If the thought of drinking your coffee black makes you grimace, thank your lucky star(buck)s. We’re fortunate to live in a time where there are over a dozen sugar alternatives for sweetening coffee.
Sweeteners like stevia, erythritol, and honey come to mind. However, of the many available options, vanilla syrup seems to come up often in conversations between coffee lovers with sweet tooths. And given how tasty this viscous substance can make coffee, it isn’t hard to see why.
Perhaps one such conversation has you wondering what the best tasting vanilla syrups for coffee are in 2024. Well, wonder no more! This article explores 10 solid brands that’ll make your coffee taste divine.
The 10 Best Vanilla Coffee Syrups
Ready for some great-tasting coffee? Grab one of the top 10 vanilla syrups below to infuse your cup of joe with some deliciousness!
- Torani Coffee Syrup
- Matteo’s Barista-Style Sugar-Free Coffee Syrup
- Monin Vanilla Syrup
- Explorer Elixirs Madagascar Vanilla Syrup
- DaVinci Gourmet Sugar-Free Vanilla Syrup
- Amoretti Premium French Vanilla Syrup
- Joe’s Syrup Organic Vanilla Syrup
- Ghirardelli Vanilla Sauce
- Starbucks Naturally-Flavored Coffee Syrup
- Jordan’s Skinny Syrups Vanilla
1. Torani Coffee Syrup
Best For
If you’re partial to a great-tasting latte, frappe, cappuccino or cold brew, you’re probably familiar with the Torani brand. This family-owned company has been making flavoring syrups for almost a century, meaning they’ve most likely got the process down to a science. In our humble opinion, their Torani Coffee Syrup is up there among the company’s finest recipes.
Torani Coffee Syrup brings that authentic coffeehouse flavor to your kitchen. Each bottle of this vanilla syrup contains pure cane sugar that infuses your coffee with a burst of sweetness. Torani thankfully avoids using high-fructose corn syrup in its product. So, you can enjoy this healthy vanilla syrup for coffee to your heart’s content.
Pros:
- Contains pure cane sugar
- One of the best vanilla syrups for lattes
- Manufactured by an established company
- Tastes great and doesn’t use high-fructose corn syrup
Cons:
- May be too pricey for the quantity you get per bottle
2. Matteo’s Barista-Style Sugar-Free Coffee Syrup
Best For
Every coffee lover has an inner barista. If yours is crying out to be unleashed, Matteo’s Barista-Style Sugar-Free Coffee Syrup provides an outlet for this alter-ego to shine through.
This delicious vanilla syrup draws inspiration from coffee shops worldwide, bringing the unique taste of barista-brewed coffee to homes and offices everywhere.
With two tablespoons of Matteo’s vanilla syrup, you can transform your coffee into something special. Amazingly, this syrup doesn’t rely on added sugars to give coffee an amazing taste. And keto-practitioners will be glad to know it has zero carbs, making it a keto-friendly syrup. So you can enjoy your lattes, iced coffees, and other brews guilt-free.
Pros:
- Best for aspiring baristas
- Doesn’t contain added sugars
- Keto-friendly
Cons:
- May leave an aftertaste
3. Monin Vanilla Syrup
Best For
The next time you fix yourself a mocha or latte, consider adding a tablespoon or two of Monin Vanilla Syrup to the brew. This delicious blend of Madagascan vanilla beans will add a delightful vanilla flavor to your coffee, bringing that authentic coffeehouse taste to your home or office.
Monin makes its vanilla syrup with choice ingredients sourced all over the world. It doesn’t contain dairy, gluten, artificial sweeteners, colors, or flavors, or genetically-modified organisms (GMOs). In addition, Monin uses the flash pasteurization method, ensuring every bottle of golden-brown goodness stays fresh for longer.
Meanwhile, environmentally-conscious coffee lovers will be glad to know Monin’s vanilla syrup is kind to the environment. Since 2008, the company has run a syrup recycling initiative. Also, the syrup’s packaging contains 30% recycled material. Thus, you can enjoy sweet-tasting coffee safe in the knowledge that the syrup sweetening it is produced in an eco-friendly way.
