Things just got a little more real at Caribou Coffee. The premium coffeehouse is strengthening their commitment to superior taste and quality ingredients by using less artificial flavorings in existing and new menu items throughout the year. Real vanilla syrup will kick off Caribou's clean label beverage platform with plans to convert all syrups to the clean label standard by the end of 2016. Real vanilla is made with only four ingredients: pure cane sugar, water, natural vanilla flavor, and Madagascar vanilla beans extract.

"The superior flavor of our real vanilla comes from two important ingredients: Pure Cane Sugar and Madagascar vanilla beans. Due to their flavor and aromatic qualities, these beans are the most popular and sought after vanilla variety," says David Marshall, Caribou Coffee's lead culinary chef. "The simplicity of our new real vanilla not only makes it a great addition to any beverage, but allows us to create a few new, delicious limited time offers that really accentuate the simple, real vanilla taste."

"Caribou Coffee has always focused on superior taste and ingredients, and this year we are taking it to the next level by upgrading many of our ingredients and striving to use clean label ingredients whenever possible," says CMO Michele Vig. "We have always used real chocolate in our hand-crafted beverages and we know our consumers love the taste. Clean label offerings are increasingly important to our consumers and meet the taste standards we set for ourselves as a premier coffee brand."

Available until the end of February, guests can enjoy a Vanilla Latte, a Salted Vanilla Latte, featuring Caribou's signature salt/sugar blend, or a Vanilla Crème Cappuccino, featuring milk and cream steamed together and added to espresso and real vanilla before being topped with a layer of foam. Rounding out the limited time offers is the Vanilla Pear Muffin, which is loaded with real vanilla and diced pears.

Though the limited time offers will end, Caribou's real vanilla syrup is here to stay. The real vanilla can be added to any beverage on the menu for a simple and delicious flavor addition.

Real caramel sauce will also be joining the menu permanently in March followed by other clean label syrups. Guests will be able to celebrate the new caramel addition with a Caramel High Rise, Caramel Budino, Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate, and a caramel toffee scone.