Vanilla Syrup– Easy Starbucks Copycat

This homemade vanilla syrup is a simple Starbucks-style add-on that instantly upgrades your coffee, tea, or cold foam. It’s smooth, sweet, and made with just sugar, water, and vanilla — no stove, no fancy gear. It’s also budget-friendly and takes 10 minutes max, so you can skip the $7 drinks and still feel like a barista.

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Quick Summary

• Prep time: 10 mins
• Cook time: 0
• Flavor: sweet, rich vanilla
• Great for: iced coffee, lattes, cold foam, tea

Why I Like This Recipe

Didn’t expect this to become a staple, but here we are. I’ve got a little jar of it chilling in my fridge and I use it almost daily — lattes, oatmeal, even stirred into Greek yogurt once. It’s kinda become my thing now.

Ingredients

• 2 cups granulated white sugar
• 1 cup water
• 2 tsp vanilla extract (pure if you can swing it)

How To Make Vanilla Syrup

1. Blend the base: Pour sugar and water into a blender. Blend for about 7 minutes. Don’t ask why — just trust.
2. Add vanilla: Toss in the extract and blend again for like 15 seconds.
3. Store it: Pour into a clean jar or bottle. Seal it. Fridge it. You’re done.
4. Use it: Add 1–2 tablespoons to anything you’d order from Starbucks. Coffee, tea, milk, cold brew — it all works.

Tips for Success

• Use pure vanilla extract if possible — huge flavor difference
• Don’t skip the long blend — that’s what makes it smooth without heating
• Try monk fruit or stevia if you’re skipping sugar — just blend less
• Great in cold foam — add to cream + froth

Storage and Reheating

• Fridge: Store sealed for 2–3 weeks. Stir if it settles.
• Use in: Coffee, lattes, tea, cold milk, cold brew, cocktails, sparkling water… or just eat it off a spoon (no judgment).

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can I use brown sugar instead?
  You can — it’ll give you more of a caramel-ish syrup vibe. Still works.
• How long does this last?
  About 2–3 weeks in the fridge. Just keep it sealed.
• Can I make it stronger?
  Yep. Add another ½ tsp vanilla or use a vanilla bean pod if you’re feeling extra.
• Can I skip the blender?
  You could stir by hand, but it’ll take longer and might not dissolve all the sugar. Blender’s easier.
• Is this good in cold drinks?
  It’s amazing in cold drinks — that’s the whole point. No gritty sugar at the bottom.

Common Mistakes and How to Dodge Them

• Not blending long enough: Seven minutes seems like overkill, but that’s what makes it smooth. Less time = grainy syrup.
• Using imitation vanilla: It works… but the taste won’t be the same. Real vanilla makes a big difference.
• Leaving it out on the counter: Fridge is best. Keeps the flavor fresh and prevents anything weird from happening.
• Overdoing the vanilla: Too much vanilla makes it taste almost bitter. Stick with the 2 tsp unless you really know what you’re doing.
• Skipping the clean bottle: Old jars with smells or residue will mess with the flavor. Rinse well or use a fresh one.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

• Calories: 49
• Fat: 0g
• Carbs: 13g
• Protein: 0g
• Sodium: 1mg
• Sugar: 13g

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