Pros:
- Pasteurized and so stays fresh for longer
- Manufactured in an eco-friendly manner
- Has an authentic coffeehouse taste
Cons:
- This vanilla coffee flavoring may be too overpowering for some people
4. Explorer Elixirs Madagascar Vanilla Syrup
Best For
A tablespoon of Explorer Elixirs Madagascar Vanilla Syrup is all you need to send your taste buds on an adventure during your morning coffee.
Thanks to its exotic taste and soothing aroma, this premium blend of vanilla syrup transforms coffee time into an unforgettable and almost magical experience.
Each 12.7 fluid ounce bottle of Explorer Elixirs contains decadent bronze syrup made with all-natural ingredients. It doesn’t have any dairy, and Explorer ditches the high-fructose corn syrup in favor of pure cane sugar and Himalayan sea salt. The resulting recipe is a delicious cup of coffee with a hint of vanilla flavoring.
Pros:
- Contains great-tasting Himalayan sea salt
- Doesn’t contain artificial flavors
- Has a soothing aroma
Cons:
- The syrup is a little watery
5. DaVinci Gourmet Sugar-Free Vanilla Syrup
Best For
DaVinci Gourmet Sugar-Free Vanilla Syrup is another delicious coffee sweetener you can use in your coffee.
It gets its uniquely vanilla taste from the Madagascan vanilla beans used to make it. And it transforms everything from lattes and mochas to teas, cocktails, and sparkling drinks into exceptional beverages.
This syrup uses all-natural quality ingredients and is 100% sugar-free. Also, the DaVinci Gourmet company makes its syrups for cafes and coffeehouses, so you can bring those experiences to coffee time.
Pros:
- Extremely versatile vanilla bean syrup for coffee
- One of the best sugar-free vanilla syrup products
- Made for cafes and coffeehouses
Cons:
- Might leave a slight aftertaste
6. Amoretti Premium French Vanilla Syrup
Best For
The word “premium” doesn’t begin to describe the unique flavor Amoretti Premium French Vanilla Syrup brings to a cup of coffee. This delectable coffee sweetener draws inspiration from French vanilla, a caramelized type of vanilla with a hint of floral scents and a custard-like consistency. And its natural vanilla taste is phenomenal.
Amoretti uses natural ingredients to make its syrup. You won’t find any artificial colors, flavors, or sweeteners on its ingredients list. And it doesn’t contain trans fats or high-fructose corn syrup. Meanwhile, this versatile syrup will make your coffee, tea, hot chocolate, milkshakes, custards, mousses, and other treats taste heavenly.
Pros:
- A premium syrup made with French vanilla
- Contains all-natural ingredients
- Tastes like natural vanilla
Cons:
- May be too thick for some people
7. Joe’s Syrup Organic Vanilla Syrup
Best For
You’d have delicious lattes when you add a tablespoon of Joe’s Syrup Organic Vanilla Syrup to your drink.
This coffee sweetener brand extracts its organic syrup from vanilla beans shipped from Madagascar, with each 25.4 oz BPA-free bottle comprising only natural ingredients.
Joe’s Syrup doesn’t contain preservatives, GMOs, high-fructose corn syrup, or gluten. In addition, the syrup is vegan-friendly. It’s hand-crafted and made in Joe’s Syrup’s state-of-the-art US facility, meaning it’s made to the highest standard. And it includes organic sugar and a spot of citric acid to give your coffee some snap and a unique taste.
Pros:
- The best organic vanilla syrup for coffee
- Hand-crafted, vegan-friendly syrup
- Includes citric acid, which gives it a nice tang
Cons:
- The syrup may be too sharp for some individuals
8. Ghirardelli Vanilla Sauce
Best For
Since 1852, the Ghirardelli Chocolate Company has been making confectionaries and syrups. You can taste its almost two-century-old heritage when you squeeze some Ghirardelli Vanilla Sauce into your coffee.
This delightful vanilla sauce transforms espresso-based drinks into a delicious time. And it goes well with ice cream and dessert as a topping.
Each squeeze bottle of Ghirardelli Vanilla Sauce contains natural ingredients. It’s gluten-free and doesn’t contain artificial coloring. So if you like your iced lattes sweet, we can’t recommend a tastier vanilla syrup.
