Sugar free cinnamon dolce syrup has become a popular option for many coffee drinkers looking to reduce their sugar intake. With its sweet cinnamon flavor, this syrup allows customers to customize their drinks without extra calories or carbs. However, there have recently been questions around whether Starbucks plans to discontinue this lighter menu item.
What is Sugar Free Cinnamon Dolce Syrup?
Sugar free cinnamon dolce syrup is a calorie-free and carb-free flavored sweetener offered by Starbucks. It has the same sweet cinnamon and vanilla flavor as the regular cinnamon dolce syrup, but without any sugar or high fructose corn syrup. The main ingredients in the sugar free version are water, natural flavors, sucralose, potassium sorbate, citric acid, and caramel color.
This syrup can be added to any beverage for a boost of cinnamon flavor at no extra cost. Customers often use it to customize lighter drinks like iced coffee, cold brew, americanos, lattes, cappuccinos, and more. It provides a way to satisfy a sweet tooth without the extra calories and carbohydrates.
Is Starbucks Discontinuing Sugar Free Cinnamon Dolce Syrup?
At this time, Starbucks has not officially announced that sugar free cinnamon dolce syrup is being discontinued. The product is still listed as an option on their official menu and website.
There was some confusion recently when stores in some areas ran out of inventory of this syrup. Its absence from some locations led to customer speculation that it might be going away permanently. However, Starbucks has not confirmed they are discontinuing it.
Supply chain issues over the past couple years have caused intermittent shortages of various menu items, syrups, and ingredients at Starbucks. It’s likely the low stock of sugar free cinnamon dolce syrup is tied to these ongoing challenges. There have been no indications that it is being phased out.
Reasons Customers Thought It Might be Discontinued
There are a few reasons why some Starbucks customers jumped to the conclusion that sugar free cinnamon dolce was being discontinued:
- Many locations were out of stock of the syrup for an extended period
- Employees at some stores said it had been discontinued when asked about the absence
- It was removed as an ordering option from the app at some locations
- No formal statement was made by Starbucks to address the shortage
While this circumstantial evidence led to concerns, it does not confirm the discontinuation of this product. Ongoing supply issues provide a plausible explanation for its unpredictable availability.
Has Availability Increased Recently?
In the last couple months, some customers have reported seeing sugar free cinnamon dolce syrup return to their local Starbucks. Its availability seems to be increasing again, though potentially still sporadic in some areas.
This return to stores indicates that Starbucks is not planning to discontinue the syrup permanently. They are likely working to improve inventory and restore supply to normal levels. The COVID-19 pandemic and other world events disrupted many supply chains over the past few years. As operations continue to stabilize, Starbucks appears able to stock this menu item more consistently again.
Reports of Sugar Free Cinnamon Dolce Syrup Sightings
Here are some recent first-hand reports of spotting sugar free cinnamon dolce syrup again at various Starbucks locations:
- “My Starbucks in Ohio has had it the past couple weeks when it was out for probably 6 months before that.”
- “I’m in Colorado and my store has had it back for about 2 months now.”
- “Mine in Southern California has had it since mid-January after not having it for awhile before that.”
- “The Starbucks near my work in Vancouver, BC has had it when I visited in the last month.”
- “I’m in Miami and it’s been at my usual Starbucks for over a month straight now.”
While not back in every location yet, these sightings from across North America indicate supply is ramping up in many areas again.
Has Starbucks Commented on Shortages?
Starbucks has acknowledged shortages of various items over the past couple years but usually does not give details about specific products. They have cited supply chain challenges and labor shortages as factors impacting inventory.
In their Q4 2021 earnings release, Starbucks stated: “Store inventory levels also remain below optimal due to supply chain disruptions.” This confirms that unpredictable supplies and shortages have been an ongoing issue.
While mentioning supply problems, Starbucks has not directly addressed the shortage of sugar free cinnamon dolce syrup or stated plans to discontinue it.
Starbucks Comments on Supply Chain Issues
- “We have all been dealing with the challenges of supply chains.”
- “Like many companies, we too are experiencing temporary supply shortages due to overall transportation challenges.”
- “We apologize for any inconvenience when a customer’s favorite item is unavailable.”
