RIP: Starbucks Almond Syrup
*Update* I’ve been told that this Torani Orgeat Syrup is the exact product that Starbucks used to sell with its own label. You can grab it up inexpensively from Amazon and use it in your homemade beverages. Alas, since I don’t make espresso-based drinks at home, this doesn’t help me.
Don’t forget the pump!
Those who know me know that I’m an enormous fan of coffee. In fact, I have a book project that I’ve been dabbling with for a while that deals with coffee as a source of inspiration. It will eventually be finished. Watch for it. 
As a true coffee connoisseur, I drink my daily brew black, freshly ground (in a burr grinder for consistency), and brewed (by the cup) in my french press. OK, I admit it. I’m a bit of a coffee snob. I certainly don’t mean that I look down on those who drink, say, robusta beans. It’s just that I personally have a well-developed palette where it comes to fine coffees.
(A.D.D. Moment: Want a really great book on the benefits of caffeine? Nab The Caffeine Advantage: How to Sharpen Your Mind, Improve Your Physical Performance, and Achieve Your Goals–the Healthy Way
OK, back to my point: I have one guilty pleasure, as it were, where it comes to flavored coffee beverages. I know, I know… real connoisseurs don’t use any flavoring. But, years ago an astute barista who was a personal friend of mine made me an almond cappuccino.
Now, I’m not going to say that the skies parted, light shone, angels sang, and that I was enraptured by a glorious ecstasy as I partook… but it was close. Thanks, Mike, wherever you are.
Since then, I’ve been an addict. When Starbucks finally entered the Florida market, I quickly made the Grande Almond Cappuccino my beverage of choice… when in the mood for something other than a bold drip or a doppio.
I’ve partaken of this particular beverage all over the United States in Starbucks locations and even as far away as Singapore. I love it. It is truly an pleasurable experience that I enjoy.
So, imagine my dismay when the baristas at my local Starbucks announced that the almond syrup was being phased out. First, their ability to ring the drink up properly was taken away by a software update to their POS system. Now, they’ve actually told me that the syrup is gone. Some locations still have some, but almond — as a flavoring syrup at Starbucks — is basically dead.
I don’t spend enough at Starbucks to have the clout to pressure them to bring it back (despite whatever my wife may think about my Starbucks budget), so I’m not planning to mount any major campaign to boycott or ask people to join me. However, I am truly saddened by the loss. Most people stick with vanilla or hazelnut or one of the more popular syrups, I know. But they simply don’t know what they’re missing.
So… I bid the almond syrup a fond farewell. And yes, every time I’m in a small private coffee shop (which I’ll admit I’ll be on the lookout for now more than ever), I’ll be forced to inquire… just in case they have some.
I’m with you! I actually had my officemates write in and complain and we submitted many comment sheets expressing our dismay!! It’s so simple, why can’t they see what a taste treat for our tastebuds it is. I’ve been bringing my own with me to Starbucks but now I know Seattle’s Best (in Borders Books stores) has it, that’s where I’m going now.
Almond Lovers Unite !
me too, I always have a almond latte on every weekend, it’s so enjoyable, now, I can’t find other syrup to replace it, I only find out that last
Satursday, Starbuck no longer carried the almond syrup.
I was thinking, if I can try to use a small drop of the Almond extract, do you think it possiable?
Robbie – Thanks for weighing in, and best of luck with the write-in campaign. I’d love to hear how that works out.
Ng – I’ve noticed that some Starbucks stores have restocked (at least temporarily) even after being “out” of Almond syrup. So… at least for a little while, it may be worth it to ask about whether your local store has the syrup or not.
And… I just posted an update with a link to purchase the Torani brand of orgeat syrup. Evidently this is the very syrup that Starbucks was using under its own name. This will definitely be better than using almond extract.
I’ve even wondered about using real amaretto, but that may give your latte more bite than you wanted!
I agree with all of you! I love Almond and bought one of the last syrup bottles awhile ago. It just expired like a week ago but I still take it into Starbucks frequently so they can make me a latte! I don’t understand why they wouldn’t want to have as many flavors as possible to please customers. No other flavor compares to it. I always think about going to local coffee shops because most the time they have almond, but Starbucks is way more convenient for me. I hope they end up bringing it back!
I’m with all of you! How could they discontinue a syrup that makes a cup of coffee perfecto?? I’ve been looking everywhere for almond syrup since I ran out about a month ago and I was shocked when I went to three Starbucks and they didn’t seem to know anything about it!
Like most of you, my cappuccino is perfect when I steam a little Almond syrup into the milk, no sugar needed thank you! I always enjoy it on the weekends. I’ve tried the Monin and it has a strange texture and a stranger aftertaste so no go. I think the Toreani has a bit of a different taste too but it’s the best so far – but it sure doesn’t taste like the same product Starbucks used. I’m about to order a bottle of DaVinci to see how that compares and will post a review back. Starbucks is crazy for getting rid of such a great flavor! Oh, and don’t bother to try the toffee flavor – it’s no substitute, it’s just NOT almond!!
What a relief to find I am not the only one. The almond syrup made my Starbucks coffee exceptional. Alas, I have considered taking my own bottle of almond syrup with me in the car but upon reflection I usually go through the drive-thru. I could see myself getting my coffeee, extracting the syrup from the glove box (hoping it didnt’ leak into my precious maps) and then while balancing the cup and listening to the horns honking behind me, patiently attempting to pour the allotted amount into my cup, put the lid back on so it wouldn’t spill, put the syrup back in the glove box and drive away. Do you think that holding the line up would entice them to bring it back. Oh well, it seems that almond syrup is for home use.