Monin sugar free vanilla is a popular vanilla syrup that is made without any sugar. It’s used to sweeten and flavor drinks like coffee, tea, and lattes. But is Monin’s sugar free vanilla actually good? Here’s a comprehensive look at the pros, cons, taste, reviews, nutrition, and more to help you decide if Monin sugar free vanilla is right for your needs.
The Quick Answers
For those looking for a quick answer, here are some key points about Monin sugar free vanilla:
- It’s made with vanilla bean extract and natural flavors for vanilla taste
- Sweetened with sucralose (Splenda) instead of sugar
- Has 0 calories and 0g sugar per serving
- The taste is pretty good but has a slightly artificial aftertaste
- It dissolves and mixes well into drinks
- Can replace regular vanilla syrups for low carb/keto diets
- More affordable than some competing sugar free syrups
- Reviews are generally positive overall
So in summary, Monin sugar free vanilla provides a decent sugar free option for flavoring drinks and desserts, but it may not be the most natural tasting due to the artificial sweeteners. It can be a good choice for low sugar diets or those watching their calorie intake.
Monin Sugar Free Vanilla Overview
Monin sugar free vanilla syrup is produced by Monin, a French company known for their wide range of syrups, sauces, and fruit purees. Monin’s sugar free vanilla contains vanilla bean extract and natural flavors to provide the sweet, warm, and aromatic taste of vanilla.
Unlike regular vanilla syrups, Monin’s sugar free version has no sugar added. Instead, it’s sweetened with the artificial sweetener sucralose, also known as Splenda. Each 1 teaspoon (5mL) serving contains 0 calories and 0g of sugar. This allows you to sweeten drinks and foods without any extra calories or carbs from sugar.
The Monin sugar free vanilla syrup comes in a 750mL glass bottle. It can be found online and in some grocery stores and coffee shops that carry Monin products. Because it’s sugar free, this vanilla syrup is a popular choice among people monitoring their sugar and carb intake, like those on low carb or keto diets.
Nutrition Facts
Here are the nutrition facts for Monin sugar free vanilla syrup:
| Serving Size | 1 teaspoon (5mL) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 0 |
| Total Fat | 0g |
| Sodium | 0mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 0g |
| Sugars | 0g |
| Protein | 0g |
As you can see, a single serving of Monin sugar free vanilla syrup contains 0 calories and 0 grams of sugar. It also contains no fat, sodium, carbs, or protein. The only ingredients are filtered water, vanilla bean extract, natural flavors, citric acid, sucralose, potassium sorbate, and potassium benzoate.
Taste Reviews
So how does Monin sugar free vanilla syrup actually taste? Here’s what some people have said about its flavor:
- Sweet vanilla flavor – Many reviewers mention that it provides a nice sweet vanilla taste that’s very similar to regular vanilla syrup. The vanilla bean extract gives it a true vanilla bean flavor.
- Not overly artificial – While you can detect that it’s sugar free, the sucralose sweetener doesn’t make it have an overly fake or chemical taste.
- Smooth and pleasant – The syrup has a smooth, pleasant flavor. It’s not bitter or overly acidic tasting.
- Slight aftertaste – Some people notice a slightly odd artificial aftertaste from the sucralose. But it’s subtle enough that it’s not a major issue.
- Not as robust – A few reviewers say the vanilla flavor is not quite as bold or robust as regular sugar-sweetened vanilla syrup.
Overall, the taste is described as sweet, smooth, and pleasantly vanilla. While not identical to regular vanilla, most agree that Monin’s sugar free vanilla still provides a nice flavor that’s good for the calorie/carb savings.
How to Use Monin Sugar Free Vanilla
Monin’s sugar free vanilla syrup is easy to incorporate into drinks and desserts. Here are some of the most popular ways to use it:
Coffee and Tea
Add 1-2 teaspoons of the syrup to coffee, tea, espresso drinks, lattes, cappuccinos, and other hot beverages. It sweetens the drink without adding any sugar.
