Monin Vs Torani Syrup Showdown (Which Is Better?)

I love flavored coffee or fancy iced cocktails but don't love paying such a hefty price for one. That's why you'll often find me whipping up a homemade dupe recipe for my morning coffee.

Recently, I discovered that my coffee syrup was running low, and I needed to pick up some more flavored syrups.

It’s time to pit the titans of flavored syrups against each other. Who will come out on top in this Monin vs Torani showdown?

While the ultimate answer to Monin Vs Torani is completely subjective, I decided to put these two brands head-to-head in a variety of categories. This is what I found!

1. Flavor Options

Having a wide flavor range is so important to me as I am a regular home barista and bartender. I love traditional flavors like vanilla and caramel, but I love getting experimental with unique flavors.

Both Monin and Torani have a range of the best flavors.

Monin has over 122 flavored syrup options to choose from, including vanilla, chocolate fudge, and pistachio, as well as fruit-flavored syrups like wildberry and lime.[1]

I love how many unique flavors they have - my mouth is already watering, picturing the possibilities!

Torani still has plenty of flavors to choose from, with over 86 flavors ranging from fruity ones like strawberry and cherry to classic coffee syrups like hazelnut and vanilla.[2]

Both brands are highly competitive, with each one presenting classic and unique options to ensure that you never get bored.

I love the range these popular brands offer - I think the best one comes down to your personal preference. Taste test your favorite flavor from each brand and see which is the most delicious.

2. Sugar-Free Flavor Options

Both Monin and Torani offer a more condensed range of sugar-free options to choose from. Monin has over nine sugar-free options to choose from, including salted caramel and hazelnut.[3]

Torani's range is still on the small side compared with the full original line but has over 40 sugar-free flavors to choose from.[4]

If you are keto or cutting your sugar intake and prefer the classics, try Monin. However, if you believe variety is the spiced syrup of life, I recommend Torani for sheer freedom of choice.

Torani Vs Monin Sugar-Free Flavors

3. Taste

The winner in the taste category of this Monin vs Torani showdown will change depending on your personal preference.

You may prefer the taste of Monin coffee syrups, as Monin's original range uses organic natural ingredients for their various flavors.

This gives them a premium, balanced taste that is not overly sweet - though it is syrup, so there is still considerable sweetness.

Monin typically uses pure cane sugar and fruit extracts rather than corn syrup or artificial sweetener in their original range to achieve optimal flavor.

Torani offers a mix of organic and artificial flavors in their syrups, which can give them an artificial sweetness.

However, this is not the same for the Torani Puremade range, which uses all-organic quality ingredients for naturally sweetened flavor - at an additional cost.

I prefer Monin’s taste of the two brands but recommend trying a bit of each of their ranges to find the best taste for you.

4. Nutrition Facts & Ingredients

Monin coffee syrups pride themselves on using only high-quality ingredients.

These natural ingredients are sourced from all over the globe and differ depending on the range. For example:

Monin Vanilla (Original)[5]

Ingredients:
  • Pure cane sugar
  • Water
  • Natural flavors
  • Natural vanilla extract
Nutritional information:
  • 100 calories
  • 23g sugar
  • Kosher
  • Gluten-free
  • GMO-free
  • Vegan
Monin Vanilla Syrup

Monin Sugar-Free Vanilla[6]

Ingredients:
  • Water
  • Erythritol
  • Natural and artificial flavors
  • Cellulose gum
  • Citric acid
  • Sucralose
  • Potassium
Nutritional information:
  • 0 calories
  • 5g carbs
  • Gluten-free
  • Vegan

Torani uses a mix of natural ingredients and artificial preservatives to improve the shelf-life of its syrups.

