Honey can be the perfect way to complement hot tea or various coffee-based drinks!
Sweet, light, floral, and aromatic, honey really is “the bee’s knees”. Plus, most will agree that honey is good for your health.
Perhaps, that’s why honey is such a key ingredient at Starbucks. Now, many Starbucks drinks come with their signature Honey Blend Syrup included as a standard ingredient.
So what is Starbucks Honey Blend Syrup? And is it different from the honey packets offered at these famous coffee shops?
Below, we will go over everything you need to know about Starbucks Honey Blend Syrup and other similar options so that you can create your perfect, custom-sweetened coffee or tea drink.
What Exactly is Starbucks Honey Blend?
A sweet blend of syrup distributed in pumps, Starbucks Honey Blend combines honey, water, and a couple of other ingredients to create a sweet and rich syrup that mixes well in hot and cold drinks.
Since it’s a syrup, Starbucks Honey Blend is easier for baristas to measure and mix into drinks than regular honey, which is thicker and more viscous.
This coffee syrup is manufactured by Fontana, as are many of the other coffee syrups used at Starbucks.
Starbucks Honey Blend is often added to drinks like the Honey Oat Milk Latte or the Starbucks Honey Almond Milk Flat White. However, it can also be included in other beverages upon request. Check out my guide with the best Starbucks honey drinks for information.
Since the Honey Blend Syrup contains real honey, it is not suitable for those who are avoiding honey because of an allergy or due to their vegan lifestyle.
Starbucks Honey Blend Ingredients
The ingredients of Starbucks Honey Blend syrup are:
- honey
- water
- natural flavors
- citric acid
- potassium sorbate
- xanthan gum
The Starbucks Honey Blend consists of approximately 64% honey.
The preservative ingredients like citric acid and potassium sorbate help to stabilize the syrup. This syrup contains no added sugar, as it is naturally sweet already.
Starbucks Honey Blend Nutritional Value & Calories
A pump of Honey Blend syrup from Starbucks contains approximately 20 calories.
Bearing that in mind, most drinks call for at least two pumps of syrup. So, factor this in if you will be using the Honey Blend to sweeten your drink and are also counting your daily calories.
As far as nutrition goes, honey is a comparatively healthy natural sweetener. Raw honey inherently contains a variety of nutrients like calcium, magnesium, niacin, phosphorus, potassium, and riboflavin.
Since real honey is a primary ingredient in Starbucks Honey Blend syrup, you can obtain some of these vitamins and minerals when using this ingredient to sweeten your beverages.
Starbucks Honey Blend vs Honey Packet
Starbucks honey packets are another sweet option for those who love that bold honey taste. Some patrons prefer to sweeten their teas and hot beverages using these free honey packets.
So which option is better?
Both the Honey Blend Syrup and honey packets at Starbucks are sweet with rich honey flavors. Let’s compare these options side-by-side so that you can decide for yourself.
Differences between honey packets and Honey Blend
Honey packets:
- are portable
- contain 100% honey
- are usually complimentary
- must be stirred into drinks
- blend slowly in liquid
- are available upon request only (at most Starbucks stores)
- are best for people who prefer only 100%, natural honey
Honey Blend Syrup:
- has a unique aftertaste
- contains preservatives
- includes a mix of honey and water with other ingredients
- is portioned in pumps
- automatically included in some beverages
- pumps will cost you extra in drinks
- mixes easily into liquids for a more consistent taste and texture
About Starbucks Honey Blend Syrup
A pump of Starbucks Honey Blend syrup has 20 calories, 7 G of carbohydrates, 5 G of sugar, 7 mg of potassium, and 1 mg of sodium.
Two pumps of Starbucks Honey Blend Syrup are equivalent to approximately one tablespoon of pure honey.
About Starbucks Honey Packets
In comparison, a packet of honey from Starbucks contains 43 calories, 11 G of sugar, 11 G of carbohydrates, 1 mg of sodium, and approximately 7 mg of potassium.
One packet of Starbucks honey is equivalent to 1 tbsp of regular honey. Starbucks honey packets contain 100% Grade ‘A’ honey.
Final Thoughts on Honey Blend at Starbucks
All in all, Starbucks Honey Blend Syrup is perfect for those who want sweet, rich, real honey flavors in their favorite Starbucks drinks.
This syrup is doled out one pump at a time and comes standard in some drinks. For extra pumps of honey, there may be an upcharge.
Since Starbucks Honey Blend Syrup is made with 64% real honey, it is a good option for those who want to easily add honey to their daily caffeine routine.
If you don’t want to pay the upcharge or use Honey Blend Syrup, 100% real Grade ‘A’ honey packets are also available upon request.