My delectably rich Pistachio Syrup is the ideal way to add some salty-sweet, nutty goodness to your morning brew. Simply made with just 4 ingredients (including real pistachios!), this homemade coffee syrup is healthier, tastier, and cheaper than buying it from the store. Plus, it’s a snap to whip up!
You already know that I’m obsessed with Starbucks, and their newest line of pistachio-centric treats has been my latest source of coffee inspiration. What can I say, other than “Nut today, Satan!” From buttery pistachio lattes to frosty pistachio cream cold brews, creamy pistachio Frappuccinos to baked chocolate pistachio swirls, there are plenty of reasons to make this pistachio simple syrup.
In case you didn’t know, playing barista at home is one of my all-time favorite ways to keep my budget in check! Once you’ve made a batch of this naturally-flavored pistachio syrup, you can whip up all the fancy coffee shop drinks your little heart can handle for a fraction of the price you’d pay in-store. How’s that for some kitchen magic??
Jump to:
- What is Pistachio Syrup?
- What does it taste like?
- Why You’ll Love This Copycat Starbucks Pistachio Syrup Recipe
- Ingredients Needed
- Substitutions
- How To Make Pistachio Syrup For Coffee & More!
- Optional Variations & Dietary Adjustments
- Serving Suggestions
- Recipe Success Tips
- FAQs
- Homemade Pistachio Syrup Nutrition
- Other Coffee Syrup Recipes
- Pistachio Syrup Recipe (Starbucks Copycat)
What is Pistachio Syrup?
This infused simple syrup is a flavored mix of sugar and water that's bursting with the essence of everyone's favorite green nut. Imagine the perfect balance of warm nuttiness of pistachios, but in a sweet, pourable form that you can drizzle, swirl, and splash into almost anything.
It's a sweet, nutty elixir that's made by infusing simple sugar syrup with the rich, distinctive flavor of pistachios. Think of it as the Clark Kent of syrups – unassuming at first glance, but with superpowers when it comes to nut flavor. And yes, it's just as delicious as it sounds. It turns anything it touches into a pistachio-flavored wonder – from your morning latte or bowl of oatmeal to that sneaky scoop of midnight ice cream.
What does it taste like?
When you take that first enchanting sip of this sultry syrup, you're greeted by a sweet, rich aroma – vibrant, nut-forward, with a hint of earthy charm. It has a subtle but delectable combination of buttery sweetness with a hint of vanilla-like undertones and nut flavor, all without going over the top with sweetness. It's like capturing the essence of a sun-kissed Mediterranean orchard in a bottle, ready to add it’s intoxicatingly toasty flavor to everything it touches.
Why You’ll Love This Copycat Starbucks Pistachio Syrup Recipe
Next time you're in the mood for one of your favorite Starbucks pistachio drinks, but can't justify the financial indulgence, try making your own! Here's why you're going to love this copycat Starbucks syrup recipe:
- All-Natural: This recipe celebrates the true, unadulterated taste of real pistachios. It brings out that authentically nutty flavor and warm sweetness we're after, without adding any weird preservatives or artificial colors to the mix.
- Easy on the Wallet: Love Starbucks but not the price tag? Who can blame you?? Making this syrup at home is not only fun and easy, but also budget-friendly. You get all the fancy flavor you crave, without the sticker shock. Plus, it doesn't have to be a winter flavor, this easy way to make pistachio syrup can be a year-round favorite in the comfort of your own home!
- Versatile AF: Whether you're jazzing up your morning coffee, giving your desserts a nutty twist, or brushing up on your mixology skills, this pistachio-flavored syrup is going to be your new best friend. It's perfect for adding a touch of pistachio pizzazz to all your favorite yums!
Ingredients Needed
As promised, you only need a handful of ingredients to make a pistachio syrup Starbucks would envy. Here’s what to grab:
- Granulated Sugar + Water - Equal parts sugar and water are the basis for all simple syrup infusions.
- Pistachios - Feel free to use either salted or unsalted. And don’t be afraid to buy them pre-shelled to take some of the work out of it!
- Almond Extract - An added dribble of almond extract further bolsters the nutty flavor we’re after.
Substitutions
The beauty of making your own coffee syrups is you can adjust the recipes to fit your dietary needs and preferences. Here are some acceptable swaps to try:
- Granulated Sugar - Sugar of choice is a welcome addition, such as pure cane sugar or coconut sugar. Feel free to use brown sugar for more of a caramelly undertone. You can also make sugar-free pistachio syrup using your favorite cup-for-cup sweetener.
- Pistachios - You can easily swap in the nut of your choice! While it won’t taste the same (pistachios are their own kinda special, after all), it’ll still be delicious! Also, feel free to use either salted or unsalted pistachios for that natural pistachio flavor!
- Almond Extract - I opted to use almond extract because I consider it a pantry staple. That said, you’re welcome to purchase pistachio extract for a more “true” pistachio flavor. Alternatively, feel free to use other nut extracts like hazelnut instead.
How To Make Pistachio Syrup For Coffee & More!
This pistachio coffee syrup comes together in just a few simple steps:
Step 1: Simmer. Add sugar, water, and chopped pistachios to a small saucepan and stir to combine. Heat to a simmer over medium heat. Simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Step 2: Strain. Remove from heat and stir in the almond extract. Strain out the pistachios with a fine mesh strainer (reserve for yogurt or ice cream topping in the fridge).