This is not unusual compared to other brands but may affect your personal preferences if you have a sensitive palate. The ingredients used in their original and sugar-free syrups include:

Torani Classic Vanilla[7]

Ingredients:
  • Pure can sugar
  • Natural flavors
  • Sodium benzoate
  • Potassium sorbate
  • Citric acid
Nutritional information:
  • 80 calories
  • 20g carbs
  • 20g sugars
  • Vegan
  • Gluten-free
Torani Vanilla Syrup

Torani Sugar-Free Vanilla[8]

Ingredients:
  • Purified water
  • Vanilla extract
  • Other natural flavors
  • Potassium sorbate
  • Potassium benzoate
  • Citric acid
  • Xanthan gum
  • Sucralose
  • Acesulfame potassium
Nutritional information:
  • 0 calories
  • 0g carbs
  • 0g sugars

5. Price Range

When it comes to price, Monin syrups tend to be on the higher end of the scale due to their premium ingredients and beautiful bottles.

Torani is often cheaper and offered in a range of glass and plastic bottle sizes. It’s sometimes not a direct comparison because Torani also sells some smaller bottles.

To make it easier, I made a handy comparison table.

Brand

Range

Bottle Size (fl oz)

Price

Monin

Original/ Full Flavor

25.4

$11

Monin

Original/ Full Flavor

33.8

$13-$14

Monin

Sugar-Free

25.4

$12

Monin

Sugar-Free

33.8

$13-14

Monin

Natural Zero

25.4

$12

Monin

Natural Zero

33.8

$14

Monin

Organic

25.4

$13-14

Torani

Original

12.7

$7.99

Torani

Original

25.4

$10.59-$10.99

Torani

Sugar-Free

12.7

$7.99

Torani

Sugar-Free

25.4

$10.59

Torani

Puremade

25.4

$11.99

Torani

Puremade Zero Sugar

12.7

$10.29

Torani

Puremade Zero Sugar

25.4

$13.59

These prices do not include variety packs of syrups, which both brands offer for both the coffee syrups and fruity or seasonal flavors.

6. Consistency

Another key element of the Monin vs Torani debate comes down to consistency. Monin coffee syrup is slightly thicker than Torani’s thin coffee syrups.

Monin is nowhere near as thick as something like honey, but it does mean that you can use less of it to get that same delicious taste.

Torani is on the runny side, but not in a way that is unusual for other brands’ coffee syrups.

This means that it should dissolve easily into any drink you make regardless of temperature. However, you may use more to get the same delicious flavor.

7. Coffee Drinks They Are Best For

Arguably the biggest question in the Monin vs Torani debate comes down to their performance in hot vs cold beverages.

Ideally, your coffee syrup should be able to blend well into either for ultimate flexibility in the kitchen.

As mentioned above, Monin is slightly thicker than Torani. Some may be concerned about how well a thicker coffee syrup can blend into iced drinks.

However, my barista friends who work at various coffee shops that use Monin have confirmed that Monin syrup performs well regardless of whether you put it in hot or cold beverages.

That being said, I tend to prefer using Monin in hot drinks or baked goods. It also works well in cocktails over ice.

Torani's thinner coffee syrups mean that it is easy to blend into any beverage, including one with milk or cream on ice. I prefer Torani in iced drinks like iced coffee or Starbucks frappuccinos.


What Exactly Is Monin Syrup? (Brief History)

Founded in 1912 by Frenchman Georges Monin, Monin was initially started as a cordial brand before making the transition to coffee syrups in 1945.[9]

Monin has been popular with customers around the globe since the 30s and is famous for its unique and natural flavors.

Bottles of Monin Flavored Syrup

What Exactly Is Torani Syrup? (An Overview)

Torani was originally founded by Rinaldo and Ezilda Torre in 1925. They experimented with authentic Italian recipes to create their first official syrups - Anisette, Grenadine, Lemon, Orgeat, and Tamarindo.

Soon enough, they began exporting to San Francisco.

While Torani gained global popularity over the years, it made history in 1982 when it was used in the first ever vanilla latte - thus, flavored coffees were born.[10]

Torani Peanut Butter Syrup And Chocolate Sauce

Which Syrup Do Coffee Shops Use?

