Starbucks uses a variety of syrups to flavor and sweeten their hot and cold beverages. Understanding what these syrups are made of can help customers make informed choices about what to order. This article will explore the ingredients and nutritional information for Starbucks’ most popular syrups.
Simple Syrup
Simple syrup is the basic sweetener used in many Starbucks drinks. It is made by mixing granulated sugar and water together until the sugar dissolves. Simple syrup contains:
- Granulated sugar
- Water
The typical nutrition facts for 2 tbsp (30 ml) of Starbucks simple syrup are:
| Calories | 60 |
|---|---|
| Total Fat | 0 g |
| Sodium | 0 mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 15 g |
| Sugars | 15 g |
As you can see, simple syrup is pure sugar dissolved in water, so its main nutritional component is carbohydrates and sugar.
Vanilla Syrup
Vanilla syrup is used to add a sweet vanilla flavor to drinks like vanilla lattes and vanilla cappuccinos. Starbucks vanilla syrup contains:
- Sugar
- Water
- Natural flavors (vanilla extract)
- Potassium sorbate (preservative)
- Citric acid
The nutrition facts for 2 tbsp (30 ml) of Starbucks vanilla syrup are:
| Calories | 60 |
|---|---|
| Total Fat | 0 g |
| Sodium | 10 mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 15 g |
| Sugars | 13 g |
Like simple syrup, the vanilla syrup is mostly sugar and does not contain significant amounts of fat, protein, fiber, or micronutrients. The ingredients are very similar to simple syrup, with the addition of natural vanilla flavor.
Caramel Syrup
Caramel syrup has a sweet, buttery caramel flavor. It is used in drinks like caramel macchiatos and caramel frappuccinos. The ingredients in Starbucks caramel syrup include:
- Sugar
- Water
- Natural flavors (for caramelized sugar flavor)
- Potassium sorbate (preservative)
- Salt
- Caramel color (for darker color)
The nutrition information for 2 tbsp (30ml) of Starbucks caramel syrup is:
| Calories | 70 |
|---|---|
| Total Fat | 0 g |
| Sodium | 65 mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 18 g |
| Sugars | 16 g |
Like the other syrups, the main nutrient in caramel syrup is sugar. It also contains a small amount of sodium from the added salt. The caramel color gives it a darker, richer color but does not provide any nutritional value.
Hazelnut Syrup
Hazelnut syrup provides a nutty, sweet flavor. It’s used in hazelnut flavored coffees and lattes. The ingredients in Starbucks hazelnut syrup include:
- Sugar
- Water
- Natural flavors (hazelnut extract)
- Potassium sorbate (preservative)
- Salt
- Caramel color
The nutrition facts for 2 tbsp (30 ml) of hazelnut syrup are:
| Calories | 70 |
|---|---|
| Total Fat | 0 g |
| Sodium | 65 mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 18 g |
| Sugars | 16 g |
Hazelnut syrup contains very similar ingredients and nutrition information to caramel syrup. It is high in sugar and contains a small amount of sodium.
Mocha Syrup
Mocha syrup is used to add a chocolate and coffee flavor. It can be added to lattes, frappuccinos, and other coffee drinks. Starbucks mocha syrup contains:
- Sugar
- Water
- Natural flavors (cocoa and coffee extract)
- Potassium sorbate (preservative)
- Salt
- Caramel color
The nutrition facts for 2 tbsp (30 ml) of mocha syrup are:
| Calories | 60 |
|---|---|
| Total Fat | 0 g |
| Sodium | 60 mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 15 g |
| Sugars | 13 g |
Like the other syrups, mocha syrup is high in sugar and low in other nutrients. The cocoa and coffee flavors come from natural extracts.
White Chocolate Mocha Syrup
White chocolate mocha syrup has a sweet white chocolate and coffee flavor. It’s used in white chocolate mochas and frappuccinos. The ingredients are:
- Sugar
- Water
- Natural flavors (white chocolate and coffee extract)
- Potassium sorbate
- Salt
- Caramel color
The nutrition facts for 2 tbsp (30 ml) of white chocolate mocha syrup are:
| Calories | 60 |
|---|---|
| Total Fat | 0 g |
| Sodium | 60 mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 15 g |
| Sugars | 13 g |
White chocolate mocha syrup is nutritionally similar to mocha syrup. The main ingredients are sugar and natural flavors.
