Starbucks menu offers so many options. Did you ever notice how some people order syrups and some order sauces?!
Is there a difference? Or are they the same thing? We looked into it and this is what we found…
What Is The Difference Between Starbucks Syrups And Sauces?
Starbucks have a range of syrups and sauces they use to sweeten and flavour drinks, and while syrups and sauces are similar ingredients, they both perform quite significant (and different) roles in the creation of the Starbucks handcrafted drinks menu.
This article looks at the Starbucks syrups and sauce range and how they use them to build and enhance their artisan drink range.
What Does Starbucks Use Syrups And Sauces For?
Starbucks use syrups and sauces for adding flavour, texture, sweetness, and complexity to beverages.
The sauces are the thicker and more viscous of the two additives, and syrups are clearer and thinner.
Sauces add flavour and body to a drink and are best used in hot drinks because they blend and distribute evenly.
Syrups can be used in both hot, cold, and iced drinks. They are more fluid and therefore, more versatile. Syrups are used for base builds where they cloud attractively at the base of drinks before moving slowly upwards, whereas sauces clump in cold drinks, and don’t flow.
Sauces are more an accompaniment and decoration (such as a drizzle); syrups are married into and disappear as part of the entire flavour profile.
What Are Some Of Starbucks Syrups And Sauces?
The Starbucks syrup and sauce product range includes a range of delectable items, but it is important to remember that products are discontinued, removed, and introduced regularly:
- Brown sugar syrup
- Caramel syrup
- Hazelnut syrup
- Pineapple ginger syrup
- Cinnamon dolce syrup (the sugar free cinnamon dole syrup was discontinued due to low customer demand)
- Funnel cake syrup
- Peppermint syrup
- Toffee nut syrup
- Raspberry syrup
- Vanilla syrup
- Sugar free vanilla syrup
Sauces which are generally on offer include:
- Mocha sauce
- Caramel sauce
- Dark caramel sauce
- White chocolate sauce
Which Is Better: Starbucks Caramel Sauce Or Caramel Syrup?
Your preference for Starbucks caramel sauce or caramel syrup will pretty much depend on the type of drink you order and that uses these condiments.
Caramel syrup is sweeter and thinner than the sauce, while the sauce is richer and thicker. The syrup is much better used in the cold drinks, such as the and the Caramel Frappuccino, and the sauce is better suited to hot drinks, such as the Caramel Macchiato.
Therefore, if you order a hot drink, the sauce will make a more effective drink in terms of richness of flavour, texture, and smoothness.
If you choose a cold or iced drink, the caramel syrup is the better choice because it partners well with ice, looks more attractive and is a better base on which to “float” the drink.
However, you can request whichever flavouring (or combination of flavours) you want when you make your order, as well as how much of each one you prefer.
How Are Starbucks Syrups And Sauces Used?
The syrups are used for texture and flavour and the sauces for flavour and effect.
This means that one drink can be made with a syrup base and a drizzled sauce, which illustrates the different functions of each ingredient clearly.
Are Starbucks Syrups And Sauces Bad For You?
Unfortunately, most syrups and sauces are high in sugar, which means that consuming them in large quantities will definitely have an impact on your health.
Starbucks use syrups and sauces as condiments and flavouring, and the amount used depends on the drink selected and the size of the drink.
You can also choose how many “pumps” of a sauce or syrup you’d prefer in your drink. It’s worth considering cutting down at “pump level” if you’re concerned about how much of these ingredients you’re consuming.
How Many Calories In Starbucks Sauces And Syrups?
Starbucks syrups contain about 20 calories per “pump” (or about 5g of sugar), and the sauces contain between 20 and 30 calories per pump.
However, this estimation can vary slightly with each sauce and syrup as each one is made of slightly different ingredients.
Is Starbucks Caramel Drizzle A Sauce Or A Syrup?
Starbucks caramel drizzle is a sauce, and the term “drizzle” is used to describe what is being done with it; in other words, while “drizzle” is a noun, it is also a verb.
The Starbucks sauces lend themselves very well to being used as drizzles (or for “drizzling”) because they are thick, rich, and viscous. They flow slowly over a drink and so are better than syrups, which slip away more quickly and less dramatically, to showcase a good craft drink.
Want to learn more about Starbucks? Check out these posts to learn if Starbucks sells Boba Tea, does Starbucks sell decaf iced coffees, and does Starbucks Chai Tea contain caffeine
Conclusion..
Sauces and syrups can seem pretty similar at times because as ingredients they can look and behave similarly, and because the words themselves are used interchangeably.
However, they do have different properties, in other words, they “behave” differently”, which means for culinary experts, they come in useful for very individual and precise reasons.