Step 3: Cool & Store. Allow the syrup to cool at room temperature for 15 minutes, then transfer to a syrup bottle, mason jar, or other glass bottle. Store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
Optional Variations & Dietary Adjustments
If going off-script appeals to you, I have a few fun variations to try:
- Nutty Buddies: While pistachios are the stars here, experiment with other nuts. How about adding hazelnut? Or maybe walnuts for a deeper, earthier flavor? Each nut brings its personality to the syrup, so don't hesitate to mix and match to find your own perfect blend!
- Spice It Up: We’ve already covered sugar and everything nice, so why not introduce a little spice to the mix? A pinch of cinnamon or cardamom will make the pistachio flavor pop while adding a cozy, comforting vibe.
- Go Sugar-Free: If you're diabetic or watching your sugar intake, you can easily swap in your favorite sugar substitute. Just keep an eye on the sweetness levels, as some alternatives are much sweeter than sugar! I recommend opting for a "cup-for-cup" sweetener for just this reason.
Serving Suggestions
The sky's the limit when it comes to adding a touch of pistachio magic to your dishes, but here are a few ideas just to get you started:
- Pistachio Latte: The most obvious and delightful use! Stir a spoonful (or two, I won't judge!) into your morning latte for a luxurious, nutty twist inspired by none other than Starbucks.
- Pistachio Cream Cold Brew: Froth up some pistachio-flavored creamy cold foam to adorn the top of a glass of lightly sweetened cold brew. If you’re feeling extra fancy, add some browned buttery cookie crumbles on top, a la Starbucks.
- Fancy Cocktails & Mocktails: Shake things up in your home bar by adding a splash of Pistachio Syrup to your cocktails or mocktails. It pairs especially well with creamy or citrusy drinks.
- Baking Buddy: Incorporate this syrup into your baking for a subtle sweetness and pistachio flavor. I love using it to moisten layer cakes or muffins, add pistachio flavor to whipped cream and various frostings, or to brush between layers of baklava. (If you go that route, try swapping honey for the sugar for a more authentic flavor!)
- Breakfast, But Better: Add some pistachio pizzazz to your favorite oatmeal, overnight oats, or yogurt parfaits to bring a little salty-sweet excitement to the first meal of the day.
Recipe Success Tips
- Quality Matters: Choose the freshest pistachios you can find. The quality of the nuts greatly influences the flavor of your syrup.
- Fine-tune the Flavor: Depending on your preference and the type of sugar you use, you might want to adjust the sweetness, so taste as you go! It’s easier to add more sweetness while the syrup is still warm, so keep your sweetener handy. Oh, and if you overdid it on the sugar? Just add more water or a pinch of salt to help balance it out.
- Let the Flavors Infuse: Don’t rush. Giving the pistachios ample time to steep in the syrup allows their rich, nutty essence to fully integrate.
- Strain for Smoothness: For smooth, clear syrup, strain it thoroughly to remove all the pistachio bits. And since nuts are pretty spendy, don’t toss them! I like to keep them in an airtight container in the fridge to spoon over anything that could use a nutty boost — think ice cream sundaes, plain porridge, Greek yogurt, and more.
FAQs
While Starbucks does a pretty decent job of capturing that pistachio essence, their ingredient list reads more like a chemistry experiment than a simple syrup recipe. Let's take a peek at what's actually in their version: Invert Sugar, Condensed Nonfat Milk, Pistachio Butter (Ground Pistachios), Natural Flavors, Cocoa Butter, Salt, Preservative (Potassium Sorbate), Xanthan Gum, Tocopherols, and Monoglycerides.
Invert sugar? Potassium Sorbate? Tocopherols? It sounds more like we're prepping for a college science class than making a coffee flavor booster! Compare this to our homemade, 4-ingredient recipe – sugar, water, real pistachios, and a dash of almond extract. That's it. No preservatives, no mysterious “natural flavors,” and definitely no monoglycerides (whatever those are).
So, why settle for a store-bought syrup that requires a dictionary to understand the ingredient list? Embrace the simplicity and purity of making it yourself.
Yep! Since 2021, pistachio lattes have been a favorite winter offering, but as soon as spring rolls around, they disappear. Luckily, now you’ve got the proverbial rabbit in a hat — you can mix up some of the nutty magic whenever a craving appears!
Homemade Pistachio Syrup Nutrition
It's always good to know what you're pouring into your cup or over your treats, so here's the nutritional lowdown in a nutshell (ha!).
Each serving of this sweet, nutty delight packs about 82 calories. A little goes a long way in terms of flavor, so you don't need to drown your food in it (tempting as that may be). The best part? There's absolutely zero fat and zero protein in it, making it a simple, guilt-free addition to your drinks or desserts.
On the carb front, we're looking at 21 grams per serving, all of which are sugars. I mean, it is simple syrup after all! And for my sodium-watchers out there, you'll be happy to hear that there's only a teeny-tiny 2 mg of sodium per serving. So, while this syrup is a sweet treat, it's not going to send your daily sugar or sodium limits through the roof. Huzzah!
Total nutritional content per serving is:
- Calories: 82 calories
- Total Fat: 0 grams
- Protein: 0 grams
- Sodium: 2 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 Coffee Syrup Recipes
Pistachio Syrup Recipe (Starbucks Copycat)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 ¼ cup water
- 1 cup deshelled, chopped pistachios (salted or unsalted both work)
- ¼ teaspoon almond extract
Instructions
- Add sugar, water, and chopped pistachios to a small saucepan and stir to combine. Heat to a simmer over medium heat. Simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Remove from heat stir in the almond extract. Strain out the pistachios (reserve for yogurt or ice cream topping in the fridge).
- Allow the syrup to cool at room temperature for 15 minutes, then transfer to a syrup bottle or small container. Store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
Nutrition
xoxo Megan
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