Easy Homemade Simple Syrup - Inspired Taste

My simple syrup recipe is perfectfor sweetening cocktails, coffee, tea, and can be used for cake decorating. Variations for brown sugar, honey, and flavored syrups are below!

Simple syrup is easy to make and lasts in the fridge for a month. It has a ton of uses! To make sure you always have it on hand, you can also freeze it (tips are below).

We use simple syrup to make lemon drop martinis and the Tom Collins cocktail. I also love having it on hand to sweeten teas, homemade cold brew, or when making our pumpkin spice latte. My favorite cocktail, the Old Fashioned, uses simple syrup to balance the bourbon and bitters.

Key Ingredients

• Sugar: I use granulated sugar for simple syrup, but you can substitute for brown sugar, maple sugar, and coconut sugar. Tips for using honey are below.
• Water: I prefer filtered water for this recipe.

Find the full recipe with measurements below.

How to Make Simple Syrup

Use a ratio of 1:1 water to sugar. This makes a syrup similar to what you can buy at the store. Increase the sugar for a richer syrup. Add water and sugar to a small saucepan and place over medium-high heat. Swirl the pan around as the mixture heats up to help dissolve the sugar into the water. When the sugar completely dissolves, set the pan aside to cool, and then use or store it for the next time you need simple syrup!

Simple Syrup Variations

Brown sugar: In the recipe below, substitute brown sugar for the granulated sugar. I love brown sugar simple syrup in this Old Fashioned Cocktail.

Honey: For a mild honey-flavored syrup, use 1:1 honey and water, or for a more prominent honey flavor, increase the honey and use 2:1 honey to water.

Flavored: Make your simple syrup, and then once the sugar dissolves, add a handful of fresh herbs, sliced citrus, ginger, chiles, or spices to infuse into the syrup as it cools. In our video, I make citrus mint syrup, which is fantastic! You might also enjoy this lemon ginger syrup. On a similar note, the leftover syrup from making our candied jalapeños is also delicious!

Homemade Simple Syrup

5.0 (8 reviews) 21 comments Save Pin Email Print

• PREP 5 mins
• COOK 5 mins
• TOTAL 10 mins

The most common ratio for simple syrup is equal parts water to sugar. For a richer syrup, use more sugar. For a leaner syrup, use less. This recipe can be used with white sugar, brown sugar, and honey. Also, take a look at the notes section below for how to make flavored simple syrup.

Makes 1 1/2 cups simple syrup

Watch Us Make the Recipe

You Will Need

1 cup (236ml) water, preferably filtered

1 cup (200g) granulated sugar, brown sugar, or honey

Directions

• Basic Recipe

1Add water and sugar to a saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook, swirling the pan occasionally until the sugar completely dissolves.

2Cool it, then store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 weeks, or freeze it in ice cube trays.

• Citrus Mint Simple Syrup

1Add water and sugar to a saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook, swirling the pan occasionally until the sugar completely dissolves.

2Turn off the heat and stir in a handful of mint leaves and citrus peel (I love a combination of lemon, orange, and lime). Allow it to steep and cool completely. Strain and then store.

Adam and Joanne's Tips

• Storing: Homemade simple syrup lasts in an airtight jar in the fridge for up to 4 weeks. You can also freeze simple syrup. Pour the syrup into an ice cube tray and freeze until hard. Pop out the frozen simple syrup cubes and transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. Freeze for up to 6 months.
• Refrigerate basic simple syrup in an airtight jar for up to 4 weeks. Use flavored simple syrups within 2 weeks.

Nutrition Per Serving Serving Size 1 tablespoon / Calories 32 / Total Fat 0 g / Saturated Fat 0 g / Cholesterol 0 mg / Sodium 0 mg / Carbohydrates 8.3 g / Dietary Fiber 0 g / Total Sugars 8.3 g / Protein 0 g AUTHOR: Adam Gallagher