The Best Maple Syrups In 2023

Maple syrup usually brings to mind pancakes, waffles, and French toast, but the golden elixir is surprisingly versatile. It can be used as a natural sweetener in your coffee, in glazes and sauces, or drizzled over scoops of ice cream. It's also often used as a sweetener and flavor enhancer in cocktails and mocktails.

Maple syrup is made by collecting sap from maple trees and boiling it to remove excess water. Remarkably, it takes around 40 gallons of sap to produce a single gallon of maple syrup (via PennState Extension). While the province of Quebec in Canada is the world's leading producer of maple syrup, nationwide the honors go to Vermont, which produced over 2 million gallons of the sweetener in 2022, according to Vermont's Agency of Agriculture Food and Markets.

Maple syrup comes in different grades and has traditionally been classified into two categories: Grade A Amber and Grade B Dark. This changed in 2015 when the U.S. Department of Agriculture updated the country's grading system. Today, Grade A maple syrup is officially divided into four groups: golden (delicate), amber (rich), dark (robust), and very dark (strong). Syrup that doesn't fit into these parameters is either considered to be of processing grade or substandard. It's important to note, however, that not all producers utilize the new labeling system (via Consumer Reports).

While this may come as a surprise to some, not all maple syrup is created equal. The natural sweetener comes with different flavor profiles depending on when the sap is harvested. As a rule of thumb, the later the sap is harvested, the darker and more robust the final product, as Maple from Canada explains. The lighter variety is usually the type drizzled over pancakes and desserts, while darker maple syrup tends to be used in baking and as an ingredient in sauces and salad dressings.

To help you pick the right maple syrup, we scoured the internet for the top products on the market. We also read hundreds of professional and personal reviews to get more information about each syrup's flavor profile. When looking at the various maple syrups, we took into account the two main characteristics of flavor and color to make our final selection.

Ready to give your taste buds a workout? Check out our list of the best maple syrups in 2023.

Harvested from Vermont maple trees, Butternut Mountain Farm's pure Vermont maple syrup is one of the best sweeteners the U.S. has to offer. The Grade A Amber Color means the syrup has a rich taste with lingering mild toasty notes. As per Chef Tariq, amber maple syrup spends a bit more time in the tree, resulting in a caramelized flavor.

One of the largest manufacturers of maple syrup in America, Butternut Mountain Farm is a family-run operation that has been involved in the maple industry since the 1940s. Today, the brand controls 600 acres of sustainable forest and works with more than 350 farmers to deliver products to thousands of maple syrup enthusiasts.

Standing testament to its high quality, this pure Vermont maple syrup has received a stellar rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars from over 16,000 Amazon customers. One Amazon shopper proclaims that this syrup "is as good as it gets," adding, "I use it to make my latte in the mornings instead of honey. It's also a crowd pleaser on pancakes."

At the time of this writing, you can purchase Butternut Mountain Farm pure Vermont maple syrup from Amazon starting at $18.29 for a 32-ounce bottle.

Although the Maple Grove Farms organic pure maple syrup may not be the best value per ounce, it's perfect for anyone looking for a small format at a low cost. The 8.5-ounce bottle holds around four servings of Grade A Amber Color maple syrup. Unlike similar products, the Maple Grove Farms organic pure maple syrup comes in a glass bottle.

The Maple Grove Farms story began way back in 1915 with maple candy. While the Vermont-based brand is currently best known for its maple syrup, it also offers a range of other products including flavored syrups, baking mixes, and salad dressings.

According to Tom's Diet Quest, Maple Grove Farms' syrup has a stronger taste than most other maple syrups — in fact, the writer says that he initially confused it with a Grade B Dark typ, which is known for its robust flavor. However, Amazon shoppers seem split about the syrup's so-called robustness. For example, while one reviewer comments, "This maple syrup is excellent. It has a nice rich smoky maple-y flavor, just the way real maple syrup should be," another Amazon customer proclaims that the syrup is thin and lacks maple flavor.

At the time of this writing, you can purchase the Maple Grove Farms organic pure maple syrup from Amazon starting at $7.84 for an 8.5-ounce bottle.

