How to Make Simple Syrup (Recipe)

Name: How to Make Simple Syrup (Recipe)
Prep time: 2 min
Cook time: 3 min
Total time: 5 min
Ingredients: 1 cup water; 1 cup granulated sugar (or turbinado, demerara)

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How to Make Simple Syrup (Recipe) – An easy recipe for making bar-quality Simple Syrup at home to enjoy in all of your drinks. It’s perfect for customizing with your favorite flavors, like lavender and mint!

A Cocktail’s Best Friend

Every home bartender needs a great recipe for how to make sweet Simple Syrups.

From classic cocktails like Mai Tais to fun, fruity Raspberry Mojitos, many of the best boozy drinks (and mocktails) are made with a sugary syrup to help balance the taste of the alcohol and other bitter or savory ingredients.

This recipe is terrific to use as a base to then customize with whatever flavors you like. Add fresh mint, rosemary, lavender, thyme, lemon, or any number of other ingredients to really enhance your favorite cocktails!

What Ingredients You Need

This recipe begins with just two basic ingredients:

Water – is the base that turns this recipe into a liquid sweetener
Sugar (Granulated) – or turbinado, demerara or brown sugar, if you prefer

It’s just that… simple! A cup water + a cup sugar makes the perfect simple syrup.

How to Make Simple Syrup from Scratch

This easy 3-step process takes only about 5 minutes…

First, place a small pot or saucepan over medium heat and combine equal parts of water and sugar.
Stir, and bring to a boil. Once the mixture starts boiling, stir again and remove the pot from the heat. (Do Not allow it to simmer on the burner.) If making a Simple Syrup with herbs, this is when you add them to the hot liquid.
Cool to room temperature in the pot before transferring to an airtight container.

Keep stored in the fridge for up to one month.

How to Make this Recipe with Honey

If you don’t want to use sugar in this recipe, you can easily substitute the sugar with honey. Mix 1 part honey to 1 part water. No need to heat. This method can be used with agave as well.

While honey syrup does have a lower glycemic index than granulated sugar, do note that it is slightly higher in calories.

Looking for a Low Carb or Keto Simple Syrup? Simply swap the sugar for an equal amount of keto-friendly sugar substitute, like monk fruit sweetener or erythritol. Then stir in 1/4 teaspoon xanthan gum for thickening.

Get the Complete Simple Syrup Recipe Below. Enjoy!

Different Flavor Variation Options…

Below are just a few ideas for how to customize this basic recipe with lots of big flavors.

LAVENDER SIMPLE SYRUP

Add 4-6 sprigs of fresh lavender to the hot simple syrup. Let it sit for 12 hours to infuse. Once it has cooled to room temperature, refrigerate. Remove the lavender sprigs before using.

Use this lavender syrup to make a bright and tart Lavender Meyer Lemon Tom Collins Cocktail.

MINT SIMPLE SYRUP

Add 12-20 fresh mint leaves to the hot simple syrup. Let it sit for 12 hours to infuse. Once it has cooled to room temperature, refrigerate. Remove the mint leaves before using.

This mint syrup is fantastic for making a classic, refreshing Mint Julep.

LEMON SIMPLE SYRUP

Add 3-4 large pieces of lemon rind (peel) to the hot simple syrup, and allow to sit for 12 hours to infuse. Once it has cooled to room temperature, refrigerate. Remove the peel before using.

This lemon version adds a terrific kick of extra citrus to “The Champ” Bourbon Cocktail – Whiskey Sour.

ROSEMARY SIMPLE SYRUP

To the hot simple syrup add 2-4 sprigs of fresh rosemary. Let it sit for 12 hours. in the jar to infuse. Once it’s cooled to room temperature, refrigerate. Remove the rosemary sprigs before using.

Use homemade rosemary syrup in this smoky, strong Rosemary Old Fashioned.

Frequently Asked Questions?

How Long Does It Last In The Fridge?

This recipe will last in an airtight container for 3 to 4 weeks if unflavored. If you added another flavor to your sweetener, it will last in the refrigerator for up to 1 to 2 weeks.

What Else Can I Use This Recipe For?

This sweetener can be used for more than just cocktails. You can use it to sweeten iced coffee or iced tea. You can even use it to drizzle over cakes to add extra flavor or to help keep the cake moist. A large batch can also be used to make a simple sorbet.

How Do I Make a Heavy Rich Simple Syrup?

Some cocktail recipes call for a heavier sweetener, so less liquid is involved. For this version use a 2:1 ratio of sugar to water. It will keep well for up to 6 months if stored in an airtight container in the fridge.

What Other Flavors Can I Try?

You can make this simple syrup with a lot of flavors: orange, cinnamon sticks, cloves, vanilla bean, lime, ginger, basil, molasses, and maple syrup.

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