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Home » Eats & Drinks » How to Make Simple Syrup

How to Make Simple Syrup

Published on September 10, 2019 Updated on May 13, 2020 by Eden

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Making simple syrup is so easy and can be done in a matter of minutes! Use this recipe for cocktails and desserts. Learn how to easily infuse simple syrup to add a unique flavor to your dish or drink.

Three bottles of infused simple syrup with rosemary, mint and lavender.

We use simple syrups in many of our cocktails. It’s such a great way to add flavor to dishes! You can be creative and blend herbs and spices to create your own flavors too.

What is simple syrup made for?

It’s made to sweeten cocktails, coffee, desserts, and other dishes. It’s a liquid sweetener made from water and sugar. It can dilute the sweetness and you can alter it to make different flavors.

How to Make Simple Syrup

A simple syrup recipe that is so easy to make and perfect for cocktails, coffee, cakes and more!

Bowl of water and a bowl of sugar on a marble table.
  • Measure 1 cup sugar and 1 cup water.

What sugar should I use?

Raw sugar is the best to use. You can also use cane sugar and granulated sugar too. You can also make a brown sugar simple syrup for winter cocktails or cakes.

Pouring water into a sauce pan.
  • Combine the sugar and water in a small to medium sauce pan (whatever you have available)
Sugar melting inside of a sauce pan.
  • Heat the sugar and water on low until the sugar has melted.
A saucepan on a stove with sugar melting inside.
  • It doesn’t take long to melt, so watch it closely. Once it’s melted, let it cool to room temperature and then store it in an airtight glass jar.
Herbs, dried rose petals and blueberries on a marble table.

How to Make Flavored Simple Syrup

Adding herbs, fruit and spices is a great way to infuse a cocktail with the desired flavor and make a unique cocktail.

Herbs

  • Mint
  • Thyme
  • Rosemary
  • Sage
  • Lavender
  • Coriander
  • Basil
  • Lemon balm
Fresh mint in a measuring cup on a marble table.

Spices

  • Ginger
  • Nutmeg
  • Cinnamon
  • Cumin
  • Turmeric
  • All Spice
  • Cardamom
  • Cloves
  • Star Anis
  • Vanilla
Fresh blueberries in a white bowl on a marble table.

Fruit and Berries

  • Blueberries
  • Strawberries
  • Raspberries
  • Orange
  • Lemon and Lime
  • Apple
  • Pineapple
Rose infused simple syrup.

Edible Flowers

  • Rose
  • Lilac
  • Hibsicus (turns cocktails pink)
  • Butterfly pea flower (turns cocktails blue and purple)
  • Marigold
Mint inside a pan infusing sugar.

How to Make Infused Simple Syrup

Once the sugar and water melt, remove from the stove and add in herbs or spices or fruit. Generally, you’ll do a handful of the herb your infusing. If it’s a spice, add in the whole spice not ground and let it infuse. Example, 2 cinnamon sticks or 10 mint leaves.

I always add a little more so it’s really flavorful!

Let it steep for about an hour or longer to infuse the flavors.

If you’re doing berries, add in 1/2 cup and muddle the berries in the syrup. Let it sit and then strain them out in mesh strainer to remove seeds.

Simple syrup being poured inside a glass through a mesh sieve

When the mixture is cooled and done insuring, pour it through a mesh strainer into a glass container with a lid to store.

Keep it in the refrigerator for 1 month.

How to Store

Store in a sterile, airtight container in the refrigerator. To sterilize a glass bottle or container, pour boiling water into the bottle and dump it out before adding the syrup.

Pro tip – Mark the bottle with the date so you know how long it’s been in there. You can just use a piece of tape and stick it to the bottom of the jar.

We also love using these bottles to serve it in… they’re only $6! They look nice with an herb inside the bottle too.

Simple syrup inside a glass jar

Try using raw sugar instead of refined.

Although not required, when making infused simple syrups, the herbs infuse better when allowed space to infuse. Pour the hot sugar water over the herbs spread out on the bottom of a large tub or pan. You want to leave it until it’s cooled and the syrup smells and tastes like the herb you’re using.

Time depends on the herb. Mint infuses faster. You can put the tub in the fridge too.

Simple syrup overhead in a glass jar.

