Homemade Cinnamon Dolce Syrup Recipe (Starbucks Copycat)
Last updated on August 14th, 2025 at 10:36 am
Ever wish you could make your favorite Starbucks drinks at home without the price tag?
I used to order the cinnamon dolce latte on repeat. But after realizing how much I was spending (and how sugary it could be), I decided to try making my own.
That first homemade version? Honestly, it tasted even better. Plus, I could control the sweetness and skip the additives.
In this post, I’ll walk you through my go-to cinnamon dolce syrup recipe, step-by-step. You’ll learn what ingredients to use, how to make it on the stovetop, creative ways to use it, and tips for customizing it. So let’s start brewing!
What Is Cinnamon Dolce Syrup?
The word “dolce” means “sweet” in Italian, which is what this syrup is: sweet and full of warm cinnamon flavor.
The flavor profile is where things get fun. It has that classic cinnamon warmth. However, it’s balanced with brown sugar (or white sugar, too, depending on the recipe), vanilla, and sometimes a hint of salt or nutmeg for added depth.
The result is a rich, slightly spicy, sweet syrup that tastes a little like a cinnamon roll in liquid form.
Most people know it from Starbucks’ Cinnamon Dolce Latte. But honestly, it works in many drinks. I’ve stirred it into cold brew, drizzled it into chai tea, and even added a splash to steamed oat milk on cold mornings.
I find it also great over oatmeal or pancakes, which I didn’t expect the first time I tried it.
If you like drinks that are sweet, maybe even nostalgic, this syrup’s gonna be your new favorite. And once you make it yourself? You’ll realize how much better it tastes when it’s fresh and personalized to your flavor.
Homemade Cinnamon Dolce Syrup (Step-by-Step Recipe)
Equipment
- Small Saucepan:
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Whisk or spoon
- Fine mesh strainer (if using cinnamon sticks)
- Glass jar or bottle with lid
- Funnel (optional but makes pouring way easier)
Ingredients
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup white sugar (optional, helps mellow the molasses flavor)
- 1 cup water
- 1–2 cinnamon sticks (or 1½ tsp ground cinnamon)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Optional: pinch of salt or ½ tsp maple syrup for added depth
Instructions
- Step 1) Combine Ingredients: In your saucepan, add the water, brown sugar, white sugar (if using), and your cinnamon. If you’re using ground cinnamon, whisk it in so it doesn’t clump. Next, set the pan over medium heat and give it a gentle stir.
- Step 2) Simmer and Infuse: Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and not a full boil. You want to let it bubble lightly for 5 to 7 minutes. This helps it thicken slightly and brings out the spice.If you’re using cinnamon sticks, leave them in for an extra few minutes after removing from heat to steep longer. The longer it sits, the more flavor you’ll get.
- Step 3) Add Vanilla and Cool: Turn off the heat and stir in your vanilla extract. If you added cinnamon sticks, now’s the time to strain them out. You want to let the syrup cool for 15–20 minutes in the pan so it thickens up just a bit more before bottling.
- Step 4) Bottle and Store: Pour your cooled syrup into a clean glass jar or bottle (a funnel helps here if you're clumsy like me). Afterward, seal it and pop it in the fridge. It’ll stay good for up to 2 weeks. You should shake it before each use if any settling happens.
Video
Notes
Quick tip:
Want it thicker for drizzling over pancakes or whipped cream-topped lattes? Simmer for closer to 10 minutes, but watch it carefully. It can go from perfect to too thick in a flash.How to Use Cinnamon Dolce Syrup?
Once you’ve got a fresh batch of cinnamon dolce syrup, you’ll probably want to start pouring it into everything. So here are a few delicious ways I’ve used it that you might want to try too.
1 – In a Homemade Cinnamon Dolce Latte (Hot or Iced)
You can add 1–2 tablespoons of your syrup to a shot or two of espresso, then top with steamed milk (or cold milk over ice if you’re making it iced). Afterward, sprinkle on a little cinnamon or whipped cream if you’re feeling fancy.
2 – Drizzled Over Oatmeal or Pancakes
One morning I ran out of maple syrup and decided to drizzle cinnamon dolce syrup over my oatmeal. And it adds that warm flavor, especially if you top it with bananas or pecans. Same deal with pancakes. Just go easy with the pour unless you want dessert for breakfast.
3 – Mixed into Cold Brew or Chai Lattes
I like to stir in a tablespoon, add oat milk, and maybe some ice. It’s sweet, smooth, and the cinnamon gives it the right amount of spice. You can also mix a splash into a chai latte for a warm, spiced twist that pairs surprisingly well with black tea.
4 – Added to Milk or Plant-Based Milk
If you’re avoiding caffeine or want a bedtime treat, heat up a cup of milk (I love it with almond or oat), and stir in a spoonful of the syrup. It’s like cinnamon toast in a mug.
Cinnamon Dolce Syrup: Tips and Variations
Once you’ve made a batch or two, you’ll probably start tweaking the cinnamon dolce syrup to suit your flavor style. Below are a few tricks and variations that you can try:
1 – Use a Cinnamon Stick
If you’ve ever used ground cinnamon in syrup and ended up with those gritty bits floating around. It still tastes good, but the texture can be a little off.
You can use a whole cinnamon stick instead, letting it simmer and then steep in the syrup for a few minutes longer off the heat. The result is smooth, rich, and the right amount of cinnamon spice without the speckled mess.
2 – Add Nutmeg or Cardamom
One time I added a pinch of nutmeg on a whim, and it made the syrup feel like a holiday drink. You don’t need much, just a pinch goes a long way.
If you’re into chai-style flavors, a tiny bit of ground cardamom adds an earthy, warm kick that pairs well with coffee and oat milk. However, don’t overdo it, or it can overpower the cinnamon.
3 – Make It Sugar-Free with Monk Fruit or Erythritol
You can make it with a sugar-free sweetener like monk fruit sweetener, which works best because it still has a smooth finish and doesn’t have that weird cooling aftertaste erythritol sometimes has.
The key is to simmer it gently and not expect the same thick texture you get from sugar (it won’t get as syrupy, but it’s still flavorful).
Last Thoughts
What drink will you add it to first, an iced latte, a chai, maybe something unexpected? Either way, one batch and your favorite mug is all it takes and voilà!
