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Simple Syrup recipe– learn how to make the BEST simple syrup right at home in just a few quick minutes! You can make flavored simple syrup very easily too and use it in drinks, for baking, and so much more!
It’s cocktail week DAY 2 and we’re venturing off the path a little and learning how to make simple syrup at home and in just a few quick minutes! I’m leveling this up a bit though because we’re going to make simple syrup with sugar, coconut sugar, brown sugar, maple syrup, honey, AND agave. Whew! I think I covered most of the sugary bases :)
On top of that, here are the flavored simple syrup recipes that I have for you: lavender, vanilla, rosemary, raspberry, mint. ALL SO GOOD!
As you can imagine, we’ve had DIY simple syrup flowing through our house for WEEKS! Lots of delicious flavored drinks have been consumed and no one has complained about it :)
Let’s start at the very beginning on this one…
What is Simple Syrup?
Simple syrup is exactly what the title suggests: a simple sugar syrup that is used in a plethora of ways including to sweeten drinks, cocktails, cakes, and so much more. A simple syrup is ideal to put in drinks as it mixes in well compared to sugar that sometimes will just sink to the bottom and not get incorporated into the drink properly.
Simple syrup is a mix of water and sugar. A traditional syrup is made with water and white sugar but in this post, I’ll show you how to make it with other kinds of sweeteners including natural sweeteners.
What is the best simple syrup ratio?
I follow a SIMPLE 1:1 ratio. 1 part water to 1 part sugar. This applies to all of the sweeteners that I talk about in this post.
You could definitely play around with this and do even more or less sugar if desired btu I’ve found the 1:1 simple syrup ratio to be just perfect for my purposes (which is mostly using it in coffee and cocktails).
How to store simple syrup:
It is best to store simple syrup in a very clean air tight container. While it can be kept at room temperature, it will last longer in the fridge so I recommend chilling it if you don’t plan to use it all within about a week.
I like to use a mason jar or something similar that will seal properly. It’s also important that whatever container you use is VERY CLEAN and free from all bacteria. I like to run mine through the dishwasher and take it out just in time to pour the syrup in. The tiniest bit of bacteria can make the syrup go bad quicker.
How long does simple syrup last?
There is some difference in opinions on how long you can keep simple syrup but I’ve always found it to last for over a month. From doing a little research and based on personal experience, simple syrup can last for 1-2 months.
Here are a few things to keep in mind when storing simple syrup:
- As mentioned above, store your simple syrup in a VERY clean jar.
- Basic simple syrup (JUST sugar and water) will last longer than a flavored simple syrup. For any of the flavored syrups, I recommend storing it in the fridge and using it within a month. Any time after that, I would just check it.
- If it starts to form crystals around the edges, it’s past the expiration time. Alternatively, you can leave it sitting there and try your hand at making rock candy (jk- I know nothing about this except that it’s a thing- google it?).
- If you see even the tiniest but of mold, it’s past the expiration time.
How to Make Simple Syrup:
For something SO SIMPLE, I sure am talking a lot, aren’t I?
Making simple syrup is as simple as stirring together equal parts water + sugar in a saucepan and putting it over medium heat. Bring it to a gentle simmer and then turn the heat to low. Let it cook, stirring frequently, for about 5 minutes until the sugar is fully dissolved and the syrup is starting to thicken just a bit.
Store in an air tight container and enjoy!
What kinds of sweetener can I use in simple syrup?
As I mentioned above, old fashioned simple syrup is made with 1 part sugar to 1 part water. But white sugar is not the only sweetener you can use to make simple syrup. Besides plain sugar, here are some other simple syrup options:
Honey Simple Syrup: to make honey simple syrup, combine 1 part honey to 1 part water in a saucepan and place over medium heat. Bring to a simmer, turn to low and let cook for 5 minutes until the honey is fully dissolved in the water and the syrup has thickened a bit.
Maple syrup simple syrup: this one is my favorite! to make maple simple syrup, combine 1 part maple syrup to 1 part water in a saucepan and place over medium heat. Bring to a simmer, turn to low and let cook for 5 minutes until the maple syrup is fully dissolved in the water and the syrup has thickened a bit.
Brown Sugar Simple: to make brown sugar simple syrup, combine 1 part honey to 1 part water in a saucepan and place over medium heat. Bring to a simmer, turn to low and let cook for 5 minutes until the brown sugar is fully dissolved in the water and the syrup has thickened a bit.
Coconut Sugar Simple Syrup: to make simple syrup with coconut sugar, combine 1 part coconut sugar to 1 part water in a saucepan and place over medium heat. Bring to a simmer, turn to low and let cook for 5 minutes until the sugar is fully dissolved in the water and the syrup has thickened a bit.
