Once you know how to make simple syrup, your cocktails will never be the same. Learn how to make this easy cocktail sweetener and 25+ flavored simple syrup recipes.
Your ultimate guide to simple syrups
Made from sugar and water, simple syrup is a liquid sweetener that is used to add flavor to drinks. It’s an easy-to-make ingredient that not only sweetens your sippers, but adds flavor as well. Syrups can be bought, but making them is so much better (and less expensive, win-win)!
Not only does simple syrup work in cocktails, it can be used to sweeten iced tea and iced coffee. It works especially well in cold drinks, where sugar won’t dissolve easily — after all, I can think of few things worth than a grainy drink.
No need to stop with beverages, simple syrup is also a powerhouse when drizzled over baked goods, ice cream or pancakes. Bakers even use it to add moisture to cakes before decorating.
A bottle of simple syrup can run you anywhere from $8-20 depending on the brand, but if you make it yourself? It costs less than a bag of sugar. Not to mention the fact that when you make your own simple syrup recipes, you can control what goes in them. No preservatives or corn syrup here! Plus, you can flavor it with all kinds of fruits, spices and herbs as well as make it with different kinds of sugar. The possibilities are almost endless!
How to flavor simple syrup
Experimenting with infusions is one of my favorite ways to mix different flavors into my drinks. You can use most fruits, herbs and spices as infusions in the classic simple syrup recipe. Try making up your own combinations.
Whole spices: Add whole spices, such as cardamom pods or cinnamon sticks, to the water and sugar as they heat up and the sugar dissolves. Let them infuse for 20-30 minutes after you remove it from the heat, then remove the whole spices before storing.
Extracts: You can stir a teaspoon of extract, like vanilla or lemon, into a finished syrup to give it a quick and easy flavor.
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Fresh herbs: A few sprigs of herbs will give your cocktails tons of fresh flavor. Try adding mint, thyme or sage to your syrup while it’s warm. Let them infuse for 20-30 minutes after you remove it from the heat, then remove the herbs before storing.
Fruit: Fresh and frozen fruit can be used to make simple syrup. I prefer to heat the fruit and water together first, letting the fruit come to a boil. Then, I strain out the fruit solids and stir the sugar into the liquid while the mixture is still warm.
Vegetables: Yes, you can make simple syrup with veggies too! Jalapeño simple syrup is one of my favorites for spicy cocktails and pumpkin puree is the base for my pumpkin spice syrup for pumpkin spice lattes.
Sugars: It’s easy to change up the flavor by simply mixing up the sugar source. White sugar is my go-to for clear syrups (and ones where the color is important). But brown sugar works just as well. You can even use honey!
Quick tips for simple syrups
Weighing your ingredients (equal parts) will give you even more accurate syrups. It’s also helpful if you find a recipe you love, so you can recreate it anytime you want to!
As you’re perfecting your syrup system, you can experiment with different methods. I use the stovetop method for mine, but you can also make simple syrup in a blender (handy if you’re in a hurry) or using the cold infusion method (which takes 10-15 minutes).
Switch up your sugars to make subtle changes to the flavor of your syrup. White sugar is commonly used, but brown sugar will impart some of its molasses, caramel and toffee flavor and a specialty sugar like Demerara creates a syrup all its own
FAQ
The recipe for simple syrup is very easy, and once you’ve made it a few times, you’ll be ready to whip up your own creations.
First, stir together your sugar and water until dissolved in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil for 2 minutes, then remove from heat. Let cool completely before using.
When it comes to simple syrup, you can have a lot of fun with ratios, which affects the consistency and therefore the sweetness. The most common simple syrup ratio is 1:1, meaning that you should use as much water as you use sugar. The 1:1 ratio a similar consistency to water, so a little bit goes a long way in sweetening your drink without diluting it.
If you boil a 1:1 ratio, some of the water will evaporate, resulting in a thicker consistency. But you technically don’t have to boil water to make syrup.
Rich syrup is a thicker, sweeter consistency of the typical simple syrup recipe. It won’t cause as much dilution when mixing drinks; you can use a little less because it is so much sweeter.
Use either a 1.5:1 ratio or a 2:1 ratio of sugar to water to make a more viscous mixture. The thicker consistency also helps it to keep longer than a month because the sugar acts as a preservative.
If you know you’ll go through it quickly, you can store your simple syrup in an airtight container (I prefer a glass jar) in the refrigerator for up to 1 month.
You can also freeze simple syrup so that it will keep longer. I use a clean ice cube tray and pour in my completely cooled syrup. Once it’s in the freezer, it’s good for up to 6 months! If you have a flavored syrup, freeze for only 3-4 months, as longer could begin to affect the flavor.
When you are ready to use the frozen simple syrup, let the cubes thaw in the fridge overnight. You can also use the defrost function on the microwave, or warm it in a saucepan. Use as normal and enjoy!
The best cocktail syrup recipes
Now let’s dig into the best recipes for simple syrup. These are some of the best simple syrup and coffee syrup recipes out there that every home bartender needs to know.
Sugar syrups
Herbal infusions
Spiced syrups
Floral infusions
<h3>Nutty syrups</h3>
Fruit infusions
Vegetable syrups
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