This homemade Simple Syrup recipe is quick and foolproof, made with only two ingredients. It blends smoothly into drinks – the perfect way to sweeten up cocktails, mocktails, coffee, tea, and more!
Every good home bar (and kitchen!) should have a jar of homemade Simple Syrup. It’s one of those basics that makes life, well… simpler. With just 2 ingredients for ultimate ease, the real magic is in how it blends seamlessly into your drinks – from iced coffee drinks to happy hour cocktails. No more gritty sugar settling at the bottom of your glass! It’s a staple I rely on for all-season drinks like my Limoncello Martini, plus my holiday-perfect Pomegranate Gin and Tonic and summery Bootleg Cocktail.
Why Everyone Needs Simple Syrup In Their Fridge
You’ll always find a jar of simple syrup in our refrigerator. It’s an unassuming workhorse when it comes to swirling a touch of sweetness into any drink, from coffee to tea to a weekend cocktail. Whenever I see it in the store, I have to laugh – if only people knew how easy AND CHEAP this is to make!
- So quick and easy: Two ingredients, five minutes, and you’ve got a jar of liquid sweetness ready to go.
- Perfectly smooth: No sugar crystals sitting at the bottom of your glass — this stirs right in.
- Easily customizable: Use this as a base to branch out into flavored syrups, such as cinnamon, rosemary, fruit, etc. I share a few of my personal favorite flavor infusions later in this post.
Enjoy!
What You’ll Need
- water
- sugar – I most often use plain granulated sugar, but you can substitute with an equal amount of brown sugar, maple sugar, or coconut sugar. Honey is also lovely!
The most common ratio for simple syrup is equal parts water and sugar (also called a 1:1 ratio), and that’s how I always make it.
You can always add more sugar to make it sweeter and a bit thicker. If you double the sugar (a 2:1 ratio), it’s called a “rich” simple syrup. Or use less sugar to make it thinner and less sweet.
How To Make It
- Combine the water and sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat.
- Whisk until sugar dissolves completely.
- Remove from heat and let it cool to room temperature.
- Transfer to a clean, airtight jar and refrigerate. It will keep well for up to 4 weeks.
How To Use Simple Syrup
This mixture is endlessly versatile. Stir some into a fresh fruit salad. Mix it into oatmeal. Use it to make Sugared Cranberries. Or brush it over cakes or Honey Cornbread Muffins to add moisture and a bit of sweetness.
But, as I’ve already talked quite a bit about, simple syrup especially shines in drinks. Stir it into iced or hot coffee, iced or hot tea, or lemonade. Here are some favorite cocktail recipes that call for it:
- Classic Daiquiri (rum, lime juice, simple syrup)
- Whiskey Sour (bourbon, lemon juice, simple syrup)
- Classic Mojito (mint, lime juice, simple syrup, club soda)
- Old Fashioned (bourbon or rye, bitters, simple syrup instead of the traditional sugar cube)
- Prosecco Margaritas – Big Batch (tequila, Cointreau, lime juice, simple syrup, prosecco)
More Simple Syrup Recipes
If you’d like to play with variations that add other flavors, try these:
- Cinnamon Simple Syrup – so lovely in a Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew or an Eggnog White Russian!
- Lavender Simple Syrup
- Brown Sugar Syrup
- Rhubarb Simple Syrup
- Rosemary Greyhound Cocktail (uses rosemary-infused simple syrup)
Simple Syrup
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup granulated sugar
Instructions
- In a small saucepan over medium-high, whisk the water and sugar until the sugar dissolves.
- Remove saucepan from heat and let cool completely.
- Transfer simple syrup to an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 4 weeks.
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