12 Store-Bought Pumpkin Spice Syrups, Ranked Worst To Best

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Every fall, pumpkin spice is so abundant that it's impossible to avoid. The pumpkin spice latte, or PSL, has become shorthand for autumn since its reported invention in 2003. While for many, its yearly introduction means high-tailing it to the nearest coffee shop to order your pumpkin beverages, for others it's time to stock up on syrup to make it at home. If you're part of the latter group and prefer to be your own barista, you have no shortage of choices when it comes to pumpkin spice syrup brands that you can purchase. Not to worry — I've done the legwork for you, to find out which you should be bringing home.

To find out which pumpkin spice syrup reigns supreme, I gathered a dozen bottles from various brands, some from global syrup superstars, and others from small artisanal producers. I then spent several days in a caffeine- and spice-fueled fugue state, tasting each syrup on its own and in latte form. While each pumpkin spice syrup sported its own unique personality, there were some that fell flat and others that soared. Read on to find out how they ranked.

Some recommendations are based on firsthand impressions of promotional materials and products provided by the manufacturer.

Jordan's Skinny Mixes' Pumpkin Spice Syrup takes the last-place spot because it's bafflingly bland compared to every other option on this list. Try as I might, I could barely detect any discernible spice notes in its aromas or flavors. This sugar-free syrup is sweetened with monk fruit, erythritol, and stevia, three popular alternative sweeteners, and while it does have a nicely balanced sweetness, there's a lingering stevia aftertaste. The syrup's flavors and aromas are so muted that it basically tastes just like a plain simple syrup.

It added sweetness to the latte, but what little flavor that was there to begin with was steamrolled by the espresso and dampened further by the milk. The odd stevia flavor was less prominent when mixed into the drink, but it was still present and built up as I sipped. If this were the only sugar-free option on this list, I'd be more likely to forgive its flaws. However, there's a much more successful version further up the ranking that I'd recommend over it in a heartbeat.

To be fair to DaVinci Gourmet, this syrup is named "pumpkin pie," not "pumpkin spice." However, it would not be unreasonable to assume that it would have some amount of spice, which it alludes to in its description. The prominent French language on the label also lends this syrup an air of culinary superiority (never mind that the name of the brand is Italian and it actually hails from grunge-era Seattle). Oddly, the prominent flavor in this syrup is neither pumpkin nor spice, but melon.

This is not totally out of left field, as pumpkins and melons are closely related; they both belong to the Cucurbitaceae family, along with cucumbers. It is, however, not what you would expect from an autumnal pumpkin pie-flavored product. This syrup made me want to be out in the sun eating melon sorbet and drinking a glass of French rosé, not seated around the Thanksgiving table with a crackling fire in the background. There was also an artificial twinge to this syrup's flavor, so you might not like it even if you're a melon fan.

Now we get to the nitpicking, because the rest of these syrups are at least serviceable, and opinions are sure to vary based on subjective taste. Torani is a classic syrup brand that you've likely seen gracing shelves of coffee shops everywhere, and I'm certain there are tons of loyal fans who love Torani Pumpkin Spice Flavor Coffee Syrup. I liked how it tasted better on its own than mixed into a latte, which I feel kind of defeats its main purpose and earned it a low spot on this ranking.

Right out of the bottle, Torani's pumpkin spice syrup hit me with a richly spiced aroma that had a wonderful dusty, earthy quality. When mixed with milk and espresso, however, that quality was lost, and it became sweeter and simpler. I tasted more of the syrup alone and then went back to the latte and confirmed my findings. Perhaps this syrup would be best used in other preparations, like drizzled on vanilla ice cream, or stirred into a cocktail, perhaps an espresso martini. In a PSL, though, it just didn't shine for me.

Good & Gather, one of Target's in-house store brands, offers no shortage of pumpkin items this time of year, including my top-ranked canned pumpkin purées. I wasn't quite as taken with its pumpkin spice syrup, but overall, I still really enjoyed this syrup for a lot of reasons and think it's a fine product. It's got a nicely balanced sweetness level and a light texture that blends easily into drinks. The main issue I found, when compared to most of the other syrups, was that it was too subtle for its own good.

