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How to Sweeten Coffee Without Sugar

Coffee is enjoyed by millions of people but not everyone enjoys the bitter natural taste when it comes to their morning brew; That’s why we are going to explore how to sweeten coffee without sugar. 

Many opt for milk-based coffees such as the latte and cappuccino, where the coffee flavor is suppressed enough for them to enjoy the drink.

It doesn’t stop there though, some coffee drinkers need their brew to be sweet and start adding syrups and sugars – which isn’t very healthy.

For us, black coffee is the only true way to appreciate the coffee taste, but we understand why it’s not for everyone. Unfortunately, if you have 2-6 cups a day and add 2-4 sugars or syrup into every drink, you are increasing your calorie intake and unhealthy sugar intake.

This can lead to a variety of health and dental problems; something that a small change in coffee sweetener can fix. Here’s a quick overview of sweetener options for coffee:

  • Honey
  • Cinnamon
  • Maple Syrup
  • Molasses
  • Coconut Sugar
  • Vanilla Extract
  • Stevia
  • Mint
  • Nut Milk
  • Salt
  • Agave
  • Beet Sugar
  • Butter
  • Alcohol

We have included a number of different ways to sweeten coffee without sugar in this list, some are healthy, and some are just different!

Related article: Best low acid coffee.

 Popular Sugar Alternatives for Coffee

1. Honey

Honey is the most popular type of food in the world. It has been eaten since ancient times and it is still used in many traditional remedies. In recent years, honey is known to be a natural sweetener and has been found to have more health benefits than white sugar.

Honey is a great source of antioxidants and minerals such as calcium, iron, and manganese. It also contains many vitamins such as B-complex vitamin, vitamin C, and niacin.

Honey also contains antibacterial properties that can help fight off infections in the body and prevent them from spreading to other parts of the body.

Some of the health benefits of honey include:

  • It lowers blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
  • It helps with digestion by increasing bile production.
  • It helps with weight management by increasing satiety.

2. Cinnamon

Cinnamon is a spice native to Eastern Asia. Many people have embraced it as being healthy, and it has been used in traditional medicine to treat ailments such as diabetes and arthritis.

There are many health benefits attributed to cinnamon, especially those related to sugar alternatives such as coffee.

It has been shown to have health benefits such as lowering blood sugar, reducing inflammation, and reducing cholesterol levels. The health benefits of cinnamon for coffee include:

  • It helps prevent cancer, diabetes, and heart disease.
  • It increases metabolism and helps boost brain function.
  • It helps improve digestion and immunity.

3. Maple Syrup

Maple syrup is a type of tree sap that comes from the maple tree. The sap is collected by cutting the trees and then boiled down to create maple syrup. It is a natural sweetener with a rich, robust flavor that is made from the sap of maple trees.

It has been used in cooking since the early 1600s and it was considered sacred among Native Americans.

Maple syrup has been shown to have many health benefits over other sugars such as sugar, honey, and agave nectar.

Maple syrup contains antioxidants that help prevent chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. It also contains high levels of minerals like calcium, and zinc which are essential for healthy bones and teeth.

It can also help with diabetes because it contains high levels of manganese and zinc which are minerals that are responsible for regulating blood sugar levels in the body.


4. Molasses

Molasses is a thick, brown syrup made from the juice of sugarcane or sugar beet that is boiled down to create a viscous liquid.

Molasses was first produced in ancient times from sap extracted from sugarcane plants. The word “molasses” is derived from the Portuguese word “molasse,” which means syrup or treacle.

Molasses’ benefits include its sweetness and ability to thicken foods and sauces. It also has health benefits such as being good for digestion and cardiovascular health.

These are the reasons why people are switching to molasses as their sweetener alternative. Molasses also contains minerals and vitamins like iron, calcium, magnesium, potassium, zinc, and thiamine.


5. Coconut Sugar

Another healthy sugar alternative is coconut sugar because it doesn’t contain any additives, preservatives, or chemicals.

Coconut sugar has been around for centuries and was used by many cultures as a sweetener. It was also used as an ingredient in traditional medicines and as an alternative to honey, maple syrup, or corn syrup.

It is made from the sap of coconut tree blossoms and has a lower GI than other types of sugars. It has a strong taste that can be used in various cooking applications such as baking or desserts.

