Monin Syrups--Looking for Alternative Sources

[PayOrPlay]

Monin syrups are a big staple in our house, especially now that PayOrPlay Jr. has given up Nesquik in favor of a simple shot or two of flavoring in his milk.

Torani syrups are easy to find (Smart & Final has a great selection) and much cheaper than Monin, but we've gotten spoiled--as a general rule, the Monin syrups don't have "extra" ingredients you find in the Toranis such as potassium sorbate and sodium benzoate and extra acid and xanthan gum and acesulfame potassium and . . . To our palate the Monin syrups taste better and don't have any artificial stickiness.

We've always bought them at Surfas but lately the supply has been erratic--on each of my last 3 visits they have been out of at least one of the flavors I needed. (Someone recently posted a thread about this as a more general trend at Surfas, but I can't find it--someday, someway we'll get date-ordered searching back, eh?) We are running dangerously low. I have seen limited selection at Bristol Farms, at inflated prices, but I would love to hear if there are any other places where they carry a broad selection at reasonable prices. You can mailorder from Monin but I would presume the shipping charges are not small. Searching the board turned up nothing. Thanks.

[kemi5]

Fry's Electronics carries the best selection of Monin flavors I've seen anywhere. I would say a dozen or more total. My question is, where can you buy the pumps aside from the site? BTW Smart & Final carries Torani pumps & syrups but they don't fit Monin's bottle.t

[yclops]

You may want to give the Zergut brand syrups a whirl. Simply fruit and sugar, nothing else. The sour cherry, black currant and blackberry are excellent (about 7-8 varieties total). Jon's carries some, and Valley Produce has a wide selection. Other Middle Eastern market likely will have them as well.

They're an unbeatable value to boot: ~$3-$4 for a 25 oz bottle.

[bulavinaka]

Marina Farms has at least two dozen flavors of Monin at $8 per, but I don't know how long they've been sitting on the shelves...

[obre]

Sometimes, Market Gourmet in Venice has them, although it's erratic as well.

[Jack Flash]

I know I've seen them around many places; and of course, I can only think of one right at the moment. Monsieur Marcel in Farmer's Market definitely has a selection of Monin syrups.

A quick search on the 'net shows that they're sold at Lollicup stores, which can be found in SoCal.

Also, check out baristaproshop.com

[horker1]

They recently appeared at Homegoods, TJ Maxx, Marshalls and Ross. In the weird food section. It's mainly the DaVinci brand, but the Monin is there too. Some of their products have artifical flavors though, not sure if that's something you're avoiding too.

[mrpullings]

Whole Foods in Glendale has them - hard to find - tucked up on a top shelf near their coffee counter. Not a large selection - smaller bottles in 3-4 flavors.

[liu]

Thanks, mrpullings, for spotting the smaller sized bottles. Their website shows several flavors in the smaller bottles but I have not seen them in my wanderings. Whole Foods is easy enough, but without your direction -- "near the coffee counter" -- I would not have found them.

[liu]

While we're on the subject, I would love to find the Monin syrups in tiny sizes. If anyone has ever seen the smaller bottles, please do tell. I looked on their site and they do make small sizes in select flavors.

[revets2]

i've seen them at WHOLE FOODS.

[Diana]

nope..only torani there, too.

[revets2]

Was just at the WHOLE FOODS at EAST PASADENA and GLENDALE. both have six to seven different flavors of MONIN.

also, NICOLE'S GOURMET in south pas carries.

[thericequeen]

I think Whole Foods carries them - you can also order them directly from Monin's on-line retail store @

http://www.moninstore.com/

[LisaN]

I think I've seen one or two bottles at Whole Foods, but not a big selection.

Frys electronics usually carries them too At least I've seen them at the Burbank store

[OCAnn]

I believe CostPlus carries them.

[LisaN]

I've only seen Torani at Cost Plus

[Diana]

I second the above, only Torani at CP