Pappy Van Winkle is best known for its exceptional bourbon, but its maple syrup is nothing to sneeze at either. The Pappy Van Winkle barrel-aged pure maple syrup definitely stands out from the pack, not only due to its pedigree. Just like its name suggests, the sweetener is aged in one to two-decade-old Pappy Van Winkle bourbon barrels. According to the company's website, this gives the syrup a "unique depth of flavor with rich bourbon-like notes of vanilla, caramel, butter, and oak."

As a winner of the 2020 Good Food Award, Pappy Van Winkle barrel-aged pure maple syrup has received its fair share of praise from both professional and amateur critics. Chef and television celebrity Tyler Florence calls the golden elixir "the best maple syrup I've tasted in a long time." The syrup has also received top marks from Huckberry shoppers, with one reviewer raving, "Delicious, smooth and the whiskey tones were amazing. We had a homemade pancake dinner as soon as we received it. Finished it all in one night!"

At the time of this writing, you can purchase the Pappy Van Winkle barrel-aged pure maple syrup from the brand's website starting at $38 for a 12.7-ounce bottle.

The perfect purchase for an indecisive maple syrup enthusiast or as a gift, Runamok's pantry favorites pairing collection is made up of four 2-ounce bottles of the sweet elixir. The beautifully packaged set consists of ginger root infused, sugarmaker's cut, bourbon barrel aged, and cinnamon vanilla infused maple syrups. All the varieties are GMO, gluten, and preservative-free, and have been certified as organic by Vermont Organic Farmers.

Runamok's pantry favorites pairing collection has received positive reviews from Amazon customers, who have awarded the product 4.6 out of 5 stars. According to one Amazon shopper, the pack is "a fun set to explore flavor profiles with your food and drinks." Meanwhile, another Amazon reviewer writes, "Just the right-sized for a pancake tasting party. We'll be ordering full size bottles of our favorites!"

At the time of this writing, you can purchase the Runamok pantry favorites pairing collection on Amazon starting at $23.95 for four 2-ounce bottles.

An ideal addition to pancakes, ice cream, and even cocktails, Bushwick Kitchen's Trees Knees coffee maple syrup pairs two breakfast favorites: maple syrup and coffee. More specifically, Grade A maple syrup from the Catskill Mountains Sugar House and Stumptown Coffee Roasters' Hair Bender beans. The result is complex with hints of cherry, dark chocolate, toffee, and fudge.

Trees Knees coffee maple syrup has received over 700 reviews on Amazon, with an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars. Shoppers are generally very pleased with the product. "Great taste. Hard to use sparingly," writes one reviewer. "You will love the flavor [...] pure maple with a little kick to make it enjoyable," another consumer comments. On the downside, some Amazon shoppers have complained about the size of the bottles. One customer writes, "It's very good syrup with a nice variation from the normal maple flavor ... a little pricey for this small container but very good!"

At the time of this writing, you can purchase Bushwick Kitchen's Trees Knees coffee maple syrup from Amazon starting at $13.99 for an 11.5-ounce bottle.

Maple syrup contains beneficial minerals such as zinc, calcium, and iron, but it also comes with plenty of sugar. In fact, 2.7 ounces of maple syrup contain approximately 60 grams of sugar, as per Healthline. That's a lot, considering that the American Heart Association advises limiting added sugars to no more than 10% of your daily calorie intake (around 50 grams). More conservative recommendations fall around 24 to 36 grams of sugar (via Harvard Health).

Livlo sugar free syrup is a sugar-free product that's suitable for maple lovers on a keto diet. Rather than being pure maple syrup, it mimics the flavor of the original product with natural maple flavor and allulose. Allulose is a natural sweeter that doesn't increase glucose levels since it doesn't metabolize the same way as sugar. As a result, Livlo's syrup contains just one gram of net carbs.

The sugar free syrup measures up pretty well with consumers, receiving 9.5 out of 10 stars on Best Views Reviews. While it hasn't done quite as well with Amazon shoppers, the syrup has still received a 4.3 out of 5-star rating, indicating a general level of satisfaction. The consensus on Amazon seems to be that while the syrup is tasty, it's also on the watery side.