- “Constraints around staffing and supply chain are resulting in inventory challenges.”
Comments like these reinforce that the cinnamon dolce syrup shortage is likely just another symptom of larger operational issues Starbucks is working to resolve.
Could the Syrup Be Discontinued in the Future?
While not discontinued currently, it’s possible that Starbucks could choose to stop offering sugar free cinnamon dolce syrup down the line. The company often tweaks its menu, testing out new drinks while retiring others.
However, this syrup seems to fill an important niche on the menu. With rising rates of diabetes and obesity, more and more customers are looking to minimize sugars and carbs. This syrup gives Starbucks a way to cater to health-conscious markets.
The demand for lighter, customized beverage options is growing. The cinnamon dolce flavor remains one of Starbucks’ most popular syrups. For these reasons, discontinuing the sugar free version in the near future seems unlikely.
Factors that Could Lead to Discontinuation
Here are a few scenarios in which Starbucks might opt to eventually drop sugar free cinnamon dolce syrup from its offerings:
- Introduction of a new sugar-free syrup that overshadows it
- Declining sales and low product demand
- Ongoing ingredient shortages or supply chain issues
- Higher costs making it unprofitable
- Consumer concerns over artificial sweeteners like sucralose
For now, none of these factors seem to be currently in play. But over time, priorities and offerings adjust. If sales slowed or costs rose, discontinuation would be more probable down the line.
What Do the Signs Point to for the Future?
Given all indicators currently available, it appears likely that Starbucks will continue offering sugar free cinnamon dolce syrup. The recent return to many stores after months of shortages suggests this popular product isn’t going anywhere.
Barring any major changes in sales trends or consumer preferences, discontinuing it seems unnecessary. As supply chain disruptions continue to ease over the next year, inventory levels will hopefully stabilize and availability will become more consistent.
Starbucks is working hard to resolve the various challenges of the past couple years. As operations return to normal, expect sugar free cinnamon dolce syrup to remain available to order for your customized drinks.
Why Sugar Free Cinnamon Dolce Syrup Will Likely be Here to Stay
- No official discontinuation announced by Starbucks
- Supply shortages appear tied to temporary COVID disruptions
- Availability seems to be increasing again in recent months
- High customer demand for sugar-free and keto-friendly options
- Cinnamon dolce remains one of Starbucks’ most popular syrup flavors
Barring any unexpected changes, these key factors point towards this syrup remaining a menu staple. Customers looking to cut back on sugar don’t have to worry about losing this option anytime soon.
How Can Consumers Get Sugar Free Cinnamon Dolce Syrup?
If your local Starbucks is currently out of this syrup, there are a few options to help get your hands on it:
- Ask the barista to check upcoming inventory or transfer it from another location
- Politely request they reorder more from their supplier
- Check back often as supply levels can change quickly
- Visit different Starbucks locations in your area to find one carrying it
- Order sugar free cinnamon dolce syrup bottles online to use at home
Being patient and flexible can help ensure you get your cinnamon fix, even when dealing with unpredictable supplies. With more stock coming in, you’ll hopefully find this syrup readily available again soon.
Getting Creative to Get Your Sugar Free Cinnamon Dolce Fix
- Ask for extra cinnamon powder topping as a substitute
- Add a pump of sugar free vanilla syrup for mild cinnamon flavor
- Opt for the sugar free caramel or mocha sauces instead
- Bring your own sugar free cinnamon dolce syrup from home or online
- Substitute steamed almond milk, which has a natural sweetness
Don’t let a temporary shortage come between you and your favorite drink customization. With delicious alternatives, you can still satisfy that craving.
The Bottom Line
While unpredictable supply has made sugar free cinnamon dolce syrup hard to find at times, Starbucks has given no indication of plans to discontinue it permanently. Availability issues appear tied to temporary disruptions that are now recovering. The return of this product to many locations in recent months is a positive sign.
In the meantime, customers have options to obtain the syrup through online orders or creative drink substitutions. As shipping and transportation networks stabilize globally, Starbucks inventory should likewise become more consistent. For cinnamon dolce fans, the signs point to being able to enjoy this popular sugar-free syrup for the foreseeable future.