Pros:
- Gluten-free
- Excellent for iced lattes, ice cream, and desserts
- Made by an almost two-century-old company
Cons:
- Some people may find its goopy consistency unappetizing
9. Starbucks Naturally-Flavored Coffee Syrup
Best For
There used to be a time when Starbucks was synonymous with the word “coffee,” which is why it’s no surprise the company has dipped its toes into making vanilla syrups.
If you’d like to recreate the Starbucks taste at home, the vanilla-flavored Starbucks Naturally-Flavored Coffee Syrup might be worth a look.
This syrup goes well with different coffee types, including cafe lattes, macchiatos, and iced coffee. And you only need one tablespoon to give your coffee the Starbucks treatment. It’s infused with natural flavors, so you can give your drink a burst of sweetness without worrying about health implications.
Pros:
- Excellent for Starbucks coffee lovers
- Infused with natural flavors
- Pairs well with different coffee types
Cons:
- Has a very short shelf life (under two months)
10. Jordan’s Skinny Syrups Vanilla
Best For
Although this vanilla syrup brand contains the word “skinny” in its name, its taste is anything but. Quite the opposite, in fact: Jordan’s Skinny Syrups brings a full-figured vanilla taste to coffees everywhere.
Still, if you’re wondering about the odd marketing choice, we like to think the “skinny” in its name refers to its calories and sugar content, i.e., how non-existent they are.
This delicious gluten and GMO-free syrup is keto-friendly. It has a hint of caramel and salt, giving it a premium taste. And it goes well with tea, lattes, coffee, cocktails, and other beverages.
Pros:
- Contains zero calories
- Keto-friendly
- The caramel and salt give it a premium taste
Cons:
- Has artificial flavoring
How to Buy the Best Vanilla Syrup for Coffee
Vanilla syrup can help you curb your sugar intake by replacing sugar completely, bringing with it benefits like a calmer disposition and fewer calories. With that said, diabetics are better off using a natural sweetener like yacon syrup, which won’t spike their blood glucose levels.
Below, we’ll discuss some key considerations to keep in mind when buying vanilla syrup for coffee.
Sugar
If you’re all about keeping your sugar intake low, a vanilla syrup’s sugar content should be the first factor you consider when choosing between two syrups. In such a scenario, you should opt for the sugar-free vanilla syrup, as it’ll be low-cal and blood-sugar-friendly. Also, a no-sugar vanilla syrup can make coffee taste great just as good as any high-sugar syrup.
Ingredients
Whether you’re health-conscious or not, it’s always good to take a gander at a vanilla syrup’s ingredient list. A vanilla syrup with artificial anything does no one any favors. You want one with all-natural ingredients, as it’s healthier. Luckily, most vanilla syrups don’t tend to have long ingredient lists, so inspecting them before buying shouldn’t be a tall order.
Applications
Most self-described coffee lovers like more than one coffee type. Lattes, espressos, and macchiatos are just a few coffee types on a very long list that goes well with vanilla syrup.
When you consider that vanilla syrup doesn’t have a long shelf-life once opened, there’s a real urgency to get through the bottle or risk wasting it. So pick one you can use with multiple coffees and desserts.
FAQs
Is Vanilla Syrup Bad for You?
No. Vanilla syrup is believed to provide health benefits, the most prominent one being the calming effect it has when smelled. That said, as with most foods, excess consumption can be detrimental to your health in the long term.
How Can I Use Vanilla Syrup in Coffee?
There are two ways to add vanilla syrup to your beverage: via a tablespoon or pump. We recommend adding two tablespoons of vanilla syrup.
What’s a Good Substitute for Vanilla Syrup in Coffee?
Natural honey, maple syrup, stevia, and xylitol are some of the many substances you can use instead of vanilla syrup. Our recommended substitute for vanilla syrup in coffee would be coconut sugar due to its vitamins and minerals.
What Vanilla Syrup Does Starbucks Use?
Starbucks offers its brand of vanilla syrup called Starbucks® Naturally Flavored Vanilla Syrup. The coffee houses use it in their coffee.
Wrap Up
Vanilla syrup is an excellent coffee-sweetening alternative to refined sugar, and this article has revealed some of the best ones. When you choose a brand that isn’t limited in its uses, you can sweeten more coffee types and tasty treats.
