Starbucks is known for its wide variety of coffee and espresso drinks, many of which can be customized with different syrups and sauces. One of the most popular customization options is the addition of caramel sauce or syrup. But what brand of caramel does Starbucks use in their drinks?
The Short Answer
Starbucks uses their own brand of caramel sauce and syrups, rather than using products from an outside vendor. The caramel sauce is classified as a “core syrup” along with mocha, vanilla, and hazelnut. Starbucks has quality standards and flavor profiles they aim to achieve with their syrups and sauces, so producing them in-house allows them to maintain consistency.
Starbucks Caramel Sauce
The caramel sauce used at Starbucks locations is proprietary and made specifically for Starbucks. It is delivered to stores in plastic bottles that attach directly to the pumps used to dispense the sauce into drinks. The ingredients in Starbucks caramel sauce are: sugar, water, contains less than 2% of natural flavors, potassium sorbate, salt.
The caramel sauce has a smooth, sweet flavor with buttery notes. It provides the classic caramel taste expected in drinks like caramel macchiatos and caramel frappuccinos. The consistency of the sauce allows it to mix well into both hot and cold drinks.
Nutrition Information
The nutrition information for Starbucks caramel sauce is per 2 tablespoons (28g):
- Calories: 120
- Total Fat: 0g
- Sodium: 65mg
- Total Carbs: 29g
- Sugars: 27g
- Protein: 0g
Other Caramel Syrups
In addition to the original caramel sauce, Starbucks has a few other caramel syrup flavors that can be added to drinks:
Dark Caramel Sauce
The dark caramel sauce has a deeper, richer caramel flavor. It is sweet with notes of molasses or toffee. The dark caramel syrup ingredients include: sugar, water, natural flavors, potassium sorbate, salt.
Caramel Apple Syrup
Caramel apple syrup has flavors of both sweet caramel and tart green apple. It’s used in specialty fall drinks like the caramel apple spice. The syrup ingredients are: sugar, water, natural flavors, potassium sorbate, salt.
Sugar Cookie Syrup
The sugar cookie syrup contains flavors of caramelized sugar and vanilla. It is used in holiday seasonal drinks. The ingredients in sugar cookie syrup are: sugar, water, natural flavors, potassium sorbate, salt.
Reasons Starbucks Uses Their Own Brand
Starbucks has several good reasons for producing their own brand of caramel sauce and syrups rather than using a third party product:
- Maintains consistent flavor – With in-house production, Starbucks can ensure every batch of caramel sauce tastes the same.
- Quality control – Starbucks can oversee ingredients, production, and handling procedures when making the sauce themselves.
- Reliable supply chain – Producing the sauce allows Starbucks to control the supply and delivery to stores.
- No distribution fees – Owning the manufacturing avoids fees from purchasing finished products.
- Customization – Starbucks can tweak their caramel recipes perfectly to their preferences.
- Secrecy – Keeping the caramel sauce recipe proprietary means competitors can’t copy it.
How Starbucks Caramel Sauce is Produced
Although the exact details of Starbucks caramel recipe and production are a well-kept secret, we can make some educated guesses about how their proprietary caramel sauce is made based on general commercial food production:
Ingredient Sourcing
Starbucks likely sources ingredients like sugar, water, salt, and natural flavors from various ingredient suppliers. They select high quality ingredients to meet their discerning flavor standards.
Cooking Process
The Starbucks caramel sauce is cooked in large batch kettles. The sugar and water are combined and boiled to reach a target temperature that achieves the desired thickness and caramelization. Butter is likely added for extra richness. Salt enhances flavor. Natural flavors like vanilla may be included.
Bottling
The hot caramel liquid is pumped directly into plastic bottles using automated equipment. The bottles have special pump dispensing tops. The filled bottles go through a cooling process before packaging.
Storage and Delivery
The finished caramel sauce bottles are stored in Starbucks distribution warehouses. They are shipped out via truck delivery to Starbucks retail locations on a regular basis. The bottles are connected to pumps for serving caramel sauce with drinks.
Food Safety Protocols
As a large scale food and beverage company, Starbucks has strict protocols in place at their production facilities regarding sanitation, employee practices, quality control testing, and food safety hazard prevention.
Special Equipment for Starbucks Caramel
Making caramel sauce on a commercial scale requires some specialized cooking equipment and bottling machinery:
- Industrial kettles – Large stainless steel kettles with temperature control heat the caramel mixture.
- Pumps and piping – Pumps move the hot caramel into bottling equipment.
- Bottle fillers – Automated machinery fills bottles accurately with hot sauce.
- Cooling tunnels – Filled bottles are conveyed through tunnels that cool the caramel before capping.
- Date coding – Equipment prints expiration dates directly onto bottles.
The equipment produces hundreds of gallons per hour of caramel sauce ready for distribution to Starbucks stores.
Caramel Sauce vs Syrup
Starbucks uses both caramel sauce and syrup, which are slightly different in consistency and use:
Caramel Sauce
- Thicker, fluid consistency
- Used in hot espresso and coffee drinks
- Layered on top of frappucinos
- Drizzled on whipped cream
Caramel Syrup
- Thinner, pourable consistency
- Blended into cold frappucinos
- Pumped into iced coffees and lattes
- Mixed into blended creme drinks
The syrup consistency integrates more smoothly into cold beverages.
