Fan of all things toasty and nutty? Yeah, that’s toffee nut, a sweet little combo of chewy toffee and roasted nuts. So, what makes it such an epic flavor?
This syrup blends 2 cult favorite flavors that couldn’t be more perfect for coffee. If you’re a toffee nut fan like we are, scroll all the way down to see which drinks feature this legendary flavor duo.
Topics Explored
- What is Toffee Nut?
- Taste & Appearance
- Toffee Nut Beverages
- Toffee vs. Caramel vs. Butterscotch
- More Questions
What is Toffee Nut?
Classic toffee is a caramel candy made from sugar, butter, and milk with the addition of nuts (macadamia, hazel, or almond).
Toffee nut, however, is a syrup that’s mixed into drinks for that sweet and toasty flavor. The syrup picks up the best notes on both the toffee and nuts sides for an entirely new flavor of toasted sugar complete with nutty accents.
Toffee’s been around since forever, just like roasted nuts. But toffee nut flavor? That only got big a few years ago. Like everything else these days it started with Starbucks and their holiday drinks
The syrup was an instant hit and it was not long before it was mixed in all kinds of drinks which consequently turned it into a year-round staple.
Does Toffee Nut Have Nuts?
Beware, toffee nut syrup might contain, you guessed it, NUTS! Notably, Monin’s product has macadamia nuts.
There’s some ambiguity with Fontana and Torani though, so consider this your warning. Either way, heed caution when ordering a drink or using the syrup at home and check the label!
What Does Toffee Nut Taste & Look Like?
So what does toffee nut taste like? The flavor melds together caramelized nuts with chewy toffee. It’s a sweet winter flavor, but it’s not overwhelming.
In a nutshell, if you love caramel-flavored coffees and sweetened nuts, you’ll be its biggest fan.
Appearance
The toffee nut syrup is golden-hued and clear. Unlike other syrups, this one is thicker and more viscous. However, it’s not as thick as caramel syrup.
The main ingredient is sugar and water, so it’s a familiar consistency. It doesn’t contribute to the color of the drink, only the flavor.
Taste
The taste is rich with a noticeable buttery and nutty flavor due to the toffee element. It’s a comforting flavor that works ideally in warm beverages.
It’s best to use the toffee nut syrup alone. It can easily get overpowered since it’s not as intense as some other syrups.
Pairings
Toffee and nuts are versatile and work great with a long list of food and drinks.(1) Add the syrup to hot chocolate, mocha, or plain latte. You can mix and match it with other nut syrups.
It works great with fall flavors like apple pie and cinnamon. You can also add it to frozen drinks, even though it’s not the norm.
Toffee Nut Beverages
What does toffee nut taste like in different drinks? Depending on how much coffee, milk, and other ingredients are in your drink, this flavor can be more or less pronounced.
Try some of the flavored drinks below and see which combination is your fave.
1. Toffee Nut Latte
The toffee nut latte is Starbucks’s most popular beverage with the syrup and we can see why.
Two shots of espresso paired with steamed milk and one ounce of toffee nut syrup. It’s just too delicious, especially with whipped cream and nut pieces on top!
2. Toffee Nut White Mocha
The Toffee Nut White Mocha is made up of 1/2 oz of white mocha syrup and 1/2 oz of toffee nut syrup. The two syrups are then shaken up with two shots of espresso, and the cup is filled with steamed milk
If chocolate and caramel are your thing, this blend is what dreams are made of. Add whipped cream and toffee crumbs on top and boom – pure luxury.
3. Salted Caramel Frappuccino
Another popular choice is the iced salted caramel mocha frappuccino! It’s loaded with 2 pumps of toffee nut syrup and 2 pumps of mocha.
As if that’s not enough, it’s finished off with whipped cream, caramel sauce, and sea salt flakes. Taste buds, prepare to be wowed.
4. Caramel Nut Crunch Frappuccino
How about a drink out of the secret menu? Sweet and caramelly is how you can describe the Caramel Nut Crunch Frappuccino.
Ask for vanilla bean frappuccino with 2 pumps of caramel syrup and 2 pumps of toffee nut syrup. Add crunch bits at the bottom. Finish with whipped cream, caramel drizzle, and extra crunchy bits on top.
Toffee vs. Caramel vs. Butterscotch
So what’s the difference between caramel and toffee? Isn’t toffee the same as butterscotch? They’re all made with sugar, water, and butter; but have a different consistency.
The toffee is hard, while the caramel is liquid. Toffee can come with added nuts or chocolate, while butterscotch is chewy and plain.
Caramel
Caramel is made by melting sugar until it liquifies and adding water, butter, or cream. The caramel can be dry or wet, depending on whether you add water.
Caramel is made with white sugar that’s heated up until it reaches 340°F.(2) Optionally you can add vanilla or other flavorings.
Butterscotch
Butterscotch comes close to toffee, but it’s chewier and softer. The butterscotch is made out of brown sugar and butter. Once it has a runny consistency, you can add cream or salt.
Toffee is what happens when you keep on heating the butterscotch. So while the toffee is cooked at 309°F, you shouldn’t heat butterscotch over 289°F.
Final Words
Comforting drinks often come with the best aroma, like a throwback to cozy fireplaces and homemade desserts. Toffee nut is one of the best combinations of flavors ideal throughout fall and winter.
What is toffee nut? A smokey, sweet blend of toffee and roasted nuts. It pairs well with lattes, mochas, hot chocolate, and even frozen blended drinks.
More Questions
Is toffee nut a nut?
No, it is not an actual nut. It’s a flavoring syrup used in beverages, mostly coffees. You can buy it for at-home use.
However, it may contain nuts. Some brands specify which nuts they use in the product. Others use a mimicking aroma and an actual nut. Double-check if you’re allergic to nuts.
What flavor is toffee nut?
Toffee nut is caramel-like, buttery but more smokey, and with solid nut infusion. Think of boosted caramel. The nutty notes can be more robust or milder, depending on whether real nuts are used in the syrup.
Add the syrup to a warm drink as it helps develop the full aroma of the flavor.
Does Starbucks still have toffee nut?
Starbucks has toffee nut syrup. It’s among the many syrups they offer. It pairs well with hot coffees and milk-based drinks. Depending on the season and location, you can have some of their seasonal drinks.
Toffee Nut Latte or Frappuccino are frequently introduced each year, during the fall season.
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