This Copycat Starbuck's Vanilla Syrup will be your new favorite for morning coffee, lattes and so much more. Enjoy all the flavors you crave from the coffee shop in the comfort of your own kitchen. Made with 3 simple ingredients in 3 easy steps, making your own vanilla syrup has never been easier.
I absolutely love making my own coffee syrup! I made an apple spice syrup and a pumpkin spice syrup this past fall, and I could not get enough of them. When the holidays past, I knew I needed to make a evergreen one to enjoy all year.
This copycat Starbucks Vanilla Syrup recipe does not disappoint! It is sweet, creamy and perfect to add to my cold brew coffee or a blonde vanilla latte.
WHY YOU'LL LOVE THIS RECIPE
- Simple Recipe. This homemade vanilla syrup recipe could not be easier. It uses 3 ingredients with just 3 simple steps. Whip up a big batch during meal prep and enjoy it in your favorite coffee drinks all week long.
- Use on anything. This vanilla bean syrup can be used for so many different things. Other than adding it to my coffee drinks, like my matcha latte and iced oat milk latte to make it an iced vanilla latte, I like to pour it on my oat milk pancakes to add a little more flavor when I am craving vanilla! Be sure to visit my section below on where you can use it!
- Easy to customize. While this recipe calls for granulated sugar, you can easily swap it our for your favorite sugar alternative if you prefer to make sugar-free vanilla syrup. Both monk fruit or stevia work well in this recipe.
- Great for gifting! Do you have a coffee lover in your life? Homemade syrup is a wonderful gift to give during the holidays as an alternative or in addition to a traditional cookie basket. Allow your loved one to make their favorite coffee shop drinks at home!
INGREDIENT NOTES AND SUBSITUTIONS
- Sugar. I used regular granulated white sugar or cane sugar for this copycat starbucks vanilla syrup recipe. If you prefer sugar alternatives, such as stevia or monk fruit, you can use those as well at a 1-1 ratio. I do not recommend using brown sugar or any liquid sweetener.
- Vanilla Bean. This recipe calls for real vanilla bean, which provides the purest vanilla flavor, unlike vanilla extract which added ingredients. Starbucks uses whole vanilla bean in this recipe, so I wanted to make this starbucks vanilla syrup as close as possible to theirs. Of course, whole vanilla bean isn't always easy to track down at the grocery store (I got mine from amazon), so if you are in a pinch, you can substitute it for 2 tbsp of vanilla extract.
STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS
Step 1. First, slice the vanilla bean in half lengthwise. This allows the most flavor to escape from the bean.
Step 2. Add the water, sugar and vanilla bean into a small saucepan over low to medium heat. Continue to warm the mixture, mixing it often until the sugar dissolves. Do not let the mixture come to a boil. If it does, the syrup will become thicker in texture and may not mix as well in colder drinks. You can still use it hot drinks, but it will not be the same exact texture as starbucks syrup is.
Step 3. Once the sugar is dissolved, remove it from the heat and allow it to steep for 15 minutes. Once it cools, place a mesh strainer on top of a mason jar or heat resistant glass jar and strain the simple syrup into the jar. You can throw out the vanilla bean or pop it into the mason jar with the syrup!
STORAGE
This basic simple syrup will store well for up to two weeks in an airtight container or jar in the refrigerator. If you notice is separating, simple give it a good mix before using. When ready to use, add a pump of syrup into your coffee, iced drink or even iced tea!
TIME SAVING HACKS
This homemade vanilla coffee syrup comes together quickly and lasts up to two weeks in the fridge. If you need to save on time, I recommend doubling the batch and making it on during meal prep so you can use it on the go during the morning in your favorite drink.
USES FOR SIMPLE SYRUP
- Coffee, Iced Teas + Lattes. Skip the coffee shop and enjoy vanilla flavored coffee at home. This syrup works well in lattes and coffee - all you have to do is add ½ tbsp up to 2 tablespoon of vanilla syrup. I personally love using it in my oat milk iced latte to make it an iced vanilla latte. You can also add it to my dairy free cold foam.
- Cocktails. Use this delicious vanilla syrup in your favorite cocktails! I I love using it in my pumpkin espresso cocktail, vanilla chai sangria or festive moscow mule. LINK
- Vanilla Creamer. Mix 1 tbsp of syrup with 3 tbsp of your choice of plant based milk to make your own vanilla dairy free creamer.
- Pancakes + Waffles. If you are a fan of adding maple syrup to your pancakes or waffles, swap this syrup for it! It will immediately heighten the experience!
- Chia Pudding + Overnight Oats - Make your on the go breakfast taste even better by mixing 1 tbsp of this syrup into the mixture before placing it in the fridge overnight. I love doing this with my simple overnight oats.
- Hot Chocolate. Who does not love hot cocoa in the winter? Add a vanilla taste to it by stirring in this syrup.
- Milkshakes + Smoothies. This is a wonderful addition to a vanilla milkshake or strawberry milkshakes!
RECIPE FAQS
Vanilla extract is vanilla bean mixed with alcohol to make the extract. It is not sweetened with sugar. Vanilla syrup is usually a mixture of sugar, water and vanilla bean and is much sweeter.
No, it does not. Vanilla syrup is made of sugar, water and vanilla bean.
EXPERT TIPS
- Do not boil the sugar mixture. Boiling the mixture will results in the syrup being thicker. Keep an eye on your syrup and when it in doubt, keep the temperature low.
- Use fresh vanilla bean. This will provide the purest, best flavor.
MORE SIMPLE SYRUP RECIPES
Copycat Starbuck's Vanilla Syrup (3 ingredients)
Ingredients
- 1 vanilla bean
- ¾ cup water
- 1 cup granulated white sugar*
Instructions
- Gently slice the vanilla bean, the long way, to expose the inside of it. Do not slice all the way through the bean. No need to scrap the beans out of it.
- Add all ingredients to a sauce pan and gently heat on low to medium heat until the sugar dissolves. Do not allow the mixture to boil.
- Once the sugar dissolves, allow it to steep for 15 minutes.
- Strain the mixture into a mason jar. You can add a vanilla bean into it too!
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