Gingerbread Syrup is a holiday favorite flavor and a festive addition to coffee, tea, hot chocolate, cocktails and recipes. This easy homemade simple syrup is bursting with the flavorful combination of molasses, brown sugar, vanilla extract and warm spices.
This homemade syrup is an easy and delicious way to get into the holiday spirit and is even better than Starbucks gingerbread syrup
Jump to:
Traditional simple syrup is elevated to holiday status with this coffee shop favorite ingredient.
Homemade gingerbread simple syrup is a fun and flavorful way to infuse your holiday drinks and desserts with a warm, cozy gingerbread flavor and elevate your holiday recipes in the comfort of your own home.
Your kitchen will smell delightful as this syrup simmers and infuses with warm seasonal flavors.
Add it to festive cocktails, your favorite holiday baked goods, or just add a flavorful twist to your morning coffee.
Best of all, this flavored syrup recipe is incredibly simple to make with just a few ingredients you likely already have in your pantry!
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
I love to make several batches of syrup and give it as a holiday foodie gift. It looks so pretty in these decorative bottles for simple syrup tied with a holiday ribbon.
So go ahead and make your own gingerbread simple syrup using brown sugar, molasses, ground ginger, ground cinnamon, and vanilla extract.
With just a few pantry staples, you can create a rich, spiced syrup that adds a festive touch to so many recipes.
Make a batch of this gingerbread syrup recipe and you can skip a trip to the coffee shop and enjoy this popular flavor of the holiday season all month long.
Check out how to make a simple syrup for lots of tips and tricks.
Be sure to visit the Swirls of Flavor Amazon Storefront for GG's personal kitchen recommendations!
Hungry for more? Follow along on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and Twitter for my latest recipes.
How to make a flavored simple syrup
This is a quick overview of how to make this recipe. Scroll down for the full recipe instructions and ingredient amounts in the recipe card below
- Step 1: In a small saucepan, combine the brown sugar, water, molasses, ground ginger, and ground cinnamon. Heat the mixture over medium-high heat until the sugar has dissolved. Once the sugar has dissolved, reduce the heat to low and let the syrup simmer for about 5 minutes.
- Step 2: Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Allow the syrup to cool to room temperature. Pour the syrup into an airtight bottle or mason jar
Hint: Stir the mixture occasionally to ensure that the brown sugar does not stick to the bottom of the saucepot.
Expert recipe tips
- Be sure to check for any signs of separation after storing the syrup. This can happen with homemade syrups. Just shake or stir the syrup before each use.
- The balance of ginger and cinnamon is an important part of the flavor profile of your gingerbread syrup. You can always adjust the spices to your personal taste. If you prefer a spicier syrup, add more ginger or even a pinch of ground cloves.
- Once the sugar has dissolved it is important to let the syrup simmer gently. A gentle simmer allows the flavors to meld together and ensures that the spices and molasses fully infuse the syrup without burning.
- This syrup should be thick but still pourable. If you want it to be thicker, increase the cooking time slightly to let more water evaporate.
- Adding vanilla extract at the end enhances the richness and depth of flavor of the syrup, providing a full, rounded flavor that complements the warm spices.
- Add a couple of whole cloves for additional flavor. Just be sure to use put the mixture through fine mesh strainer to remove the cloves before transferring the syrup to a jar.
- Love a hint of citrus? Add a slice of orange zest when simmering the syrup. Be sure there is no white pith on the zest. That will add a bitter note. Also, you will need to remove the zest before storing your syrup.
Substitutions
- Sugar - If you don’t have brown sugar on hand, you can substitute it with regular white sugar, although brown sugar gives it a deeper, richer flavor. You could also use maple sugar or coconut sugar for a different twist.
- Brown sugar - You can use either dark brown sugar or light brown sugar when making this syrup. Dark brown sugar will give you a slightly deeper, richer flavor though.
- Molasses - Molasses is essential for that gingerbread taste, but if you're out of it, you can try dark corn syrup or maple syrup as alternatives. The flavor will be a bit different, but still delicious.
- Spices - If you’re missing cinnamon or ginger, you can substitute ground pumpkin pie spice or allspice for a more complex flavor. Just be sure to adjust the amounts according to your taste
- Ginger - You can substitute a few small pieces of fresh ginger for the ground ginger, however, you will have to put the mixture through a strainer to remove it after you are done cooking the syrup.
- Vanilla Extract - If you don’t have vanilla extract, you could experiment with almond extract for a slightly different flavor, though it will definitely change the profile of the syrup.
Equipment
- Saucepot
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
- Glass measuring cup
- Mason jar
Storage
- Gingerbread simple syrup is easy to store and will last for about 2-3 weeks when kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- You can also freeze the simple syrup in ice cube trays for portioned servings. Just pop out a cube whenever you crave some gingerbread deliciousness!
- As always, I find it helpful to visit the FDA website for food storage guidelines
Can you freeze simple syrup?
- Yes, you can easily freeze a simple syrup and have it on hand whenever you need some.
- I recommend freezing it in silicone ice cube trays with tops for easy removal.
- Frozen simple syrup will last in the freezer for up to 3 months
How to Use Gingerbread Simple Syrup
- Coffee & Tea - Add a splash to your morning cup of coffee or tea to create a gingerbread-flavored latte or spiced chai. Flavor cold cream with gingerbread syrup and top your coffee for a holiday treat. Gingerbread coffee syrup will quickly become a favorite!
- Cocktails - Use gingerbread syrup in your holiday cocktails such as a flavored eggnog, gingerbread martini, or in place of sugar in a whiskey sour for a holiday twist.
- Baking – This homemade syrup can be used as a glaze for cakes, muffins and gingerbread cookies.
- Breakfast - Drizzle gingerbread syrup over pancakes, waffles, or even oatmeal.
- Desserts – Drizzle over vanilla ice cream or yogurt for a sweet, spiced topping. You can even use it to sweeten fruit salads or roasted fruit.
- Non-Alcoholic Drinks - Add gingerbread syrup to sparkling water or club soda for a gingerbread soda, or stir some into hot apple cider for a cozy, spiced drink.
Ingredients
You will need these simple ingredients for a homemade gingerbread syrup recipe:
- brown sugar
- water
- molasses
- ground ginger
- ground cinnamon
- vanilla extract
Easy flavored simple syrup recipes
I'm sure you'll enjoy these easy syrup recipes too!
Gingerbread Syrup Recipe
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Ingredients
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 cup water
- 2 Tablespoons molasses
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
I earn a commission from Instacart from qualifying purchases.
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, combine the brown sugar, water, molasses, ground ginger, and ground cinnamon.
- Heat over medium-high heat until the sugar has dissolved and the syrup is smooth, stirring occasionally to ensure that the brown sugar does not stick to the bottom of the saucepot.
- Once the sugar has dissolved, reduce the heat to low and let the syrup simmer for about 5 minutes. This will help the spices and molasses infuse into the syrup, giving it that signature gingerbread flavor.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Allow the syrup to cool to room temperature.
- Pour the syrup into an airtight bottle or mason jar and store in the refrigerator. The homemade syrup will stay fresh for about 2-3 weeks.
Thanks for stopping by. Leave a tip or comment...