Brown Sugar Simple Syrup
This Brown Sugar Simple Syrup is the perfect addition to specialty coffees, boba, and cocktails! Made with just 3 ingredients on the stovetop it’s an easy way to add sweet, rich brown sugar flavor to drinks.
Homemade Brown Sugar Simple Syrup
Classic Simple Syrup made with white sugar has been a staple in my kitchen for years – I use it weekly – but it just got some competition with this Brown Sugar Simple Syrup!
Rebecca’s Recipe Review
Taste: The rich, deep flavor of brown sugar is something most people love and associate with baked goods such as my Brown Sugar Blackberry Coffee Cake or Pumpkin Pound Cake with Brown Sugar Glaze but this recipe lets it easily flavor drink too!
Texture: Thin, smooth consistency.
Ease: 2/10
Pros: This recipe will stay good for up to a month which is plenty of time for me to add it to drinks without needing to make a second batch (unless I use it all because it’s that good)!
Cons: None.
Would I Make This Again? Yes, I almost always have a batch of this syrup in my fridge so that I can make a Shaken Brown Sugar Oatmilk Espresso!
This is absolutely delicious. The 2:1 brown sugar to water ratio worked best for me, but I started with the 1:1 ratio as stated in the recipe. 1:1 is definitely the best place to start as not everyone likes their drinks as sweet as I do. Mixed it with some half and half to make creamer. So so good. Thanks for this!
Brown Sugar Simple Syrup ingredients
Simple syrup is made with two ingredients: sugar and water. But you can get really creative with simple syrups be infusing them with herbs or fruit to add even more flavor.
In this particular recipe, we’re using dark brown sugar and water and I like to add a teaspoon of vanilla to really smooth out and heighten the flavor.
How To Make Brown Sugar Syrup
- Combine dark brown sugar and water in a small saucepan. Then cover it and cook over medium-high heat until the sugar dissolves and the syrup begin to simmer.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
- Cool the syrup at room temperature.
- Transfer the brown sugar simple syrup to an airtight container and store it in the fridge.
Favorite ways to use Simple Syrup with Brown Sugar
We love using this simple syrup in coffee recipes like:
- Secret Menu Cookie Butter Latte
- Starbucks Copycat Shaken Brown Sugar Oatmilk Espresso
- Homemade Iced Caramel Macchiato (makes a great sub for the vanilla syrup)
Rebecca’s Tips
- Make a large batch of this simple syrup by doubling or tripling the recipe. Just be sure to use a saucepan that’s appropriate for the amount you’re making.
- A 1:1 ratio is pretty standard for simple syrup but if you want it sweeter and slightly thicker, you can use a 2:1 ratio of sugar to water
- I found that I much preferred the intensity of the dark brown sugar flavor; however, if you prefer, you can use light brown sugar.
- This recipe as written with a 1:1 ratio will stay good in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 month. If you’re using a 2:1 ratio then it will actually keep longer, up to 6 months in the refrigerator.
Homemade Brown Sugar Syrup Storage
This homemade simple syrup recipe should be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container. We find a bottle or jar with a lid is best so it’s easy to pour out.
This will last for 3 to 4 weeks when properly stored in the fridge.
Why is my brown sugar simple syrup runny?
This syrup will be runny. It’s not thick like maple syrup. However, if you want a thicker syrup, you can use double the amount of sugar.
What is simple syrup formula?
For a classic simple syrup, you’ll use a 1:1 ratio of sugar to water. For rich simple syrup, you’ll use a 2:1 ratio of sugar to water.
What is simple syrup made from brown sugar called?
Just Brown Sugar Simple Syrup. Some people assume that Demerara Syrup is made with brown sugar, but it’s actually made from demerara sugar which is technically a brown sugar in appearance (unprocessed coarse pure cane sugar) but it is not what is commonly referred to as brown sugar whisk contains the addition of molasses to give it it’s flavor and color.
Can you use brown sugar in coffee?
