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This basic simple syrup recipe is the best way to achieve a traditional simple syrup right at home. Perfect for coffees, cocktails, desserts and more.
Table of Contents
Rich simple syrup
This basic recipe involves using one part water and one part sugar. As the water heats up, the sugar granules dissolve, resulting in a basic sugar syrup perfect for sweetening hot or iced coffee, cold drinks or even your favorite cocktails.
Although the most common ratio is 1:1, you can make a more rich syrup with 2:1 sugar to water.
Some other fun ways to jazz up this homemade recipe is to add some vanilla bean, fresh herbs, cinnamon sticks, mint leaves or even essential oils to the syrup. These elements are a great addition for making flavored simple syrup to use for whatever you like.
Flavored Simple Syrup Recipes
- Candy Cane Simple Syrup
- Pear-Ginger Simple Syrup
- Spiced Pecan Simple Syrup
- Cranberry-Orange Simple Syrup
- Smoked Simple Syrup
This simple syrup is the perfect substitute for white sugar for any of your favorite recipes, whether you’re baking a batch of brownies or making a cocktail. Plus, it’s super easy to make at home.
With two simple ingredients, you can whip up a batch of simple syrup in no time. No need to run to the store to grab a bottle of simple syrup when you can make your own at home, free from any unnecessary ingredients, additives or preservatives.
Simple Syrup
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup water
Instructions
- Combine: Place the sugar and water a pot over medium-high heat.
- Stir: Stir, until the sugar dissolves.
- Store: Remove from heat and store in an airtight container.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Ingredients for simple syrup
- Sugar: This can be found in the baking aisle. I used white granulated sugar for this recipe.
- Water: This is the liquid that the sugar dissolves in.
See the full recipe card for servings and a full list of ingredients.
How to make simple syrup
✔️ PRO TIP
I usually make this with 1/2 cup sugar and 1/2 cup water, but you can increase or decrease the batch as needed.
- COMBINE: Place the sugar and water in a small saucepan over medium-high heat.
- STIR: Stir until the sugar dissolves.
✔️ PRO TIP
If you realize you need a batch at the last minute, you can cool it quickly by pouring it into a plastic or metal bowl. Then, place that bowl into a larger bowl filled with ice water. Stir the syrup until it cools, about 3 minutes.
- STORE: Remove from heat and store in an airtight container. You could also put it in a squeeze bottle for easy use.
How to serve simple syrup
Add this sweet syrup to your cold beverages, coffee drinks or cocktail recipes like this Refreshing Watermelon Moscato and Summer Orchard on the Rocks.
Storage
Leftover syrup can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one month. If you make a richer syrup with a 2:1 ratio of sugar to water, the syrup has a longer shelf life of up to 6 months when stored in the refrigerator.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you plan on using the syrup within a couple of days, then you can leave it at room temperature. Otherwise, store it in an airtight container or mason jar in the fridge for up to one month.
No. You only want to heat the syrup. Bringing the syrup to a boil can result in a more sticky syrup rather than a liquid syrup.
Yes. Feel free to use honey, agave syrup or maple syrup for a more unique flavor. Use the same ratio (1:1) and follow the recipe as instructed.
Well I have always known how to make simple syrup so when I saw this post I hag to have a look. I wanted to tell you that I make this stuff to sweeten my iced tea in the summer, but I add 2 to 3 lemon rinds to the syrup before I heat it up to dissolve the sugar, use that and you don’t / wont want to put lemon juice in your tea ever again! So good.
Thanks for a great blog. 🙂