Frequesntly Asked Questions

What is simple syrup made of?

It’s made of equal parts of sugar and water. It’s a diluted sweetener used in cocktails and some desserts. You can use different variations and if you need a thinker simple syrup, try rich simple syrup. Rich simple syrup is a 2:1 ratio, that’s 2 parts sugar to 1 part water.

How long can you keep simple syrup?

Itshould be stored in the refrigerator and will last about 1 month. It can go bad after a month, so always make sure you smell it before using.

bottles of simple syrup on a bar with flowers.

How can you tell if simple syrup has gone bad?

The syrup will start to grow mold and will also look a little cloudy and separated. This means it’s not good and should not be consumed. Make another fresh batch to use

Can you buy simple syrup?

Absolutely! But it’s so easy to make at home and you get a fresh simple syrup within minutes. You can also make them flavored when making them at home. If you prefer to buy it, here are some good options:

  • Monin Syrup
  • Pure Cane Sugar Syrup
  • Honey Simple Syrup

What is a good substitue for simple syrup?

There are several good options to use! We often use one of the below.

  • Agave nectar
  • Honey
  • Stevia

Drink Recipes that use Simple Syrup

Rose Water Cocktail

Orange and Cherry Vodka Cocktail

Pineapple Ginger Moscow Mule with Homemade Ginger Simple Syrup

Fig and Lavender Cold Brew

How to Make Simple Syrup

An easy recipe for making simple syrup to use in cocktails and desserts!
5 from 8 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Cocktail, Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: cocktails, Sugar, Syrup
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Calories: 774kcal
Author: Eden

Ingredients

  • 1 cup sugar , raw cane or granulated sugar
  • 1 cup water

Instructions

  • Measure 1 cup sugar and 1 cup water. 
  • Combine the sugar and water in a small to medium sauce pan (whatever you have available) 
  • Heat the sugar and water on low until the sugar has melted.
  • It doesn’t take long to melt, so watch it closely. Once it’s melted, let it cool to room temperature and then store it in an airtight glass jar.

Notes

You can also infuse simple syrup with herbs, spices, dried edible flowers, and berries! 
Use brown sugar to make a brown sugar simple syrup 
 

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
How to Make Simple Syrup
Amount Per Serving
Calories 774
% Daily Value*
Sodium 15mg1%
Carbohydrates 200g67%
Sugar 200g222%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Tried this recipe?Mention @sugarandcharm or tag us #sugarandcharm!

Let us know if you make any of these and what variations you choose! You can be creative and make your own concoctions by mixing ingredients.


10 Comments

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Comments

  1. Billy says

    September 11, 2019 at 11:18 am

    5 stars
    Love simple syrup and love the ideas on incorporating additional ingredients like herbs and edible flowers. Thank you!

    Reply
  2. Tanya Schroeder says

    September 11, 2019 at 1:08 pm

    5 stars
    I love simple syrup, there are so many great usese!

    Reply
  3. Kellie Hemmerly says

    September 11, 2019 at 1:17 pm

    5 stars
    so handy to have on hand for drinks! And the variation suggestions are so great.

    Reply
  4. Julie Blanner says

    September 11, 2019 at 1:40 pm

    5 stars
    Love simple syrup! It has so many uses and is the perfect addition to cocktails and cakes. I love the suggestion of adding spices.

    Reply
  5. Kara says

    September 11, 2019 at 1:53 pm

    5 stars
    Saves so much money to make this from scratch! I love all your infusion ideas. Since fall is upon us, I want to try the cinnamon version. Sounds so good!

    Reply
  6. Cori says

    November 5, 2019 at 5:15 pm

    Could you share information on where to buy the bottles and specifically the pour spout?

    Reply
    • Eden says

      November 5, 2019 at 8:28 pm

      Hi Cori! You can buy the bottles (they come with the spout) from here https://rstyle.me/+g3xiaYxCUsxycEQbAx3-vQ

      Reply
  7. Candy Burgess says

    February 13, 2021 at 6:22 am

    I always make simple syrup and put it in my brewed iced tea, everyone loves it and wants to know how I make my tea.

    Reply
    • Eden says

      February 16, 2021 at 1:59 pm

      Great use of simple syrup! Love sweetened iced tea!

      Reply

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