Of course! Yet the thought had never occurred to me until about 8 years ago when I ordered a “Cold Jar” from a local coffee shop and it was made with brown sugar and by far the best iced coffee/latte I had ever had. But now, I’m a total believer and it seems the rest of the world is too!
More homemade simple syrups to make great drinks at home!
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Brown Sugar Syrup Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup dark brown sugar packed
- 1 cup water
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Add the dark brown sugar and water to a small saucepan and cook over medium-high heat until the sugar dissolves and it begins to simmer, about 10 to 15 minutes. Stir occasionally.1 cup dark brown sugar, 1 cup water
- Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Let the syrup cool to room temperature in the pan for about 1 hour.
- Bottle into an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 1 month.
Notes
- You can make a stronger and syrupier syrup by doing a 2:1 ratio of sugar to water, this will stay good for up to 6 months in the refrigerator.
Nutrition
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Made as shown and makes a great Old Fashioned!!
This certainly makes a yummy Old Fashioned. I’ve only made it once, and I made it with a 2:1 ratio.
I am curious; what is the benefit to letting it cool in the pan prior to bottling? I was too impatient for that, so I poured it through a funnel and into a used sauce bottle and then straight into the fridge to cool.
Other than my impatience, I thought it would be better to bottle while hot and runny. I figured it might get thick when cool and be a harder to capture it all when it was stuck to the pan.
Hi Brent, This is a precaution as not all bottles are safe to pour hot liquid into. If the glass is too cool it can shatter when the hot liquid is added.
I used the 2:1 simple syrup recipe for making Old Fashion Cocktails. It worked fantastic! Way better than the simple syrup made with white sugar. Thanks for posting!
So glad you enjoyed it!
I love this recipe and used the 2:1 ratio. Super easy super great for my afternoon iced coffee! Thanks so much!
I love a good rich syrup!
I made this to use in your shaken brown sugar oatmilk espresso Starbucks copycat recipe and now I always make sure to have a jar of this brown sugar syrup the fridge to make homemade ice coffees all the time. So delicious!
Ooohhhh!! I didn’t know she had a copycat recipe for Starbucks’ shaken brown sugar oatmilk espresso!! Gotta find it to use with this recipe. Which was great and so easy to make!!
Made this yesterday and enjoyed in this mornings coffee as a new syrup. Very smooth and not too sweet! Anxious to try other extract flavors.
This was very easy, I had cooked mine on low because I have induction oven. Boils very quick. The only thing I noticed after putting in refrigerator it crystallizes at bottom. But I just put in microwave and it’s better.
Crystallization is usually caused from minerals in the water you use or from the crystals not entirely melting when being prepared. Next time maybe try using distilled or filtered water and see if that helps with the issue. I’m glad you enjoyed the syrup!
I ended up preparing your Brown Sugar Simple Syrup.
I used twice the amount of brown sugar than what your recipe called for and still could barely taste the brown sugar.
There was a faint taste of vanilla.
I was very disappointed.
In your previous comment, you mentioned purchasing the ingredients from the dollar tree. That’s more than likely, the reason behind the faint flavor. Try using walmart or Kroger brand ingredients, or purchase name brand. It’s still going to be cheaper than buying a bottle of syrup every week.
You do not know how much I appreciate your Brown Sugar simple syrup.
I buy Syrups for my mochas and iced mochas. Her syrups are expensive. I go through a bottle every week.
Do you realize how much money that I am going to save with your Brown Sugar simple syrup?
I can buy the brown sugar and funnel at Dollar Tree! I already have vanilla extract in my kitchen!
Thank you so much!
This is absolutely delicious. The 2:1 brown sugar to water ratio worked best for me, but I started with the 1:1 ratio as stated in the recipe. 1:1 is definitely the best place to start as not everyone likes their drinks as sweet as I do. Mixed it with some half and half to make creamer. So so good. Thanks for this!
So glad you enjoyed the recipe, sounds like you’ve enjoyed some delicious coffee the last few days!
I tried your recipes to make Starbuck Brown Sugar Syrup because I love Starbucks iced brown sugar oat milk shaken espresso. Luckily it is so great. Thanks for your sharing.