Best Coffee Syrups: The Complete Guide to Flavours and Brands
If you're only going to try one coffee syrup, make it vanilla or caramel. They're the two flavours that work in almost every drink, and the easiest way to find out whether syrup is even for you before branching out.
Here's everything else worth knowing before you buy a bottle.
Key Takeaways
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Start with vanilla or caramel: Both work across lattes, cold brew and desserts, making them the safest first buy.
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Arkadia and Da Vinci Gourmet cover different needs: Arkadia has the wider flavour range, Da Vinci resists curdling better in dairy.
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A little goes a long way: One to two pumps, around 10 to 15ml, is enough for most 250 to 300ml drinks.
Image: Arkadia's Hazelnut Syrup is one of our best sellers here at Primo Caffe, due to it's versatility in all areas of coffee making and drinking.
What are coffee syrups, and how are they different from flavoured beans?
Coffee syrups are concentrated liquid sweeteners you add to a finished drink, not something baked into the bean itself. That's the key difference from flavoured coffee beans, which carry the flavour from the first grind.
Syrups give you control that flavoured beans can't. You choose the flavour, the strength, and which drinks get it, rather than committing an entire bag of beans to one flavour profile.
What are the best coffee syrup flavours to start with?
Vanilla is the safest starting point. It's subtle enough not to overpower your coffee and works in everything from a flat white to a cold brew.
Caramel brings a richer, buttery sweetness that shines in iced drinks and desserts, not just hot coffee.
Hazelnut pairs particularly well with darker roasts, deepening the chocolate notes already in a dark bean rather than fighting them.
Image: Arkadia's Peppermint Syrup is another best seller due to its ability to pair well with milkshakes and tea drinks.
Which syrup suits which drink?
|
Flavour |
Best paired with |
Nicolas' Rating |
|---|---|---|
|
Vanilla |
Lattes, cappuccinos, cold brew |
The easiest first buy |
|
Caramel |
Iced lattes, desserts, milkshakes |
Best all-rounder |
|
Hazelnut |
Dark roast, mochas |
Best with a bold bean |
|
Peppermint |
Mochas, hot chocolate |
Seasonal favourite |
Arkadia or Da Vinci Gourmet: which syrup brand should you buy?
Nicolas' Verdict: Reach for Arkadia if you want variety, and Da Vinci if you're mixing syrup into a milk-heavy drink and want it to stay smooth.
Arkadia, an Australian company running since 1997, carries the wider range, more than 60 flavours, plus a 99 percent sugar-free line for anyone watching their intake. Da Vinci Gourmet is formulated specifically to resist curdling in dairy, which matters if you're making milk-based drinks rather than drinking your coffee black.
Image: Arkadia's Vanilla Syrup is perfect for adding a touch of sweetness to coffees, teas, milkshakes, or cocktails. It also shines in baked goods!
How much coffee syrup should you actually use?
One to two pumps, roughly 10 to 15ml, is the right starting point for a standard 250 to 300ml drink. Add more gradually rather than starting heavy. Syrup is easy to add and impossible to take back out once it's in the cup.
For something specific like caramel, our guide on 4 ways to use caramel coffee syrup covers exact pairings and dessert ideas beyond the basic latte.
FAQs about coffee syrups
1. Can you add coffee syrup to cold brew or iced coffee?
Yes. Syrup dissolves more easily in warm liquid, so if you're adding it to a fully cold drink, stir it through a small amount of warm coffee or water first.
2. Is coffee syrup the same as flavoured coffee beans?
No. Syrup is added after brewing, while flavoured beans have the flavour applied during or after roasting, before you even brew.
3. Are any of the syrups you stock sugar-free?
Yes. Arkadia's range includes a 99 percent sugar-free line, so you can get the same flavour without the added sugar.
4. Can I use coffee syrup in desserts, not just drinks?
Yes. Coffee syrups work well in cake icing, drizzled over ice cream, or mixed into a protein shake, not just stirred into coffee.
5. How long does an opened bottle of coffee syrup last?
Most syrups keep well for months once opened if stored in a cool, dry spot away from direct sunlight. Check the label on your specific bottle for an exact best-before date.
Building your syrup collection
Vanilla and caramel will cover most of what you actually want from a coffee syrup. Once you know your favourite base flavour, branching into hazelnut or something seasonal is an easy next step.
Our coffee syrups collection carries both Arkadia and Da Vinci Gourmet, so you can compare them side by side before deciding which one earns a permanent spot in your pantry.
Additional Reading
If you're keen to keep reading up on Primo Caffe's range of content on coffee syrups at large, find some quick access links below. Happy reading!
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About the Author
Nicolas Di Stefano is a third-generation Master Roaster and Director of Primo Caffe. With decades of family tradition behind him, Nicolas combines time-honoured Italian roasting techniques with a passion for quality, delivering delicious coffee that Australians expect.