It's definitely not the least flavorful syrup on this list, but if you're looking for a punch of spice intensity, you won't find it here. This syrup gives you more of a delicate hint of spice. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but I found it became easily overwhelmed when met with the robust espresso. If you're looking for a mellower pumpkin spice experience, this is a nice option. Personally, I wished it had a little more oomph.

Syruvia's Pumpkin Spice Syrup, one of the lighter options in both color and texture, packs a hefty punch of aroma and flavor. An inviting perfume wafted from the bottle the second I opened it, and it had both spice notes and a bright, fruity background note reminiscent of freshly cut squash. On its own, I enjoyed its juicy texture, although the spice flavors were more muted than they were on the nose.

The intensity of the spice aroma worked really well in a latte, holding its own against the strong coffee aroma. The palate felt a little flat, with the spices again not quite following through on their aromatic intensity, and there was a slight burn on the finish that I didn't love. I did really enjoy the bright, lip-smacking fruitiness that this syrup brought to the latte, making it a lighter experience than many of the others. If I could turn the smell of Syruvia's pumpkin spice syrup mixed with espresso into an air freshener, I'd have one in every room all autumn long. It just wouldn't be my first choice for a latte.

Monin, another bottle you'll likely recognize if you're a coffee shop regular, is a solid syrup brand that's been around for over a century. Monin Pumpkin Spice Syrup is classic, well-crafted, and ticks every box you want ticked when you're craving this flavor. While there were others I found more exciting, I would happily enjoy this syrup in a beverage or other recipes.

When I first tasted it on its own, I found the aroma to be a little out of balance. Clove was the dominant note, which pushed the other spices too far into the background. The finish was faintly medicinal and bitter — a quality that might be enjoyed by any unabashed lover of amaro liqueurs (which do go well in hot chocolate), but others may not. Monin's syrup really comes alive in latte form, with an earthy, almost vegetal flavor coming out to balance the heavy clove presence, along with a nutty vanilla creaminess that brings it all together. If the clove weren't so dominant, I'd like this more, but even so, it's a delightfully traditional pumpkin spice syrup.

Maison Routin is yet another well-established French brand. Its label implies that it's been making syrup since 1883, predating Monin by a few decades. Before I started making my own flavored cocktail syrups, Maison Routin's offerings were in my regular rotation. It's come up with almost every wild flavor you can think of, from pandan and baobab to popcorn and croissant. I imagine that Willy Wonka would be right at home in this syrup factory.

The 1883 Pumpkin Spice Syrup is a classic version of the recipe, with cinnamon taking over both the aromatic and flavor profiles. The other spice notes don't get completely sidelined, and instead play a respectable backup role. When matched with the espresso in a latte, the cinnamon flavor took on a roasted quality, which I absolutely loved. There was a slightly acerbic note that didn't hit right, and a bit of a burn that left my palate feeling singed. I wished the other spice notes were a tiny bit more present, but overall, Maison Routin made a solid showing.

ChocZero is primarily a chocolate company, focusing on sugar-free and sugar alcohol-free products sweetened with monk fruit. I've never tried this brand's chocolates, but after tasting this pumpkin spice syrup, I think I'll have to seek them out. Unlike so many sugar-free products I've tasted over the years, this syrup has no trace of off flavors, and the sweetness is just right. This syrup has a light and juicy texture that's quite appealing and serves as an unassuming background to the real focus: Spice.

I found so many things to appreciate about ChocZero Pumpkin Spice Syrup, but my main takeaway was its pure spice intensity. It lists cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, and ginger, and I got a strong sense of all four of those flavors with every sniff and sip. The ginger, in particular, came through strongly, which made me realize how much that flavor was lacking in so many of the other syrups I tried. When mixed into a latte, I appreciated that spice focus even more, as it added another layer of complexity to my coffee without turning it into something else completely. I was very pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this syrup, and as the days go by, it's the one I keep reaching for again and again, to add just a little sweetness and spice to my morning joe. There are a few others that I ranked higher, but this is a great everyday choice.

Over the years, I've spent way too much time and money at Williams Sonoma. I can't trust myself to walk into a store and should probably block the website. Yet somehow, I'd never tried the brand's Pumpkin Spice Syrup. The first thing that stood out to me was the ingredients list, which, unlike the majority of other syrups, doesn't group everything into the catch-all category of "natural flavors." Every element is accounted for: Pumpkin, vanilla, nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves. Agave nectar and cane sugar sweeten it up, and there are sea salt and citric acid, as well.

