Homemade Simple Syrup

This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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.

Homemade simple syrup in a glass bottle with a little bowl of granulated sugar.

Recipe Highlights

  • Simple syrup is a fancy name for sugar that has been dissolved in water. With just two ingredients (sugar and water), it’s so easy to make at home.
  • 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.
  • Can be used to sweeten hot and cold drinks.
  • This recipe makes a cup of simple syrup and 1-2 tablespoons can be added to sweeten your drink.

RELATED: Simple Homemade Brown Sugar Syrup

Ingredient Notes

Simple syrup ingredients.
  • 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.

RELATED: 12 Simple Syrups Recipes

Step-by-Step Instructions

For full ingredients and instructions, scroll down to the recipe.

  1. Put sugar and water in a saucepan and simmer.
    Simmer on low heat and stir until sugar completely dissolves.
  2. Take off heat and cool.
  3. Pour syrup into an airtight container.
My Glass Bottle Pick
Perfectly sized to hold a cup of syrup, these glass bottles make it easy to store syrup, airtight, in the refrigerator.
SHOP NOW

Simple Syrup Uses

  • Stir simple syrup into iced teas and iced coffees to sweeten.
  • Make quick lemonade by shaking lemon juice, simple syrup, and water in a cocktail shaker.
  • Whisk half & half with some simple syrup to make delicious cold foam for drinks.

RELATED: Starbucks Classic Syrup

Expert Tips

  • This recipe makes a cup (16 tablespoons) of simple syrup. Use 1-2 tablespoons of syrup to sweeten a drink.
  • The syrup is good for 3 weeks when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
  • Always use simple syrup to sweeten iced drinks since it’ll best stir into a cold drink.

Questions You May Have

Can I make simple syrup without hot water?

Yes! But it does take more time and effort. Put water and sugar into an airtight container, like a jar with a tight lid, and shake it vigorously until sugar dissolves.

What is 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.

How is Starbucks simple syrup made?

The simple syrup at Starbucks is called the Classic syrup and it’s a little sweeter so I suspect it’s made with 1.5 part sugar and 1 part water.

Simple syrup in a glass bottle.

Did you make this? Please leave a star rating below or a review in the comments section.

Want to save this recipe to Pinterest for later? Pin it now to your Pinterest board!

Homemade Simple Syrup

Author: Jee Choe
Made of just 2 ingredients, it's super easy to make simple syrup home in less than 5 minutes.
4.7 from 3 votes
Prep Time 4 minutes
Total Time 4 minutes
Course Drinks
Yield8 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.
  • Take off heat and cool.
  • Pour syrup into an airtight container.
    Syrup will keep for 3 weeks in the refrigerator.

NOTES

  • Recipe makes 1 cup (16 tablespoons) of syrup.
  • Use 2 tablespoons of syrup per 1 cup of coffee.
  • To make simple syrup without hot water, put water and sugar into an airtight container, like a jar with a tight lid, and shake it vigorously until sugar dissolves.

NUTRITION

Calories: 73 | Carbohydrates: 19g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 1mg | Sugar: 19g | Calcium: 1mg | Iron: 1mg

1 thought on “Homemade Simple Syrup”

Leave a Comment

RATE THE RECIPE: