Simple Sugar Syrup At Home
Simple Syrup is used to sweeten everything from cocktails to cakes and everyone should know how to make it at home. Learn all you need to know about this essential ingredient, including how to make it, flavor variations, and different prep methods.
The Best Simple Sugar Syrup to have at home!
This syrup is the perfect way to sweeten cold drinks without leaving sugar granules settling at the bottom of the glass, just perfectly mixed drinks.
Knowing how to make this basic base recipe at home will be an absolutely gamechanger for your drinks and desserts!
You can make classic simple syrup, rich simple syrup, and flavored simple syrup and these can be used to sweeten and flavor cocktails, mocktails, coffee, and even moisten cakes like I do with the Vanilla Cake recipe.
What Is Simple Syrup?
Simple syrup is a liquid sweetener that’s made when granulated sugar dissolves into hot water yet maintains its liquid state after cooling.
What to expect with Homemade Simple Syrup
Boiled: In just 10 minutes or less, this simple syrup comes together after boiling on the stovetop. This process allows the sugar to become more soluble in the hot water, making for the perfect simple syrup!
Taste: Once it’s finished, you’re left with a sweet syrup that tastes better than anything you could have bought at the store!
Uses: After making and using this recipe just once, you’ll be hooked from adding splashes of it into cocktails, coffee, and other non-alcoholic drinks!
What you’ll need for Making Simple Syrup
- Water
- Granulated Sugar
A recipe’s ingredient list really doesn’t get any easier than this one for simple syrup. And the best part is that since granulated sugar is a pantry staple, you likely can make this syrup without any notice since you have both ingredients already!
Helpful equipment for making Simple Syrup
To complete the recipe, you’ll also need a small saucepan for boiling, a fine mesh sieve for straining, and an airtight container or bottle for storing.
Sugar Syrup recipe variations
Absolutely! This basic simple syrup recipe is just the beginning, as there are lots of tasty flavoring variations. The equal part sugar to equal part water in this recipe is actually the foundation from which many other simple syrups are made.
There’s Lavender Simple Syrup that’s used up in a delicious Lavender Latte, Brown Sugar Simple Syrup that makes its way into a Shaken Brown Sugar Oatmilk Espresso, and even Raspberry Iced Tea that’s made with Raspberry Simple Syrup!
However, the homemade simple syrup variations don’t stop there! There are also peach, orange, cranberry, rhubarb, blackberry, and even blueberry simple syrups!
How to make Simple Sugar Syrup
Step 1: Combine the water and granulated sugar in a small saucepan and boil over medium heat until the sugar dissolves while stirring constantly.
Step 2: Strain the simple syrup through a fine mesh sieve to ensure no lumps make it into the finished syrup.
Making the Best Simple Syrup in advance
This simple syrup is a great make-ahead recipe that can be enjoyed for weeks as an add-in to drinks! It’s the perfect homemade ingredient to have on hand in the summertime when ice-cold cocktails and party punches are being whipped up on the regular!
How to use this recipe for Simple Syrup
- Iced Teas – Cool down with crisp, refreshing Iced Teas such as Peach Iced Tea or Iced Strawberry Tea!
- Lemonades – For a kick of citrus, use this simple syrup to add sweetness to lemonades like Sparkling Raspberry Lemonade and Roasted Strawberry Lemonade!
- Cocktails – I love to use this homemade syrup up in a Cranberry Cooler as well as in this Champagne Shirley Temple Recipe!
- Glaze – Simple syrup makes a great glaze for brushing fresh berry pies! Try it on my Blueberry Hand Pies, Air Fryer Hand Pies, or on this Raspberry Pie.
The Best Simple Syrup FAQs
Once the syrup has completely cooled to room temperature, transfer it into an airtight container or bottle. Then store it in the refrigerator for up to 1 month.
Frequently Asked Questions
Simple syrup is made with a 1:1 ratio of water and sugar and is the common recipe here in the States. Whereas rich syrup is made with a 2:1 sugar-to-water ratio and is common in the UK.
I’ve never had an issue with it going bad, but I tend to use it up pretty quickly and never make more than I know I’ll use in a reasonable amount of time.
Absolutely! To do so, just add 2 cups of your choice of fruit to the mixture. After the syrup has boiled and cooled, pour the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer.
The formula for simple syrup is 1:1, equal parts water to sugar. For example, one cup of water and one cup of granulated sugar. Or, for a larger batch, three cups of water and three cups of sugar.
More Homemade Syrups
- Homemade Chocolate Syrup – A perfectly rich and chocolaty syrup that’s made in less than 20 minutes!
- Spiced Vanilla Syrup – Smother your pancakes and waffles with this creamy spiced syrup!
- Grenadine Syrup – Fresh, flavorful cocktail syrup that’s made with just 3 ingredients!
- Cranberry Orange Bourbon Syrup – Drizzle this sweet yet bitter syrup over ice cream or cinnamon rolls!
Let’s Connect!
If you’ve tried this recipe, please let me know how you liked it in the comments below and leave a review. I love hearing from you!
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This recipe was published in June 2017 and was updated in May 2023 with fresh photos and content.
Recipe For Simple Syrup
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup granulated sugar
Instructions
- Combine ingredients in a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat until sugar dissolves, stirring constantly. Allow to cool.
Notes
- You can make rich simple syrup by using a 2:1 ratio of sugar to water.
- I’ve never had an issue with it going bad, but I tend to use it up pretty quickly and never make more than I know I’ll use in a reasonable amount of time. I would recommend storing this simple syrup in an air-tight bottle in the refrigerator for 1 month.
Nutrition
Did You Make This Recipe?
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Can you use stevia instead of sugar to make a simple syrup?
I’ve never tried it.
SO many cocktails call for simple syrup. It is very nice to have around, as I love a whiskey or vodka sour on occasion.
Yes, such a great addition to cocktails!