Pumpkin Spice Syrup
Pumpkin spice syrup has flavors of cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove reminiscent of pumpkin pie. It’s used seasonally in drinks like pumpkin spice lattes. The ingredients are:
- Sugar
- Water
- Natural flavors (contain cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, ginger, allspice)
- Potassium sorbate
- Salt
- Sulfating agents
The nutrition information for 2 tbsp (30 ml) of pumpkin spice syrup is:
| Calories | 60 |
|---|---|
| Total Fat | 0 g |
| Sodium | 45 mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 15 g |
| Sugars | 13 g |
Like other syrups, pumpkin spice syrup is high in sugar. The spice flavors come from natural extracts in the “natural flavors” ingredient.
Sugar-Free Syrups
Starbucks also offers sugar-free versions of some of their syrups, including sugar-free vanilla, caramel, and cinnamon dolce. These are sweetened with sucralose and acesulfame potassium rather than sugar. The nutrition facts are therefore quite different:
| Calories | 20 |
|---|---|
| Total Carbohydrates | 2 g |
| Sugars | 0 g |
As you can see, the sugar-free syrups are significantly lower in calories and carbohydrates than the regular, sugar-sweetened versions. They do still contain artificial sweeteners.
Handcrafted Syrups
Besides their standard syrups, Starbucks also offers “handcrafted” syrups that are used in specialty seasonal drinks. Examples include:
- Toasted White Chocolate Mocha Syrup: Sugar, water, natural flavors, potassium sorbate, salt, caramel color.
- Irish Cream Syrup: Sugar, water, natural flavors, potassium sorbate, salt, caramel color.
- Peppermint Mocha Sauce: Sugar, water, cocoa processed with alkali, natural flavors, potassium sorbate, salt.
As you can see, these specialty syrups are made with similar ingredients as the classic syrups, primarily sugar, water, natural flavors, and preservatives. The nutrition facts are comparable, with 60-70 calories and 15-18 grams of sugar per 2 tbsp serving.
Sauces and Toppings
In addition to syrups, Starbucks uses a variety of sauces and toppings to flavor and finish their drinks. These include:
- Caramel Sauce: Sweetened condensed skim milk, sugar, water, contains 2% or less of natural flavors, potassium sorbate, salt, caramel color.
- Mocha Sauce: Water, sugar, cocoa processed with alkali, contains 2% or less of potassium sorbate, salt, mono and diglycerides, natural flavors, soy lecithin.
- White Chocolate Sauce: Sweetened condensed nonfat milk, sugar, palm kernel and palm oil, whey, natural flavor, soy lecithin, salt, beta carotene for color.
- Pumpkin Sauce: Sugar, canned pureed pumpkin, contains 2% or less of water, potassium sorbate , salt, spice.
The sauces tend to have more calories and fat than the syrups, but are still primarily composed of sugar, flavors, and preservatives.
Condiment Bar Add-Ins
At Starbucks condiment bars, various sweeteners and flavors can be added to coffee and tea beverages. These include options like:
- Cinnamon Dolce Topping: Sugar, ground cinnamon, natural flavors, soy lecithin, citric acid.
- Caramel Drizzle: Sugar, water, contains 2% or less of potassium sorbate , natural flavors, salt.
- Chocolate Powder: Sugar, cocoa processed with alkali, soy lecithin, natural flavors.
These condiment options tend to be high in sugar, with some including dairy or soy-based ingredients as well.
Summary
In summary, the primary ingredients in Starbucks syrups, sauces, and toppings include:
- Sugar
- Water
- Natural flavors and extracts
- Preservatives like potassium sorbate
- Salt
- Caramel color (in some)
Nutritionally, they are high in sugar and low in other nutrients. Some contain small amounts of fat and sodium as well. Sugar-free versions are available for some syrups and use artificial sweeteners instead.
Understanding what these popular drink add-ins are made of can help customers make educated choices about customizing their Starbucks beverages.