Starbucks

Starbucks currently uses its own brand of flavored coffee syrups. Starbucks partnered with Fontana to make these syrups using the Starbucks logo.

You can find flavors like French Vanilla and Sea Salt Caramel in stores like Walmart and Target or online on Amazon.

Dunkin Donuts

Dunkin Donuts currently uses its own brand of coffee syrups to create delicious lattes.

Dunkin' offers two different types of flavoring options; the flavor shot and the flavor swirl. The main difference being that flavor shots are not creamy and can be added to regular coffee. 

Flavor swirls, on the other hand, are meant to be blended with drinks to add creaminess, sweetness, and flavor. 

Dutch Bros

Dutch Bros use Torani coffee syrups in their coffee and hot drinks. Dutch Bros stocks both Torani regular syrups and sugar free options.

Tim Hortons

Tim Hortons have used Torani syrups in the past but currently uses its own brand of coffee syrups like its competitors.

starbucks coffee shop

Torani Vs Monin Vs Davinci: Which Is Best For At-Home?

There are other coffee syrup brands besides Monin and Torani - one of the more popular ones is Da Vinci.[11]

The two main difference factors between Da Vinci and Monin and Torani is that Da Vinci does not just focus on syrups and has a much smaller range.

Your favorite brand of these three will come down to your personal preferences in the flavor department as well as which bottles you can get in your area in your budget.

I recommend experimenting with each one and seeing which taste you like most - no matter what, it will be an excellent choice.


Related Monin Vs Torani Syrup Questions

Do Monin and Torani syrups need to be refrigerated?

Neither Monin nor Torani syrups need to be refrigerated, except for Monin's Desert Pear, which they recommend cooling to keep its color. You should store Torani syrups between 35 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit and Monin at 77 degrees Fahrenheit or less. If you are ever unsure, check the bottle label for more information.

How many pumps of Monin syrup should you use?

How many pumps of Monin syrup you should use will vary depending on the size of your cup, your taste preferences, and the flavor itself. However, 1-3 pumps usually get the job done.

How long do Torani syrups last after opening?

When stored correctly, Torani syrups last for up to four weeks after opening.

Can Monin syrup be used in hot chocolate?

Yes! Monin syrups can be used in hot chocolate - that is one of my favorite ways to use them.

Do Monin and Torani syrups have caffeine?

Most of Monin’s and Torani’s syrups do not have caffeine in them. However, Monin’s espresso and sugarcane cola do have traces of caffeine due to the ingredients in them. If you are ever unsure, double-check the label or contact the brand’s customer service team.


Which Syrup Brand Do You Prefer?

In the Monin vs Torani debate, the champion depends on what you prefer when it comes to flavor and budget.

Both brands have a wide range of options, from white chocolate to coconut and pineapple, but whether you are cutting sugar, prefer natural ingredients, or are on a tight budget affects which is right for you.

Experiment with samples of both flavors to see which coffee syrup is best to enhance that morning caramel latte.

References:

1. https://www.monin.com/us/products/flavored-syrups
2. https://shop.torani.com/collections/originalsyrups
3. https://www.monin.com/us/products/sugar-free-syrups
4. https://shop.torani.com/collections/sugarfreesyrups
5. https://www.monin.com/us/vanilla-syrup
6. https://www.monin.com/us/sugar-free-vanilla-syrup
7. https://shop.torani.com/collections/syrups-vanilla/products/vanilla-syrup
8. https://shop.torani.com/collections/syrups-vanilla/products/sugar-free-vanilla-syrup
9. https://www.monin.com/us/about-us/history
10. https://www.torani.com/our-story
11. https://apmea.davincigourmet.com/products/?c=classic-syrups 

Chloe Page

Chloe Page

A lifelong mocha fan, Chloe is an award-winning writer with over eight years’ experience weaving words. You can typically find Chloe sipping on Bird and Blend tea while scribbling in a notebook.

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