At the time of this writing, you can purchase the Livlo sugar free syrup from Amazon starting at $9.97 for an 8-ounce bottle.

Advertised as perfect for maple syrup purists, the Runamok Maple Sugarmaker's Cut is one of the brand's top offerings. The Grade A Amber Color organic syrup is GMO and gluten-free and contains no added preservatives. It's also the sweetest of Runamok products, as per the Tailgating Challenge. If you're looking to infuse sweetness and flavor with just a splash of maple syrup, this is a great option.

Runamok's Maple Sugarmaker's Cut has received glowing reviews from Amazon shoppers who have awarded it an average of 4.8 out of 5 stars. One Amazon customer says they have never tasted anything this good in 80 years, adding, "I like that it has a low glycemic index and so it's very healthy for [those with] a sweet tooth. But what blew me away was the unbelievable flavor and ultimate sweetness. It certainly isn't watered down. A single TEAspoon (not tablespoon) adds a wonderful sweetness to my morning latte." 

At the time of this writing, you can purchase the Runamok Maple Sugarmaker's Cut from Amazon starting at $20.95 for a 12.7-ounce bottle.

Named after its region of production in Quebec, Escuminac's extra rare maple syrup is made from sap collected during the first week of harvest. The single-origin syrup comes from one forest and features a velvety texture and notes of caramel, honeysuckle, and cinnamon.

Standing testament to its taste and quality, Escuminac's extra rare maple syrup has received 4.7 out of 5 stars from more than 2,800 Amazon shoppers. Although some reviewers complain that the syrup is rather expensive, many add that it's definitely worth its hefty price tag. One Amazon customer waxes lyrical about it: "Eating this syrup is a ride on a rollercoaster of guilt and pleasure as this delicious syrup is poured over cheap machine made waffles from the freezer section of your local store. The life changing taste and consistency, forever changing your palate." It seems that for the customers who love it, this product is much more than just maple syrup. 

At the time of this writing, you can purchase Escuminac extra rare maple syrup from Amazon starting at $23.95 for a 16.9-ounce bottle.

If you like your maple syrup on the flavorful side, Barred Woods' pure organic Vermont maple syrup is a great option. Ideal for cooking and baking, the robust syrup is processed in small batches to ensure attention to detail. Bearing the classification of Grade A Dark Color, the syrup is packaged in a BPA-free plastic jug.

The Barred Woods pure organic Vermont maple syrup has received 4.7 out of 5 stars from around 800 Amazon shoppers. While many reviewers have praised the syrup for its taste, some have mentioned that the product isn't consistent from year to year. One Amazon customer sums this up, saying, "I have to say this dark robust maple syrup is out of this world. Last year's batch was much thicker than the container we purchased this year, not sure why, but the flavor was still very much there and I look forward to ordering again next year." Considering the product is made from sap with conditions that vary yearly, some fluctuation is understandable.

At the time of this writing, you can purchase Barred Woods' pure organic Vermont maple syrup from Amazon starting at $22.95 for a 32-ounce bottle.

Crafted to elevate the taste of cocktails and mocktails, Runamok's maple cocktail syrup contains organic pecan wood smoked maple syrup, cherry juice, and spices. To make an Old Fashioned, simply combine one part Runamok smoked maple fashioned cocktail syrup, four or five parts whiskey, and ice. Of course, you can also get creative and add this natural sweetener to a range of other boozy concoctions. For a refreshing, alcohol-free drink, simply blend the maple syrup with sparkling water.

Runamok's smoked maple fashioned cocktail syrup has been awarded 4.6 out of 5 stars by Amazon shoppers, with 75% of reviews giving the product a glowing 5 out of 5 stars. One reviewer praises the syrup, saying, "I love trying different spins on Old Fashioned. This is a good product. I felt that the maple taste was subtle but very good." On the downside, some Amazon customers have found the syrup overly smoky, with one reviewer commenting, "This syrup is good but the smoke smell and flavor is way too overpowering. [...] If it were toned down a little bit I think this would be amazing." If you're a fan of smoky flavors, this maple cocktail syrup is a winner.

At the time of this writing, you can purchase Runamok's maple cocktail syrup on Amazon starting at $24.99 for an 8.45-ounce bottle.