Syrups are a surefire way for coffee lovers to add a little sweetness—and a burst of flavor—to their favorite drink. Coffee syrups are also great for customers who love to add their own personal touch to their morning brew. And for coffee shop owners? They also happen to be one of the most profitable offerings to help expand your profit margins.
According to one report, somewhere around 80 percent of coffee-drinking consumers in the US personalize their java in one way or another, and syrups are definitely one of the most popular ways to customize each cup. What’s more, for your customers, syrups can also shift a typical, everyday cup of coffee into a special experience. As Andrea Ramirez, Consumer & Customer Insight Manager at Torani Syrups shared, “They’re the item that lends indulgence and personalization to a drink, transforming it from a functional and routine beverage to one that’s a treat.”
If you’re looking to turn your coffee shop experience into a customer’s quick fix for both caffeine and joy, syrups are the way to go. But how do you anticipate which syrups to stock up on? These are the coffee syrups that deserve a designated spot on your coffee counter.
Sweet Coffee Syrups
Sweet and dessert-type syrups offer sweetness and pair quite nicely with the bold flavors of coffee and espresso. Even the idea of adding syrup inspired by a dessert can make your customers feel like they’re enjoying a special indulgence. Sweet syrups might include:
- Mocha or Chocolate
- Caramel
- Vanilla
- Hazelnut
- Mint
- White Chocolate
- Coconut
Fruit-Flavored Coffee Syrups
Fruit-flavored syrups also mix well into coffee drinks. Of course, there are classic go-to's like raspberry mocha lattes, but many coffee drinkers are starting to love how a range of fruit flavors partner with the fruity notes of their favorite coffee. Pairing strawberry and vanilla syrup in an oat milk latte, for example, can taste almost like an ice cream sundae. Apple syrups are ideal for fall features, and blueberry syrup is an increasingly popular add-in for iced coffees and cold foams all year long. These fruit-flavored coffee syrups also work well in Italian sodas. Fruit flavors might include:
- Raspberry
- Strawberry
- Blueberry
- Apple
- Banana
- Mango
Botanical-Inspired Coffee Syrups
Trends for cold brews and matcha lattes alike today include a lot more botanical-inspired flavors than the coffees of yesteryear. If you haven’t added floral flavorings to your favorite Dilworth Coffee yet, it’s worth adding a few pumps to your next cup. In this case, what grows in your garden might also go great in your coffee—or your favorite tea. Fragrant flavors include:
- Lavender
- Rose
- Hibiscus
- Violet
Seasonal Coffee Syrups
We’re all well-acquainted with pumpkin spice syrups and the impact they have on headlines every time temperatures start to drop. But other such seasonal flavors can be fun to explore in spring, summer, and wintertime, too. And with endless recipe combinations, you can also pair sweet, fruity, and botanical syrups to make your seasonal drinks the toast of the town.
- Peppermint
- Gingerbread
- Toasted Marshmallow
- Kettle Corn
- Watermelon
- Cherry
Healthy Coffee Syrup Options
Some of the folks who walk into your coffee shop may be looking for low-calorie or low-sugar drink options—and you want to be sure to have coffee syrups available for these customers, too. Sugar-free coffee syrups are a smart option to have on hand.
For health-conscious customers, you may also consider healthy coffee syrups for lattes and teas. Take for example Monin’s Total Immunity Boost, which is chock-full of immune-enriching Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Vitamin B3, zinc, and elderberry to help maintain a healthy and balanced lifestyle when added to a green tea or smoothie.
Dilworth’s Most Popular Coffee Syrups
So, which coffee syrups and healthy coffee syrups deserve a spot on your coffee counter? That depends on your shop’s style and vibe, your most popular drinks, and your seasonal offerings. While deciding which syrups to add to your menu—and how many syrups to keep in stock to keep profit margins profitable—can be a personal decision that only you can make based on your knowledge of your shop, here’s a quick list of the ten most popular coffee syrups every coffee shop should at least consider:
Beyond Brews: Creative Uses for Coffee Syrups
Coffee syrups are ideal for lattes, iced coffee, teas, and hot chocolate, but they also work perfectly in a whole array of offerings that are likely already on your menu. Of course, they are great in Italian sodas, espresso tonics, and lemonade for summer, but they also work well shaken or stirred into cocktails or mocktails for evening libations, or topping a dessert in your shop’s bakery case by mixing them into a little mascarpone or whisking a few pumps into a sweet glaze. Like mom used to make—only better. (Just don’t tell our moms about that part, okay?)
Discover Your Next Favorite Flavor with Dilworth
If Dilworth Coffee is already your go-to supplier for coffee, why not stick with what’s already working? We offer a whole array of coffee syrups from the biggest names in the business, including Torani and Monin, and plenty of guidance to help you curate an unstoppable menu, too.
With flexible, Mix-and-Match Savings programs that help you save on every order, the more you buy, the more you save. Want to discover what you’ll want to serve up next? Shop our syrups and sauces today!