If you’re going to Starbucks, you may want to know the difference between Starbucks sauce vs syrup before you make your order.
Well, keep reading further to learn all of the important facts that I’ve discovered about the Starbucks sauce vs syrup, including which is the most flavorful option!
Starbucks Sauce vs Syrup In [currentyear]
Starbucks’ syrups are more of a liquid consistency than the Starbucks sauces, which are thicker in [currentyear]. Additionally, Starbucks syrups are more useful in the kitchen and can be poured into iced drinks or cold drinks, and will distribute well within the cup. Sauces are more for hot drinks that Starbucks makes, whereas syrups can be used for anything.
Do you want to know more about Starbucks sauce vs syrup, including what the main differences are? If so, you’ll need to keep reading to find out what I’ve learned while researching this topic!
What Is the Difference Between Sauces and Syrups at Starbucks?
While you might think that Starbucks’ sauces and syrups are interchangeable, there are actually several differences between them, such as the following:
- Starbucks syrup can be used in both hold and cold drinks
- The sauce is only for hot drinks unless you just want a pretty look at the bottom of the cup, as it doesn’t mix as easily as syrups
- Starbucks syrup is about 20 calories
- Starbucks sauce is around 30 calories per serving
- Clear Starbucks syrup is mostly vegan, although some will contain honey
- Most sauces contain dairy with few vegan options
- You can purchase Starbucks syrups for use at home and cannot purchase sauce
- Starbucks offers more syrup choices than sauce choices
For example, when you see a drizzle on the top of a drink at Starbucks you are seeing a sauce, whereas the flavoring inside of the drink that you don’t see would be the syrup.
What Are Starbucks Sauces Used for?
Starbucks sauces are mostly used for hot beverages, ice cream, cookies, cakes, and other pastry items.
Sauces such as the caramel drizzle are mainly used to decorate drinks.
Further, sauces that are used in hot drinks are usually only available during the holiday season (ex. Caramel Brulee latte sauce), excluding White Chocolate Mocha and regular Mocha sauce.
What’s the Difference Between Caramel Sauce and Syrup at Starbucks?
The biggest difference you’ll notice between the caramel sauce and syrup at Starbucks is the consistency and texture since Starbucks syrup has a more liquid consistency than the sauce.
For example, if you use a Starbucks caramel sauce in a cold drink, it’s all going straight to the bottom, since it’s more viscous and weighs more, and it won’t mix well in a cold drink.
However, it should be noted that Starbucks sauces do mix well in iced lattes, as baristas will mix the syrup into the hot espresso before pouring in the cold ingredients.
Therefore, if you want caramel drizzle as the main sweetener for your cold drink, it’s recommended to request a drink that contains espresso.
Where Does Starbucks Get Syrups?
Starbucks syrup is made by the brand Fontana, and you can find the Starbucks syrup brand at multiple retailers, including stores such as Amazon or Walmart, or through Fontana’s website.
Does Starbucks Charge for Extra Syrup?
If your Starbucks drink already contains syrup, then you’re not charged anything for extra syrup, so if you’re being charged then you may be getting ripped off.
That being said, if the drink does not contain syrup you could be charged as much as $.60 for each pump of syrup you add to the drink.
How Much Starbucks Syrup Should You Use?
If you’re ordering a Starbucks drink with syrup, you don’t need a lot to give your drink added flavor, and if you’re not careful, you could easily use too much syrup.
However, the number of pumps will depend on how big your drink is since it’ll take more pumps of syrup for a bigger cup than a smaller one.
In addition, the number of pumps will also depend on whether it’s hot or cold since hot beverages won’t require as many pumps of syrup as a cold drink.
Starbucks generally will give a frappuccino or macchiato fewer syrup pumps than a regular coffee or latte.
How Many Pumps of Sauce Are in a Venti?
A venti should take five pumps of sauce, four pumps if it’s a grande, and three pumps if it’s a tall version.
However, if the drink is an iced venti then it should include six pumps since iced drinks require more than hot drinks.
What Syrup Flavors Does Starbucks Have?
Starbucks offers quite a few syrup flavors and is constantly updating its list of syrups to provide customers with new flavors. Currently, Starbucks offers the following syrups:
- Brown Sugar
- Classic
- Caramel
- Hazelnut
- Funnel Cake (seasonal)
- Sugar-Free Cinnamon Dolce
- Cinnamon Dolce
- Pineapple Ginger
- Sugar-Free Vanilla
- Vanilla
- Toffee Nut
- Peppermint (seasonal)
- Hazelnut
- Raspberry
- Irish Cream (seasonal)
- Apple Brown Sugar (seasonal)
- Sugar Cookie (seasonal)
- Honey Blend
- Chestnut Praline (seasonal)
What Sauce Flavors Does Starbucks Have?
As mentioned, there are not nearly as many Starbucks sauce flavors as there are syrup flavors, but you’ll find sauce flavors, including:
- Dark Caramel
- Mocha
- White Chocolate Mocha
- Caramel Brulee (seasonal)
- Pumpkin Spice (seasonal)
To learn more, you can also read our posts on what are Starbucks egg bites, can you buy Starbucks syrups, and what oat milk does Starbucks use.
Conclusion
The difference between Starbucks sauce vs syrup is that syrup has a more liquid consistency, is sweeter, versatile, and mixes easily in both hot and cold beverages.
Additionally, Starbucks offers a lot more flavors of syrups than sauces and you’ll typically see sauces used as a drizzle on top of whip cream or pastries, or used in most hot beverages.