Agave Simple Syrup: to make agave simple syrup, combine 1 part agave to 1 part water in a saucepan and place over medium heat. Bring to a simmer, turn to low and let cook for 5 minutes until the agave is fully dissolved in the water and the syrup has thickened a bit.
Flavored Simple Syrup:
To make different flavors of simple syrup, all you need to do is add the flavor in during the cooking process. While there are endless flavor options, here are some of the most popular options and how to make them using a 1 cup of water to 1 cup of sugar recipe:
Vanilla simple syrup: add in 1 vanilla bean OR 1 1/2 teaspoons of vanilla extract
Raspberry simple syrup: 1 1/2 cups of berries (this same concept applies to blackberries and strawberries)
Rosemary simple syrup: 3 medium sprigs of fresh rosemary
Lavender simple syrup: 1 ½ tablespoons of dried or fresh lavender
Mint simple syrup: 1 cup of loosely packed mint leaves
There are seriously so many flavor combos and I high suggest experimenting a little! I give more detailed instructions on making these flavors in the recipe card below.
Drink recipes that use simple syrup:
How to Make Simple Syrup
Ingredients
- 1 cup sugar, can sub for an equal amount of: coconut sugar, honey, maple syrup, brown sugar, or agave
- 1 cup water
- optional flavor add ins: 3 sprigs of rosemary, 1 1/2 tablespoons of dried lavender, 1 1/2 cups of fresh raspberries, 1 vanilla bean (can sub for 1 1/2 teaspoons of vanilla extract), 1 cup of loosely packed mint leaves.
Instructions
Plain Simple Syrup:
- In a small saucepan, combine the water and sugar and place over medium heat. Bring the mixture to a simmer and lower the heat a bit. Cook over low heat, stirring frequently, for about 5 minutes at which time the sugar should have completely dissolved and the syrup started to thicken. Let cool slightly and then pour into an air tight container for storage.
Rosemary Simple Syrup:
- In a small saucepan, combine the water, sugar, and rosemary sprigs and place over medium heat. Bring the mixture to a simmer and lower the heat a bit. Cook over low heat, stirring frequently, for about 5 minutes at which time the sugar should have completely dissolved and the syrup started to thicken. Let cool slightly, remove the rosemary, and then pour into an air tight container for storage.
Lavender Simple Syrup:
- In a small saucepan, combine the water, sugar, and lavender and place over medium heat. Bring the mixture to a simmer and lower the heat a bit. Cook over low heat, stirring frequently, for about 5 minutes at which time the sugar should have completely dissolved and the syrup started to thicken. Let cool slightly and then strain the mixture through a sieve to remove the lavender. Pour into an air tight container for storage.
Raspberry Simple Syrup:
- In a small saucepan, combine the water, sugar, and fresh raspberries and place over medium heat. Bring the mixture to a simmer and lower the heat a bit. Cook over low heat, stirring frequently and gently mashing the berries a bit, for about 5 minutes at which time the sugar should have completely dissolved and the syrup started to thicken. Let cool slightly and then strain the mixture through a sieve to remove the raspberries. Pour into an air tight container for storage.
Vanilla Simple Syrup:
- First cut open your vanilla bean, scrape out the paste from inside and place both the paste and the bean in a small saucepan. Stir in the water and sugar and place over medium heat. Bring the mixture to a simmer and lower the heat a bit. Cook over low heat, stirring frequently, for about 5 minutes at which time the sugar should have completely dissolved and the syrup started to thicken. Let cool slightly and then spour into an air tight container for storage. You can store it with or without the vanilla bean.
Mint Simple Syrup:
- In a small saucepan, combine the water, sugar, and mint leaves and place over medium heat. Bring the mixture to a simmer and lower the heat a bit. Cook over low heat, stirring frequently, for about 5 minutes at which time the sugar should have completely dissolved and the syrup started to thicken. Let cool slightly and then strain the mixture through a sieve to remove the mint leaves. Pour into an air tight container for storage.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I was wondering to make a vanilla syrup with agave instead of sugar how long would it need to simmer for? Thank you!
It’s in the name- This recipe is simple and yummy. I was given some fresh lavender and decided to try this recipe. It’s a perfect sweetener to my cold brew. Thanks Brita!
YAS so glad that you liked it, Taylor! This is a staple in our house for sure!
Any possibility that you’d have a recipe for pumpkin spice for coffee? Everytime I make it, it gets SO thick and stringy it’s ridiculous. I’ve tried it with white and brown sugar, with and without pumpkin, all with cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves and pumpkin pie spice.
I do not have a recipe for this but now I REALLY want to make one!!
This looks lovely! I would love to make as gifts. Does the honey or maple syrup versions keep any longer ?
they all keep for quite a while but I’m honestly not sure if one keeps longer than another. I’ve kept these in the fridge and used them for a few weeks before