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Learn how to make simple syrup with this easy guide! Discover the perfect sugar-to-water ratio, infusion ideas with herbs, spices, and fruits, plus storage tips to keep your syrup fresh for weeks. Ideal for cocktails and sweet treats!
It’s extremely versatile too, and you can infuse this sweet syrup with berries and herbs to create unique flavors like our hibiscus simple syrup or cranberry simple syrup. You can even make honey syrup!
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Simple syrup is a liquid sweetener made by dissolving sugar in water. It’s commonly used in cocktails, coffee drinks, and even in some culinary recipes to add sweetness without the graininess of sugar crystals. Because it’s a liquid, it mixes easily with cold drinks, unlike regular sugar, which can settle at the bottom.
For years, I’ve used simple syrups in many of our cocktails and drink recipes, like our Italian sodas. It’s a great way to add flavor to dishes and sweeten drinks without the flavor being overbearing.
You can be creative and blend herbs and spices to create your flavors. It’s one of the easiest things to do.
Check out my homemade hibiscus syrup or gingerbread for the holidays!
Why You’ll Love Making Homemade Simple Syrup
Cost-effective: Store-bought simple syrups can be pricey, especially flavored varieties. Making your own at home costs just pennies per serving and uses ingredients you likely already have on hand.
Quick and easy: With just two ingredients and about 10 minutes of active time, homemade simple syrup is one of the easiest kitchen staples to make from scratch. No special equipment or skills needed!
Endless flavor possibilities: From herbs and spices to fruits and florals, you can infuse simple syrup with virtually any flavor you can imagine, creating unique signature concoctions for your drinks and desserts.
Simple Syrup Ingredients
There are only two essential ingredients in this recipe:
Sugar – You can use white sugar, raw sugar, and brown sugar to make simple syrup. Brown sugar gives the cocktail a deeper, brown sugar flavor, which is great for winter drinks.
Water – Good ole’ water is all you need!
How to Make Simple Syrup
Combine and heat: Combine the sugar and water in a saucepan and heat to a soft boil.
Simmer: Stir until the sugar has melted, then let it simmer for a few minutes.
Cool and infuse: Remove from heat and allow the mixture to cool and infuse for 25 minutes to 1 hour.
Simple Syrup Ratio:
Rich Syrup: For a thicker, richer syrup, use a 2:1 ratio—2 cups of sugar to 1 cup of water.
Basic Ratio: The standard ratio is 1:1, which means 1 cup of sugar to 1 cup of water. This will create a lighter syrup, ideal for most cocktails.
Storage
Simple syrup should always be stored in the refrigerator in a sterile, airtight container. Glass bottles or mason jars work best as they won’t absorb flavors and can be easily sterilized with boiling water before use.
Basic 1:1 simple syrup will last about 3-4 weeks in the refrigerator. Rich syrup (2:1 ratio) can last a bit longer, typically 4-6 weeks, due to the higher sugar concentration which acts as a natural preservative.
Flavored syrups generally have a shorter shelf life, especially those infused with fresh fruits or herbs. These should be used within 1-2 weeks for the best flavor and quality.
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 to 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 will develop mold when it’s starting to go bad. If you notice any cloudiness, strange smell, or mold growth, discard the syrup immediately.
Infusion Ideas
Simple syrup with herbs, spices, fruits, and even edible flowers is a fantastic way to add unique flavors to your drinks and recipes.
Edible Flowers: Dried edible flowers like hibiscus or rose petals add a delicate floral note. Check out my edible flower chart for more ideas.
Herbs: Fresh herbs like mint, rosemary, or basil can be added to the syrup once the sugar has dissolved. Let the herbs steep in the syrup for 20 minutes to an hour for the best flavor.
Spices: Whole spices like cinnamon sticks, cardamom pods, or cloves work wonderfully. Simply add them to the syrup and let them infuse as it cools.
Fruit and Berries: Fresh berries like strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries can be simmered with sugar and water and then strained out once the syrup is infused.
Eden’s Tips
Experiment with sugar alternatives: Try coconut sugar for a caramel note, raw honey for a floral flavor, or maple syrup for a rich taste. Each sweetener brings its own unique flavor that can elevate your drinks in different ways.
Infuse with intention: Match your infusions to your intended use. Citrus peels work beautifully for summer cocktails, warming spices like cinnamon and star anise are perfect for fall and winter drinks, and floral notes shine in spring beverages.
Double-strain for clarity: For the clearest syrup, especially when using berries or herbs, strain once through a fine-mesh sieve, then again through a coffee filter or cheesecloth. This removes even the tiniest particles for a professionally polished look.
Create your signature blend: Don’t be afraid to combine multiple infusion ingredients! Some of my favorites are lavender-lemon, rosemary-grapefruit, and vanilla-cardamom. These custom blends make fantastic homemade gifts in pretty bottles.
Adjust concentration for use: For cocktails, I prefer a 1:1 ratio, but for drizzling over desserts or fruit, a richer 2:1 syrup creates a more luxurious texture and intensified sweetness.
Popular Drink Recipes Using Simple Syrup
While these would be delicious in just about any cocktail or mocktail, here are some of my favorite cocktail recipes that use simple syrup:
- Rose Water Cocktail
- Fig and Lavender Cold Brew
- Cranberry Gin and Tonic
- Frozen Gin and Tonic
- Golden Margarita
- The Best Mojito Recipe
- Classic Whiskey Sour or Vodka Sour
- Mint Juleps
Experimenting with simple syrup is one of the easiest ways to elevate your drinks and recipes. It’s a must-have in any kitchen, whether sticking to the basics or getting creative with infusions.
Let me know what variations you choose! You can be creative and make your concoctions by mixing ingredients.
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How to Make Simple Syrup
Ingredients
- 1 cup sugar , raw cane or granulated sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup herbs or spices, optional
Instructions
Basic Simple Syrup
- Measure 1 cup sugar and 1 cup water.
- Combine the sugar and water in a small to a medium saucepan.
- Heat the sugar and water until it comes to a soft boil until the sugar has melted. This happens quickly.
- Once it’s melted, remove from the heat and let it cool to room temperature.
- Store it in an airtight glass jar.
Infused Simple Syrup
- If you're making infused syrups, add the ingredients in with the sugar and water.
- Bring to a soft boil, then let it simmer for a few minutes.
- Remove from heat and allow the mixture to cool and infuse for 25 minutes to 1 hour. You can even leave this overnight.
- Strain the mixture through a mesh strainer.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Absolutely love the idea of all the herbs added to the syrup. Thank you for sharing this recipe.
Love these tips!! We love syrups in Italian sodas! Can’t wait to try it in other drinks!
Simple syrup is so simple! I use it when I make freshly squeezed lemonade – it has never occurred to me to infuse it with other flavors, that’s a brilliant idea! I have a bunch of lemons I need to use, so I think I’m going to try adding some strawberries to my next simple syrup for some strawberry lemonade.
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.
Great use of simple syrup! Love sweetened iced tea!
Could you share information on where to buy the bottles and specifically the pour spout?
Hi Cori! You can buy the bottles (they come with the spout) from here https://rstyle.me/+g3xiaYxCUsxycEQbAx3-vQ
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!
Love simple syrup! It has so many uses and is the perfect addition to cocktails and cakes. I love the suggestion of adding spices.
so handy to have on hand for drinks! And the variation suggestions are so great.
I love simple syrup, there are so many great usese!
Love simple syrup and love the ideas on incorporating additional ingredients like herbs and edible flowers. Thank you!