This easy Starbucks Cinnamon Dolce Syrup copycat recipe is exactly like the original but at a fraction of the cost. The recipe requires only 3 ingredients and takes 30 minutes to make. It can be used to make the best homemade Starbucks Cinnamon Dolce Latte and is great for adding flavor to any type of tea, coffee, or dessert.
Serving Fall in a Cup
If you are a fan of the Starbucks Cinnamon Dolce Latte, you will know that a warm cinnamon-y beverage equals Fall in a cup. And what’s not to love about that?
But let’s start at the beginning, shall we? What does ‘cinnamon dolce’ even mean?
Dolce is Italian for sweet. So, this is nothing but sweet cinnamon syrup. The original Starbucks syrup certainly lives up to its name and so does this homemade version. The natural sweetness of cinnamon helps makes this syrup extra flavorful. Just a couple of tablespoons of this syrup will transform any beverage into a fancy seven-dollar drink!
The other benefit of making your own flavoring syrups is that you are always in control of what goes into each recipe. No need for any of the artificial flavorings. Instead, you can use the best quality ingredients and still save a bunch of money!
To use this Starbucks Copycat Cinnamon Dolce Syrup in a beverage, add two tablespoons of this syrup to a cup and pour a hot or cold brew over it. For a more extravagant drink, top it with a generous dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon powder. I guarantee your guests will leave super impressed!
Why make your own Starbucks Cinnamon Dolce Syrup?
I can think of several reasons why this Starbucks Copycat Cinnamon Dolce Syrup will be a great addition to your pantry.
- The No. 1 reason is that it is so cost-effective! Why spend those extra dollars on something that can just as easily be made at home? Just invoke that thrifty goddess within, and you will have a jar ready in 30 minutes or less.
- You don’t need any fancy equipment to make this syrup. All you need is a good ol’ pan, a spoon, a clean glass jar, and your trusty stovetop. That’s it! Did I mention just 30 minutes of your time?
- This syrup can be added to both hot and cold beverages for a burst of flavor. It is also great to spoon over desserts—think, vanilla ice cream with a drizzle of sweet cinnamon syrup. Or, buttered toast smeared with cinnamon syrup. The list is endless, really.
- Syrups are great additions to iced drinks because they dissolve easily and do not require rigorous stirring. You will never have to worry about that lump of sugar at the bottom of your iced drink. Simply pour and serve.
- This recipe is completely scalable, and the only thing to remember is the proportion of the ingredients used. We use a 1:1 ratio of water and sugar for that perfect consistency. For each jar of cinnamon dolce syrup, two sticks of cinnamon are adequate. Just remember, the longer you steep, the stronger the flavor.
- You can easily customize this syrup based on how you (and your family) like your sweet syrups. For example, some people like a hint of vanilla in their cinnamon syrup, while others don’t.
- If you are worried about your sugar intake or are following a sugar-free or low-sugar diet, consider using one of the many available sugar-free substitutes in place of brown sugar. The Swerve Ultimate Sugar Replacement Sweetener is a good choice for a keto-friendly cinnamon dolce syrup. You can also do a half-and-half of sugar and stevia to make a low-sugar syrup.
To start, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Once you have everything you need, follow these steps to make your own Cinnamon Dolce syrup:
- In a small saucepan, combine the water, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Stir to combine.
- Add the cinnamon sticks to the pan and place it over medium heat. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally.
- Once the mixture comes to a boil, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 5 minutes.
- Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
- Let the syrup cool for a few minutes, then remove the cinnamon sticks.
- Pour the syrup into a jar or bottle and store it in the refrigerator. It will keep for up to 2 weeks.
That’s it! You now have a delicious homemade version of Starbucks’ Cinnamon Dolce syrup that you can use to add some sweet and spicy flavor to your coffee, tea, or latte. You can also use it as a topping for pancakes, waffles, or ice cream.
Choosing Whole or Ground Cinnamon
Here is another thing to consider while shopping for cinnamon. While you might be tempted to use cinnamon powder for this recipe, cinnamon sticks are a better option. We say this because cinnamon powder is not soluble, and no one likes grainy syrup. But if you must use a powder, make sure that it is of a very fine consistency.
When buying cinnamon, you will find that whole cinnamon is sometimes sold as bark-like sticks or pretty rolls (think of all those gorgeous fall décor ideas on Pinterest). Either is fine. If you use rolls, I have a great little hack for you—wash, dry, and reserve them after steeping. You can use them later as ‘spoons’ for your lattes.
Few of the Starbucks Drinks that use Cinnamon Syrup
Classic Cinnamon Dolce Latte: One of the most popular cinnamon-flavored drinks at Starbucks is the Cinnamon Dolce Latte. This delicious latte is made with espresso, steamed milk, and cinnamon dolce syrup. It is then topped with whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon dolce topping.
Cinnamon Almondmilk Macchiato: Another great choice is the Cinnamon Almondmilk Macchiato. This drink combines the bold flavor of espresso with the creamy goodness of almond milk and a hint of cinnamon syrup. It is finished off with a drizzle of caramel and a sprinkle of cinnamon for an extra touch of sweetness. This drink is a great choice for those who are looking for a dairy-free option that is still full of flavor.
White Chocolate Mocha with Cinnamon Syrup: Not only is this drink incredibly festive, but it’s also tasty AF. If you’re a fan of white chocolate, you’ll love the flavor of this mocha. And if you’re a fan of cinnamon, you’ll appreciate the added sweetness that the cinnamon syrup brings to the drink.
Chai Latte: Another classic cinnamon-flavored drink at Starbucks is the Chai Latte. This latte is made with chai tea concentrate, steamed milk, and cinnamon syrup. It is then topped with a sprinkle of cinnamon. The spicy flavors of the chai tea blend perfectly with the sweet cinnamon syrup to create a drink that is both comforting and invigorating.
Vanilla Bean Frappuccino with Cinnamon Syrup: If you’re a fan of Starbucks’ popular Cinnamon Dolce Latte, then you’ll love the chain’s Vanilla Bean Frappuccino with Cinnamon Syrup. The drink combines Starbucks’ signature vanilla bean frappuccino base with cinnamon dolce syrup and is finished off with whipped cream and cinnamon sugar. It’s the perfect beverage for fall and winter weather and is sure to warm you up on a cold day.
Cinnamon Dolce Syrup Starbucks Copycat Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup water
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- Mason jar with a sealable lid
Instructions
- Add brown sugar and water to a pan. Cook over medium heat for about 10 minutes or until the sugar has completely dissolved. Add a pinch of salt.
- Stir frequently to prevent the sugar from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
- When the mix is of a syrupy consistency, remove the pan from the heat and add the cinnamon sticks to it.
- Let the cinnamon steep in the liquid for at least half an hour. Check for flavor intensity. Steep for longer if you are looking for a stronger cinnamon flavor. You can remove the cinnamon sticks when the cinnamon flavor in the syrup is to your liking.
- Next, stir in the vanilla extract.
- Cool the syrup completely before pouring it into a clean glass jar. Label the jar with the date. This syrup can be refrigerated for up to 2 weeks.
