Coconut Simple Syrup

Blissfully easy, Coconut Simple Syrup is the perfect addition to cocktails, pancakes, ice cream or oatmeal! Made with just three ingredients and a sweet tropical flavor, this coconut syrup ^* recipe takes ordinary sugar syrup and gives it an indulgent twist.

Homemade Coconut Syrup recipe 

Sometimes you just want a little more. A bit more indulgence over brunch with your friends, a bit more flavor in your drink.

This coconut syrup ^* recipe is whipped up in just a few minutes and it gives you just that!

Coconut simple syrup adds a shot of flavor to everything you pair it with. It tastes just like a summer holiday in a tropical locale.

It gives drinks a tiki twist and makes everyday dishes like pancakes or pineapple smoothies for breakfast something much more indulgent.

This syrup is sugar-based, meaning it’ll add a hint of sweetness to savory meals but with the tropical flavor of coconut.

More tropical recipes: Pineapple Mimosas • Tiki Punch • Mai Tai

Why you’ll love this recipe

You are going to love this coconut syrup! Here’s why:

• With only three ingredients, this recipe doesn’t require a trip to the grocery store.
• Coconut simple syrup whips up in just five minutes if you need it in a pinch.
• It’s extremely inexpensive, and way better than store-bought. (No corn syrup here!)
• The end result takes your regular recipes and makes them into something more indulgent.
• The sweet tropical flavor pairs well with just about everything.

You can add it to cocktails, non-alcoholic drinks, desserts, breakfast foods and so much more.

What is simple syrup?

Have you ever tried to stir pure sugar into a cold drink? It takes forever and a day! Sugar dissolves easily into a warm drink, but if it’s iced? Good luck to you.

Simple syrup is the answer to this classic problem. It’s a mixture of sugar and water that can be made in just a few minutes.

It has many uses: Use it to sweeten drinks, drizzle it over pancakes, pour it over ice cream. Bakers even use it to moisten cake before decorating.

Simple syrups can be made with just two ingredients: sugar and water. Most are made with granulated white sugar, but other types of sugar can be used. For example, you can make brown sugar syrup, honey syrup and demerara syrup.

Once you’ve mastered classic simple syrup, there’s a whole world of flavor to explore. You can:

• Infuse it with herbs like rosemary, basil or mint.
• Cook it with spices like cinnamon and pumpkin spice.
• Add extracts to make flavored syrups like vanilla syrup or coconut syrup.
• Create syrups with fruit like blackberries or veggies like jalapeños.

Ingredients

Coconut syrup is made from just three simple ingredients. 

Sugar: Any type of sugar will work because it is melted down once heated. Typically, I use pure cane sugar or granulated sugar. Brown sugar will work also but will make it a golden brown color and change the color of whatever you use it in and the texture. Since brown sugar contains molasses, the texture of the syrup will be slightly thicker. 

Water: Try to use filtered water if possible, as it helps the simple syrup last longer. The best water you have available

Coconut extract: Made from alcohol, water and real coconuts, this extract brings a tropical flavor to anything it touches. You can find coconut extract at the grocery store near the vanilla extract ^*, or you can order it online. (I like this coconut extract.)

Variations and substitutions

The fun part about coconut syrup is that you have some options when it comes to variations.

For starters, you can make this into a sugar-free simple syrup if you’re trying to cut down on sugar or carbs. Simply add the coconut extract to that recipe.

Likewise, you can combine flavors by adding coconut extract to any of the simple syrup recipes to add some tropical flair.

Some of my favorite homemade syrup recipes to use are:

• Cherry simple syrup blended with coconut is perfect for cherry cocktails.
• Raspberry simple syrup is delicious with a coconut flavor on ice cream or waffles.
• Blueberry simple syrup on your favorite pancakes in the summer with coconut in it is a refreshing burst in the mornings.
• Adding coconut to a cinnamon simple syrup would make a tasty latte. 

How to make Coconut Syrup

In just four steps you’ll have a delicious simple syrup that lasts for up to one month!

1. Combine sugar and water in a small saucepan over medium heat.
2. Heat it until the sugar dissolves but do not let it boil.
3. Remove from the heat and let it cool for 5 minutes before stirring in the coconut extract.
4. Use it immediately or let it cool completely and store it in a food-safe, airtight container. I like to use mason jars with these easy pour lids for easy pouring.

Keep in mind as well that if you are extremely short on time and can’t get the mixture heated and melted, you can also mix the coconut extract into something like maple syrup for a thicker but quicker coconut syrup. 

Tips & tricks

Make sure not to boil the water and sugar mixture. It causes the sugar to get to too high of a heat point and become too sticky. You want the sugar to just dissolve before removing it from heat.

If you plan on using your coconut syrup for cocktails, make sure to stick to white sugar so as not to muddy the color and presentation.

You may need to adjust the amount of coconut extract you add depending on how potent it is. Each brand varies in how they make the extract. Do a quick taste test before storing the simple syrup to make sure it’s exactly what you need.

If stored in an airtight container, the coconut simple syrup will last about one month in the fridge.

Uses for Coconut Syrup

This delicious syrup makes anything it’s drizzled on that much more flavorful! It’s mildly sweet but with a nutty, tropical flavor that comes off as refreshing on top of anything it’s paired with.

Some of my favorite ways to use it:

• Drizzled over pancakes, waffles, crêpes, French toast or ice cream for added flavor.
• Mixed into a tropical cocktail like piña coladas, coconut margaritas or coconut mojitos (recipes coming soon!) for an added tropical punch. It goes exceptionally well with fruit juices like lime juice, lemon juice and pineapple juice. 
• Stirred into oatmeal, porridge or smoothie bowls with berries.
• As a marinade for grilled meats, this coconut syrup can be paired with other ingredients like lime and jalapeño for an easy but flavorful dinner.
• Added to an Italian soda or French soda, the ultimate non-alcoholic drink.

And if you’re using it in drinks, don’t forget to get the perfect tiki mugs to go with them!

FAQ

More simple syrup recipes

• Orgeat Syrup
• Ginger Simple Syrup
• Prickly Pear Syrup
• Peach Simple Syrup
• Honey Syrup