For The Best Homemade S'mores Latte, Avoid This Popular Syrup Brand

A s'more is a beautiful thing — for many, it evokes warm, nostalgic memories of childhood, whilst for others, it represents a perfect amalgamation of chocolate, marshmallow, and graham cracker. Creating a latte that captures the essence of this beloved confection is therefore no easy feat, and if you're going to attempt it, you'll want the best ingredients available. If the best homemade s'mores latte is your goal, there's one popular brand of syrup you should steer clear of — Torani Toasted Marshmallow Syrup.

You may well recognize the Torani brand from your local coffee shop, and it now produces over 150 different flavors. Amidst all those, it was perhaps inevitable that some would be a let-down, as we discovered when one Tasting Table critic ranked five marshmallow-flavored syrups from worst to best, with Torani's offering coming in dead last. According to our tester, the syrup failed several of the tests put to it: "It has an authentic marshmallow smell, but the toasty notes are nowhere to be found."

Our reviewer poured two tablespoons of the syrup into hot, black coffee. While it did provide a subtle vanilla flavor, it failed to recapture the "true toasted marshmallow taste" of a s'more. "It could be a good option for people who only sweeten their coffee with white sugar, since the flavor profile is very similar," our critic added. The vanilla sweetness was also detectable in iced coffee, but the syrup was ultimately still too subtle for its own good.

To get the most out of Torani's Toasted Marshmallow Syrup, our taste tester advised adding 2% milk as a way of boosting the impression of a marshmallow-like texture. However, our reviewer concluded that the adjustment shouldn't be necessary, stating that, "It should be able to stand on its own rather than needing milk to reach its full potential." By contrast, our critic was "wowed" by Monin Toasted Marshmallow Syrup, which won the top spot in our ranking.

Some on social media echoed this appraisal. In a further ranking of Torani's syrups on Reddit, one user commented on the Torani marshmallow syrup: "Gets [completely] lost in hot/cold coffee, but is great for shakes, yogurt, and coco." In another Reddit thread, one commenter sought recommendations for the best marshmallow syrup, complaining: "Torani isn't cutting the mustard anymore." Another Redditor replied, "Ok, so hear me out. The Torani toasted Marshmallow isn't bad, but the Monin one is peak. It's so good."

If you do secure a marshmallow-flavored syrup that lives up to your expectations, why not try adapting our vegan campfire s'mores latte recipe to include it? Whether your latte will stay vegan will depend upon your syrup, but vegan-friendly options are out there. Alternatively, if you're feeling creative, consider these 10 unique ingredients that can elevate homemade lattes.