How to Make Simple Syrup at Home

Easily and quickly make homemade simple syrup for coffee drinks, cocktails, cakes, and more. 

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I’ve been sharing A LOT of iced coffee and iced tea recipes, like this iced oat milk latte and this iced guava white tea lemonade. 

One of the best ways to sweeten cold drinks is with simple sugar syrup.

So I thought it may be helpful to share an easy DIY simple syrup recipe. 

What is Simple Syrup?

It's a liquid sweetener, made with water and sugar. That’s it. 

Traditional simple syrup is made with equal parts water and white sugar. 

This basic recipe calls for one cup water and one cup of sugar.

Simply combine the water and sugar in a saucepan over medium heat. Stirring frequently until the sugar dissolves completely. 

This creates a liquid sweetener that is easily mixed into other liquids, hot AND cold.

Ever put granulated sugar into a cold beverage and it doesn’t dissolve? It just sits at the bottom and, if you use a straw, you get a mouthful of sugar crystals? 

Simple syrup prevents that. It doesn’t need to dissolve again. 

It just sweetens the drink. 

Can I use brown sugar or other sweeteners instead of granulated sugar?

Yes, definitely. I frequently like to make simple sugar syrup with brown sugar or a mix of brown and white sugar. 

The brown sugar adds some cozy depth to the sweet syrup. 

Maple syrup, honey, or agave nectar can also be used instead of plain sugar. 

Unfortunately, I haven’t tried to make my own simple syrup with coconut sugar, stevia, or other different sugars, so I don’t know if or how they work. 

If you do, please let us know your favorite sugar or sugar substitute to use in the comments below the recipe card. 

Variations

The best part of this basic recipe is how easy it is to customize for your favorite drink recipe. 

- For a sweeter, thicker syrup, increase the amount of sugar. 

A rich simple syrup can be made with two parts sugar and one part water (instead of the typical 1:1 ratio of sugar and water).

Rich syrup is a common ingredient in cocktail recipes, if you’re a home bartender. 

- For different flavors, add whole spices or fresh herbs to hot, regular simple syrup. Let seep and cool then strain and store. 

For cinnamon syrup, add a couple cinnamon sticks. 

For a lemon, orange, or lime flavored sweetener, add some of the citrus rind.

Craving vanilla? Check out this Homemade Vanilla Coffee Syrup or split a vanilla bean in half and add it to the mixture as it cooks. 

For brown sugar syrup, use brown sugar instead of white sugar.

Interested in pumpkin? Check out How to Make Pumpkin Sauce.

Love peppermint? Use this DIY Peppermint Syrup recipe or add fresh mint leaves to the hot water and sugar mixture.

For lavender syrup, add dried lavender (culinary grade). Neighbor Food has an Easy Lavender Simple Syrup Recipe with helpful tips and recommendations.

For honey syrup, use honey instead of sugar. 

How to Store Simple Syrup

Store in an airtight container or glass bottle in the fridge for up to four weeks. 

I like to store my simple syrups in one of these bottles/pump dispensers.

It’s the easiest way to add liquid sweetener to my cold beverages. Just pump and go!

I also use this Bormioli Rocco Quattro Stagioni, Glass Canning Jar and Drinking Bottle A LOT, as seen in this Vanilla Coffee Syrup Recipe, this Pumpkin Sauce Recipe, and this post on How to Make Chai Concentrate from Tea Bags. 

How long does simple syrup last?

If properly stored (in an airtight container in the fridge), basic simple syrup should last up to 4 weeks. 

Most flavored simple syrups have a shorter shelf life though - 1-2 weeks. 

If you don’t remember when you made your own standard simple syrup, there are different ways to tell if it’s gone bad. A cloudy appearance and/or a funky smell both indicate the growth of bacteria. If you see mold, toss it and make a new batch.

How to Use

- Add to cold brew, iced coffee, iced tea, or lemonade to balance any bitterness or reach your desired sweetness. 

Like in this this Iced Instant Coffee, this Brown Sugar Shaken Espresso, and this Iced Green Tea Lemonade.

- Use in your favorite cocktails for a touch of sweetness.

- Brush simple syrup on cake layers to add moisture and flavor. 

- Mix it with heavy whipping cream and milk to make a sweet cream cold foam. 

What is your favorite way to use simple syrup? Or the most common? Let’s discuss in the comments below! And don’t forget to rate this recipe!