Perfect for coffee, drinks, or baking - Homemade Simple Syrup comes together so quickly and stores well in the fridge for later! Keep it plain, or read below for instructions on how to make flavored variations like vanilla or orange.
Sometimes called sugar syrup or bar syrup, this is such an easy way to sweeten teas, coffees, and more. You simply heat sugar and water until completely dissolved, and let it cool until it becomes a syrup. It even can be flavored to complement your final recipe - think coconut, lemon, or even candied jalapeño!
Ingredients
- Sugar & Water - You only need two ingredients to make this syrup - even amounts of sugar and water.
What is Simple Syrup and What Recipes Call For It?
Simple Syrup is a liquid sweetener. By dissolving sugar in hot water until fully incorporated, you create a syrup that sweetens cold drinks without creating that gritty texture that you get from just adding sugar. It stores well in the fridge, and you can even freeze it for later!
Teas: Add sugar syrup to good old fashioned southern sweet tea, or iced chai tea.
Mocktails/Cocktails: We use bar syrup in these recipes for Watermelon Refreshers and Midnight Mojitos.
Coffees: Sweeten your morning lattes or cold brews with brown sugar simple syrup.
Baking: Making layered cakes or bundt cakes? Here's a bakery-style tip - brush a little sugar syrup over the cake layers before frosting to provide extra moisture.
Can I Make Flavored Simple Syrup?
Yes, you can get really creative with different flavors and styles of simple syrup!
Once the sugar has completely dissolved, remove the pot from heat and stir in extracts, fresh herbs, or spices so the flavors infuse into the syrup.
- Add vanilla extract for a syrup that tastes amazing in coffee drinks.
- A chai simple syrup will really deepen the flavor of chai teas or chai martinis.
- Infuse some fresh pineapple slices and ginger for a great margarita or rum punch.
- Substitute brown sugar instead of white - this is great for drinks made with whiskey or bourbon.
How to Make Simple Syrup
Step 1: Add equal parts sugar and water to a saucepan.
Heat on medium heat, stirring occasionally.
Step 2: After a few minutes, the sugar will be completely dissolved and the liquid will no longer be cloudy.
Let cool, then store in a glass container.
Recipe FAQs
Using simple syrup is a way to get an even, sweet taste throughout a drink. If you add plain granulated sugar to drinks, it won't dissolve completely (unless the liquid is almost boiling).
This keeps in the refrigerator for up to a month. I normally pour it into a glass pouring bottle with a spout.
Add the cooled syrup to an ice tray and freeze until solid.
Transfer each cube to a freezer-safe bag, and store for up to 4 months.
Recipes That Call for Simple Syrup:
If you learned How to Make Simple Syrup and used my tips in the kitchen, or used any other recipe on my website, please leave a star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. I love hearing from you! Thanks for visiting!
Simple Syrup
Equipment
- Saucepot
- Spoon
- Glass Jar for storing
Ingredients
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup water
Instructions
- To a pot, add the sugar and water.1 cup sugar, 1 cup water
- Bring to a boil over medium heat.
- Once the sugar has completely dissolved, remove the pot from heat and let cool.
- Store in a glass container with an airtight lid. Enjoy!
Did you make this recipe? Let me know what you think!