Easy Homemade Syrups For Your Daily Brew

Flavored lattes, it’s hardly surprising that these sweet drinks are always a staple in every coffee shop menu. An ice-cold sweet latte not only gives you energy but also boosts your mood, making you feel good with every sip. The rich blend of espresso, milk, and sweet syrup makes for a cup of comfort drink that is both wonderfully indulgent and deliciously invigorating. 

Hey there, coffee lovers. As an avid caffeine consumer, I can’t resist the occasional desire to indulge in a glass of iced caramel sea salt latte. Drinking coffee in cafes is nice and all, and sometimes, we certainly need to treat ourselves to cakes and drinks, but making it a regular habit is unstainable for my wallet. So I decided to do some research and save up some online recipes on my blog page. Smirks. 

A quick history lesson on how flavored lattes became popularized

Latte, a drink made with milk and espresso, was first made known in 17th-century Europe, but it wasn’t until the 20th century that flavored latte became in demand in the US. Since then, coffee shops began selling lattes using flavored syrups, which allowed customers to personalize their drinks according to their preferences.

Learn more about the The History of Coffee.

Today, coffee shops everywhere are constantly looking for ways to elevate their flavored latte game. From mint lattes to charcoal lattes, and even to the pork-flavored lattes released during the Lunar New Year of 2024 at Starbucks branches across China.

The best coffee syrups for your daily brew

My personal favorites and most common syrups used in flavored lattes are caramel sea salt syrup, mocha syrup, vanilla syrup, brown sugar syrup, and hazelnut syrup. These are the ones I reach for most often in iced lattes. Each adds a unique flavor that keeps coffee drinking interesting and delicious. 

Caramel Sea Salt Syrup

Adapted from a basic caramel syrup, caramel sea salt syrup is an out-of-this-world blend of sweet and salty flavors. The caramel provides a rich, buttery sweetness, while the sea salt adds a savory twist.

I’m using Jenn’s recipe for this syrup. For this recipe, you typically only need white sugar, vanilla extract, sea salt, and water. This syrup lasts up to one month in the fridge. For an extra touch, consider topping your drink with whipped cream or a caramel sauce drizzle.

When making Caramel Sea Salt lattes, it’s customary for many coffee shops to drizzle caramel sauce on top. For the caramel sea salt sauce recipe, be sure to check out Sally McKenny’s page.

Vanilla Syrup

Vanilla lattes are often considered the  ‘safest syrup choice’ among the many options on today’s coffee menus. Vanilla syrup smells like sweetness and cream while inducing a touch of nostalgic comfort. It’s a classic flavor that pairs well with any type of coffee beans.

Being extremely versatile, vanilla syrup for almost any beverage – hot or cold, coffee or otherwise – and in desserts. The syrup can be stored in the fridge for up to a month.

For vanilla syrup, you typically need an equal ratio of water and sugar, along with either of these: vanilla pods, vanilla essence, or vanilla paste. In my recipe, I used both vanilla pods and vanilla essence to achieve a stronger vanilla flavor.

Brown Sugar Syrup

With a deeper caramel taste, brown sugar syrup has been my go-to choice for lattes while studying and working in Taiwan. It has a distinct molasses-like flavor that is simultaneously aromatic and delicious. 

Making brown sugar syrup requires just two parts brown sugar and one part water, but there are recipes on the net that include additional ingredients to enhance the deep flavors of brown sugar. Jamie’s recipe, for instance, adds cinnamon and vanilla extract.

In addition to coffee, you can also use it to make cakes, cookies, pancake drizzle, and even boba milk tea. Brown Sugar Syrup typically lasts 3-4 weeks in the fridge.

Honey Syrup

If you haven’t tried using this pantry item to sweeten your coffee, now is the perfect time. Honey is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a healthier, natural sweetener. Having a lower glycemic index (GI) value than sugar, honey doesn’t raise blood sugar levels as quickly. Additionally, honey is sweeter than sugar, which means you’d be using less amount of it.

Honey varies in taste depending on its origin, rendering unique flavor profiles that reflect its nativity. When paired with coffee, honey provides sweetness along with a subtle floral-like note that elevates the taste of your everyday latte. The best part is that, when honey is stored properly, it can last forever. 

One thing I don’t like about using honey syrup is how hard it is to dissolve honey in a cold drink. But the great thing about syrups is that you can technically turn any ingredient into syrup by just adding water and sugar. In this case, a 1:1 ratio of honey and water works nicely. This honey-water syrup mixture will last for a month in the fridge.

Hazelnut Syrup

As the final syrup on our list, hazelnut syrup is certainly an acquired taste; it’s not for everyone. It’s also rare to find cafés that serve truly delicious hazelnut lattes; sometimes the hazelnut flavor overpowers the coffee, is too sweet, and sometimes they just taste like plain dirt. It’s a hit or miss, basically.

However, when you get the recipe right and balance the coffee, milk, and syrup ratio, you get a nutty, toasty, slightly caramel-ish delicious hazelnut latte. Tara’s recipe here guides you on properly roasting your hazelnuts for the best flavors.

Works Cited

History Timelines. “A History Timeline About Lattes.” History Timelines, -, https://historytimelines.co/timeline/lattes. Accessed 15 8 2024.Williams, Jo. “Should I swap sugar for honey? | Good Food.” BBC Good Food, 7 June 2024, https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/sugar-substitutes-honey-explained. Accessed 16 August 2024.