluten-Free Focaccia Bread

    LATEST & GREATEST

    • close up of a blackberry muffin with 2 blackberries beside it on a wood board.
      Gluten-Free Blackberry Muffins
    • square of iced carrot cake with a bite missing.
      Gluten-Free Carrot Cake
    • gluten free chocolate chip muffins on a wood board.
      Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Muffins
    • close up cross section of a stack of 4 vegan pancakes with banana slices on top.
      Fluffy 4 Ingredient Vegan Pancakes

    WORK WITH ME

    I love to align Olivia's Kitchen with brands that share the same value of healthy & delicious recipes in support of living a balanced life. I would be thrilled to work together and create deliciousness in some of the following ways:

    • Recipe Development
    • Food Photography
    • Sponsored Content
    • Short Form Video
    • Brand Ambassadorship
    • any other way I can help your brand create awesome food content!

    Learn more about my services →

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    Legal

    Privacy Policy

    Disclaimer

    Terms & Conditions

    Accessibility Policy

    About

    About Olivia

    Contact

    Work with Me

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2023 Liv Gluten-Free