If sweet, warmly-spiced coffee is something you enjoy, you need to try this easy copycat recipe for Starbucks Cinnamon Dolce Syrup. Made with just 5 ingredients in only about 5 minutes of active kitchen time, this brown sugar cinnamon syrup is the simple homemade solution to making your very own Cinnamon Dolce Lattes at home.

When it comes to ways to sweeten your coffee, there’s no shortage of delicious options to choose from. Whether you’re a fan of traditional vanilla or salty caramel, or more inventive flavors like white chocolate or apple brown sugar, there are tons of homemade syrups, sauces, and cold foams to give your morning cuppa Joe the ol’ Starbucks treatment.
My latest addition to the hallowed halls of sweet coffee deliciousness is this homemade cinnamon dolce syrup. Boasting the cozy warmth of cinnamon and sweet, molasses-y goodness of brown sugar, this dolce syrup is the liquid embodiment of sugar, spice, and everything nice.
Jump to:
- What is Cinnamon Dolce Syrup?
- What does it taste like?
- Why You’ll Love This Starbucks Dolce Cinnamon Syrup Recipe
- Ingredients Needed
- Substitutions
- How To Make Cinnamon Dolce Syrup, Starbucks-Style
- Optional Variations & Dietary Adjustments
- Serving Suggestions
- Recipe Success Tips
- FAQs
- Homemade Starbucks Cinnamon Dolce Syrup Nutrition
- Other Homemade Coffee Syrup Recipes
- Cinnamon Dolce Syrup (Starbucks Copycat)
What is Cinnamon Dolce Syrup?
Cinnamon Dolce Syrup is pure liquid delight that has the power to transform your ordinary cup of coffee into an extraordinary experience. This magical elixir is made from a delightful blend of warmly spiced cinnamon and dark brown sugar.
Think about some mouthwatering cinnamon rolls or the smell of snickerdoodles baking – that's the exact flavor profile we're talking about here. Now, imagine infusing that cozy, comforting essence into your coffee. Delicious, right?!?
You can customize your morning caffeine rush by adding a splash or two of this cinnamon simple syrup, adjusting the sweetness to your liking. And it's not just for coffee, either! You can get creative and use it to sweeten other beverages like tea, flavor your favorite desserts, or drizzle over pancakes.
So, in a nutshell, this cinnamon dolce syrup recipe is a surefire way to add a dash of warmth, a sprinkle of sweetness, and a pinch of spice to your coffee, cocktails, desserts and more. Cheers to turning ordinary moments into memories, one delicious sip at a time!
What does it taste like?
Close your eyes and imagine a warm, cozy hug from a cinnamon-spiced teddy bear. It evokes the feeling of wearing your coziest sweater on a chilly day, wrapped in the memories of waltzing through the mall food court with wafts of Cinnabon titillating your nose.
In short, this cinnamon syrup for coffee tastes like a fantastical blend of cinnamon dreams and sugary wishes, creating a taste that's as comforting as a blanket fort on a rainy day.
Why You’ll Love This Starbucks Dolce Cinnamon Syrup Recipe
TL;DR? Aside from tasting like a sweet, cinnamon-scented carnival, this cinnamon brown sugar syrup is also:
- Quick & Easy - Measure, pour, simmer, strain, and use. You’ll be done in just a few minutes’ time!
- Made With Only 5 Ingredients - And one of them is water! Don’t you just love when a recipe is that simple??
- Super Versatile - Aside from making copycat cinnamon dolce lattes, you can also add this delightfully sweet and spicy coffee syrup to plain drip coffee, cold brew coffee, cocktails, whipped cream, and SO MUCH MORE. Read on below for tons of ways to put this luscious elixir to good use!
- Easily Customizable - As with all recipes here on CoffeeCopycat.com, I want to make sure you have all the tools you need at your disposal to make your café-style drinks precisely the way you like them. As such, I’ve included instructions on how to make several variations including a sugar-free cinnamon dolce syrup. Skip ahead to the optional variations section for a full run-down! 😉
Ingredients Needed
As promised, you only need a handful of ingredients to make this sticky bun-flavored cinnamon coffee syrup. Here’s what to grab:
- Water - If possible, use filtered water for the best flavor.
- Granulated Sugar - For neutral sweetness.
- Dark Brown Sugar - For deep, molasses-flavored sweetness.
- Cinnamon Sticks - Whole spices like cinnamon sticks retain more of their essential oils than pre-ground versions, plus they’re easier to strain out so you can have a clear syrup!
- Cinnamon Extract - For adding a little extra cinnamon-flavored oomph.
Substitutions
Out of one of the ingredients? Not to worry. I have some simple substitutions lined up for you:
- Water - If you wanted to make a cinnamon dolce creamer instead of a simple syrup, try swapping in half n’ half or the plant-based creamer of your choice.
- Granulated Sugar - Cane sugar, agave syrup, maple syrup, or the cup-for-cup sugar alternative of your choice will all work here, too!
- Dark Brown Sugar - You’re welcome to swap in light brown sugar and add an extra dribble of molasses, or use light brown sugar for both the granulated and dark brown sugar that is called for. Alternatively, try using less processed sugars like muscovado or jaggery, liquid sweeteners like maple syrup, or the cup-for-cup brown sugar alternative of your choice.
- Cinnamon Sticks - In a pinch, you can use about a teaspoon or two of ground cinnamon instead. Just note that you won’t be able to strain it out if you do, so you’ll want to shake the bottle before each use.
- Cinnamon Extract - Try adding a drop or two of food grade cinnamon essential oil instead.