Caramel Sauce Nutrition Facts
Starbucks caramel sauce is high in sugar and calories, which is to be expected given the main ingredients are sugar and water. A typical nutrition label for 2 tablespoons (28g) of Starbucks caramel sauce contains:
| Calories | 120 |
|---|---|
| Fat | 0g |
| Sodium | 65mg |
| Carbohydrates | 29g |
| Sugar | 27g |
| Protein | 0g |
As you can see, the 120 calories in 2 tablespoons comes almost entirely from the 29g of carbohydrate and 27g of sugar. So while extremely tasty, the Starbucks caramel sauce is essentially like adding over 7 teaspoons of straight sugar to your drink.
Copying the Starbucks Caramel Recipe
The exact recipe Starbucks uses for their famous caramel sauce is a well-protected company secret. However, you can come close by using this homemade recipe:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp salt
Instructions:
- Combine sugar and water in a saucepan. Heat on medium, stirring occasionally, until it reaches an amber color, about 10 minutes.
- Remove from heat and slowly whisk in heavy cream. Be careful as the mixture will rapidly bubble. Return to medium heat.
- Whisk in butter until combined. Add vanilla and salt.
- Heat mixture to a simmer while stirring frequently, until thickened to a sauce consistency, about 5-10 minutes.
- Remove from heat and allow to cool before using. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Buying Bottled Starbucks Caramel Sauce
While Starbucks doesn’t sell their proprietary caramel sauce in stores, there are a few ways you can buy the exact bottles they use in the restaurants:
Online Auctions
Some sellers have bought cases of surplus Starbucks caramel sauce at auction or through restaurant supply channels. They resell the bottles online through sites like eBay.
Restaurant Supply Stores
In some cases the restaurant supply store that sells to Starbucks locally may have bottles available for retail purchase. Supplies are limited as priority goes to Starbucks stores.
From a Store
It’s possible to request and purchase a bottle directly from a Starbucks location if you are a regular customer. Most stores won’t have extra stock on hand though.
Getting authentic Starbucks caramel sauce outside their restaurants requires luck and good timing. But many fans feel it’s worth the effort!
Other Caramel Sauces and Syrups
While it can be difficult to get the exact Starbucks caramel sauce, there are some comparable products available for purchase:
Torani Caramel Sauce
Torani is a popular brand of coffeehouse flavors. Their caramel sauce is excellent and rivals the Starbucks version. It’s available on Amazon and in many grocery stores.
DaVinci Gourmet Caramel Sauce
The DaVinci gourmet caramel sauce is made with cane sugar and cream for a delicious flavor. It’s a great option for replicating Starbucks caramel at home.
Monin Caramel Syrup
Monin syrups are used at many coffee shops. Their caramel syrup has a smooth sweet taste perfect for iced coffee, lattes, and blended drinks.
While not exactly the same, these high quality brand name sauces and syrups can provide a similar caramel experience to Starbucks.
Caramel Sauce vs Syrup – What’s the Difference?
Caramel sauce and syrup have some key differences that impact their use in beverages:
| Caramel Sauce | Caramel Syrup | |
|---|---|---|
| Consistency | Thick, pourable liquid | Thin, pourable liquid |
| Primary Use | Hot coffee drinks | Iced and blended drinks |
| Serving Method | Drizzled on top | Mixed throughout |
| Shelf Life | Refrigerate after opening | Store in pantry after opening |
The thicker sauce is best for finishing hot drinks, while the thinner syrup integrates better into cold blended beverages.
Making Your Own Caramel Sauce
It’s easy to make fresh homemade caramel sauce with just a few ingredients:
Ingredients
- 1 cup white granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Combine sugar and water in a deep saucepan. Heat over medium, stirring occasionally, until the mixture reaches a dark amber color, about 10 minutes.
- Remove from heat and carefully pour in the heavy cream. The mixture will bubble rapidly. Return pan to medium heat.
- Whisk in butter until fully incorporated.
- Add sea salt and vanilla. Whisk until smooth.
- Continue cooking for 5-10 minutes, stirring frequently, until thickened to a sauce consistency that coats the back of a spoon.
- Remove from heat and allow to cool before transferring to an airtight container. Refrigerate.
Be very careful when adding the cream as the hot sugar mixture will bubble vigorously. The sauce keeps for up to 2 weeks refrigerated.
Common Questions about Starbucks Caramel
Is Starbucks caramel sauce vegan?
No, Starbucks caramel sauce is not vegan as it contains dairy ingredients like butter. The exact recipe is proprietary but they confirm it contains dairy.
Can you buy Starbucks caramel sauce in stores?
Unfortunately Starbucks does not sell their proprietary caramel sauce to the general public in stores. It’s only available for retail purchase directly from some Starbucks locations in limited quantities.
Does Starbucks use Monin caramel syrup?
Starbucks uses their own in-house brand of caramel syrup, not Monin or other external brands. Monin does produce a syrup with a similar taste though.
Is Starbucks caramel sauce gluten free?
Yes, Starbucks caramel sauce is gluten free as it does not contain any wheat, barley, rye or gluten-containing ingredients. The only allergens are dairy from butter and cream.
Can you replicate the Starbucks caramel sauce recipe at home?
While the exact proprietary recipe is secret, you can get very close with homemade caramel sauce using basic ingredients like sugar, cream, butter, and vanilla.
Conclusion
Starbucks caramel sauce and syrups have a signature taste profile loved by customers. By producing their caramel in-house, Starbucks maintains strict quality control over flavor, supply, and customization. The sauce ingredients and preparation process follow the company’s high standards. While extremely difficult to purchase outside of Starbucks restaurants, you can recreate a very similar sauce at home by following a basic slow-cooked caramel recipe using real sugar and cream. The result will bring the delicious taste of Starbucks caramel to your own coffee creations.