Smoothies
Add 1-2 tablespoons of the sugar free vanilla to smoothies to enhance the flavor. It goes well with fruits like bananas, berries, mango, and pineapple.
Pancakes and Waffles
Drizzle the syrup over pancakes, waffles, crepes, and French toast for added flavor without the calories of regular syrup.
Oatmeal and Yogurt
Stir in 1-2 teaspoons into oatmeal, yogurt, chia pudding, overnight oats, and other breakfast foods.
Milkshakes
Add 2-3 tablespoons to milkshakes made with almond milk or coconut milk for a sugar free treat.
Baked Goods
Use as a vanilla extract substitute in sugar free muffins, cakes, and cookies.
The syrup is versatile enough to use in both sweet and savory applications. You can also drizzle it over fruits like berries and bananas for added flavor.
Pros of Monin Sugar Free Vanilla
What are some of the benefits of using Monin’s sugar free vanilla syrup? Here are some of the main pros:
- 0 calories and 0g sugar – Being sugar free means you can add flavor without any extra calories, carbs, or blood sugar impact.
- Real vanilla taste – Contains vanilla bean extract for true vanilla flavor instead of plain artificial vanilla.
- Low glycemic – The sugar free formula makes it keto-friendly and safe for low glycemic diets.
- Versatile – Flavors a wide range of drinks, desserts, yogurt, oatmeal, pancakes, etc.
- Affordable – Costs less than some other sugar free syrup brands.
- Convenient – Easy to find online and in many grocery and specialty food stores.
- Gluten-free and vegan – Suitable for gluten free, vegan, and plant based diets.
For those watching their sugar and calorie intake, Monin sugar free vanilla offers an accessible and budget-friendly way to add sweet vanilla flavor without any downsides.
Cons of Monin Sugar Free Vanilla
While Monin’s sugar free vanilla syrup has a lot of positives, here are a few potential downsides to consider:
- Aftertaste – Some detect an artificial or chemical aftertaste from the sucralose sweetener.
- Not as robust – May have a slightly weaker vanilla flavor than regular syrup.
- Contains preservatives – Includes potassium sorbate and potassium benzoate as preservatives.
- Artificial sweetener – Not natural; sweetened with sucralose instead of sugar.
- Liquid consistency – Has a thin, liquid texture unlike thicker syrups.
While not a deal breaker for most, the slightly artificial taste and thin consistency may be a turn off to some who prefer more natural products. But it delivers solid vanilla flavor with zero sugar and calories.
Monin vs Torani Sugar Free Vanilla Syrup
Torani is another popular brand of sugar free syrups. How does Monin’s sugar free vanilla compare to Torani’s version? Here’s a quick comparison:
| Monin | Torani |
|---|---|
| – 0 calories per serving | – 0 calories per serving |
| – Sweetened with sucralose | – Sweetened with sucralose |
| – Contains vanilla bean extract | – Contains natural flavors |
| – 750mL bottle | – 750mL bottle |
| – Thinner consistency | – Thicker, more viscous texture |
| – Slightly more artificial tasting | – More natural vanilla flavor |
| – Typically a few $ cheaper | – Slightly more expensive |
Overall, Torani seems to have a bit more robust and natural vanilla taste. But the Monin version provides a very comparable sugar free vanilla syrup for a slightly more affordable price point.
Best Uses for Monin Sugar Free Vanilla
Based on its taste and nutrition profile, here are some of the best uses for Monin sugar free vanilla syrup:
Keto and Low Carb Diets
With 0g net carbs and sugar, Monin SF vanilla is perfect for keto, low carb, and diabetic diets needing to limit sugar.
Weight Loss Diets
The 0 calorie formula makes this a guilt-free way to flavor foods and drinks when trying to lose weight.