How To Make Cinnamon Dolce Syrup, Starbucks-Style
Making this Starbucks cinnamon syrup is a snap! Here’s how it’s done:
Step 1: Boil. Add all ingredients to a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat.
Step 2: Simmer. Reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Step 3: Cool. Remove from the heat and allow to cool at room temperature for about 10 minutes.
Step 4: Strain the cinnamon sticks out, then store in a syrup bottle or jar in the fridge for up to 3 weeks.
Optional Variations & Dietary Adjustments
If the cinnamon dolce syrup recipe below doesn’t fit into your lifestyle, maybe one of these variations will:
- Copycat Starbucks Sugar-Free Cinnamon Dolce Syrup - Simply swap in the sugar and brown sugar alternatives of your choice (e.g. Truvia, Swerve, or Lakanto) to make this coffee-syrup diabetic-friendly.
- Copycat Starbucks Cinnamon Dolce Creamer - If you’d rather have your sweetener and cream all in one bottle, try using half-and-half (or a plant-based alternative) in place of the water. Just make sure to only allow it to come to a simmer rather than a full boil (boiled milk tastes burnt) and use the creamer within 5-7 days for the best results.
Serving Suggestions
Let's sprinkle a little creativity onto some serving suggestions for your homemade Cinnamon Dolce Syrup:
- Cinnamon Dolce Latte: Unleash your inner barista and craft a hot or iced Starbucks-style dolce cinnamon latte for a fraction of the price you'd pay in stores!
- Cinnamon Dolce Pancake Drizzle: Say farewell to ordinary pancakes. Pour a generous stream of your homemade syrup over a tower of fluffy pancakes or waffles, turning your breakfast into a cinnamon-infused spectacle.
- Cinnamon Dolce Milkshake Extravaganza: Blend a scoop of velvety vanilla ice cream, a splash of milk, and a dash of your syrup to create a milkshake that's truly out of this world. Crown it with whipped cream, a sprinkle of cinnamon, and savor a shake fit for a celebration.
- Cinnamon Dolce Iced Coffee Magic: Drop some ice cubes into your glass, pour in cold brew coffee, and then work your syrup enchantment. A quick stir, and behold – your cool caffeinated drink is now a refreshing hug of cinnamon goodness.
- Cinnamon Dolce Whipped Cream Delight: Transform regular whipped cream by adding a teaspoon (or three) of your syrup. Plop it onto your hot drinks or desserts for a cloud of sweetness with a delightful hint of spice.
- Cinnamon Dolce Fruit Dip: Whip up a luscious fruit dip by blending your syrup with plain Greek yogurt, then dive into a fruity snack plate that's both luxurious and health-conscious.
Recipe Success Tips
Here are some handy tips to make sure your cinnamon simple syrup recipe turns out perfectly every time:
- Quality Ingredients: Start with good quality cinnamon sticks and opt for whole cinnamon sticks instead of pre-ground cinnamon. They contain more essential oils, which means more flavor in your syrup.
- Infusion Time: Allow the cinnamon sticks to infuse in the syrup for about 10 minutes after simmering to allow the flavors meld together.
- Storage Containers: Use a syrup bottle or airtight container with a small nozzle to store your syrup. This helps preserve the flavor and prevents any sticky messes.
- Label and Date: Remember to label your container with the date you made the syrup. I suggest keeping a roll of masking tape and a Sharpie at the ready in the kitchen for this!
- Refrigeration: Store your homemade syrup in the refrigerator. While the sugar acts as a natural preservative, refrigeration will prolong its shelf life to an impressive 3 weeks. For an even longer lifespan, you can freeze it for up to 6 months.
- Customization: Feel free to adjust the sweetness, variety of sugar, and cinnamon intensity to suit your taste. You're the syrup maestro, after all!
- Creativity: Once you've mastered the basics, don't hesitate to get creative with your syrup. Experiment with adding a touch of vanilla, nutmeg, or even a hint of orange zest for extra depth. Yum!
FAQs
Plain cinnamon simple syrup is made with only neutral-flavored granulated sugar, whereas cinnamon dolce syrup includes molasses-y brown sugar, too.
Yep!
As long as they have extra bottles on hand, most Starbucks will sell you bottles of their syrups. But, why spend over $10 on something you can make for about $1 at home??
Homemade Starbucks Cinnamon Dolce Syrup Nutrition
As with most sugar-based coffee syrups, this cinnamon-flavored number doesn’t boast a ton of nutritional merits. It’s mostly just sugar and water, after all! As such, there’s no fat or protein to speak of.
That said, you can expect about 84 calories in each 2 tablespoon serving, which isn’t a deal-breaker for most diets. It also has approximately 21 grams of carbohydrates, and SURPRISE! They all come from added sugars.
Total nutritional content per serving is:
- Calories: 84 calories
- Total Fat: 0 grams
- Protein: 0 grams
- Sodium: 3 mg
- Carbohydrates: 21 grams
- Sugar: 21 grams
*This nutritional information is an estimate and calculated based on the ingredients used to create the recipe. The nutritional value of your ingredients may differ slightly. Furthermore, this food is not intended to prevent, diagnose, cure, or treat any disease.
Other Homemade Coffee Syrup Recipes
Cinnamon Dolce Syrup (Starbucks Copycat)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup dark brown sugar packed
- 1-2 cinnamon sticks
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon extract
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat.
- Reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Remove from the heat and allow to cool at room temperature for about 10 minutes. Strain the cinnamon sticks out, then store in a syrup bottle or jar for up to 3 weeks.
Nutrition
xoxo Megan
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