Last Updated: Apr 25, 2023 @ 11:20 am.

What is the best caramel syrup for coffee? To find out, we took nine popular brands and did a blind taste test. Which had the best flavor? Best sugar-free version? Here are the ones we thought were the best.

FYI: We've been reviewing and rating products for the home and families since 1994. We don't take money or freebies from the brands we review. Our work is 100% reader-supported!


Caramel Syrup 101 . . . And A Recipe!

Let’s talk caramel syrup.

Yes, caramel is probably the most popular syrup for coffee—there is something magical about the mix of coffee beans and that rich caramel taste.

When it comes to caramel and coffee, you basically have two options: caramel syrup and caramel sauce. They are basically made of the same ingredients, but caramel sauce is thicker. That makes it nice as a topping or drizzle. For other folks, they prefer to mix the caramel into their coffee—and that is where syrup shines.

As always, to keep things fair, we do blind tastes when we pick a winner. We do that so the brand or packaging doesn’t influence the results. We focus simply on taste . . . and let the caramel enthusiasts among our staff pick the best bets.

Before we get to the winners, here is a recipe for an Italian caramel latte. You are welcome!

Recipe: Italian Caramel Latte

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 oz. vanilla liqueur
  • 1 shot(s) espresso
  • 1/2 oz. Monin Caramel Syrup
  • Fill with steamed milk

GLASSWARE

10 oz. Mug

GARNISHES

Monin Caramel Sauce, whipped cream

PREPARATION

  1. Combine ingredients, except milk, in serving cup.
  2. Stir and set aside.
  3. Steam milk in pitcher.
  4. Pour steamed milk into serving cup, stirring gently.
  5. Garnish.

(Recipe and photo credit: Monin)

Best For Caramel Lattes

Also great for caramel macchiatos
So tasty! We loved this yummy caramel sauce for its excellent flavor. Smooth and buttery taste notes.

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Best Classic Caramel Taste

So delicious
The brown sugar notes are pronounced in this balanced and flavorful syrup. Just the right amount of sweetness, without overdoing it.

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Best For Iced Coffee

Fantastic in cold brew
The buttery, creamy flavor of this syrup dissolves so well, it is a perfect match for coffee. And it works well for cocoa too.

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Best Sugar Free

Plant-based ingredients
Sweetened with stevia, this syrup is a good alternative for those looking for keto-friendly solutions to a caramel craving.

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About the Authors

Denise & Alan Fields are consumer advocates and best-selling authors. The Fields have authored 12 books with three million copies in print, including the best-selling guide to baby gear, Baby Bargains.

The Fields have been featured and quoted in the New York TimesWall Street Journal and Los Angeles Times.

As consumer products experts, the Fields have been guests on the NBC Today Show, Good Morning America and ABC’s 20/20.

How We Pick Products To Recommend

We often turn to our readers (3 million strong!) to find products to recommend. We ask our parent readers for their favorites and consider their real-world experiences in our recommendations.

When we test a product, we always purchase it with our own monies. We do not take free samples, as we believe that compromises our independence.

We also fact check manufacturer information with our own measurements. If a maker claims a product weighs X pounds, we will weigh it to make sure. If the battery life is supposed to be six hours, we will see how it stands up in the real world.

In some cases, we will do interviews with experts in the field to get additional feedback on products.

To get hands-on time with products, we regularly meet one-on-one with gear companies and even tour manufacturing facilities. (When we do this, we pay our own travel expenses).

Why Trust Us

We’ve been rating and reviewing products for the home and families since 1994. We do extensive research, evaluating products with an eye toward quality, ease of use and affordability.

We make our living from affiliate commissions, but we always recommend what we think are the best bets for our readers (not the ones that are the most expensive). We are always looking for products that offer the best bang for the buck.

Our independence is a key reason why we have been doing this so long. As we mentioned above, when we purchase a product for hands-on testing, we do so with our own money.

Here’s another key point: we don’t take money from the brands we review. No free samples, no sponsors, no “partnerships.” Our work is 100% reader-supported!

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