Coffee and Tea
Add it to drip coffee, iced coffee, tea, espresso drinks, etc for a hit of sugar free vanilla.
Smoothies
Its liquid consistency makes it easy to mix into smoothies without altering the texture.
Pancakes and Waffles
Drizzle over pancakes, waffles, and French toast in place of sugary maple syrup.
Yogurt and Oatmeal
Stir into yogurt, overnight oats, chia pudding, and oatmeal for added flavor.
Because it’s so versatile, sugar free, and low carb, Monin SF vanilla has many applications for health-conscious cooking and baking.
Where to Buy Monin Sugar Free Vanilla
Where can you purchase Monin’s sugar free vanilla syrup? Here are some of the best places to buy it:
- Amazon – Readily available with fast, free shipping through Prime.
- Walmart – Often in stock at Walmarts with a large grocery section.
- Target – Frequently sold in the grocery aisle of Target stores.
- World Market – World Market carries a wide range of Monin syrups.
- Bed Bath and Beyond – Found in the cooking/baking aisle of most Bed Bath & Beyond stores.
- Coffee Shops – Some local boutique coffee shops sell Monin syrups.
- Online Stores – Purchase directly from Monin’s website or sites like Walmart.com and Jet.com.
The easiest and most affordable option is often to buy it through Amazon Prime. But call ahead to check availability at your local grocery store or coffee shop first.
Monin Sugar Free Vanilla Recipes
Monin’s sugar free vanilla syrup lends itself to all kinds of healthy recipes and drink ideas. Here are just a few recipe inspirations:
Sugar Free Vanilla Iced Coffee
Brew coffee and let chill. Fill a glass with ice and add 1-2 tbsp sugar free vanilla syrup. Pour chilled coffee over and enjoy!
Keto Vanilla Latte
Make hot espresso. Add 1 tbsp heavy cream, 1 tsp vanilla, and 1 tsp sugar free vanilla syrup. Mix and enjoy.
Sugar Free Vanilla Smoothie
Blend ice, 1 cup almond milk, 1/2 banana, 1 tbsp peanut butter, and 1-2 tbsp sugar free vanilla syrup.
Vanilla Oatmeal
Cook oats with water or milk. Stir in sugar free vanilla, walnuts, and cinnamon.
Sugar Free Vanilla Yogurt
Stir 1 tsp-1 tbsp vanilla syrup into 6 ounces of plain Greek yogurt. Top with berries.
Mix up your usual coffee drinks, smoothies, oats, and yogurt with Monin sugar free vanilla syrup for a flavor boost without the sugar!
Is Monin Sugar Free Vanilla Healthy?
Monin’s sugar free vanilla syrup is considered relatively healthy for a flavored syrup since it’s low in calories, carbs, and sugar. But there are some aspects to consider:
Sugar Free
Being sugar free and zero calories is ideal if you’re limiting sugar and calories. However, it uses the artificial sweetener sucralose instead of natural sweeteners.
Natural Vanilla Flavor
It’s sweetened with vanilla bean extract, not just “natural flavors”, providing true vanilla taste. But the flavor still isn’t 100% natural.
No Nutritional Value
Like most syrups, it offers no protein, fiber, vitamins, or minerals. It simply provides flavor.
Highly Processed
Syrups involve more processing than whole foods. But Monin uses fairly recognizable ingredients.
Overall, while not the most natural option, Monin sugar free vanilla provides a decent way to add vanilla flavor without extra sugar or calories.
The Bottom Line
Is Monin sugar free vanilla syrup actually good? While not perfect, it does provide a solid sugar free vanilla flavoring option. The taste is pretty smooth and pleasant, though slightly artificial compared to regular syrups. But the zero calories and carbs make it ideal for low sugar diets. It works well in most applications like coffee, tea, yogurt, oatmeal, and shakes. At around $4-6 per bottle, Monin SF vanilla offers an affordable way to ditch the sugar without sacrificing flavor.