Of all the syrups, this looks, smells, and tastes the most homemade. Like an unfiltered wine, it's full of visible evidence of its ingredients — you definitely need to shake the heck out of the bottle before pouring it, as there are a lot of flavorful bits that sink to the bottom. It has a wonderfully rich, honey-like texture, and the well-balanced combination of spices and vanilla creates a warm and cozy, but sophisticated and upscale-feeling pumpkin spice experience. The indulgent richness of this syrup left me satiated after just a few sips, which is something of a drawback for me — is there too much of a good thing? Perhaps, in this case. For an occasional extravagant treat, though, Williams Sonoma's syrup will deliver and then some.

Are you the type of person who likes your fall season to be bold, brash, wild, and kind of wacky? Do you go to extravagant lengths to dress up on Halloween even as a full-grown adult? Am I describing myself? I'll leave that for you to guess. If I happen to be describing you, I think you'll love Tippleman's Pumpkin Brûlée Syrup. It's surprising and unusual as far as pumpkin spice syrups go, but it somehow works.

This is one of the thickest, richest syrups of all that I tasted, but there's so much going on with its flavors that it doesn't come across as cloying. It smells like a combination of spiced pumpkin and torched sugar, really delivering on the "brûlée" part of its name, and that comes across on the palate as well. The butteriness and creaminess are a slight and comforting backdrop to the bursts of warming spices that verge on being hot. Its intensity mellows out just enough when mixed into a latte, and a prickle of sea salt lingers on your tongue, priming your palate for another sip. Tippleman's Pumpkin Brûlée Syrup may not be the most sophisticated or delicately balanced, but it's still a flavor-packed powerhouse.

Even though coffee is not this cocktail syrup brand's number one focus, HipStirs Pumpkin Spice Syrup worked so well in my latte that I couldn't deny it a top spot in this ranking. This is a cloudy syrup, similar to the one from Williams Sonoma, and one of the few to require refrigeration due to its fresh ingredients. You can taste that freshness and intensity very clearly, and what sets this (and the first-place syrup) apart from the rest of the pack is the unmistakable flavor of real pumpkin. I don't believe that pumpkin spice syrup needs to include real pumpkin, but it does add a deeply satisfying dimension and saves you the step of having to add your own, if that's your preference.

The spice melange in HipStirs syrup veers savory, which entranced me. It had an aromatic profile that was entirely distinct from the rest. According to the ingredients, it's just cinnamon, ginger, clove, and allspice, but I kept thinking I picked up cardamom, fenugreek, or some other ancient spices I didn't know the names of. The complexity melded beautifully with espresso's flavors and kept me going back for more. Like any good cocktail syrup, it isn't too sweet. I love this syrup, and it was only narrowly edged out by one other that had a more traditional flavor profile.

Lovers of pumpkin spice, if you've never tried Portland Syrups Pumpkin Spice Syrup, I implore you to seek it out right now and stock up before the leaves turn. When I smelled and tasted this syrup on its own, I felt like I was walking through a pumpkin patch and drinking a warm cider. The addition of pumpkin purée adds body and sweetness, as well as an earthy vegetal note, bringing dimension to a product that often tastes processed and artificial. The ingredient that sets Portland Syrups apart is organic ginger juice, which brightens and enhances the cinnamon and other spices without compromising the syrup's overall richness.

What I love about Portland Syrups' product is that it takes the traditional pumpkin spice profile and lifts everything up a notch, rather than altering it. It gives you everything you want from the flavor in a way you didn't know you could have. I can see this syrup being a total crowd-pleaser, too; its sweetness and flavor profile are classic enough that any casual PSL drinker can enjoy it, but even a pretentious mixologist like myself will appreciate its quality ingredients and balance. 

As a former barista and beverage manager, current sommelier, avid coffee fanatic, and lover of autumn, I took on this pumpkin spice syrup taste test with great enthusiasm. I first tasted each syrup on its own, noting its color, aroma, flavor, and texture. Next, I made pumpkin spice lattes using each syrup, keeping the ratio of espresso, frothed oat milk creamer, and syrup identical in each latte. The best syrups offered a pleasant balance of spices and sweetness, no off or artificial flavors, and blended well with the latte's taste and texture.