Maple Syrup in Coffee

My husband swears by maple syrup in his coffee. I thought it was weird at first, but it makes sense: It’s basically a maple-flavored simple syrup ..

Is maple syrup good in coffee?

Maple syrup is really good in coffee (if you like the flavor of maple). It adds a rich, earthy sweetness, and the coffee’s more bitter flavor highlights the caramel and vanilla notes in syrup. Seriously. Maple syrup is a more complex sweet than regular sugar.

The easiest way to try it is to just add a bit to your hot cup of coffee and stir. The syrup dissolves more easily than hard sugar grains. Start small and add more if you like.

If you want to get fancy, steam or warm some whole milk to add to the mix and top with whipped cream (and a drizzle of maple syrup) for a simple maple syrup latte.

Can you put maple syrup in iced coffee?

Yes! Dissolving sugars in cold liquids is the challenge, so try adding your maple syrup to hot coffee, letting it cool, and then pouring it over ice.

You can also use a little maple syrup to stripe the inside walls of a clear glass if you’re feeling fancy. Then fill that glass with some ice and pour your cold brew over.

Is maple syrup better than sugar in coffee?

In many ways, maple syrup is better than sugar in coffee—just make sure you’re using 100% pure maple syrup.

Real maple syrup is less processed than white sugar, and it contains trace minerals like zinc and manganese. It also has a lower glycemic index, which means it won’t spike blood sugar levels as fast as sugar. Does that make it a healthy choice? No. But it’s something.

The best part is that the flavor of maple syrup adds a new depth to your coffee, where sugar only creates a straightforward sweetness.