How to make simple syrup with regular sugar, brown sugar or honey. This is perfect in your cocktails, mocktails, coffee, tea, and for decorating cakes. Jump to the Simple Syrup Recipe
Simple syrup is ridiculously easy to make, and since it lasts a while in the fridge, we can make one large batch and go back to it each time we want to make a cocktail. Here’s another syrup for you! Our Lemon Ginger Syrup is delicious in cocktails, mocktails, and teas.
You only need two ingredients for your basic simple syrup recipe: water and sugar. The most common ratio for simple syrup is equal parts water to sugar. However, this doesn’t mean that you couldn’t make the syrup richer by using more sugar or leaner by using less sugar.
You can even play around when making simple syrup. Swapping white sugar for brown sugar makes a rich, almost caramel-like syrup that works well in cocktails like this Old Fashioned or our Lemon Drop Martini.
Honey is also a nice idea, especially since using pure honey in cocktails is tricky. Pure honey is thick and doesn’t fully dissolve into the cocktail. By making a honey simple syrup, you thin out the honey while keeping the flavor.
Another idea is to make a flavored simple syrup. That’s what we did in our video. In the video, we make a mint citrus simple syrup.
Recipe updated, originally posted October 2011. Since posting this in 2011, we have tweaked the recipe to be more clear. – Adam and Joanne
How to Make Simple Syrup
Make simple syrup at home in less than 5 minutes – no need to buy store-bought simple syrup anymore! It’s an easy and quick recipe and is super affordable. Use it in your favorite cocktails, coffee drinks, and even on cakes.
Prep: 1min
Total: 4min
Yield: 12
Serving Size: 1 serving
Nutrition Facts: calories 64 kcal, Carbohydrate 17 g, Fat 0.1 g, Sodium 1 mg, Sugar 17 g, servingSize 1 serving
Ingredients:
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup granulated sugar
Instruction:
- In a small or medium saucepan, whisk together water and sugar over medium-high heat. Bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally until sugar is completely dissolved. The liquid should be clear.
- Remove from heat and allow to cool or use immediately. If using in a cold cocktail, I do recommend giving it some time to cool before using.
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 3- 4 weeks and use in your favorite beverages or recipes as desired.
Easy Homemade Simple Syrup
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.
Prep: 5min
Total: 10min
Yield: Makes approximately 1 1/2 cups simple syrup
Serving Size: 1 tablespoon
Nutrition Facts: servingSize 1 tablespoon, calories 32, Fat 0 g, Saturated Fat 0 g, Cholesterol 0 mg, Sodium 0 mg, Carbohydrate 8.3 g, Fiber 0 g, Sugar 8.3 g, Protein 0 g
Ingredients:
- 1 cup water, preferably filtered
- 1 cup granulated sugar, brown sugar, or honey
Instruction:
- Add 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 has completely dissolved. Cool then store in an airtight container, in the fridge, up to 4 weeks.
- To make citrus mint simple syrup, follow the recipe below, and then when the sugar has dissolved, turn off the heat, and then stir in a handful of mint leaves and citrus peel (I love a combination of lemon, orange, and lime). Leave the syrup off of the heat and allow it to steep and cool. Strain, and then store.
How to Make Simple Syrup | Cocktail Recipes
FAQ
What is the formula of simple syrup?
Traditional simple syrup is made from one part water to one part sugar (1:1).
Does simple syrup need to boil?
The science is simple, really. Sucrose (granulated sugar) dissolves just fine in water at room temperature.
What is simple syrup made of?
How do you make simple syrup and how long does it last?
