How to make simple syrup

Learn how to make a simple syrup with just two ingredients, ways to add flavor to your simple syrup, how to store the syrup and more!

Simple syrup will elevate your recipes and add sweetness to your drinks and cocktails.

Jump to:

• Basic Simple Syrup Recipe
• What is simple syrup?
• How do you make simple syrup?
• How long does simple syrup last?
• What is the formula for simple syrup?
• Expert recipe tips
• Variations
• Equipment
• Storage
• Ways to use simple syrup
• Easy Simple Syrup Recipes
• Cocktails and drinks with simple syrup
• Ingredients
• How to Make Simple Syrup

Basic Simple Syrup Recipe

It really couldn't be any easier to make a simple syrup. 

Making your own simple syrup is quick and easy.

With just two ingredients, water and sugar, you will have a homemade sweet syrup that comes together in just minutes on your stovetop.

A liquid sweetener dissolves easily in drinks and recipes.

Coffee shops use simple syrups when making specialty drinks precisely for this reason.

A regular simple syrup is made with granulated sugar but you can use light brown or dark brown sugar to make a rich simple syrup.

Play around with using different sugars and find a personal favorite.

Sugar and sweetener choices can include maple syrup, demerara sugar, agave nectar and superfine sugar.

Love honey? Use honey to make honey syrup for added flavor and sweetness.

You can also infuse your own sweet syrup and add a savory note with fresh herbs, such as thyme, rosemary and mint leaves.

Add a cinnamon stick for a hint of cinnamon spice flavor which would be delicious in tea and cocktails.

The beauty of simple syrup is that it takes just minutes to make and you can flavor it in so many different ways too!

Scroll down for a few flavored simple syrup recipes you'll also want to make!

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What is simple syrup?

Simple syrup is a liquid sweetener made by dissolving sugar in water.

How do you make simple syrup?

Scroll down for the full recipe with ingredient amounts and directions.

• To make a basic simple syrup recipe, combine equal parts water and granulated sugar in a saucepot over medium heat.

• Heat the mixture until the sugar has dissolved completely.

• Cool the simple syrup to room temperature and then transfer it to an airtight container, such as a mason jar, and refrigerate for up to one month.

How long does simple syrup last?

Once the simple syrup has cooled to room temperature, transfer it to an airtight container.

Store your simple syrup in the refrigerator and it will last for about one month.

What is the formula for simple syrup?

The basic ratio for making simple syrup is a 1:1 ratio of water to granulated white sugar.

However, you can change the ratio of sugar to water to make a thicker syrup by using more sugar than water.

Variations

There are also many ways to flavor your simple syrup by adding another ingredient such as:

• Whole spices - add a whole spice, such as cinnamon sticks, vanilla beans, star anise, and let it simmer in the syrup 
• Fresh herbs - add sprigs of fresh herbs, such as thyme, rosemary or mint, to the syrup as it cools
• Citrus peel - add the peel from oranges, lemons or limes to make a citrus simple syrup
• Edible flowers - add sprigs of sturdy edible flowers, such as lavender, hibiscus and rose, to the syrup as it cools
• Fresh fruits - add fresh fruits, such as strawberries, blueberries or pineapple, and let it simmer in the syrup
• Ginger - add slices of fresh ginger to the syrup as it simmers for ginger syrup
• Tea - steep your favorite tea bags in the simple syrup

Storage

• Store cooled simple syrup in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
• You can store simple syrup at room temperature but it will last longer when refrigerated.
• I like to store the syrup in a mason jar , pretty glass dispenser or a squeeze bottle with a cap.
• You can also pour the simple syrup into ice cube trays and freeze for an easy way to use smaller portions of the sweetener.

Ways to use simple syrup

There are many different ways to use a simple syrup. Here are a few ideas:

• Sweeten cold beverages such as iced tea, lemonade and iced coffee
• Sweeten hot drinks such as hot tea, hot chocolate and hot coffee
• Add to your favorite cold brew drink
• Sweeten and flavor cocktails, such as whiskey sours 
• Sweeten a sorbet
• Keep cakes moist and brush on pound cake or cake layers

Easy Simple Syrup Recipes

• Honey syrup
• Brown sugar syrup
• Strawberry syrup
• Lemon syrup
• Blueberry simple syrup
• Ginger syrup
• Gingerbread Syrup

Cocktails and drinks with simple syrup

• Blueberry Vodka Lemonade
• Strawberry Sweet Tea

Ingredients

Ingredients to make a homemade simple syrup:

• water
• sugar