The BEST Gingerbread Syrup Dupe: Remarkably Easy to Make!
Homemade gingerbread syrup is the easiest way to add holiday magic to your coffee, cocktails, and desserts. This season, skip the store-bought bottles! This quick recipe takes less than 30 minutes, uses pantry staples, and tastes just like Starbucks’ classic gingerbread latte syrup.
This homemade gingerbread syrup is part of our ongoing collaboration with Whisk & Wunder – together we’re bringing you cozy coffee-shop recipes in both English and German, right into your kitchen. Perfect for lattes, cocktails, or desserts, and a wonderful homemade gift idea for the holiday season.
Auf der Suche nach dem Rezept auf Deutsch? Klick hier! 🇩🇪
Cozy, Spiced, and Perfect for the Holidays
Ah, the holidays! It’s the season of gingerbread cookies, cozy sweaters, spiced lattes, and twinkling lights. But if you’ve ordered your usual holiday latte at Starbucks recently, you might have noticed something missing. That’s right — their famous gingerbread syrup is gone.
For years, the gingerbread latte was my go-to drink of the season. Losing it felt like losing part of the holiday ritual. But here’s the good news: you don’t have to go without. This homemade gingerbread syrup recipe is easy to make. I swear it tastes just like the Starbucks version did, and can be used in so many more ways than just coffee.
If you want to make a festive gingerbread latte, you can also drizzle it on pancakes. You can mix it into a gingerbread espresso martini too. But be careful. This syrup will soon be your new holiday favorite.
Making Starbucks Favorites at Home
A few years ago, when I found out Starbucks had officially discontinued their gingerbread latte, I was crushed. But instead of giving up, I got to work recreating it at home. Every year I wait and hope that Starbucks will bring my fave back, but I think I’ve finally admitted it’s not going to happen. Since then I have tested batch after batch until I landed on this version. It was worth the wait, because this one is rich, warmly spiced, perfectly sweet, and ridiculously versatile.
Now, I keep a jar in the fridge throughout the season. I use it in my morning coffee, swirl it into oatmeal, and bring it out for cocktails when friends stop by. Sometimes, I even gift it in little jars tied with ribbon. And honestly? Everyone is more excited about this than they ever were about the Starbucks syrup.
Is This Budget-Friendly? 💵
Absolutely! Let’s do the math.
- One Starbucks holiday latte: $6–7
- One batch of this syrup (10–12 servings): about $2 in pantry staples
That’s coffee-shop flavor for pennies a cup. We have found making syrups end up keeping our morning coffees at pennies in comparison. We also use our syrups in so much baking it’s a no brainer.
And if you bottle this syrup up for holiday gifts? You’ll spend just a couple of dollars per gift — which looks far more thoughtful than store-bought.
Why You’ll Love This Gingerbread Syrup ❤️
This cozy, spiced syrup is:
- A Starbucks copycat – finally bring the gingerbread latte back to your kitchen.
- Quick & easy – ready in under 30 minutes.
- Customizable – adjust sweetness or spice to taste.
- Versatile – delicious in coffee, cocktails, breakfasts, or desserts.
- Budget-friendly – makes 10+ servings for a fraction of the price.
- Giftable – perfect DIY gift in a jar with a ribbon.
If You Love This Gingerbread Syrup, You’ll Love…
Here are a few festive favorites from us that pair beautifully with your new homemade gingerbread syrup:
- Christmas Snickerdoodle Recipe: A Festive Twist on a Classic — soft, spiced cookies with holiday sanding sugar.
- How To Make Chocolate Orange Truffles: No-Bake Holiday Classic — creamy, citrusy truffles that are perfect for gifting.
- Irresistible Christmas Cookie Bars — chewy, chocolaty bars studded with festive M&Ms and pretzels.
Pin & Share This Recipe! 📌
Holiday magic is meant to be shared. Pin this recipe to your holiday board or share with friends who miss Starbucks’ gingerbread latte.
👉 Subscribe to our newsletter for more DIY coffee syrups like Pumpkin Spice, Brown Sugar Cinnamon, and Peppermint Mocha!
Ingredients You’ll Need
To make one cup of gingerbread syrup, grab these pantry staples:
- ½ cup brown sugar – adds rich, caramel-like sweetness.
- ¼ cup granulated sugar – balances the depth of the molasses.
- ¾ cup water – the base for dissolving sugar.
- 3 tbsp molasses – essential for that authentic gingerbread flavor.
- 1 tsp ground ginger – spicy warmth you can’t skip.
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon – cozy and sweet.
- ¼ tsp nutmeg – balances with earthy depth.
- 1 tsp vanilla extract – smooth, round finish.
👉 Optional Add-Ins if you want a stronger, more complex syrup:
a pinch of cloves or allspice for extra spice
a cinnamon stick and fresh sliced ginger
Directions
- Combine ingredients: In a saucepan, add brown sugar, granulated sugar, water, molasses, ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- Bring to boil: Stir over medium heat until bubbling and the sugars dissolve.
