If you’ve ever been to a Starbucks, or simply scrolled through the long menu, you know that this place is flowing with flavored syrups. The signature syrups at Starbucks – both those on regular rotation and those that only appear seasonally – are the secret to the coffee chain’s plethora of fun flavored drinks, from Frappuccinos to seasonal lattes.
And because Starbucks allows you to customize your order virtually any way you want, it’s only natural that Starbucks lovers everywhere have built a never-ending secret menu over the years. In the process, they’ve figured out some stellar syrup combos that blend together beautifully to make a truly special Starbucks order.
It’s time to reveal the top five syrup combos at Starbucks (in no particular order):
- Hazelnut + Vanilla
- Brown Sugar + Cinnamon Dolce
- Cinnamon Dolce + Vanilla
- Caramel + Toffeenut
- Peppermint + Toffeenut
Find out what these ultimate pairings taste like, and how to use them to create something delicious next time you swing by Starbucks.
What syrups does Starbucks have?
Before we get to the combos, there are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to Starbucks syrups.
First, the syrups at Starbucks are essentially a selection of simple syrups made from a base of sugar and water which are flavored with various natural flavors. They can be added to pretty much any beverage on the menu, whether hot drinks or cold drinks, to inject flavor and sweetness. However, the syrups are different from the sauces at Starbucks, which come in flavors like Mocha, Pumpkin Spice, and Caramel. The sauces are thicker and creamier in consistency and usually contain dairy.
Second, the syrup selection will most likely vary based on location, and many of Starbucks’ syrups are seasonal – so depending on the time of year and where your local Starbucks sits on the map, different kinds of syrup might be available. Starbucks has discontinued many popular syrup flavors over the years, such as almond and raspberry.
Below is a current complete list of Starbucks syrup options, including seasonal flavors (which are marked with an asterisk).
| Starbucks Syrups |
| Apple Brown Sugar* Brown Sugar Caramel (Regular + Sugar-Free) Chestnut Praline* Cinnamon Dolce Classic Coffee Frappuccino Crème Frappuccino Funnel Cake* Gingerbread* Hazelnut Irish Cream* Liquid Cane Sugar Macadamia* Peppermint Sugar Cookie* Toasted Vanilla Toffeenut Vanilla (Regular + Sugar-Free) |
Top five syrup flavor combos
And now for the reveal: below are five Starbucks syrup flavor combos that have the power to create innovative and delicious drinks. These combinations are not listed in any particular order – just five popular pairings that are sure to taste scrumptious in your favorite cup of joe.
Syrup Flavor Combo #1: Hazelnut + Vanilla
Let’s start with two ultimate classics: vanilla syrup and hazelnut syrup. These flavors are sure to be on the menu year round, and when combined they meld together to add a french vanilla twist to your drink. If you love sugar cookies – or if it’s not the right time of year to order Starbucks sugar cookie syrup – this is the combo for you.
Here are a few Starbucks orders that are perfect drinks to add this syrup combo to for some of that french vanilla goodness:
- Hot or Iced Caffe Latte
- Coffee Frappuccino or Espresso Frappuccino
- Iced Shaken Espresso
Syrup Flavor Combo #2: Brown Sugar + Cinnamon Dolce
Together, brown sugar and cinnamon dolce create something that tastes like your favorite warm dessert or baked good – whether it’s a piece of pie or a slice of french toast. Add them to oat milk, and you’ll taste a delicious oatmeal flavor. Add them to an apple-flavored drink, and you’ll taste apple pie. Add them to something sweet and creamy, and you’ll taste the nostalgic Cinnamon Toast Crunch. Whatever you add these syrups to, this pair is sure to elevate your drink.
- Pumpkin Spice Latte or Apple Crisp Oatmilk Macchiato
- Vanilla Bean Crème Frappuccino
- Hot or Iced Caramel Macchiato
Syrup Flavor Combo #3: Cinnamon Dolce + Vanilla
Another classic combo that, depending on what ingredients you pair it with, has the potential to transform your drink in so many delicious ways. Together, these two staple syrups form a snickerdoodle flavor – sweet and spiced. This combo can even taste like a cinnamon roll when used with something like the sweet cream cold foam, white chocolate, or a creamy milk like whole milk, soy milk, or half and half. Add some of Starbucks honey blend sweetener to the mix, and you’ve got yourself a graham cracker.
Here are some popular Starbucks beverages that work great as a base for this syrup combo:
- White Chocolate Mocha or White Hot Chocolate
- Chai Tea Latte
- Hot or Iced Caramel Macchiato
Syrup Flavor Combo #4: Caramel + Toffeenut
For all the Harry Potter fans out there, this one is big – because when blended together, caramel syrup and toffeenut syrup tastes like butterbeer. But no need to be a Harry Potter fan to enjoy this flavor combo; all you need to know is that it tastes like a cross between butterscotch and cream soda. Add the duo to creamy, milk-forward drinks for a tasty treat that’s as smooth as butter. And if you want to level it up even more with some warm spice, throw in some cinnamon too.
- Whole Milk Steamer
- Hot or Iced Caffè Latte
- Vanilla Bean Crème Frappuccino
Syrup Flavor Combo #5: Peppermint + Toffeenut
Wish you could enjoy Christmas cookies year-round? You can with this syrup flavor combination, because that’s exactly what toffeenut and peppermint syrups taste like when blended together. It’s a nutty, buttery, sugary blend with a hint of mint for that festive touch. Use the combo with flavors like vanilla, white chocolate, and caramel, or milks like whole milk or almond milk to bring out different kinds of cookie flavors.
- White Hot Chocolate or White Chocolate Mocha
- Vanilla Bean Crème or White Chocolate Crème Frappuccino
- Blonde Vanilla Latte
Starbucks syrups are flavored liquid sweeteners. The syrups are made with a sugar and water base that’s mixed with various natural flavors; they are thin in consistency and inject flavor into the drink but don’t change its texture. Starbucks sauces are thicker and more syrup-like, which usually contain dairy (like condensed milk) and are typically used to drizzle inside the cup or on top of drinks for added flavor and creaminess.
Many of Starbucks flavored syrups are naturally made without any gluten-containing ingredients. Flavors like vanilla, hazelnut, peppermint, and cinnamon dolce are all gluten-free, along with others. That said, the syrups on rotation are always changing and there’s a chance some seasonal syrups may contain gluten, so always double check with your barista first.
Unfortunately Starbucks stopped offering their raspberry syrup in early 2023. This was a customer (and secret menu) favorite used to make red velvet and fruity flavored beverages, but it was discontinued to make room for newer developing syrups.
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