Homemade Starbucks Classic Syrup

After watching baristas use pumps of clear syrup at my local Starbucks, I decided to investigate. What I discovered was almost too simple to believe—this “special” sweetener was nothing more than sugar and water in the right ratio! After perfecting this recipe at home, my coffee tastes exactly like my favorite Starbucks beverages, and I’ve saved hundreds of dollars over the past year alone.

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Why This Classic Syrup Recipe Works

This homemade Starbucks Classic Syrup isn’t your standard simple syrup—it’s what professional baristas call a “rich simple syrup” with specific advantages:

• Customizable with various flavor additions
• Perfectly dissolves in both hot and cold beverages (no more grainy sugar at the bottom of your glass)
• Higher sugar concentration means you use less, preventing dilution of your drinks
• Costs a fraction of the store-bought version (less than $0.50 per cup vs. $8.95 for a retail bottle)
• Takes just 10 minutes to make with ingredients you already have
• Lasts up to a month in the refrigerator

Starbucks Classic Syrup Ingredients

To make this Starbucks Classic Syrup recipe, you’ll need:

• Water – Creates the base that dissolves and suspends the sugar molecules
• Granulated sugar – Provides the sweetness and creates the syrupy consistency

That’s it—just two simple ingredients in the right proportion!

How to Make Starbucks Classic Syrup

Most people make simple syrup on the stove, but you can make a cold version of it as well. Although it takes more time to make the cold version, you can use it immediately without waiting for it to cool off. 

To make Starbucks Classic Syrup on the stovetop:

1. Combine two parts of sugar with one part of water in a saucepan.

2. Heat over medium-high heat, occasionally stirring, until the water comes to a simmer. 
3. Continue to stir until the sugar dissolves completely.
4. Remove the pan from the heat and let the syrup cool to room temperature.

5. Transfer the syrup to a jar or container for liquids.

To make rich simple syrup using the cold method:

1. Slowly stir a few tablespoons of sugar into room-temperature water at a time. Allow the sugar to dissolve before adding more. 
2. Alternatively, you can add the sugar and the water to a blender. Blend on high for one minute, and allow the water to settle. Continue to blend in one-minute increments until the sugar dissolves completely. 

Recipe Variations

If you are wondering what flavor is Starbucks classic syrup, the answer is it has no flavor. But it’s simple to make your favorite variety of coffee syrup at home. Try these recipes to get you started:

• Cinnamon Syrup: Simmer four sticks of cinnamon in a cup and a half of water for ten minutes. Strain out the cinnamon sticks and follow the main recipe. 
• Vanilla Syrup: Make the recipe as written, but after removing the simple syrup from the heat, stir in two teaspoons of vanilla extract per cup of water. 
• Ginger Syrup: Peel and chop an inch of fresh ginger. Add the chopped ginger to the water and make the Starbucks syrup as written. Let the syrup cool, and then strain the ginger using a fine-mesh strainer. 

Storage & Shelf Life

Plain Classic Syrup:

• Signs of spoilage: Cloudiness, off smell, or mold growth
• Room temperature: Up to 1 week in an airtight container
• Refrigerated: Up to 1 month in an airtight container

How to Use Classic Syrup for Coffee 

Rich simple syrup is sweeter than sugar, so you only need half a teaspoon or less per serving. This allows you to use less syrup and avoid diluting the drink with excess water. You are going to love the sweetness this will bring to your drinks.

How to Use Classic Syrup

Coffee Drinks:

• Iced Coffee: Add ½-1 teaspoon per 8 oz serving
• Cold Brew: Start with ½ teaspoon per 8 oz and adjust to taste
• Hot Coffee: ¼-½ teaspoon per 8 oz cup
• Lattes and Cappuccinos: ½ teaspoon per shot of espresso
• Americanos: ¼-½ teaspoon per 8 oz

Beyond Coffee:

• Homemade Shaved Ice: Mix with fruit purees for snow cone flavoring
• Iced Tea: ½ teaspoon per 8 oz for subtle sweetness
• Cocktails: Replace simple syrup in recipes (use slightly less due to higher sugar content)
• Lemonades and Fruit Drinks: 1-2 teaspoons per 8 oz
• Drizzle over: Fresh fruit, pound cake, pancakes, or waffles

Favorite Starbucks Recipes

• Caramel Macchiato
• Coffee Mocha
• Iced White Mocha
• London Fog Tea Latte
• Oatmilk Shaken Espresso
• Pink Drink
• Starbucks Banana Bread
• Starbucks Egg Bites
• Starbucks Spinach Feta Wrap
• White Coffee

Great DIY Coffee Creamers and Syrup

• Amaretto Creamer
• Caramel Syrup
• French Vanilla Creamer

Check out my easy DIY recipes and the best Starbucks recipes here on CopyKat!