- Simmer: Reduce heat and simmer 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally. The syrup will become fragrant and slightly thickened.
- Finish: Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.
- Cool & Store: Allow syrup to cool before transferring to a clean, airtight jar. Refrigerate up to 2 weeks.
Yields: about 1 cup of syrup.
How to Use Gingerbread Syrup
This is where the magic happens. Here are some of the best (and most delicious) ways to use your homemade syrup:
☕ Gingerbread Lattes & Coffee Drinks
- Stir 1–2 tablespoons into espresso or strong coffee.
- Add steamed milk and a sprinkle of cinnamon for a cozy latte.
- For iced coffee, stir the syrup into cold brew or iced espresso, add milk, and serve over ice.
🍸 Gingerbread Cocktails
- Espresso Martini: vodka + espresso + coffee liqueur + gingerbread syrup.
- White Russian Twist: replace the simple syrup with gingerbread syrup.
- Holiday Old Fashioned: bourbon, bitters, gingerbread syrup, and orange peel.
🥞 Breakfast Upgrades
- Drizzle over pancakes, waffles, or French toast.
- Swirl into oatmeal or yogurt parfaits.
- Mix into whipped cream for topping hot chocolate.
🍦 Desserts
- Pour over vanilla ice cream.
- Brush onto sponge cake or gingerbread loaf as a glaze.
- Add a spoonful to cheesecake batter for subtle spice.
Gingerbread Syrup Variations
- Simple Gingerbread Syrup: skip molasses for a lighter version (closer to cinnamon dolce syrup).
- Extra Spiced: add cloves, cardamom, and allspice with whole cinnamon sticks.
- Sugar-Free Gingerbread Syrup: swap sugars for monk fruit or erythritol.
- Vegan-Friendly: already vegan — just double-check your sugar brand for bone-char-free labeling.
Gingerbread Syrup as a Gift 🎁
Homemade gingerbread syrup makes the perfect edible gift for friends, teachers, or coworkers.
Tips for gifting:
- Pour syrup into sterilized glass bottles or jars.
- Add a festive ribbon and handwritten tag.
- Include serving suggestions (latte, pancakes, cocktails).
It’s a cozy, affordable way to share holiday cheer — and people will actually use it.
FAQ ❓
What is gingerbread syrup made of?
Sugar, molasses, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and water — finished with vanilla.
Is Starbucks gingerbread syrup discontinued?
Yes — Starbucks no longer sells it, which is why this copycat recipe is so popular.
How long does homemade syrup last?
Up to 2 weeks in the fridge in a sealed jar or bottle.
Can I buy gingerbread syrup in stores?
Yes, brands like Monin and Torani sell bottled versions, but homemade is fresher and cheaper.
Is gingerbread syrup gluten free?
Yes, this recipe is naturally gluten free.
What’s the difference between gingerbread syrup and gingerbread sauce?
Syrup is thinner and meant for mixing into drinks. Sauce is thicker (like caramel sauce) and used as a topping.
Does gingerbread syrup taste like pumpkin spice?
No — gingerbread syrup is richer with molasses and ginger, while pumpkin spice is more cinnamon-forward.
How to Store & Meal Prep This Syrup
- Refrigerate: Store in a sealed jar up to 2 weeks.
- Freeze: Pour into ice cube trays and freeze for 2–3 months.
- Gift Storage: Sterilize jars and add labels with a “use by” date.
Sip and Savor
This homemade gingerbread syrup recipe is the perfect way to bring Starbucks’ discontinued holiday favorite back into your life. It’s cozy, versatile, and makes every drink or dessert taste like Christmas in a cup.
In our house, it’s become a non-negotiable part of the season. One batch never lasts long, and we always make extras to gift. From lattes in the morning to cocktails at night, this syrup has a way of sneaking into everything.
Let us know if you make this one! We would love to see it.
Much love,
Sidney & Thomas
The BEST Gingerbread Syrup Dupe: Remarkably Easy to Make!
Ingredients
Method
- Combine ingredients: In a saucepan, add everything but the vanilla.½ cup brown sugar, ¼ cup granulated sugar, ¾ cup water, 3 tbsp molasses, 1 tsp ground ginger, ½ tsp ground cinnamon, ¼ tsp nutmeg
- Bring to boil: Stir over medium heat until bubbling and the sugars dissolve.
- Simmer: Reduce heat and simmer 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally. The syrup will become fragrant and slightly thickened.
- Finish: Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.1 tsp vanilla extract
- Cool & Store: Allow syrup to cool before transferring to a clean, airtight jar. Refrigerate up to 2 weeks.
Nutrition
Notes
- Nutrition: The information provided here is meant to be used as a rough guide, and nothing more. We are not licensed nutritionists.
Here’s to hoping that making this will save me a ton of money on fancy coffees this season!