2-Ingredient Simple Syrup

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The best way to sweeten iced drinks is with simple syrup. Made of just 2 ingredients, sugar and water, it’s super easy to make at home in less than 5 minutes.

Simple syrup in a glass bottle.

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Simple Syrup

Simple syrup is a fancy name for liquid sugar. It’s made by combining equal parts water and white sugar then heating it until the sugar has completely dissolved.

Sweeten iced drinks with simple syrup instead of sugar since it’ll mix well into the cold beverage unlike sugar which will just sink down to the bottom of the cup. It’s perfect for sweetening hot and iced drinks.

RELATED: 17 Simple Syrup Recipes

Recipe Highlights

  • With just two ingredients (sugar and water), it’s super easy to make at home.
  • It takes less than 5 minutes to make simple syrup.
  • This recipe makes a cup of simple syrup and 1-2 tablespoons can be added to sweeten your drink.

RELATED: Brown Sugar Syrup

Ingredient Notes

Sugar and water in measuring cups.
  • Sugar: White, granulated sugar is used to make basic simple sugar but you can use any kind of sugar you like.
  • Water: Use filtered water, if possible, for a better quality simple syrup.

For full ingredients and detailed instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Sugar and water in a saucepan.

Step 1: Put sugar and water in a saucepan and simmer on low heat. Stir until sugar completely dissolves.

Take off heat and cool.

Pouring simple syrup into a glass bottle.

Step 2: Pour syrup into an airtight container.

The syrup is good for 3 weeks when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Rich Syrup

Rich simple syrup is a simple syrup made with a different ratio of sugar and water. Simple syrup is 1 part sugar and 1 part water. Rich simple syrup, or shortened to rich syrup, is 2 parts sugar and 1 part water.

Expert Tips

  • This recipe makes a cup (16 tablespoons) of simple syrup. Use 1-2 tablespoons of syrup to sweeten a drink.
  • To cool down the syrup quicker, this recipe uses simmered water, which is warm enough to dissolve the sugar.
  • Simple syrup can be made without hot water. Put water and sugar into an cocktail shaker or a jar with a tight lid, and shake it vigorously until sugar dissolves. It involves a little more work and time.
Simple syrup in a glass bottle.

If you tried this Simple Syrup recipe, please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ star rating and let me know how you like it in the comments below.

4.67 from 3 votes

Super Easy Simple Syrup

By: Jee Choe
Made of just 2 ingredients, it's super easy to make simple syrup home in less than 5 minutes.
Prep Time: 4 minutes
Total Time: 4 minutes
Yield: 8 servings

Ingredients 

  • ¾ cup sugar
  • ¾ cup water

Instructions 

  • Put sugar and water in a saucepan and simmer.
    Simmer on low heat and stir until sugar completely dissolves.
    ¾ cup sugar, ¾ cup water
  • Take off heat and cool.
  • Pour syrup into an airtight container.
    Syrup will keep for 3 weeks in the refrigerator.

Notes

  • This recipe makes a cup (16 tablespoons) of simple syrup. Use 1-2 tablespoons of syrup to sweeten a drink.
  • To cool down the syrup quicker, this recipe uses simmered water, which is warm enough to dissolve the sugar.
  • Simple syrup can be made without hot water. Put water and sugar into an cocktail shaker or a jar with a tight lid, and shake it vigorously until sugar dissolves. It involves a little more work and time.

Nutrition

Calories: 73Carbohydrates: 19gSodium: 1mgPotassium: 1mgSugar: 19gCalcium: 1mgIron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Drinks
Cuisine: American
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