Coconut sugar is also rich in minerals and vitamins, including potassium and iron. It also contains plenty of antioxidants to help protect against free radicals caused by oxidative stress. It is low on the glycemic index, which means that it won’t spike your blood sugar levels like most other sugars would do.


6. Vanilla Extract

Vanilla extract is another popular sugar alternative for coffee. It has health benefits such as reducing the risk of heart disease and diabetes.

Vanilla extract also tastes better than sugar and doesn’t leave that sticky aftertaste that sugar leaves behind.

Vanilla extract is also an excellent source of antioxidants and health benefits. Its health benefits include improving mood, and energy, and preventing blood clots. It can also reduce the risk of heart disease and diabetes.

The health benefits of vanilla extract for coffee include:

  • It has antioxidant properties that help fight off free radicals in the body that cause aging and disease.
  • It helps prevent blood clots by thinning the blood and lowering cholesterol levels in the body.
  • It helps boost moods by increasing serotonin levels in the brain.

7. Stevia

Stevia is a natural sweetener that comes from the leaves of a plant native to Paraguay. It has been used for centuries in South America, where it is known as “Sweet Leaf”. Stevia is known to be sweeter and healthier than sugar as it doesn’t have any calories.

The most popular use of Stevia is in low-carb or sugar-free products such as diet drinks, protein bars, and low-calorie foods like yogurt and granola bars.

The benefits of swapping your sugar for stevia include:

  • It reduces the risk of diabetes.
  • It helps lower blood pressure.
  • It helps improve blood glucose levels and cholesterol levels.

8. Mint

This might seem like a strange one, but mint is actually a common addition to tea and coffee. You can either use mint leaves and add them to your coffee or use extract.

Either one will add a natural sweetness to your morning brew. It is worth noting though, that you will be adding the taste of mint to your drink and it could alter the coffee taste more than you expect.

Benefits of mint:

  • Improves digestion
  • Helps with stomach issues
  • Packed full of nutrients
  • Good for a cold

9. Nut or Plant-Based Milk

If you are wondering how to sweeten coffee without sugar and want to add milk, then nut or plant-based milk is the way to go. Just a little touch of Almond milk or Coconut milk can add some extra sweetness to your coffee.

Adding milk will create a different texture and flavor entirely, some might surprise you! Nut milk is rich in vitamins and contains natural sugars. You can also check out the best milk alternatives for coffee.


10. Salt

We know what you’re thinking… salt isn’t exactly everyone’s go-to coffee sweetener. However, don’t knock it until you’ve tried it, adding some salt to your coffee can remove the bitter taste you get and actually prevent you from having to add any sugar.

Be careful not to add too much salt though as it’s unhealthy and won’t taste good. There is wide debate as to whether salt is healthy or unhealthy.


11. Agave

Coming from the cactus family, you can use Agave syrup or extract to add a sweet touch to your coffee. There are various options available including sweetened and unsweetened, that will give you varied tastes for your coffee.

It has a strong flavor and can really make a difference in reducing the bitterness of your brew, not to mention that it’s healthier than coffee.

Agave comes with numerous suggested health benefits including it being good for controlling blood sugar levels, helping metabolism, and can even help to reduce depression. 


12. Beet Sugar

Beet sugar comes from the sugar beet plant and is used in the process of creating molasses. It’s not the most common way to sweeten your coffee, but it certainly makes a difference in taste.

We recommend only using a small amount of beet sugar at the start and adding little bits until you reach the flavor you want.


13. Butter

Not the healthiest option, but adding a small slab of butter to your brew can give an extra boost in sweetness. Not only that, but it will also create a creamy texture and give the brew a fuller body. 


14. Alcohol

There’s a reason why Irish coffee and Bailey’s coffee are popular… if it’s the weekend and you have nowhere to go, add a little alcohol to your brew and notice how the taste changes.

Depending on the alcohol you add, it can sweeten the coffee or simply remove the bitterness. This is only recommended for a one-off treat rather than 5-6 cups a day!


The Final Sip

When you think about how to sweeten coffee without sugar, there are actually many different options to choose from; most of which you will have in your home already. Our favorite is coconut sugar, but with many to choose from, you will surely find your own favorite. 

Do you have any coffee sugar alternatives to share? Let us know in the comments.

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