Monin Syrup Guide – Best Flavours for Coffee, Cocktails and Soda

Monin offers so many syrup flavours that choosing can become harder than finding uses for them. Vanilla, caramel and hazelnut are obvious coffee classics, while passion fruit, elderflower, ginger and cucumber open very different possibilities in cocktails, mocktails and sodas.

This Monin syrup guide helps you choose by what you actually want to make: coffee, cocktails, alcohol-free drinks or homemade soda.

You can also browse our full Monin syrup range.

Which Monin syrup should you choose?

You do not need 30 bottles from day one. Four to six well-chosen flavours can cover a surprisingly broad menu.

Best Monin syrups for coffee

Vanilla

Monin Vanilla Syrup is extremely versatile in latte, cappuccino, iced coffee, cold brew and hot chocolate.

Caramel

Monin Caramel Syrup adds a more obvious dessert character to milk-based coffee and iced coffee.

Hazelnut

Monin Hazelnut Syrup works naturally with roasted and nutty coffee notes.

Salted caramel

Monin Salted Caramel combines sweetness with a contrasting salty note.

More café flavours

For specials and seasonal drinks, try White Chocolate, Toffee Nut or Pumpkin Spice.

Browse all coffee syrups.

How much syrup should you use in coffee?

Try around 10 ml in a smaller coffee as a starting point and adjust for cup size, coffee and milk. A Monin syrup pump makes consistent dosing easier in cafés and bars.

Best Monin syrups for cocktails

Flavoured syrup adds both sweetness and flavour, so reduce other sugar syrup when needed.

Passion fruit

Monin Passion Fruit Syrup works well in tropical cocktails and mocktails when you want flavour without the thicker texture of purée.

Elderflower

Monin Elderflower pairs with gin, vodka, citrus, sparkling wine and soda.

Ginger

Monin Ginger is useful with rum, whisky, tequila and citrus.

Cucumber

Monin Cucumber creates a fresh profile in gin, vodka and tequila drinks.

Mojito Mint

Monin Mojito Mint makes it easy to add a clear mint note to Mojito-style cocktails and mocktails.

Grenadine

Monin Grenadine contributes colour, sweetness and fruit character. You can also read our guide to what grenadine is.

Monin for soda and lemonade

Syrup + ice + sparkling water is one of the easiest homemade sodas. Good flavours include peach, strawberry, watermelon, blood orange and raspberry.

Monin Cloudy Lemonade Base is an easy dedicated lemonade base.

How much Monin for soda?

Start around 15–20 ml syrup in a 200–300 ml finished drink and adjust. Fresh lemon or lime often helps balance sweeter flavours.

Monin syrup or Monin purée?

Syrup is thinner, dissolves quickly and contributes flavour plus sweetness. Purée is thicker and adds more fruit character and texture.

Compare Passion Fruit Syrup with Passion Fruit Purée.

Read our full syrup vs purée guide.

Sugar-free Monin syrup

BarGear also carries sugar-free syrups, including vanilla, caramel and hazelnut options. Flavour and intensity may differ slightly from standard versions, so adjust dosing.

Monin in Espresso Martini

Vanilla, caramel, salted caramel and hazelnut are strong directions for Espresso Martini variations. Remember that flavoured syrup also sweetens the drink.

See our guide: How to Make the Perfect Espresso Martini.

Can Monin be used in mocktails?

Yes. Syrup combined with citrus, soda, tonic, tea or juice is a useful alcohol-free foundation. Passion fruit, elderflower, raspberry, peach, cucumber and ginger are particularly versatile.

Simple Monin soda

1. Fill a highball glass with ice.
2. Add 15–20 ml syrup as a starting point.
3. Add lemon or lime if desired.
4. Top with sparkling water.
5. Stir briefly and taste.

Browse our highball and long drink glasses.

Choosing Monin for a café

Start with vanilla, caramel, hazelnut, salted caramel, a seasonal flavour such as Pumpkin Spice and perhaps one sugar-free option. Expand according to actual sales.

Choosing Monin for a bar

Choose around your cocktail menu. Cane sugar, passion fruit, elderflower, ginger, cucumber and grenadine make a broad starter selection.

Storage

Always follow the directions on the specific bottle. Keep bottle necks and pumps clean and avoid introducing water or other ingredients. In professional service, date opened bottles according to your food-safety procedures.

Find Monin at BarGear

See all Monin syrups →

For thicker fruit-driven drinks, also browse Monin Pure.

Frequently asked questions

Which Monin syrup is best for coffee?

Vanilla, caramel, hazelnut and salted caramel are excellent starter options.

Which Monin syrup is best for cocktails?

Passion fruit, elderflower, ginger, cucumber and grenadine are very versatile.

How much Monin should you use?

Start low and adjust. Around 10 ml in a smaller coffee or 15–20 ml in a longer soda are useful starting points.

Can Monin be mixed with sparkling water?

Yes. Syrup, sparkling water, ice and optional citrus make a simple homemade soda.

What is the difference between syrup and purée?

Syrup is thinner and provides sweetness plus flavour. Purée is thicker and adds more fruit and texture.